If you want an accurate English translation of the Bible, you need a version which distinguishes the singular of 'you' by the use of thee/thou. Almost all languages have this distinction between the singular and plural, but English has lost it in common speech. Indeed, a new plural 'yous' is beginning to emerge in slang …
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 …
Two significant deaths
There have been two significant deaths in the past three months - Christopher Hitchens and Steve Jobs. I feel sorry for Christopher Hitchens, an intelligent atheist, who died yesterday. He had a powerful intellect, like Richard Dawkins, but this does not help if one is spiritually blind. The smallest child can see the sun, which …
Salt on the streets
After the 'storm of the decade' on Thursday, which closed the Forth Road Bridge, the Tay and Erskine bridges, and left 150,000 homes without power, the calm on Friday brought down a layer of snow. It had a clear, full moon, suggesting a cold night for Street Pastors in Hilton. In fact, later today there …
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 …
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 …
Being understood or hearer-friendly
It is a preacher’s task to make the Gospel understood by his hearers. "So they read in the book in the law of God distinctly, and gave the sense, and caused them to understand the reading" Neh 8:8. He must begin by making himself understood. If you cannot understand what a preacher is saying, it …
Grace – Law and Gospel
After attending the Belladrum festival with Street Pastors, it was back to my regular monthly Street Pastor round in Hilton. It was a dreich night (Scots for drizzly rain - like drookit), but the rain was quite light, off and on, and it did not inhibit us walking about. The evening began with a short …
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 …
Faith and Assurance
Faith in Jesus Christ as Saviour is not the same as faith in Jesus Christ as my Saviour, nor are these the same as believing that I am saved. The latter is assurance of salvation. Saving faith says: "I believe in Jesus Christ for the salvation of my soul." Assurance of salvation says: "I believe …
Donald's Thoughts 