Scottish Highland Christianity has been unique in preserving the biblical and spiritual attainments of the 16th-century Scottish Reformation to the present day. Foremost in the ranks of 19th-century Highland Christianity was Dr John Kennedy (1819-1884), the renowned minister of the Free Church of Scotland in Dingwall for 40 years. Dingwall (Tingwall) was considered the Viking …
Category: Book reviews
A summary of the New Testament in the Christian Bible
I recently summarised examples of Jesus’ extraordinary conversation in the Gospel of John. I hope it will be helpful for you to have a brief summary of the New Testament. Background – language and layout The New Testament was written after the Lord Jesus Christ appeared on Earth. In contrast, the Old Testament was written …
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The 20th-century Icon
Rarely can it be so clearly demonstrated that people, and even whole societies, cannot see what is plainly in front of their eyes. Not only is this a theological truth, illustrated by the atheism believed by intelligent people, as well as by the effect of distraction practised by parents on crying children, but the …
Denial and post-truth – the real problem with faith
The film Denial has been recently released in British cinemas after its premier at the Toronto film festival on '9/11' last year and its UK premier on International Holocaust Memorial Day 27th January 2017. It gives the outline of the libel trial brought by notorious Holocaust denier David Irving against the American historian Deborah Lipstadt …
Continue reading Denial and post-truth – the real problem with faith
The Ark of Noah – and The Unsinkable Dream
I have just finished reading The Unsinkable Dream by Johan Huibers, the Dutchman who has built a full-sized replica of Noah's Ark. Its Dutch title is Let Your Dream Sail. It is a wonderful read about an amazing project with so many lessons that you should simply purchase the book for yourself. The Ark is …
Sing Psalms
A new website promoting four-part-harmony Psalm singing has been recently launched. A series of Psalmody CDs called Worthy to be Praised produced by the Psalmody Committee of the Free Church of Scotland (Continuing) are available. These have one disc of Psalm singing and one disc to teach the soprano, alto, tenor and bass parts for …
Conception is not fertilisation
When does human life begin? by Dr John R. Ling, June 2011, The Christian Institute. 45 pp booklet. The blurb states: “When does human life begin? It is a fundamental and decisive question because your answer reveals your understanding of the nature and status of the human embryo. It also shapes your stance on the …
The Religious Affections
A Treatise concerning the Religious Affections by Jonathan Edwards is an excellent book for helping with self-examination. Edwards lived in the time of the First Great Awakening in America (1725-50) and saw revival on a great scale. In God's providence, America's foremost theologian was on hand to witness and analyse these events. He saw many …
Book reviews
Young Christians need guidance on many things in order to witness for Christ in a hostile world. Those who have access to wise and judicious senior Christians to guide them are privileged. Those who have effective preaching in a supportive congregation are in the environment encouraged by Scripture. Yet many people do not have either …
Donald's Thoughts 