THE
RECORD
MONTHLY MAGAZINE OF THE FREE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND JANUARY 2019 • £2.00
Editor • John Macdonald The Editor, The Record, Beltone, Moray Street Blackford PH4 1QF editor@freechurch.org News Editor • Dayspring MacLeod dayspring.macleod@icloud.com 07974 261567 Missions News • Sarah Johnson Free Church Offices, 15 North Bank Street, Edinburgh, EH1 2LS sarah@freechurch.org WFM Editor • Sarah Cumming 31 Doune Park, Dalgety Bay, KY11 9LX sarah.cumming@hotmail.co.uk Gaelic Editor • Janet MacPhail 24 North Bragar, Isle of Lewis, HS2 9DA 01851 710354 Seminary News • Rev. Thomas Davis St. Columba's Free Church, Johnston Terrace Edinburgh, EH1 2PW thomas@stcolumbas.freechurch.org Prayer Diary • Mairi Macdonald ian.macdonald57@btinternet.com Design & Layout • Fin Macrae @DUFI Art www.dufi-art.com The Record • ISSN 2042-2970
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Cover: Photo by Jon Tyson on Unsplash
Published • The Record is produced by The Free Church of Scotland, Free Church Offices, 15 North Bank Street, The Mound, Edinburgh, EH1 2LS 0131 226 5286 offices@freechurch.org
CONTENTS
WELCOME TO THE JANUARY RECORD
H
appy new year !
04 EVERY SQUARE INCH The Editor
This point in the calendar often becomes a time for reflection and for planning. It seems natural when one year has ended and another is beginning to consider the past twelve months, and to set goals for the next. It can be inspiring to resolutely aim for progress with the clean slate that a new year seems to offer. But, it can also be discouraging to look back on the things left undone from last year. It is no bad thing to have goals, though. They can serve as an encouragement to press on. It is also good to assess where we are in our walk with God. If we do so seriously, we will need to admit that we are never where we want to be. We continually fall short. But, despite this, we shouldn’t be discouraged. We may disappoint ourselves, but Jesus never disappoints. He is able ‘to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us’ (Ephesians 3:20), and it is in his strength that we can boldly enter this new year. The way ahead, personally, spiritually and even politically, is unknown to us. But all is known to God. As we enter the fray, we pray with David that our Heavenly Father would know our hearts and our anxious thoughts, and that he would lead us in the way everlasting (Psalm 139:23). • Please send your comments on the magazine, letters, news from your congregation or suggestions for articles to: editor@freechurch.org or by post to the Free Church Offices.
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WORLD NEWS UK, USA, Burkino Faso, Ethiopia, China, Samoa, Australia
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BALM OF GILEAD VACCINATION SCEPTICS PART 04 Anonymous
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PRAYER DIARY
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FREE CHURCH NEWS FCYC Camps 60 Years and Camp Brochures, Pray for Workers, New Western Isles Youth Worker, Tape Ministry, Falkirk Winter Lectures
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MEN NEED A VISION OF THE GLORY OF GODLINESS Joe Barnard
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ETS NEWS Thomas Davis
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THE WONDERFUL GIFT OF WATER Roddie Rankin
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THE RETURN OF MACKAYS MEMOIRS William M Mackay and Donald Eric Mackay
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BILL ANDERSON: AN APPRECIATION Donald Macleod
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STREET CONNECT Kathryn Thomson
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WHY DID GOD RAISE JESUS FROM DEATH? PART 2 Iain Gill
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BOOK REVIEWS
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EPIC Dayspring MacLeod
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MISSION MATTERS David Meredith
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BLIADHNA MHATH ÙR DHUIBH Janet MacPhail
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POETRY PAGE Ben Fiddian
Yours in Christ John
That in all things he might have the pre-eminence Colossians 1:18 2020
40 POST TENEBRAS LUX Catriona Murray
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EVERY SQUARE INCH BY THE EDITOR
©Jim - stock.adobe.com
Christian concerns extend beyond the important issues of abortion, gender and sexuality. THE RECORD
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A
s we come to terms with the waves of december’s election, and the parliamentarians it washed ashore, it is worth reflecting on how we decided which box to cross on the ballot paper.
Even if we reached the same conclusion as some of our non-Christian neighbours, the thought process which brought us there should have been radically different. But was it?
A CHRISTIAN MIND Dr Harry Blamires, a student of C.S. Lewis, published his book The Christian Mind in 1963. The 1960s is often seen as a turning point in Western church history — an era when the church retreated from the public square, and in some cases capitulated to the demands of the prevailing culture. Blamires’ book has never been out of print because his critique remains vitally relevant today. He observed that, while there is still a Christian ethic, a Christian practice and a Christian spirituality, ‘there is no longer a Christian mind’. Blamires saw the increasing influence of secular ways of thinking on Christians. His concern was not that believers might disagree on matters of politics or public policy. He was concerned that, very often, we do not form our opinions with reference to our faith. Blamires argued that Christians ‘will think pragmatically, politically, but not Christianly. In almost all cases you will find that views are wholly determined by political allegiance.’ But what is needed is that we adopt ‘the view which sets all earthly issues within the context of the eternal, the view which Every issue is a Christian issue. A mind being relates all human problems — social, political, cultural — to the doctrinal renewed by the Holy Spirit will approach every foundations of the Christian Faith, decision, personal or political, in a completely the view which sees all things here below in terms of God’s supremacy different way from a mind which has not been and earth’s transitoriness, in terms of set free from the law of sin and death. Heaven and Hell.’ The Christian Mind inspired the founding of the Christian Institute and was described by John Stott as ‘one of the most influential’ books he has ever read. But is Blamires’ polemic exaggerated when applied to Christians today? He writes that the lack of a Christian mind prevents us from discussing the political, social and cultural issues affecting society from a Christian perspective. Yet, there is a lively Christian discourse around some important public policy issues. Perhaps this means that we have reclaimed our Christian minds.
Photo by Jon Tyson on Unsplash
EVERY ISSUE IS A CHRISTIAN ISSUE But if we have moved on since Blamires drew his conclusions, then it seems we have not come far enough. In the realm of politics and public policy, Western Christians are in real danger of becoming a niche pressure group. We have given the world the strong impression that we care about only three issues. The evidence of this emerges from any political conversation with a non-Christian, or when a high-profile Christian politician is interviewed. Regardless of their relevance to the discussion, at least one of these three areas will be raised. It is inarguable that abortion, gender and sexuality are vital issues, deserving of our attention and our action. But they are not the sum total of what matters. It may be that these are the areas which people think define Christians’ views on public policy because they are distinctive — these are the matters on which we stand out most from the society around us. If this is so then it should not — must not — continue to be the case. Such an approach denies the sovereignty of God. Controversial views are those which go against the grain. Our stance on abortion, gender and sexuality certainly do that. But if we are in step with the world on everything else, then we are failing to be transformed by the renewing of our minds (Romans 12:2).
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THE BLIND SPOT In the NHS physicians are taught a simple truth: the common things are common. The idea is that, when analyzing the symptoms of patients, a doctor should first consider mundane ailments before entertaining more exotic diagnoses. If a child has a cough, the first thought should be a cold, not tuberculosis. If an old man has joint pain, look for arthritis before testing for cancer. The method is to start basic until the obvious and regular are ruled out. The same wisdom can be applied to thinking about the spiritual condition of Christian men. Before launching into diatribes about church or culture, or branding all men lazy and self-absorbed, one ought to ask a simple ‘what if’ question: what if, in spite of the books written, the professionally trained clergy, and the prolific spread of parachurch ministries, there was a blind spot at the center of men’s discipleship? A blind spot, by definition, is a place where one’s vision is obstructed. Too often a blind spot exists unknowingly, as many disgruntled drivers have figured out. So here is something to consider. Missed in the hustle and bustle of men’s ministry is an oversight as shocking as it is obvious: Christian men are being told to pursue spiritual maturity without being given a model of what spiritual maturity is. In the cascade of voices telling men to prioritize discipleship and promoting spiritual disciplines, a gap is festering like an open wound. Men are not being given a blueprint of spiritual fitness.
I CAN’T BE WHAT I CAN’T SEE Why does this matter? Two reasons. First, vision clarifies action. Human beings have the remarkable ability to see an unrealised state of being. A traveler can stand on a hilltop and survey the horizon. In the distance he sees a majestic peak and imagines himself standing on the crest of it. Reoriented, he continues his journey. A sculptor stares at a block of marble. He imagines two children at play, an emblem of joy, safety, and civic spirit. Grabbing a chisel, he begins to sculpt stone into predetermined form. A young man peers into his forties. He foresees a loving family, a respectable life of service and employment, and a heart renewed in the shape of a cross. This in view, he navigates college, dating, and Netflix. Such is the spiritual power of vision: to see concretely a future state of affairs so that a line can be traced from here to there. Second, vision motivates. Ambition is vision, a compelling view of a future self coated with significance and value. A man foresees himself with a large house, expensive car, and liberal budget and, like wind in sails, feels himself constrained to go and achieve the dream. Another imagines himself devoting all of his spare time to meeting with unbelievers and young Christians to train them in the gospel. He is swept down a different path. Both men have vision. For both, vision is motivation. The opposite is also true: without vision there is no ambition. It is pointless to ask a man to sacrifice for anything without giving him a soul-gripping insight into the value of the object. How does one motivate a fifteen-year-old boy to do trigonometry homework instead of play video games? Neither carrot nor stick is ideal. The best method is to instill a vision of attending a selective university and pursuing a meaningful career. Only by valuing something more than pleasure will a young man feel motivated to solve equations instead of kill orcs. Something similar is true among Christian men. Without vision, men are unmotivated and lost. They do not know where to go, and deep down they question whether the pilgrimage of faith is worthy of the call to self-deny and carry a cross.
THE MISSION OF CROSS TRAINING MINISTRIES In view of this clinical gap, the mission of Cross Training Ministries is to train men in spiritual fitness, first and foremost, by giving them a compelling vision of godliness. Vision is not the only condition that promotes spiritual growth – discipline, camaraderie, and training are also important. Nonetheless, the gap left gaping wide thus far in men’s ministry is the failure to convince ordinary men of the glory of a cross-centred life. Our aim is to give men such a vision of Christ that, in the words of Isaac Watts, they irrepressibly declare: Were the whole realm of nature mine That were an offering far too small; Love so amazing, so divine Demands my soul, my life, my all. • Rev Joe Barnard was formerly minister at Kiltarlity Free Church, and is now Executive Director of Cross Training Ministries www.xtrainingministries.com.
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MEN NEED A VISION
OF THE GLORY OF
GODLINESS BY REV JOE BARNARD
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BOOK REVIEWS Start the new year, start a new book. Each of these four books offers a different perspective on a familiar idea, from the Bible to prayer to children’s devotions. All are available at https://thefree.church/shop. PURSUING A HEART OF WISDOM JOHN KWASNY (2019) Now as much as ever, pastors, parents, and youth leaders need a solid biblical framework from which to counsel young adults (teenagers particularly) in relation to the many challenges facing them today. Although many resources for this are available, too often they are based on a secular foundation rather than on a biblical, theological one. This book is a welcome alternative. Taking the Bible as his source, Dr John C. Kwasny combines biblical teaching with sound practical application. The opening three chapters deal with (a) biblical presuppositions; (b) the practice of a biblical counselling process; and (c) the partnership of parents and church in the gospel. The following fifteen chapters deal with typical teenage problems and set out a biblical, pastoral and practical approach to these. These include anxiety, depression, drugs and alcohol, gender and identity, pornography, sex, and suicide. Each chapter contains sections on ‘a named example’ of the behaviour, the ‘typical problems associated with it’, an ‘evaluation’, ‘biblical principles’, and finally ‘wisdom pointers’. Dr Kwasny’s approach is marked by clarity, directness, understanding and compassion, while remaining faithful to the gospel. The print is clear, and the style makes for easy reading. The inner margins, though, are rather narrow, resulting in the need to constantly press the book down, so that holding the book can be tiring. However, the contents are excellent, and I heartily recommend it as a most welcome resource. • James Maciver, Stornoway Free Church
FOLLOW JESUS WITH PETER MATTHEW SLEEMAN (2019) Often when we teach the Bible to children we go to the stories of the Old Testament such as Noah, Joseph and Abraham, or we go to the Gospels and teach the parables and miracles. Sometimes we leave other books out. Matthew Sleeman presents a new translation of 1 Peter for children suitable for mid to late primary school, perhaps a little younger with adult help, so that they may 'grow up into the light and life of the full breadth of God' s Word.’ Matthew has broken down Peter's letter into 25 sections which would be ideal for leading children in Bible reading or encouraging children to read the Bible on their own. Sunday School teachers would also find it helpful in teaching 1 Peter to younger children. This book is a helpful reminder that all of God's Word is useful and that children can learn so much from these, perhaps less taught, books in the Bible. • Allan Shearer, Dunblane Free Church
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FRESH PATHWAYS IN PRAYER JULIAN HARDYMAN (2019)
READING BETWEEN THE LINES GLEN SCRIVENER (2019)
This book is like a cosy wee chat with the best kind of friend; the one who will support and encourage you, but also insistently challenge you to be a better person. Or in this case, a better pray-er. It is undemanding, yet skewering. It is kind, yet persistent. It is very well-written, and constantly leads the reader back to a conversation with God. Through 14 chapters, Hardyman deals with most of our excuses for why we don’t pray as well or as often as we should. It is a book ideally suited for reading with a friend, or with someone who is exploring faith in Jesus for the first time. However, I challenge even the most mature Christian not to see echoes of themselves in some of the examples. Indeed, one of the most attractive characteristics of the book is the author’s willingness to share his own fears and failings, from sermon preparation to marital harmony. It makes his message even more approachable, but he never sinks into self-pity or false humility. Of all the things to enjoy about this book, I particularly appreciated the sections which describe a conversation between a Christian who is struggling, and a more mature Christian friend. They offer a great example for anyone in pastoral work to use when discipling people who struggle to pray, and they are equally helpful if you are reading the book as that person who doesn’t find it easy to talk to God. There are a multitude of books on prayer available, and many are excellent. Where this one excels, however, is in its approachability. If you give this book away to someone, you can be sure they will be in safe hands. • Miriam Montgomery, Free Church Books
The first volume of Glen’s daily Scripture readings through the whole Bible offers the reader 181 daily reflections from the beginning of Genesis to the close of Zechariah. Whilst Reading Between The Lines takes you from the first to the thirty-eighth book of the Old Testament, journeying through history books, law, poetry and prophecy, the theme is consistent throughout. Glen’s daily studies reinforce the wonderful Gospel truth at the heart of all Scripture. From the majesty of the Lord as creator to the anguish of David in the Psalms, Glen points the reader to our triune God in a reflective, genuine and emotive manner. Each reflection is short enough to be managed in the morning before work, or the evening before bed, yet not so short as to be devoid of good, solid spiritual truth. Glen has written a helpful book of short studies that could guide the reader through the whole story of the Old Testament, reinforcing the truths of who our glorious God is, and who we are before, and in, him. I look forward to opening up Volume 2, and exploring the New Testament through these studies! • Ed Creedy, St Andrews Free Church
GET IN TOUCH: EMAIL: books@freechurch.org SHOP: https://thefree.church/shop WEBSITE: books.freechurch.org MAILING LIST: https://thefree.church/books-sign-up
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