Beauty for Ashes The June Record Editorial The people of Issachar were blessed to have 200 leaders who ‘understood the times and knew what Israel should do’ (1 Chronicles 12:32). When we look at the wider situation in the government and church, we sometimes wonder if there are two who could fit that description! When we try to understand the times, we are tempted to … Continue reading Beauty for Ashes – The June Record Editorial
For those who asked here are the plans for my last Sundays in St Peters and our last month in Scotland (DV for a wee while!)… Today (the 26th) – Preaching at both services on Romans 14 and 15. Communion in the morning. 2nd of June – Preaching in the morning on Romans 15 and baptising our grandson, Lewis Robertson. 9th of June – Farewell … Continue reading Joe Barnard, the Last Sundays and Decades in Dundee
This weeks Quantum is the second part of our review of what we do. Last week we looked at society. This week we look at the church. Joel Osteen and Matt Chandler; Steve Chalke and Jayne Ozanne; And the wonderful Sinclair Ferguson – watch this clip! Then we have a look at both the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland and the Free Church … Continue reading Quantum of Hope 43 -Joel Osteen; Matt Chandler; Steve Chalke; Sinclair Ferguson; The General Assembly; Durham Church; Lucas Moura; City Alight
This week is a week of speeches. Yesterday I was not only at the General Assembly but speaking at the Scottish Parliament – to their Freedom of Religion Committee on the subject of The Threat to Religious Freedom in Scotland. Here is the speech. The Threat to Religious Freedom in Scotland Religious freedom is the bedrock of all other freedoms. Freedom of speech, freedom of … Continue reading The Threat to Religious Freedom in Scotland – and a Response from the Humanist Society.
(Photo: A Perry) Is Britain about to break up? The argument is being made more frequently by the commentariat in London and Manchester – especially those who are opposed to Brexit. ‘Look’ they say, “Brexit will mean the break up of Britain” and this, along with the other apocalyptic predictions ‘planes will stop flying, the NHS will collapse, the end of civilization as we know … Continue reading Is Britain Breaking Up?
This is a paper I presented to a conference of academics in Cromarty celebrating the work of Hugh Miller. Miller is one of Scotland’s unsung great historical heroes. I was reminded of this when listening to Nicola Sturgeon’s conference speech last week – which contained a short section on Scottish history that was more interesting for what it missed out rather than what it said. … Continue reading Hugh Miller – The Christian Radical
I found Nicola Sturgeons’ speech to the SNP entertaining, revealing, informative, frustrating, cringeworthy and depressing. I suspect that the way people react to this speech are similar to the way the react to Nicola – they either love or hate her. To her fans this was a brilliant speech showing the fantastic vision and leadership that she provides. To her detractors this was more of … Continue reading Scotland’s Future – The Hope, History, Hubris, Humiliation and Hypocrisy of Nicola Sturgeon
I have the enormous privilege of ministering to a number of medical and nursing students, as well as doctors, nurses, dentists and other health care professionals. Without the NHS a good percentage of the St Peters congregation would not be employed! All of us have an interest in the health service and those who serve us in that. But is there a specifically Christian … Continue reading The Christian Heart of Modern Medicine
This months editorial in The Record – plus index and poetry page Church Ablaze It’s General Assembly month. And probably the last time I will write an editorial for this august publication. As I look back over the past years it seems that nothing ever really changes. In 2016 we made a last-minute plea to the Church of Scotland not to change its, and the … Continue reading Church Ablaze – The Pre-Assembly Record Editorial for May
There is a lot for you in this weeks Quantum. It’s been good to see the growth in the listening figures…you can help by passing it on to others. You can also support the podcast here – https://patron.podbean.com/theweeflea We begin by looking at how the Sri Lankan massacre has been reported. I refer to this excellent article from Giles Fraser in The Guardian. Then we … Continue reading Quantum 39 – Sri Lanka; Lyra McKee; Church Growth; Extinction Rebellion; Aberdeen Abortion; Trans Madness; White Books; Rees-Moog and Islam; Billy MacNeil; Steve Baker
