John Calvin argued that of all the gifts God has given us – music is the most powerful. Churches have spent a great deal of time discussing the role of music in public praise. However when we discuss the more general role of music in society, it is often in a condemnatory way. Is there such a thing as Christian music? What does secular music … Continue reading Persuasive Music
We have some wonderfully talented people in St Petes…one of whom is David Henderson – who every year produces a wee Christmas video….here Dave and various others equally talented people from the congregation sing a new song – one that he wrote for the occasion….love it…enjoy . I have also included some incredible quotes from CS Lewis and a couple of other songs sung by … Continue reading Christmas Cheer – Songs from St Petes and Readings from CS Lewis that will make your week!
Loving doing Ecclesiastes for Christian Today – it always amazes me how beautifully and directly relevant it is to today’s culture. My favourite Gospel book! Here is the latest one on ch.3:9-11. I had orginally entitled this ‘The Burden of Eternity and Beauty’ but I prefer their retitling! Ecclesiastes 3: There’s a reason why we’re born with a sense of eternity As we head towards Christmas … Continue reading Ecclesiastes 3:9-11- There’s a reason why we’re born with a sense of eternity
This weeks Ecclesiastes article on Christian Today In general in Western society we are money rich and time poor. That is as true for the church as it is for the rest of society – indeed it may be even truer. While the world has just work, family, friends and leisure to use up the fixed resource of time, we add church. It’s little wonder … Continue reading The Times They Are A’Changing – Ecclesiastes 3:1-8
Light Engaging Darkness no. 11 1) Las Vegas Shooting – As I write America is waking up to the horror of yet another mass killing by a gunman. A 64-year-old Nevada man, Stephen Paddock, killed at least 58 people attending a country music concert in Las Vegas. Unfortunately there were those who were quick to make judgments and pronouncements. ISIS claimed that Mr. Paddock … Continue reading LED 11 – Las Vegas Shooting – Catalonia – Teddy Taylor – Runrig – Transgender Sperm Frozen – Art for Dogs Sake – Lidl Leaves out the Cross – Africa’s Green Wall – Luther’s Quote
This is an album that is very bleak, if you listen to it against a backdrop of materialistic, atheistic secularism. There really is nothing. No hope, no hallelujah. But if you see this album in the light of the incarnation, life, teaching, death, resurrection and return of the Name above all names, then the darkness only serves to magnify the Light. Continue reading Light out of Darkness: A Review of Leonard Cohen’s ‘You Want It Darker’
Last night I had the joy of attending a concert by the RSNO (Royal Scottish National Orchestra). It was a beautiful and throughly enjoyable evening….I offer the following reflections…. Dundee’s Caird hall is a wonderful setting! I love the rituals at Classical concerts – its so traditional….three encores, don’t clap in between movements…don’t be too enthusiastic – although the lady in front of me … Continue reading Beethoven, Dvorak and a Con Brio
I recorded this on my Iphone at the afternoon concert of acapella singing in St Peters last Sunday. This was part of the Open Doors weekend and allowed people to hear some of the kind of singing we try to do. Crawford Mackenzie (one of our elders and worship leaders) got together this small choir of 12 and with less than a handful of rehearsals … Continue reading Voices in Harmony – St Peters Singing
My latest column in Christian Today Isn’t it great to be free! Especially free to be creative. Doesn’t religion shackle creativity? Isn’t it just better to be ourselves and express ourselves? So runs the somewhat narrow and simplistic narrative of some of our culture. Does Christianity really stifle music and the arts? I guess tales of bagpipes being burned (although that may have had something to … Continue reading Does Christianity Stifle Creativity?
Personally I am not a big fan of the ‘Christian music’ scene and even less of Christian concerts. I’m not saying that there is de facto anything wrong with them – I’m just not keen – unless you count Bach as Christian music…! However there are some great Christian musicians out there who are using their gifts for the glory of God (not least in … Continue reading We Shall All Be Changed – The New Scottish – A Review
