If you ask what Presbyterianism is, you may be told that that it is a form of church government in which the church is structured in a hierarchical manner with lower courts subordinate to higher courts until a General Assembly oversees them all. This is inadequate. This describes the form, not the substance nor the …
Category: Church reform
The religion of politics
There are many forms of religion in the world. The religion of politics is preached by politicians who promise equality, justice and peace on Earth and young people are duped into believing them. This is not a religion about the salvation of one's soul but about the improvement of one's bodily and social condition. Many …
Six religions in one household
In my youth, before I was 20 years old, I lived with my parents and three siblings. We had all been Church of Scotland attenders through my formative years, where I did not hear the Gospel explained and learned nothing about heaven or hell nor why I was in the world. When I was converted …
Always on the run from their past
Some people are always on the run – from their own past. They cannot face up to their own past. There are billions of such people. As the years pass, they become uncomfortable with what they have done in the past, and they use various techniques to forget it, cover it up and hope others …
What is believer’s baptism?
Believer's baptism is a common expression in Christian circles. It is not a biblical phrase. What is meant by 'believer'? Usually this expression means a person who is "born again". So say those who believe in believer's baptism. Really? What about someone who is not born again? Can they not be baptized? Not usually, according to …
Christian condolences
"Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of His saints." Psalm 116:15 The death of God's earthly saints is precious in His sight because they have become heavenly saints and reached their heavenly goal, leaving their earthly troubles behind them. "After death the wicked cease from troubling the godly, and there the …
Christian funerals
The nature of funeral services in the Scottish Highlands is changing. I have attended countless funerals in my lifetime, and last winter has taken its toll upon a significant number of people that I knew. Witnessing these funerals I draw attention to the subtle changes that are taking place. Instead of seeking God's blessing upon …
Two religious errors within an hour
I have a blogpost on evangelical errors and another on academic errors. However, I witnessed two errors within an hour today that I thought I would highlight. The first error was at a midday prayer meeting where we read in the New Living Translation at John 7:8 Jesus saying: "I’m not going to this festival, …
Music and puppet government
Dominic Cumming has confirmed, what I have often suspected, that Government ministers are just nodding heads for the civil service. They are briefed by the civil service and even cabinet meetings are choreographed. It must be depressing for thinking politicians that they are not allowed to express their own thinking. It is all scripted for …
The biblical Book of Psalms
Some things are hidden in plain sight. Such is my copy of the 1650 Scottish metrical version of the biblical Book of Psalms. It sits beside my chair and is one of the most influential books of the Bible, simply because I use it every day. Many Christians overlook the Psalms. The advantage of a …
Donald's Thoughts 