In the early 1980’s I was studying history and politics at the University of Edinburgh. I had been attending Morningside Baptist Church, and indeed had been baptised there – but, through reading the Bible, I became what is called ‘Reformed’ – even though I did not know what that was! I became to look for a church that taught this biblical theology but also practised. … Continue reading The Free Church and the Poor
As we head towards the General Assembly next week, my hope and prayer is that we will deal with the important issues – one of which is how we reach the hundreds of thousands of people who live in Scotland’s schemes. To my mind, it is fanciful to think that the Free Church will be able to do this. We will need to partner … Continue reading The Three Presbyterians – the Free Church and Twenty Schemes.
Faith no more: Questions over a liberal approach as Church of Scotland affiliation plummets In todays Herald there is yet again another article on the decline of the Church of Scotland….It reflects what we have been saying on this blog for years…. The full report is below….with some reflections afterwards. QUESTIONS have been raised about how the Church of Scotland’s more liberal approach will help public … Continue reading Faith No More – the Continuing Decline of the Church of Scotland- The Herald
Each New Year I foolishly like to try and think ahead by making some predictions (not prophecies) about the coming year for the Church. This was a prediction for this year: 9) The Church will reach out amongst the poor. It seems to me that it is often the case that the richer and more middle-class the church, the more they talk about helping the … Continue reading Good News for the Poor – The September Record Editorial
This article has just been published in the Australian Presbyterian. Out of the Ashes – The Fall and Rise of the Church in Scotland I suppose that for many Australian Presbyterians Scotland, or at least the Presbyterian Church in Scotland is considered to be the motherland! If that is true, then the cry that comes out from Scotland is ‘your mother is very ill!’ … Continue reading Out of the Ashes – The Fall and Rise of the Church in Scotland – Article in Australian Presbyterian
Last weeks Ten ‘Prophecies’ for Society/Culture in 2017 have already had a partial fulfilment. Israel, Trump and the SNP ruling out a second Indy Ref in 2017. But how will the Church of Jesus Christ fare in this coming year? Only the Lord knows. However I like to think ahead and watch trends. So here goes 1) The C of S and C of E in the … Continue reading Ten Prophecies re the Church in 2017
This is an article I wrote for Premier – you can get the full original here – http://www.premierchristianity.com/Blog/Can-the-Church-in-Scotland-rise-again Can the Church in Scotland rise again? By: David Robertson | Aug 2015 The dour Scot, Private Fraser in Dad’s Army, has nothing on some of those commenting on the latest figures on church life in Scotland: ‘Doomed, doomed, you’re all doomed!’ Almost half of adults in … Continue reading Can the Church in Scotland rise again? Article for Premier –
This article is published in Octobers ‘Record’ – the monthly magazine of the Free Church. As I write this the result of the September referendum is unknown. All the polls indicate a ‘No’ win but polls have been wrong before. Who knows what may happen in the polling booth and as I have no desire to be stoned as a false prophet for making hasty … Continue reading The Church in Post-Referendum Scotland
