Democratic voting is not the answer to "holding the line", whether it is ecclesiastical, political or secular. Democracy works when the loser accepts the result of a vote, but accepting defeat has been abandoned in recent decades. Donald Trump had no sooner won his first term in office as the US President when protests began …
Category: Behaviour
When will the five wise virgins waken up?
Jesus spoke this parable: "The kingdom of heaven is like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were wise and five were foolish. While the bridegroom delayed, they all slumbered and slept." Gospel of Matthew 25:1-2,5 This describes the Christian church at present – some are …
False beliefs in science
False beliefs among scientists, politicians and opinion-makers is having detrimental effects on public health and education. The UK Covid-19 Inquiry into the 2020-2021 coronavirus pandemic highlighted a culture of secrecy in the UK Cabinet Office at the beginning of the pandemic. The evidence to the Inquiry demonstrated false beliefs among those at the highest level …
And the Books were opened
The wicked need to know what awaits them after death, in the hope that they will change their minds and behaviour while they still have time. The Bible tells us: "I saw a great white throne, and Him Who sat on it ... I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the …
Broadway Christianity
"Enter in at the narrow gate because the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many going into it." Jesus Christ in Matthew 7:13. In this concluding part of His Sermon on the Mount the Lord Jesus warns us against "Broadway Christianity". This is not a warning …
Reformation from blind faith
The 16th-century European Reformation was a reformation from the blind faith expected by Roman Catholicism. Blind faith is believing something because someone else has said it, rather than examining the evidence for oneself. It is encouraged by dogmaticians, who regularly use "proof by assertion" to "establish" their point. Instead of believing what the Roman Catholic …
Prepare to meet thy God
Today the Scottish Parliament will debate an Assisted Dying Bill promoted by Liam McArthur, a Lib Dem MSP. It is the first of several parliamentary stages, which can be viewed here. The debate can be viewed live and retrospectively. The death culture – from birthdays to manmade deathdays. Why are people so ready to rush …
Church courts or helpers?
In Presbyterianism it is common to hear of church assemblies being described as church courts. Why? This terminology promotes legalistic thinking, and this is too commonly found in dealing with cases of conscience or cases of discipline. This legal thinking needs to be balanced with the biblical teaching about office-bearers in the Church of Christ: …
The poverty of worldly love
It is a poor reflection on worldly love that the average length of a marriage that falls apart in England and Wales is about a dozen years. Birds of a feather flock together, but these worldly lovebirds fly apart. Those who claimed to love each other, and then lose it so quickly, need to learn …
What is a Christian Voice?
I have often said that we need a Christian Voice in public life. However, my experience is that very few people know what this means, including Christians. I am 70 years old today and I have been involved latterly in Christian politics for almost 20 years. Many Christians in the UK do not know what Christian …
Donald's Thoughts 