408 years ago today, Galileo's discovery changed our understanding of the solar system forever. His astronomical observations irrefutably confirmed the hypothesis formulated by Copernicus 100 years earlier that the Earth was not the centre of the solar system. This was an Earth-shattering discovery. Between 7th and 13th January 1610, Galileo discovered and observed the four …
Category: Church history
Scotland needs a Reformer
The main message from the 500th anniversary of the European Reformation is that Scotland needs a Reformer. We have plenty of theologians and preachers, but no reformer. Scotland's Reformer was John Knox but we have fallen upon such backsliding times that we need a new one, but at present Scotland has no reformer. A reformer …
Two liberating anniversaries today
Liberty is the theme for Reformation Day 2017. There are two liberating anniversaries today - 500 and 100 years ago respectively - and the message from each of them is being forgotten. 500 years ago today Martin Luther sparked the European Protestant Reformation and 100 years ago today the Balfour Declaration was finalised by the …
Signs of the Times
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 …
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 …
