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: …
Category: Behaviour
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 …
Clan Chiefs and CEOs
There are a number of documentaries on the Clan Chiefs who used to run Scotland in days of yore. They still exist as nominal chiefs of the Scottish clans. However, the self-aggrandisement that is natural to the human heart ensures that Scotland and other nations continue to have their clan chiefs, for better or for …
Men of violence
Today is the 80th anniversary of the Liberation of Auschwitz, the complex of German Nazi concentration and extermination camps during World War II. Each anniversary since 2005 is now commemorated as International Holocaust Remembrance Day. The Bible has much to say about violence. Many people do not read the Bible, so they do not know …
The Finishing Line
Today, I remember my late brother's birthday. He passed away a few years ago, beating me in our race towards heaven. The life of the godly is a long-distance race. The finishing line is in heaven. The apostle Paul speaks about it in Heb 12:1-2. The point he makes is that racers keep their eye …
The price of losing Christian values
There is a saying: "You won't miss the water till the well runs dry." Britain's wells are running dry. The caring professions are running dry, which many now view simply as jobs without a sense of vocation. Speaking truth is running dry in politics and public life Isa 59:14. Christian conscience is seeping away from …
God’s restraining grace
Not many people know about God's restraining grace, and more so when it is being withdrawn from societies that were once predominantly Christian. Multicultural Britain Whatever way one defines multiculturalism, multicultural Britain highlights that the Christian culture that once predominated in Britain no longer does so. There are many consequences from this, but one effect …
Can Christians change?
It used to be said that people will change their spouse before they will change their bank account. Although this may no longer be true, yet there is an equivalent consideration. Can or do Christians change their political party? Do you know any? If so, are they many? The rise of ReformUK to overtake the …
The poverty of discussion
I have noted the poverty of discussion elsewhere as part of a longer discussion about Christian behaviour. However, many people will not read long posts and will not concentrate on much more than a few pararaphs, so this post is short because the topic deserves an introductory blogpost of its own, if for no other …
Donald's Thoughts 