There is a debate about the future of Presbyterian churches in Scotland. The debate is inadequate because it does not begin with Scripture but with historical and theological analysis, presumably to detect where things went wrong in order to put them right. There is certainly a role for this, but the cure should arise from …
Category: Apologetics
Inadequate Presbyterian debate
I have often complained about the poor quality of debate in public discussion and also among Christians. My forth-coming publication about the Book of Job draws attention to this perennial, long-standing human failure. Intelligent, informed debate is essential for progress and community cohesion. As long as the Presbyterian church is unable to debate properly or …
False Gospels
A false gospel is a gospel that gives a false hope. It does so by preaching a false Christ. There are various ways of preaching a false Christ. Arminians preach a Christ who does not actually save, that puts salvation into the believer's own hands, emphasizing the decision to follow Christ otherwise Christ cannot actually …
Legislating for atheism
The Assisted Dying Bill began its discussion in the House of Commons today. Officially called The Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill, the concept of assisted dying does not occur in the title. Possibly it is too stark and too revealing to name it for what it is. This Bill will legislate for atheism. …
The Reformation of Presbyterianism
Current Presbyterianism needs a Reformation as surely as Roman catholicism needed it in the 16th century, and still needs it in the 21st century. Roman catholicism never learned from the Protestant Reformation, but instead it battened down the hatches and carried on worse than before. This is a natural reaction, and not many people learn …
The spirit and form of Presbyterianism
If you ask what Presbyterianism is, you may be told that that it is a form of church government in which the church is structured in a hierarchical manner with lower courts subordinate to higher courts until a General Assembly oversees them all. This is inadequate. This describes the form, not the substance nor the …
What is believer’s baptism?
Believer's baptism is a common expression in Christian circles. It is not a biblical phrase. What is meant by 'believer'? Usually this expression means a person who is "born again". So say those who believe in believer's baptism. Really? What about someone who is not born again? Can they not be baptized? Not usually, according to …
Atheistic politics
Britain is on the verge of legislating for atheism. If we pass an Assisted Dying Bill we are legislating atheism because such a Bill operates on the assumption that there is no life (or pain) after death. This is atheism. Abortion operates on the assumption that those involved in this despicable act will not be …
Christian funerals
The nature of funeral services in the Scottish Highlands is changing. I have attended countless funerals in my lifetime, and last winter has taken its toll upon a significant number of people that I knew. Witnessing these funerals I draw attention to the subtle changes that are taking place. Instead of seeking God's blessing upon …
Two religious errors within an hour
I have a blogpost on evangelical errors and another on academic errors. However, I witnessed two errors within an hour today that I thought I would highlight. The first error was at a midday prayer meeting where we read in the New Living Translation at John 7:8 Jesus saying: "I’m not going to this festival, …
