We are living in interesting and significant times, with a number of notable anniversaries co-inciding. 31st October 2017 is the 500th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation and the 100th anniversary of the Balfour Declaration. Martin Luther unwittingly commenced the Protestant Reformation when he posted his 95 Theses for discussion on the door of the Castle …
Category: Church history
What is Islamic Reformation?
Tonight, 14 Feb 2017, BBC Newsnight's Viewsnight carried an opinion that Islamic State is a Reformation in islam. Canadian author Graeme Wood compared the similarities of the rise of Islamic State (ISIS) with the Protestant Reformation under Martin Luther, pointing to 1. the call to return to the original sources (the Bible and Quran) to …
Patrick’s Places – the difference between Law and Gospel
Patrick’s Places – the difference between Law and Gospel by Patrick Hamilton, 1527. Patrick Hamilton was Scotland’s first Reformer and martyr, burned at the stake by Roman Catholic cardinal Beaton at St Andrews in 1528 for preaching the Gospel. Of noble birth, he graduated MA from the College of Montaigu, Paris, in 1520 and enrolled …
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New pope of Rome answers questions
I used to say that the pope of Rome never answers questions, and is not accountable to others. At least, he now answers questions. During the resignation of Ratzinger from the Roman papacy, the discussion on BBC Scotland asked the question whether the job was too much for one man. A papal advisor, Professor John …
Presbyteries or Church Courts?
It is very common to hear people speak about church courts. However Kirk Sessions, Presbyteries, Synods and General Assemblies become church courts for specific cases. This legal terminology is now so common that people fail to see that ecclesiastical assemblies are for the mutual support and oversight of the people of God. It is no …
Calvin’s Calvinism
Calvin scholars often tell the story how William Farel hastily visited John Calvin as he passed through Geneva on the night of 10/7/1536, and detained him in Geneva with the solemn curse of God upon his literary studies if he did not stop in Geneva to help forward the work of the Protestant Reformation in …
YouTube Pastor
A Happy New Year to all my readers. 2011 marks the 400th anniversary of the publication of the King James Version of the Bible - the world’s best seller of all time and also known as the Authorised Version or AV. It has taken a hit in recent times from other versions, but it is …
Patrick Hamilton
482 years ago today Patrick Hamilton was burned to death in front of the gate of St Salvator’s College, St Andrews, on 29/2/1528 for preaching the doctrines of the Bible. He was the first martyr of the Scottish Reformation, which reintroduced the Gospel of God’s free salvation to sinners through faith in the Lord Jesus …
Calvin’s Anniversary
Today is the 500th anniversary of John Calvin's birth (10/7/1509-27/5/1564). Not many people appreciate how indebted they are to him and to the galaxy of other Reformers such as Martin Luther and John Knox. There has been little media coverage of the event, so I thought I would record the event as my first blog …
