Category: The Free Church

The Downgrading of the Free Church – A Response to Donald Macleod.

August 12, 2017

Donald Macleod is the most brilliant theologian I have ever met. His writings are always stimulating, provocative and persuasive. His current blog post is no different. http://www.donaldmacleod.org.uk/dm/should-presbyterians-have-dedication-services/ However sometimes you have to wonder if Donald just had a day when he got out of bed on the wrong side! His current blog is supposed to … More The Downgrading of the Free Church – A Response to Donald Macleod.

Quenching the Fire in the Free Church – Record Editorial -August

August 2, 2017

Quenching the Fire in the Free Church  – (This months editorial from the Record – you can purchase your copy of the magazine from your local Free Church or the Free Church offices/bookshop).  We all know to a greater or lesser degree the danger and power of fire. Some of us have been literally burned; others … More Quenching the Fire in the Free Church – Record Editorial -August

Neil Macarthur – A Personal Tribute to a Teacher whose Influence lasted.

July 29, 2017

I write this in Portmahomack at my parents, as I am about to attend the funeral of my old maths teacher, Neil Macarthur. Why travel the 350 mile round trip to attend the funeral of a 90 year old man who was not a relative?  A Mentor Neil Macarthur was not a friend. I didn’t … More Neil Macarthur – A Personal Tribute to a Teacher whose Influence lasted.

Believe in the Bible or Believe in Yourself – answering heretics in the secular press!

July 27, 2017

Some of the biggest enemies we face as Christians are those who profess to be Christians, especially Christian teachers and clergy, but spend their time denying Christian teaching and the Bible.  One such frequent correspondent in the press in Scotland is Rev. Dr John Cameron, a Church of Scotland minister.  In one of his latest … More Believe in the Bible or Believe in Yourself – answering heretics in the secular press!

When the Levy Breaks – Is Dedicating an Infant, Covenant Breaking?

July 26, 2017

I am very worried about a Welsh Presbyterian goat farmer.   Apparently Paul Levy, the International Presbyterian Church (IPC) in Ealing, keeps goats on a farm.   And he is concerned about them.  Paul is normally a jovial sort of person but apparently I recently ‘got on his goat’ so he wrote an article about how he … More When the Levy Breaks – Is Dedicating an Infant, Covenant Breaking?

Infant Dedication, Heart Circumcision and One of the Best three Sermons ever preached!

July 16, 2017

Last Sunday I preached on Romans 2:17-19 – Circumcision of the Heart .  It was part of an infant dedication service for Timothy Harrison, son of Graham and Michelle and brother of Ben.  Let me explain why we do this.  We are a Presbyterian Church and we believe in covenant baptism which includes the infants of believers. … More Infant Dedication, Heart Circumcision and One of the Best three Sermons ever preached!

Forgiveness, the Witness and Psalm 51 – Preaching and Praise from St Peters -Craig Anderson and Sinclair Ferguson

July 2, 2017

One of the key things for any growing church is that the Lord raises up new preachers/pastors of the Word.  It takes more years to train a preacher/pastor than it does a doctor so its good to start them young.  We are very thankful that the Lord seems to be raising up many young men … More Forgiveness, the Witness and Psalm 51 – Preaching and Praise from St Peters -Craig Anderson and Sinclair Ferguson

Lessons from the Disruption – How a Church Split Can be Positive!

May 19, 2017

It was a surprise to be asked by Christian Today to comment on the 174th Anniversary of the Free Church Disruption of 1843.  I doubt that the anniversary went through the minds of even most Free Church people.  But as I reflected on it, I realised that the Disruption still has a lot to teach … More Lessons from the Disruption – How a Church Split Can be Positive!