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: Westminster Standards
The truth and “the whole truth”
Last week, the former First Minister of Scotland Alex Salmond drew attention to "the whole truth" in the oath normally administered in sworn testimony. The Committee on the Scottish Government Handling of Harassment Complaints (Committee of Inquiry) had invited him to speak to the Inquiry as he had been the victim of a miscarriage of …
The being and character of God
"I am that I am." The God of the Bible: Exodus 3:14 Secularism Secularists do not believe in God. Neither do Christians believe in the multitudes of false gods that are worshipped around the world. Such gods are an embarrassment to the pious as well as to the rational mind, but their existence is enough …
My two Inverness landladies
One of my Inverness chapters came to an end this afternoon. I stood by the open grave of Isabel Margaret Grant (1927-2018), the first of my two landladies when I was a student for the Christian ministry during two years 1980-1982 in Inverness. On the gravestone were the names of her parents. Below these was …
Thoughtcrime is replacing sin
Sin is disappearing from public use. The reason is easy to discern. Sin conjures up the thought of God, which a secular society abominates. Like Sabbath, God's weekly holiday, it reminds people of God. Q. 14. What is sin? A. Sin is any want of conformity unto, or transgression of, the law of God. Westminster …
Big Ben falls silent at noon today
Big Ben is taking a rest for four years while its clock tower is refurbished. Its iconic bong will not be heard except when it will be reactivated on special occasions such as heralding the New Year in the UK. It will fall silent after announcing 12 noon on Monday 21st August 2017, or more …
What is Effectual Calling?
Effectual Calling is the call of the Gospel taking effect. The call of the Gospel is often ignored, in spite of its free offer and wonderful terms that sinners might have peace with God and eternal life. Sometimes the call of the Gospel to follow Christ has a temporary effect, as Jesus taught in the …
Discerning the Lord’s body
"He that eats and drinks unworthily, eats and drinks judgment to himself, not discerning the Lord's body."The apostle Paul's epistle to the Corinthians 1Cor 11:29 There are various interpretations of this text and its neighbouring context. Christian exegesis There is a difference between exegesis and Christian exegesis because there are specific biblical principles employed in …
Degrees of freedom
In statistics, they speak of degrees of freedom. Our body illustrates degrees of freedom. Our feet need to be stable for our foundation and so the joints of our feet are stable and fixed with little movement. The ankle has a little more movement. Our knees have more movement in one plane, and less movement …
Lying to the Holy Ghost
There is a difference between the sin against the Holy Ghost and lying to the Holy Ghost. The former has no forgiveness Mat 12:31, but the latter is also very serious. Peter mentions it in Acts 5:3,9 and solemn consequences followed. When ministers take ordination vows they are making promises to the Lord as well …
Donald's Thoughts 