The Record - December 2021 by Free Church of Scotland

THE

RECORD

MONTHLY MAGAZINE OF THE FREE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND DECEMBER 2021 • £2.00

Editor • John Macdonald The Editor, Free Church Offices, 15 North Bank Street, The Mound, Edinburgh, EH1 2LS 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 • Fiona Macaskill 8 Campsie Drive, Glasgow, G61 3HY rfmacaskill@me.com 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 • Dayspring MacLeod dayspring.macleod@icloud.com Design & Layout • Fin Macrae @DUFI Art www.dufi-art.com The Record • ISSN 2042-2970 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 This QR Code will direct you to the digital version of the magazine on ISSUU. Available for 30 days for current print subscribers.

For Subscriptions • The annual subscription price for The Record is £33. Cheques should be iPhone: Open your camera app and hold the lens above made payable to: Free Church of Scotland. Please the QR Code, it will automatically detect the link which contact the offices for overseas subscription costs. you can click on to open. Android: Download QR Code Reader from Google Play Details of the church's activities, latest news and Store and follow app directions. people to contact are all available on the church's website: www.freechurch.org For the visually impaired: Please contact Norman Kennedy on 01463 240192 for details of how to obtain The Record in an audio version. The Free Church of Scotland is a registered charity SC012925 • Women for Mission is a registered charity SC03898

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Cover: ©Kanokpon - stock.adobe.com

Advertising • Anyone wishing to advertise in The Record should contact the editor.

CONTENTS

WELCOME TO THE DECEMBER RECORD

pproaching

the

end

this

year,

04 SOJOURNERS The Editor

covid

continues to loom large in the headlines and

in the public policy debate. We have not left its effects behind in the way we hoped we would. We don’t know the way ahead. But that is no more so now than it has been before. And, as we have always done, we rely on the fact that we know the one who does know the way ahead. We are people who walked in darkness but have seen a great light. ‘For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder’ (Isaiah 9). The Christmas season has two purposes. We look back to the advent of the child who was promised, grateful to God for his faithfulness, giving glory to the new-born King. Yet our hope does not rest in an occupied manger, but rather in an empty tomb. So, we also look forward to Jesus’ Second Advent. We wait, anticipating the fulfilment of the angels’ words. ‘This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven’ (Acts 1:11). We end the old year and begin the new saying, ‘Come, Lord Jesus!’ (Revelation 22:20). While we wait, we can testify that he does not leave us comfortless (John 14:18). Even in these pages, there is encouragement. This month, it is my privilege to share an update from the Rev. Wilbert Chipenyu on the work of Dumisani Theological Institute in King William’s Town, South Africa. I know that many of you support Dumisani’s work, especially in prayer. Our own Moderator, the Rev. Neil MacMillan, highlights the joy of working alongside brothers and sisters in Christ as we go about our Father’s work. And we celebrate the life of Dr Helen Ramsay, who served as a medical missionary to India. Her work is described by Dr Donald MacDonald as an ‘inspiring example’. •

If you have any news articles please send them to dayspring.macleod@icloud.com. Yours in Christ

FREE CHURCH NEWS Buccleuch Free Church Myanmar Appeal, New ETS Lecturer, New Camps Coordinator, WfM Project Update

OBITUARIES

WORLD NEWS U.S., Haiti, U.K., Sudan, Pakistan

HEART APOLOGETICS: WHY DOESN'T GOD ANSWER PRAYER? Dayspring MacLeod

LETTERS

PRAYER DIARY

REFLECTIONS Colin Macleod

A SNAPSHOT OF THE DUMISANI MINISTRY Wilbert Chipenyu

FROM WHENCE DOTH COME MINE AID Daniel Sladek

PLATES FROM THE PEWS

PARTNERSHIP: EVANGELISM IN SECULAR SCOTLAND Neil MacMillan

SAUL Donald Mackay

PAGES FROM ADAM'S DIARY: THE MAN WHO BECAME A FEATHER

BOOK REVIEWS

MUSIC NEWS & REVIEWS

POETRY PAGE Geerhardus Vos

John

39 40

That in all things he might have the pre-eminence Colossians 1:18 2021

MISSION MATTERS David Meredith AR TÈARMANN Janet MacPhail POST TENEBRAS LUX Catriona Murray

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Photo by Jose MartinRamirez Carrasco on Unsplash

BY THE EDITOR

Sojou

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urners Christian perspectives on 21st-Century migration

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is the season to find christianity being misappropriated.'

By now we’re well used to our religion being deployed as a sales tactic, as the retail industry turns the celebration of our Saviour’s birth into ‘gifting season’. But Advent has also become a prime opportunity for the Christmas story to be reinterpreted through the lens of 21st-century public policy debates. Each of the last few years has seen a dispute flare up on social media as to the legal status of Mary, Joseph and Jesus as they fled to Egypt to escape Herod’s infanticide (Matthew 2:13-15). The question at the heart of the debate is simply: were the family refugees? On its face, it’s an interesting, if academic, question. Applying a contemporary definition of the term ‘refugee’ to the case, the answer seems simple. Oppression forced them to flee their own land and seek refuge in another, making them refugees. On the other hand, more rigorous attention to their historical setting reveals that the family never left the Roman Empire, but moved from one of Advent has also become a prime its provinces to another. They did not cross an opportunity for the Christmas story to ‘international border’ as we would understand the term, nor does it seem that they were obliged be reinterpreted through the lens of 21st- to pass through a checkpoint overseen by the magistrates of Aegyptus province. Perhaps they century public policy debates. don’t really fit the definition. All very well. But, as it turns out, ‘was Jesus a refugee?’ is a question rarely asked out of historical interest. Instead, it is usually a political question which seeks to deputise Emmanuel into the argument over what we, and our governments, should do about immigration today. Funnily enough, a review of social media posts related to this festive debate would show that people who already favour easing restrictions on immigration tend to decide that Jesus was a refugee, while those who favour tighter controls emphasise the historical details to prove he wasn’t. It’s almost as though the truth of the matter is not actually the main concern.

THE THIRD RAIL Immigration has proved to be one of this century’s most controversial, and consequential, public policy issues in the political West. It was one of the most prominent factors in the Brexit referendum, it has fuelled the rise of new political movements across Europe and it has become a trademark for successful populists in Australia and the USA. Almost two years after Brexit, immigration remains at the top of the UK government’s agenda. This winter the press has been served a frequent diet of tough rhetoric and non-committal policy suggestions by various members of the Cabinet. In recent weeks the government has announced that it will ‘consider’ accommodating migrants in army barracks instead of hotels. Meanwhile Dominic Raab, the justice secretary, has been telling journalists that he and his colleagues are ‘looking at the possibility’ of sending asylum seekers abroad while their cases are processed. Albania’s prime minister and foreign secretary have felt compelled to dismiss speculation that their country would be involved in this. ‘Albania will never be a country where very rich countries will set up camps for their refugees. Never’, said Prime Minister Edi Rama. In fact, the issue of immigration is invested with so much power that EU leaders believe it is being used as a geopolitical tactic. Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, has argued that the Belarussian government is pushing people across Poland’s border — and, consequently, into the EU — ‘to try to destabilise its democratic neighbours.’ Meanwhile, the UK media maintain a febrile tone on both the left and the right. The Guardian and The Daily Telegraph have seemed to be publishing mirror-image coverage of small boats crossing the Channel and Home Secretary Priti Patel’s job performance.

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The Church of England has been drawn in, too. It was reported that Emad Al Swealmeen, who died after setting off an explosion outside Liverpool Women’s Hospital in November, had been baptised and confirmed in Liverpool’s Anglican Cathedral. This immediately prompted press criticism of the Church. An unnamed Home Office source apparently told The Times that asylum seekers are attempting to ‘game the system’ by pretending to convert to Christianity and then arguing that they cannot be deported for fear of persecution. The Telegraph has claimed that ‘thousands’ of asylum seekers have joined the Church of England and that the clergy have been given advice on how to help them through the Home Office’s system. In response, Conservative MP Tim Loughton has promised an investigation while Priti Patel said that the situation in Liverpool is ‘a complete reflection of how dysfunctional, how broken, the system has been’. She also alleged that the immigration system is being ‘exploited by a whole professional legal services industry’. So far the politicians are limiting their public criticism to the asylum system itself, but the press have come dangerously close to challenging the Christian church’s authority to determine who is admitted to membership. A spokesperson for the Church of England said, ‘We are not aware of any evidence to suggest a widespread correlation between conversion to Christianity, or any other faith, and abuse of the asylum system.’ Emad Al Swealmeen’s application for permission to stay in the UK had been rejected by the Home Office, and a judge concluded that he had no grounds on which to appeal.

IT’S THE ECONOMY, STUPID? Set aside the political heat, and an ethical and practical challenge to our society still remains. The debate over immigration policy is most commonly framed in terms of economics. To determine whether immigration should be encouraged or limited, the questions which are asked are normally, does an increase in workers from other countries result in greater unemployment among native-born people? Does it help the economy grow? Does immigration from poorer Immigration has proved to be one of countries drive down wages? Do immigrants this century’s most controversial, and benefit the welfare state and health service through increased tax revenue, or do they deplete consequential, public policy issues in the public services by taking out more than they pay political West…invested with so much in? Is immigration pushing up house prices? There are perceived advantages to the economic power that EU leaders believe it is being angle. Data on wage trends and employment used as a geopolitical tactic. rates can be gathered. The discussion can be held in the abstract, without making it personal Unfortunately, Christians have tended to to the people seeking to enter the country. engage in this debate, as with so many The next most common aspect of the discussion relates to cultural change. On one side, people others, on the world’s terms. find that new neighbours enrich indigenous communities with their traditions and perspectives. On the other, people see their own way of life changing in a manner that they do not welcome. Related to this broad sense of cultural change is the more specific concern that mass migration will influence civic institutions and the democratic character of the destination country. Certainly, many migrants come from undemocratic states with chronically corrupt governments. Then again, in deciding to migrate they are voting with their feet, preferring our systems to the ones they are leaving. A subset of the concern over civic culture relates to crime in general, and terrorism in particular. While people who immigrate illegally are committing a crime by doing so, it is usually a crime of desperation (Proverbs 6:3031). But, once here, young male immigrants, for example, are less likely to commit violent crimes than young, British-born men.

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Alongside economic and cultural factors run humanitarian concerns. These tend to involve categorising immigrants either as refugees fleeing for their lives or economic migrants seeking a better standard of living, and prioritising the former group over the latter. If it feels hard to find where you fit into this spectrum of views, that’s a positive sign. Unfortunately, Christians have tended to engage in this debate, as with so many others, on the world’s terms. The economic arguments around immigration are almost always made in line with utilitarian principles — seeking to achieve the greatest good for the greatest number of people. Despite the logic and reason utilitarianism seeks to apply, it is not capable of factoring in justice, mercy and grace. Consideration of cultural and institutional change tends to pit a philosophy of relativism, which insists there are no objective standards with which to evaluate different cultures, against (small ‘c’) conservatism, which prioritises the preservation of traditional institutions. Neither system is sophisticated enough to account for the presence of sin or the possibility of redemption. Humanitarian concerns fluctuate depending on circumstance. From Protestant support for the Huguenots, to Jews escaping pogroms in the 19th century and refugees from Nazi Germany, infamous injustices have often inspired sympathy for migrants. Aside from epochal events though, it is hard to define the boundary between a refugee and an economic migrant. Each end of the spectrum is clear. But is escaping poverty an economic or a humanitarian concern? How grim does life have to be before an economic migrant becomes a refugee? Ironically, those least likely to be considered humanitarian cases — a scientist from Sweden or a Canadian surgeon — can be among the most readily welcomed migrants.

BIBLICAL PERSPECTIVE All any of these philosophies can offer are human-centred responses to immigration. Whereas, our response must be centred on God. When he was asked to justify the US government’s immigration policy under the Trump administration, prominent evangelist Franklin Graham responded, ‘that’s not a Bible issue.’ His argument was that there is no direct command in Scripture about the way a state should manage its borders. And it is certainly true that no such command is given. But that doesn’t mean immigration is not a Bible issue. Christians have diligently searched the Bible for guidance on the subject, because, of course, his Word has been ‘given by ‘God created man in his own image’. inspiration of God, to be the rule of faith and life’ This is the first principle that the Biblical (Westminster Confession, 1.2). Two schools of thought have emerged: one emphasising rule of perspective on immigration brings to law and the other, hospitality. Both begin with Genesis 1:27, ‘God created man the discussion — immigration is about in his own image’. This is the first principle that the people. It is not a debate which can reside Biblical perspective on immigration brings to the discussion — immigration is about people. It is not in the abstract. a debate which can reside in the abstract, content with economic data. Each person seeking to enter a new country is worthy of respect. Each person risking their life in the English Channel is valued in God’s sight. Each person who loses their life on the journey is known to God. Starting from the doctrine that everyone is made in God’s image, the next port of call is the Mosaic law, where we read, ‘You shall treat the stranger who sojourns with you as the native among you, and you shall love him as yourself’ (Leviticus 19:34). Furthermore, God ‘loves the sojourner, giving him food and clothing. Love the sojourner, therefore, for you were sojourners in the land of Egypt’ (Deuteronomy 10:18-19). In other words, you must love those who move into the land because they are not so very different from you. And you must love them because God loves them. Due care must be taken in applying the rules established for the Israelite

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nation to the Christian church. But Jesus’ command to love your neighbour, as well as New Testament instructions to ‘show hospitality to strangers’ (Hebrews 13:2) make it clear that God expects us to ‘love, welcome, and seek justice for immigrants’, according to Matthew Soerens, a Director at World Relief and author of Welcoming the Stranger. When it comes to immigration policy, there is to be no ‘us and them’ for the Christian. Solidarity with fellow image-bearers takes precedence over national self-interest. Acknowledging that God did ‘freely and unchangeably ordain whatsoever comes to pass’ (Westminster Confession, 3.1), Reformed writers also point out that the movement of people by migration is part of the Lord’s plan and purpose. Paul told those gathered at the Areopagus in Athens, ‘he made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place, that they should seek God, and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him’ (Acts 17:26-27). In his sovereign grace, God is bringing people from many nations to our shores — some of whom come from places which are difficult and dangerous for missionaries to reach. We have a migratory mission field, from which God will call his children.

DIGNITY BRINGS COMPASSION This is where evangelical thought on immigration diverges. James Hoffmeier, author of The Immigration Crisis, finds a distinction in the Old Testament between a legal immigrant (ger) and a foreigner (nekhar; zar). He draws a parallel to legal and illegal immigration today. The school of thought Hoffmeier represents emphasises the importance of Paul’s instruction to respect governing authorities (Romans 13) as a justification for laws restricting immigration. But, respect for governing authority does not preclude lobbying for a change in the law, especially in a democracy. And unjust laws, such as those which separate families or force applicants for asylum to wait in dangerous situations as a result of inefficient or incompetent A Biblical perspective on immigration bureaucracy, can be legitimately challenged. The opposing view is given by Dr M. Daniel Carroll begins with God’s sovereignty and the Rodas, a professor of Biblical Studies at Wheaton dignity he has given to humanity. College and author of Christians at the Border. He understands the Old Testament distinction to be between those who sought to corrupt the Israelite nation (nekhar; zar) and those who wanted to become part of it (ger), he does not relate this to legal status, but an attitude of the heart. Rather than accepting the legal status quo, Carroll Rodas asks, ‘Do our immigration laws honour the worth of immigrants as human beings? And, do our laws facilitate the realisation of their great potential for this country?’ This approach leans on kindness and compassion, and on offering hospitality not just to refugees but also to economic migrants. Its natural conclusion is a relaxing of restrictions and increased immigration. Whether you find the conclusions of Hoffmeier or of Carroll Rodas more convincing, a Biblical perspective on immigration begins with God’s sovereignty and the dignity he has given to humanity, and not with economic utility and human-centred cultural concerns. This is a crucial shift. Rondell Treviño, founder and director of The Immigration Coalition (TiC), arranges clean water and other essential assistance for people at the US-Mexico border. ‘We do need border security’, he told The Gospel Coalition. ‘There is human and drug trafficking happening. We do need to secure the border. But we can also show compassion for those in need — we can do both. Because everyone is created in the image of God. We want to see people that way first, rather than through a news outlet or a political position.’ •

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FREE CHURCH NEWS BUCCLEUCH FREE CHURCH LAUNCHES MYANMAR APPEAL

movement which has effectively created a nationwide strike with most schools, universities, banks, health care and government offices being closed. An alternative government, the National Unity Government (NUG) and People’s Defence Forces have emerged to oppose the military. The mainly Buddhist Bamar people make up the majority of the population in Myanmar. There are also many ethnic minority groups, which include Muslims and Christians. Myanmar made the international news in 2017 with the atrocities carried out by the Tatmadaw against the Muslim Rohingya people near the border with Bangladesh. The common tactics adopted include intimidation by attacking towns and villages, killing civilians, looting and destroying properties, use of sexual violence and forceful relocation of residents. Recently the attention has focused on the majority Christian Chin people in Western Myanmar. Triggered by attacks from the Chin Defence Forces the military have reacted aggressively by attacking, killing and destroying houses and churches in some of the main towns in Chin State. In Mindat and Thantlang the people have fled, living under tarpaulins in the forest or by escaping across the border into India. It is estimated that there are now 230,000 people in displacement camps across Myanmar and 3 million people are in desperate need of food and health care. The conflict shows no sign of coming to a rapid conclusion. The situation has been exasperated by the widespread impact of Covid. Many of our Chin Christian friends in Myanmar are suffering due to the fighting and civil disobedience action. Buccleuch recently set up an appeal to support Christian brothers and sisters at this time of extreme suffering. •

he buccleuch free church congregation have been partnering with christians in myanmar

since 2017 . links have been developed with two chin churches, one presbyterian and the other protestant reformed. on 1st february 2021, the newly elected democratic government were to convene their second term in office. however, the burmese military staged a coup to oust the elected national league for democracy (nld) government and arrested the party’s main leaders, including aung san suu kyi. since then, the country has faced both political and humanitarian crises. many people are now in desperate need of basic support including food and health care. The country had experienced 10 years of reforms that saw significant foreign investment and positive changes to life and wellbeing. This had come after 50 years of oppressive military dwictatorship following the 1962 coup. In February the military, known as the Tatmadaw, declared a state of emergency and took control citing that the November election had been fraudulent, despite there being no evidence to support this. Since then, they have killed over 1300 citizens, including 75 children, and over 8000 have been detained, many of whom have died in custody. The people have reacted by starting a civil disobedience

Donations can be made via the Buccleuch website at buccleuchfreechurch.co.uk/give and by selecting Burma Appeal from the drop-down menu.

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ETS APPOINT GREEK AND NEW TESTAMENT LECTURER

dinburgh

theological

seminary has announced the appointment of the rev. ben

castaneda

course

organiser

and lecturer in greek and new testament. he will replace prof. john angus macleod who, after

ETS Principal, the Rev. Iver Martin, said, ‘John Angus Macleod will be a hard act to follow, but Ben shows every indication of being a first class New Testament scholar. More than that, he comes with missional and pastoral experience, both of which form an ideal background to the work he will do in training students for future ministry and mission work.’ Mr Castaneda will take up his new role in the summer of 2022 •

22 years’ service, plans to retire in the summer of 2022.

Mr Castaneda grew up in Texas. After graduating with an MDiv from Westminster Seminary California in 2012, he spent a year as a missionary in Uganda, and thereafter, six years in ordained pastoral ministry in the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA). He will graduate with a PhD in New Testament from the University of St Andrews in 2022, and currently serves as an elder in the St Andrews Free Church congregation. Ben and his wife, Bethel, have five children.

NEW CAMPS COORDINATOR ANNOUNCED

he free church offices were delighted to announce the appointment of mairi beaton to the post of free church youth camps (fcyc) coordinator.

Mairi comes to us with experience of working for a broadcast company. She was responsible there for organising the production of children’s programmes in Gaelic and brings many skills into this new role as Camps Coordinator. Mairi will be starting in the office at the beginning of December. We are greatly indebted to Kirsten Macdonald who held this post until recently. Her work in running camps and establishing FCYC systems will benefit us for many years to come. We wish her every blessing in her new job. Donald Macleod, Camps Supervisor said, ‘We look forward to working with Mairi and feel blessed that she is coming to join us as we move forward with next year’s camps and other Free Church projects’ •

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WfM PROJECT UPDATE

We are already looking to next year’s project and looking for work which may benefit from our support. If you have any suggestions then please get in touch with us through our website. (Please note that we can only support registered charities.) We also want to draw our Heart for Home funding to your attention. You can find out more about this on our website, but we can help with funding for all sorts of things from toys for a toddler group to a coffee-maker for a church plant. Please do get in touch if there is something you would like to do but lack the funds to get it going. We may be able to help. Attention all short-term missionaries! Did you know we have a Support a Volunteer fund where you can apply for up to 50% of the cost of your flights to go on a short-term mission trip? Obviously the last couple of years have been tough from a travel perspective, but we all hope that next summer the doors will be open for us to go and serve in different places again. Please look at our website for details. (You don’t need to be a woman or a youth to apply; we welcome applications from boys and people of all ages too!) We are really encouraged already with the funds which are coming in for our current project and hope to give you an update in January on how much we have raised so far. Please share your fundraising ideas with us so that others can try out your ideas. •

hristmas is coming and we have a giveaway for you!

Look out on our WfM Instagram and Facebook pages and on our website for details of our first annual fundraiser giveaway. We have put together a lovely assortment of crafts and locally produced goods in a festive hamper. You will be able to enter the competition from the 1st December and it will run for a fortnight. Please enter and help to support this year’s project — Hope for the Hurting. It has been a busy few months for the work of the WfM. It was so encouraging to welcome so many people to our online conference in September. Some even tuned in from as far away as the USA. We were blessed and challenged to hear Ann Allan talking on the topic of Salt and Light — distinctive living in a hostile world. Ann delivered two short addresses: the first, ‘Being Christian in a Hostile Culture’, concentrated on a quick overview of present-day culture and applied the lessons of Ephesians 4 to suggest how we can thrive in a hostile climate. The second, ‘Being Missional in a Hostile World’, examined Luke 10:38-11:4, exploring basic principles which help us in witnessing to and caring for others. We were left with much to challenge us, and if you missed these excellent talks then you can find them on YouTube.

DR HELEN MCGREGOR RAMSAY (1928 - 2021) BY THE REV. DR DONALD M MACDONALD

r helen ramsay, who served as a free church

loved her and she loved God. She was able to recite the Shorter Catechism at an early age. This childish faith developed into a deep personal faith in Christ as she grew up to be a mature Christian, fully committed to serve the Lord wherever He would lead. Helen was dux and head girl of Taree High School and studied medicine in Sydney University, with the sacrificial support of her family. While there she was very active in the Evangelical Union, in which she made life-long friends. After graduating MB BS in 1952, Helen worked there for two years before visiting Scotland for a year, working in Raigmore Hospital, Inverness, and visiting her mother’s folk in Cawdor. She felt called to missionary service out of a sense of indebtedness to Christ and offered herself to serve in India. She was accepted as a medical missionary by the Free Church Foreign Missions Board and sailed for India in 1955, first of all returning to Australia on a ship as the ship’s doctor. Helen was also well supported by her home church, the PCEA, all the time she worked in India.

medical missionary in india over a period of thirty years, has died peacefully in her sleep

in a nursing home in killara, sydney, at the age of 93.

Helen was the only daughter of the Rev. Malcolm C. and Helen Ramsay. Mr Ramsay was minister of the Wauchope congregation and then of the Manning River congregation in Taree, New South Wales. Both congregations belong to the Presbyterian Church of Eastern Australia. He had met his wife, who was from Cawdor, near Nairn, while studying in the Free Church College (1917-20). Helen had a happy childhood in a loving Christian home along with two older brothers, who both loved and teased her, and a younger brother, whom she mothered. Her father was a close friend of Marcus Loane, afterwards Archbishop of Sydney, with whom he shared a love for Reformed history and theology. Sir Marcus remained a faithful friend and mentor to Helen all his long life. Helen used to say that she always knew that God

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After studying Hindi in Landour Language School, which then met in Allahabad in the winter and Landour, Mussoorie, in the hot season, Helen settled in Lakhnadon and Chhapara in Seoni District, Madhya Pradesh, where Dr Annie Mackay had pioneered the medical work in the 1920s. She quickly got into the work and, along with her colleagues, she planned improvements in the small hospital in Lakhnadon and the clinic in Chhapara. She instigated the construction of two new wards in Lakhnadon, along with a bungalow and a tube well in 1965. In the early days, transport on calls to emergencies in villages was by chakra, the coupé version of the bullock cart, not the most comfortable mode of travel on bumpy, stoney tracks. Later a Land Rover was provided, but maintenance was always a problem. Helen saw the need for eye surgery locally (India has the highest rate of cataract formation and blindness in the world) and went for a course in Vellore Christian Medical College. Thereafter she held eye camps, the first in the district, more or less annually, aided by Dr Roy Ebenezer of Vellore. This was a tradition I was glad to resume when I went to Lakhnadon in 1973. During Helen’s first period of service the Mission took on some motherless babies and built a small orphanage. The single lady missionaries (Missahibs as they were called) who initially looked after them each developed a special supporting relationship with the children. Helen ‘adopted’ twins Kamala and Vimala and continued to support them over the years, including arranging their marriages. Sadly Kamala, a nurse in Chhapara, died a few years ago from dengue fever, leaving three daughters, who have all done well. Helen was called Doctor Mama by this group of orphans. Every Sunday evening she would take them down to the River Wainganga and give them some treats as well as sound Bible teaching and good advice. In 1970 Helen returned to Australia to look after her ageing parents and worked as a GP in Taree. After their decease she made a short visit to India in 1975. The following year, after selling her practice, she returned to India and lived in Chhapara. Being convinced of the need for preventative community health work, Helen went for experience to the world-famous Jamkhed Comprehensive Rural Health Project, Maharashtra. Then, along with her experienced and valued nurse colleague Mrs Taramoni Lal, wife of evangelist Panna Lal, she ran an excellent Community Health Project in the villages around Chhapara. This involved travel to villages, developing relations with the village leaders, choosing and training Village Health Workers, giving health and nutrition teaching, immunisations, pre-natal care and women’s issues, along with advice about stopping smoking, alcohol and drugs. This programme continued for many years after she returned to Australia and, as a visible demonstration of the love of Christ, has made gospel witness easier. Pradeep Kumar, Headmaster of Chhapara Higher Secondary Mission School and son of the late Rev. Prakash Kumar, writes, ‘Dr Ramsay was such a wonderful and godly person who loved Christ and dedicated her life to the service of the Lord, we can never forget her motherly love and hard work in Chhapara.’ As the 1980s drew on Helen became aware of increasing fatigue and needing longer periods of rest. She eventually

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decided to return to Australia in 1985. She worked as a locum GP in the Wingham/Taree area for some years before she was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. Apparently she had had an attack of blindness in one eye in the early 1970s and this was a warning of what was to come, presumably optic neuritis. She underwent a slow decline of physical strength and used a wheelchair when necessary. This did not curtail her activities and she even visited India once. For the last number of years she lived in a retirement complex and finally in a nursing home where she was very well looked after. Her mind remained active to the end and she kept up a prayerful interest in her former colleagues and especially in her beloved Chhapara. Towards the end she was faithfully attended by her niece Elizabeth. It was a privilege to know and work with Helen. Her buoyant personality, her sense of humour, her sense of adventure, her steely determination to do what she believed to be right, her deep interest in her patients and the welfare of the village people, her desire to make Christ known, all underpinned by her personal commitment to Christ, set an inspiring example. Helen was predeceased by her brothers Malcolm and John and the remaining brother, Alistair, died only two days after her. To her extended and loving family and to her many friends we extend our deepest sympathy. For two tributes from Indian and Australian perspectives see the November 2021 edition of the PCEA’s Presbyterian Banner magazine, which can be accessed at: www.pcea.org.au •

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WORLD NEWS

AMERICAS AFRICA EUROPE ASIA AUSTRALASIA GUILTY VERDICT IN AHMAUD ARBERY MURDER TRIAL The three men charged with the killing of Ahmaud Arbery in Georgia, USA have been found guilty and will be imprisoned for life. Arbery was out jogging when he was murdered by Travis McMichael, Gregory McMichael and William Bryan. Arbery’s mother, Wanda Cooper-Jones, thanked the crowd gathered at the courthouse. ‘It’s been a long fight. It’s been a hard fight. But God is good,’ she said. Civil rights activist Rev. Al Sharpton supported Arbery’s parents through the trial. He thanked God ‘for shining on us,’ and told those assembled, ‘let the word go forth all over the world that a jury of 11 whites and one Black in the Deep South stood up in the courtroom and said that Black lives do matter.’ Hundreds of church leaders rallied and prayed outside the court as the case was considered. This was in response to one of the defense lawyers who protested Sharpton’s presence alongside Arbery’s family, saying he didn’t want ‘any more Black pastors’ in the court. Baptist minister and U.S. Senator Raphael Warnock commented that the ‘verdict upholds a sense of accountability, but not true justice. ‘True justice looks like a Black man not having to worry about being harmed or killed while on a jog, while sleeping in his bed, while living what should be a very long life. Ahmaud should be with us today. ‘I’m praying for Ahmaud’s family as they begin the difficult journey towards healing.’ •

HAITI MISSIONARIES Last month, The Record reported on the kidnap of 17 missionaries in Haiti who were working for US-based Christian Aid Ministries. The organisation released a statement to the press late in November, ‘We have learned that two of the hostages in Haiti were released. We praise God for this! Only limited information can be provided, but we are able to report that the two hostages who were released are safe, in good spirits and being cared for. ‘We encourage you to continue to pray for the full resolution of this situation. While we rejoice at this release, our hearts are with the fifteen people who are still being held. Continue to lift up the remaining hostages before the Lord.' It has also emerged that the group’s Haitian driver was also abducted by the 400 Mawozo gang. •

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YOUVERSION’S APP REACHES HALF-BILLION DOWNLOADS The free Bible reading app, YouVersion, has just passed 500 million downloads, putting the Bible on the phones of onesixteenth of the world’s population. The app is run as a ministry of Life.Church, a multisite church in Oklahoma, USA. It was founded by Bobby Gruenewald, who recently told Religion News Service, ‘YouVersion started with me asking the question: I wonder if technology could help me read the Bible more consistently? ‘At the time, I was a below average Bible reader, but I wanted to be more consistent. So, I thought more about how technology might help me and other people like me. We just started small and God has grown it. ‘It’s the Bible, not our app, that changes lives.’ Alongside pages from a Gutenberg Bible, the Museum of the Bible in Washington D.C. now displays the first iPhone to have downloaded YouVersion. ‘YouVersion surpassing the halfway point to a billion downloads is a major historic landmark,’ said Harry Hargrave, the museum’s CEO. ‘Gutenberg changed the world with his printing press and 180 rather expensive Bibles. Gruenewald is changing ours with a few hundred million more, and they’re all free.’ •

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CHURCH AND CLIMATE The Rt Rev. Graham Usher, Bishop of Norwich and the Church of England’s lead bishop on the environment, criticised the UK Government for failing to engage with the church during COP26. Bishop Usher told Church Times, ‘There was a powerful sense of solidarity across the faith groups and denominations at COP26. All faith traditions value the sanctity of creation. ‘In Glasgow, it was disappointing to see no space for faith groups at the summit. The Anglican Communion delegation struggled to find spaces to meet. It was a great shame the British Government didn’t put more emphasis on the role of faith communities. ‘We need local and galvanised support to make this part of our life as a Christian community, to care for creation and for some of the world’s poorest people.’ Meanwhile, the Evangelical Alliance has carried out a survey which found that, despite agreeing that the church has an important part to play in addressing climate change, 84% of Christian leaders do not think their church is doing enough. Evangelical Alliance advocacy coordinator Jo Evans launched a series of resources to assist churches with their response. ‘We believe these resources can equip and empower the UK church to make practical changes and contributions to a climate change response, whilst keeping our eyes firmly fixed on Jesus’, she said. ‘By understanding creation care as a gospel issue, we have an opportunity to be good stewards of God’s creation, love our neighbours and Picture by Andrew Parsons / No 10 Downing Street tell others about our creator God.’ •

CHRISTIANS CONCERNED FOR FUTURE OF SUDAN

BLASPHEMY CHARGE DROPPED A Christian man in Pakistan, who has been in prison for almost 10 years on a blasphemy charge, was released in November. Sajjad Masih Gill’s life sentence had been upgraded to the death penalty in March following pressure from Islamist activists, according to Morning Star News. But judges in Lahore High Court acquitted him as a result of insufficient evidence. ‘My client is facing serious security risks,’ said Javed Sahotra, Gill’s lawyer. ‘We intentionally kept the news secret to avoid putting his and our lives at risk. Gill is very happy after being released from prison on November 13 th, but he cannot return to his normal life. ‘The hearing of his appeal was adjourned over a hundred times by the Lahore High Court because the judges weren’t ready to hear the case. Such is the fear that surrounds blasphemy cases. ‘Though the court’s verdict is laudable, it’s high time the superior judiciary and the government realise the suffering of all those accused of blasphemy, especially those who have been framed in fake cases. Gill was 27 years old when he was arrested, and he spent almost 10 years of his youth incarcerated on a false charge. Who will compensate for the immense loss that he has suffered during this time?’ Gill had been accused of sending a blasphemous text message. There were no witnesses and police could not locate the phone or SIM card that had allegedly been used. •

As Sudan’s top general tightened his control over the interim government established after the coup he led in late October, Christians in the country told Christianity Today of their worries that newly-acquired religious freedoms could be reversed. After the 30-year reign of dictator Omar alBashir was overthrown in 2018, Sudan’s civilian government was praised by international observers for strengthening religious freedom, removing Islam as the state religion and abolishing the death penalty for converting from Islam. However the military coup has brought back ‘great uncertainty and fear’, according to an anonymous Christian source. ‘A window of opportunity towards religious freedom in Sudan could be about to close,’ said Paul Robinson, CEO of Release International. ‘We need only glance back a few years to Sudan under a hard-line Islamist government, to be genuinely concerned about what Sudan could be like again.’ The direction General Abdel Fattah Burhan will take following his seizure of power remains unclear for now. However, Yunan Tombe Trille, president of the Sudan Catholic Bishops’ Conference, told ACI Africa, ‘The international community should put their pressure on the junta to value the life of their citizens [and] to hand back the power to civil government.’ •

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Heart Apologetics: Why Doesn’t God Answer Prayer? DAYSPRING MACLEOD looks for the power of God

Photo by amaury_guti on Unsplash

running out of time and having to just make up my who will experience an instant reaction to this own mind what to do. month’s headline. The first category will think, There are four lessons I have drawn from these ‘But He does answer them — all the time! How can times of seeming disappointment: waiting, anyone possibly doubt the Lord on this count?’ confidence, expecting the unexpected, and living The other category will heave a sigh of relief that in gratitude. someone finally asked the question in writing that Waiting. A couple of articles back, when asking they ask in their own hearts with a discouraging the question why God didn’t just prove His existence regularity. to anyone who asked, we reached the conclusion The very foundation of prayer is given to us in that faith is one of the means absolutely built in Hebrews: ‘he who comes to God must believe to our experience of God. It’s foundational to our that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who childlike trust, our submission, our ability to empty diligently seek him’ (11:6). Now, this seems selfourselves to experience something of His power evident. What is the point of prayer if you don’t in our lives. Waiting is one element that builds our believe that there is a God to listen, or that that God faith and serves every one of these purposes. is generally unwilling Why are we so to grant our requests? God always accomplishes His purposes. surprised at the Yet we can enter Sometimes we ask Him to do so in a prominence of waiting a vicious circle in in our prayer lives? which not receiving way that differs from His plan. The Bible prepares us the answers to our for it. The stories of prayers can make us doubt both God’s existence Bible heroes are in a fairly condensed form, so in and His goodness. the course of a few verses we seem to skip over the Even those readers who came to this month’s 25 years Abraham waited for the son of promise, headline recoiling will, I am sure, have experienced or the years Joseph waited in slavery and prison times of wondering why the Lord was delaying in before being elevated over his brothers, or Jacob answering a heartfelt prayer. Jesus Himself, after coming into his inheritance, or the three weeks all, makes enormous claims for the power of of fasting before the angel Gabriel appeared to prayer. ‘Whatever you ask in my name, this I will Daniel, or the seventy years of repentance during do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. the Babylonian captivity, or the four hundred years If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it’ between Malachi and the Lord’s word coming to (John 14:13-14). It’s the anything that gets me. I’ve Zechariah the father of John the Baptist. asked for lots of things — things which I believe God accomplishes His purposes, but He doesn’t would bring glory to God, things in which I desire rush them. He needs us to see, when we have run to see His purposes manifested — which seem to out of our own strategies and our own strength have been met with silence. Gospel opportunities and patience, that we must be completely reliant in which I prayed for the right words to say, but on Him. The waiting is part of the answer: that is was left speechless. Times I have asked for a where so much of our growing happens. confirmation of something I believed He said to And yet, there are other times when we me in prayer, and felt I was left comfortless. Times experience the greatness of His grace. As the I waited for His guidance as long as I could before Lord says in Isaiah 65:24, ‘Even before they call, suspect there will be two categories of readers

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I will answer, and while they are still speaking I will hear.’ If we can call it to mind, most of us have undoubtedly had this experience too. God always knows what we need before we even ask for it. He does not always make us wait; I have had times He has provided for a need before I even knew it would arise. His timing, whether it is preemptive or means a long wait, is always part of His goodness to us. Confidence. Many of you will remember the Rev. Kenny Macdonald, retired from Rosskeen, whose daughter Alison went missing in India as a young woman. For decades Kenny expressed an absolute confidence that Alison would return to him before his death. Yet, a few years ago, he died, and Alison’s fate is still a mystery. Should this seemingly misplaced confidence shake our faith? It didn’t shake Kenny’s. When asked in an interview whether God was unfaithful if Alison didn’t return in his lifetime, Kenny laughed. ‘No,’ he said, ‘it would mean that I heard wrong.’ Kenny’s confidence was not in the outcome — it was in the Lord. He knew his God to be good no matter what painful experiences he’d had, no matter how painful the waiting or even the result of it. Kenny undoubtedly prayed with the ‘but if not’ of Shadrach, Meschach and Abednego. ‘Our God whom we serve is able to deliver us…But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods’ (Daniel 3:17-18). Kenny knew that even if his prayer for Alison was a ‘no’, God was still with him in the ‘no’. So how do we pray in confidence? James 1:6-8 says, ‘the one who doubts…must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.’ I think the answer is to combine confidence in what the Lord is able to do with submission to whatever He will do. Remember that Jesus — the same night He promised to do anything we ask in His name — asked His Father for the cup of suffering and death to pass from Him. But He combined this desire with total submission to the Father. Expecting the Unexpected. God always accomplishes His purposes. Sometimes we ask Him to do so in a way that differs from His plan. Anything other than the picture we had in our mind can then feel like a disappointment — ‘this isn’t what I asked for!’, as if

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God is a waiter substituting salad for chips. When we ask for deliverance from a situation, sometimes God provides growth through it instead. When we ask for the desire of our heart, sometimes the answer is to make Himself the desire of our heart. But we will only see His answer in this if we are willing to be submitted to Him. I have had so many prayers answered ‘outside the box’ that now I try not to second-guess how He might answer my prayers for provision or growth or help or whatever else it is. I make my needs known and leave the creative solutions to Him! Before moving on to our last point, we have to ask the question: are there times that God doesn’t answer our prayers? According to the Bible, yes. When we are sceptical of His ability or goodness. When we ask out of greed. When we have unrepentant sin in our lives. When we are withholding forgiveness from others. These are such serious issues that they break our fellowship with God. Yet, I am convinced that even His silence at these times is not a punishment but itself a call to bring us back to Him. Are we willing to listen, and turn back, and seek Him before we seek His help or His gifts? Living in gratitude. Briefly, then to our last point. So often we treat God like a spoiled child with its parent — receiving something good, and neglecting even to express thanksgiving before asking for more and more. Or throwing a tantrum because the gift isn’t the one we were looking for! Receiving a time of rest and refreshment, and complaining bitterly when it ends instead of going on in gratitude (think Jonah and his shady vine, or me returning from holiday back to the daily grind!). We ultimately live to give God praise and glory, so when we neglect even to give common appreciation for so many blessings, we do Him dishonour. Sometimes, indeed, we have to give thanks before we feel thankful — praise is our duty and privilege even when it is not our inclination. Prayer is not our Christmas list, and we must not be toddlers crying because Santa didn’t deliver everything we thought we wanted. Prayer is the act of intimate communication, a beloved child with its good Father. It’s where we enjoy His company, discover His truths, and experience forgiveness and peace. It’s where we find our delight and our strength. It’s where we work out our submission, our confidence, our gratitude, our patience. When we are praying for God’s gifts, let us not forget that prayer itself is one of the greatest gifts He has given. • Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need Heb. 4:16

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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Re: Objectivity, October 2021 Dear Editor I was genuinely concerned and disheartened to read your editorial titled ‘Objectivity’ in the October Record. When did the Free Church of Scotland become promoters of Scottish Government policy?? This is very disturbing considering the silence from the Free Church on the many scripturally erroneous policies being put on the statute books by a Government devoid of biblical perspective! Your editorial piece was both subjective, patronising and devoid of alternative opinion. Not once did you reference the concerns raised by many scientists and medical experts re the efficacy or safety of the vaccines, which are not in actual fact vaccines in the strictest sense but medical experiments being trialled on the world’s population. You failed to reference the many deaths and side-effects being experienced following first, second and booster vaccinations. I feel you have crossed a line, as highlighted in the November Record by others, and have dragged the Free Church into a moral and ethical discussion that is without precedent. You may have editorial license to publish your personal views on many issues, however the Record is potentially the only contact some people will have on ‘religious’ teaching and therefore it should remain apolitical. Christ our Saviour touched the leper, maybe we need to be careful not to discourage those who make different choices to us even when they are for very legitimate reasons. Will we make vaccine mandatory for church attendance?? The slippery slope to medical segregation and discrimination. Kind regards, Donald Morrison Oban

Re: Letters, November 2021 Sir You display commendable respect for the concept of freedom of speech in publishing a letter suggesting inter alia that the vaccine may be a forerunner for the ‘mark of the beast’, Bill Gates heads up a global conspiracy network and that the vaccines are not really vaccines. The ‘science’ displayed is nonsensical to the point that I thought it was a parody. I trust your readership will move swiftly on. Yours sincerely Rev. David C Meredith Free Church Offices Edinburgh

We would love to hear from you…please write the editor at: The Record, Free Church Offices 15 North Bank Street, The Mound Edinburgh, EH1 2LS or e-mail editor@freechurch.org

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DEC/JAN 2022 PRAYER DIARY Please send requests to Dayspring MacLeod (dayspring.macleod@ icloud.com). This month we will be focusing on issues surrounding the holidays, as well as remembering a few specific requests within The Record. Sun 12th — Weds 15th Pray for Ben Castaneda, who will soon be joining the staff of ETS as professor of Greek and New Testament. May his ministry be blessed both theologically and pastorally to his students, may God grant him wisdom in every situation as he humbly leans on Him, and may his family too know joy and peace in their new place in Edinburgh.

not even in our times of doubt, discouragement and frustration. Let us give thanks even for the difficulties of our lives, just because He has His purpose for all of it! And all the more give thanks for the innumerable blessings of Him who forgives all our iniquities and heals all our diseases, Him who binds up the brokenhearted, Him who knows our path when our heart is overwhelmed.

Thurs 16th — Sat 18th In the run-up to the holidays, pray for those you know (and those you don’t know) who are dreading a season of mourning after losing a loved one. For those in ill health, to whom the future feels uncertain and the festivities are a huge effort. For those in difficult relationships, to whom joy feels far off. For those living with mental health problems, who may simply feel numb. For those without families. For those anxious over the unnecessary Christmas pressures. Minister to these in your heart, and drop them a word of encouragement if you can.

Thurs 30th — Sat 1st Jan Let us give thanks for sight of another new year, and ask the Lord very lovingly and humbly if He will use us in this year to build up His church, to reach the lost, to bless the poor and lonely, to be His hands and feet in this world. May He grant us to love Him more, and better, in 2022 than we have in 2021; to know peace, and to grow in grace. Sun 2nd — Tues 4th Pray for the homeless, cold, and hungry. People living in poverty get extra help and good cheer at Christmastime — but it’s easy for them to fall out of mind once the holidays are over. The Lord cares tenderly for them, and so should we. Pray that they will receive support from government, from charities, but most especially from ourselves and our churches. Pray also for those who minister to them to love them well and build relationships, not just give handouts. They also need our support as it can be draining and demanding work!

Sun 19th — Wed 22nd ‘Long lay the world, in sin and error pining: til He appeared, and the soul felt its worth.’ Pray especially for all those who are in ignorance or rebellion against the good God. How dark a night it is for hearts still grasping for truth or freedom or forgiveness! Ask that the message of Emmanuel, God-with-us, will dawn into their darkness. May we be worthy light-bearers.

Wed 5th — Sat 8th In Free Church News this month, we learn about an appeal set up by Buccleuch to support our Christian brothers and sisters in Myanmar, especially the Chin people. Please pray for the millions displaced into refugee camps, fleeing from a military regime, or experiencing persecution and poverty. If you can give to the Buccleuch fund, please do what you can for the Lord’s people there.

Thurs 23rd — Sat 25th ‘A thrill of hope: the weary world rejoices — for yonder breaks a new and glorious morn!’ Thank you, O Father, for sending your dearly beloved Son into our broken world so that we too could become Your beloved children. We will never understand the cost, or the love, but we return You thanks. Come, let us adore Him: the manger-born baby who would bear the weight of a cross and now bears the weight of risen glory!

Sun 9th — Tues 11th Pray for the new Camps administrator, Mairi Beaton, as she settles into her role. Ask the Lord to give her fresh vision, energy and enthusiasm. May He grant that the children would be able to go to in-person camps this year to build friendships and faith!

Sun 26th — Wed 29th In another year of strain and many twists and turns — and another year of pandemic — let us give thanks to the God who never for a moment left our side,

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‘…and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them….This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger….So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger’ Luke 2:7, 12, 16

CARBON, COP26, AND CHRIST The build up to COP26 was such that once the actual event got underway there was a certain sense of relief that after all that was being said, the relevant parties were now meeting together to get something done (we hope!). For me, the build-up to Christmas makes me feel the same way; it has become so commercialised that I feel relieved that it is arrived at last and equally relieved to leave it behind! But in thinking of both these events, it struck me that there is a relationship, albeit veiled and obscure, between COP26, Christmas and Christ. The point and purpose of the conference was to address globally, agreeably, and purposefully the major effect excessive emissions of CO2 is having on the world, an effect which we call ‘global warming’. Global warming poses a danger to animals, plants and to many people who are at risk of losing their homes. The severity of the situation and the urgency which it must be dealt with is summarised in the words of the world-famous entrepreneur and business magnate, Elon Musk: ‘We’re running the most dangerous experiment in history right now, which is to see how much carbon dioxide the atmosphere can handle before there is an environmental catastrophe.’ What does all this have to do with Christmas? Well, we know that ‘the earth belongs to the Lord and everything in it’ (Psalm 24:1), and at this time of year when the focus is on the Lord’s birth, this truth may well become like a blurred background on a Zoom call — it is there but not really there. And yet Colossians 1:15-17, in magisterial fashion, brings this to the forefront of the picture. Jesus ‘The Son, is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones, powers, rulers, or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.’ All creation belongs to Jesus. By Him, through Him, for Him and in Him. And I do not think it accidental or even incidental that in the birth story of the Lord there is a repeated emphasis on ‘the manger’. Three times in Luke 2 we read the baby is ‘in the manger’, the feeding trough for animals. It is not necessary to state this, let alone repeat it, and yet there it is, as an aspect of the Lord’s birth. To me it feels like the finger of our Heavenly Father pointing to the important connection between the Creator in Christ, creatures, and creation. The Creator connecting with, resting on, relating to, His creation in a subtle yet significant way. The magisterial in touch with the manger. Now COP26 is seeking to find solutions to the problems of the pollution and the corruption of the world. The danger is critical, and intervention is essential. What is the answer? Is it to be found naturally, in evolution itself? Can this world adapt and adjust to address the issue itself? Well, obviously not, and that is why there is a need for outside action to assist the natural processes. Is the solution in revolution? Maybe we all need to support Greenpeace and Extinction Rebellion and Friends of the Earth and Word Wildlife Fund and become part of the ecological revolution! All this means progress will be made, but even the most optimistic activists tell us that without the powerful political players, the impact will be minimal. These people are driven more by economy than ecology. Here is where Christmas is the answer. The solution is in the incarnation and the promise of transformation that Jesus gives. The solution is ‘in the manger’. The manger Jesus of Luke 2 is the magisterial Jesus of Colossians 1, and He has the power and ability to change the world because its significance is by Him, through Him, for Him and in Him. The Son was named Jesus because He would save His people from their sins, and we thank God for that redemptive intervention which brings about salvation and transformation. But He is also going to save and transform His world to be a place fit to live in without the pollution and corruption caused by carbon excess and everything else that leaves creation groaning under the weight of sin. He says, ‘For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth, and the former things shall not be remembered or come into mind’ (Isaiah 65:17). When Peter thinks of this transformation and renewal he says, ‘we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth where righteousness dwells’ (2 Peter 3:13). As people were looking forward to COP26, and as some people look forward to commercial Christmas, so we look forward to Christ making all things new. Do we sit back and do nothing until then? Not at all! ‘What kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming’ (2 Peter 3:12). That means, amongst a host of others, looking after this world. We worship the magisterial Jesus, work for the manger Jesus, and wait for the Maranatha Jesus. ‘Even so, come, Lord Jesus’ (1 Cor. 16:22) •

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REFLECTIONS REFLECTIO Photo by Maxim Hopman on Unsplash

BY REV. COLIN MACLEOD

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A SNAPSHOT OF THE DUMISANI MINISTRY BY REV. WILBERT CHIPENYU

Lecturers were offering both in-person and online lectures. This went on for the whole of term four of 2020 through to term one of 2021. It was very hard for a skeletal staff at Dumisani to deal with the two delivery modes concurrently. Nonetheless, the opening of the office doors led to an increase in student enrolments, because most of our student were comfortable with the contact classes. We realised a student increase in both the certificate and diploma classes. The student numbers kept growing throughout 2021. We presently have 15 students in the certificate category, 25 in the diploma category and five degree students through our partners.

reetings from the dumisani family and my family.

I am glad to share the Dumisani ministry with you, brothers and sisters. I am grateful to God that the Dumisani ministry is surviving in the various waves of the Covid-19 pandemic, though affected in one way or the other.

COVID-19 In 2020, South Africa experienced six months of hard lockdown where people’s movement was restricted. All learning institutions had to do online teaching. We were not ready for that at all. I sought the help of the ETS lecturers on how to implement simple online teaching. Brothers from the ETS gave us useful advice that enabled some form of teaching and learning for two consecutive terms — April through August 2020. Though teaching and learning was ongoing through the online means, some students in the first college year had not gone through the computer classes. This meant that the online learning was a real nightmare. As a result, enrolment for the first-year students dropped drastically. Without enough students, the cost of data to access online learning posed serious challenges to both students and lecturers. The situation was magnified by the fact that most people had lost their jobs and so could not afford the cost of data. This brought a further decline in student numbers. The number of remaining students was slightly above twenty, but even those who continued with online learning could not pay the whole tuition fee due to the economic hardships. We were left with inadequate funds to meet the operational costs. However, the situation changed in term four (September 2020) when the government allowed colleges to reopen with a skeletal staff and restricted number of students each day. We arranged ourselves in a way that one class was at the college every day to keep with the Covid-19 protocols. At this stage, elderly students continued online learning.

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LECTURERS Dumisani is operating with five volunteer lecturers. In addition, we sometimes have visiting lecturers coming to help. Of the five regular lecturers, two are teaching on a full-time basis and are available at the college all the time. The other three come in rotation in different terms, and are only in a position to lecture, not to contribute to other aspects of the work. This situation leaves the two full-time lecturers (myself and the Rev. Ikho Magodla) with a heavy load to carry. Many potential lecturers apply to serve at Dumisani, but once I tell them that they get no stipend for lecturing, they back off. I am thankful to God that these brothers who are volunteering to serve at Dumisani are giving their best.

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PARTNERSHIP Dumisani is in partnership with South African Theological Seminary (SATS), where the diploma graduates further their studies, with 10% discount on tuition fees. SATS gives 108 credits to our graduates for the BTh. On another note, three denominational leaders approached us in 2021 and asked us to train their pastors. We have never trained pastors from these three denominations before. Discussions are underway and we are excited about the possibility of these partnerships. We are exploring the most cost-effective ways to teach these pastors in designated centre.

ACCREDITATION WITH THE SOUTH AFRICAN GOVERNMENT The accreditation process is underway, and we have gone more than 90% in preparing to submit our application. We are now left with the Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) certificate. The officials visited us on 29 September 2021. We are waiting on them now. We have the approved teaching and learning modules and the required number of qualified lecturers.

WINTER AND SUMMER SCHOOLS

CHALLENGES

Each year we have two-week intensive classes after terms two and four: Winter and Summer Schools respectively. In 2021, the Rev. Kyle Barrow came and taught an in-depth study on Exodus for the Winter School. At the coming Summer School, the Rev. Johannes Aucamp is teaching on Servant Leadership. These classes are presented by different volunteer lecturers. Each year, one focuses on a Bible book while the other can be any course we approve of.

The greatest challenge is with the teaching and library staff. I feel we need to have more full-time staff to attend to students consistently. The parttime lecturers come for their lectures and have no time with students outside the lecture halls. The obstacle to having adequate full-time staff is the lack of a stipend for Dumisani lecturers. I trust that God will make a way. The curriculum proposed by the accreditation Board requires more full-time staff because there is a lot of paperwork involved.

THE LIBRARY TAKE NOTE

We have two librarian assistants who are helping in the library on a daily basis. They are doing a great job throughout the week. I am grateful that in 2020 a friend of Dumisani donated 12 computers to the library. These are helpful in our ministry.

Dumisani is open to members of the Free Church of Scotland and their friend denominations who wish to come and serve in any capacity and for any length of time. Any member wishing to assist thus, please contact me, and we will help with arrangements.

UPCOMING EVENTS PRAYER POINTS

Our academic year ends on 19 November 2021. Term one begins 24 January 2022. The graduation and award ceremony is on 5 March 2022.

• • • • •

Dumisani ministry in general Guidance for the Dumisani leadership and staff Full-time lecturers and librarians Partnerships that glorify God Dumisani family and friends

Thank you very much for reading this article and praying for the Dumisani ministry. I hope to keep you posted. • Contact admin.dumisani@gmail.com wilbertchipenyu@yahoo.com The Rev. Wilbert Chipenyu is Principal and Lecturer at Dumisani Theological Institute.

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FROM WHENCE DOTH COME MINE AID? BY REV. DANIEL SLADEK

his article is a reflection on psalm 121 . as you consider the psalm , i would encourage you to do so with two questions in

mind : ‘ am i on a journey ? ’ and , ‘ who is my king ? ’ Psalm 121 illustrates some of the ways that the religious experience of ancient Israelites differed from ours. It’s the song of someone on a journey. That explains the language about slipping feet (v3) and sunstroke (v5). It also explains the title: Psalm 121 is one of fifteen ‘psalms of ascent’. The Israelites sang them as they travelled to Jerusalem for the three annual festivals at which they worshipped before the Lord at His temple. There was an ascent because Jerusalem was on a mountaintop. That’s all very different from our experience. In other ways, Israel’s situation was similar to ours. In Psalm 39:12 David declares that he dwells here as ‘a foreigner, a stranger’. Commenting on that statement, the New Testament says ‘People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own’, a place where they would dwell with God (Hebrews 11:14). So it wasn’t just on those three festivals that the Israelites were on a journey; their whole life was a journey. That’s very like our situation. Peter says that we are ‘foreigners and exiles’ on earth (1 Peter 2:11). This world isn’t our home; like the ancient Israelites, the whole of our life is a journey to the place where we will be with God. The destination of that journey — whether the earthly Jerusalem of Psalm 121 or the heavenly Jerusalem to which all God’s people journey — is the best destination imaginable. Moses told the Israelites that when they came to the temple, ‘in the presence of God you and your families shall eat and shall rejoice in everything you have put your hand to, because the Lord your God has blessed you.’ The heavenly Jerusalem is described in even grander terms: ‘Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,” for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them.They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away”’ (Revelation 21:1-4). There could be no greater destination! So the first question is, ‘Am I on this journey?’ If you’re not following Jesus, you’re a wanderer. You may have a very busy life, full of many things, but there’s a real sense in which you’re lost. But if you are following Jesus, you can think of yourself as a pilgrim: every aspect of your current experience should be shaped by this great destination.

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The destination of that journey — whether the earthly Jerusalem of Psalm 121 or the heavenly Jerusalem to which all God’s people journey — is the best destination imaginable. That leads to a second question: ‘Who is your king?’ You see, however great that destination is, the journey isn’t easy. On your journey, there may be sinful behaviour you find hard to leave behind. It may feel that it will trip you up and keep you from finishing the race. The pandemic may have caused you such financial trouble that your life seems to be falling apart. Maybe it has resulted in an isolation that you struggle to cope with. Whatever your difficulties are, they may seem insurmountable. You may wonder how you’ll ever see it through. You wouldn’t be the first person to feel that way. When the psalmist looks up at the mountains he immediately asks, ‘Where will my help come from?’ (v1). The mountains between him and God’s temple were full of dangers. There may be robbers that would leave him for dead. If he twists his ankle on loose stones he could be helplessly stranded. The heat of the desert sun could overwhelm him. What hope could he have of arriving in God’s presence? His answer is that God is his helper (v2)! The wonderful promise is that the divine King to whom he journeys is already with him! He uses two images to describe this divine presence. The first is that of shade (v5). The image may be that of a bird under whose wings he shelters (Psalm 91:4). God hovered like an eagle over Israel as they left Egypt (Exodus 19:4; Deuteronomy 32:11; Isaiah 31:5). The second image is that of a shepherd constantly watching over the comings and goings of his flock. Again, this kind of language evokes the exodus (Psalm 78:52). In the ancient Near East these two images — shade and shepherd — were both used to describe kings. God is declaring that he is the great king of his people. He summons them into His presence, and He watches over them to ensure their arrival. Just as God brought Israel out of Egypt into the promised land, now He promises the individual Israelite that He will safely bring him to the temple. We learn an important principle here: God’s past actions on our behalf of give us assurance that He will act for us in the future. We have even more assurance than the psalmist. Not only do we look back to the exodus, we also look back to the life, death and resurrection of Jesus. Jesus declared that He is our shepherd who laid down His life for us (John 10:11). And on the third day, God raised our shepherd from the dead (Hebrews 13:20), and He still watches over us. He won’t allow our sins to overcome us; He will see us through the financial difficulties we face; in our loneliest times, He will be with us. Nothing can separate us from the Father’s love in Christ (Romans 8:39), and He will lead us finally into the presence of the Father. As we read in Revelation: ‘The Lamb at the centre of the throne will be their shepherd; he will lead them to springs of living water. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.’ • The Rev. Daniel Sladek is lecturer in Old Testament and Hebrew at ETS

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PLATES FROM THE PEWS This is a wee excerpt from the latest fundraising venture by Tain and Fearn Free Church. Taste & See is much more than a cookbook, giving a flavour of God’s work in the lives of people in Tain, together with their favourite recipes. It is informative, entertaining, and moving – you will not be disappointed! Why have you chosen this dish? Way, way back when we first got married we loved curries and you could buy jars of Sharwood biryani paste. They stopped making them but discovered Schwartz made biryani spice mix at 69p a packet (which was quite expensive then). Then Schwartz stopped making that, so Donella wrote to the company. They replied and told us that it had been taken off production but they very kindly gave us the recipe they used for the spice mix! Tell us a bit about your background? I was born in Golspie in the Free Church manse — in the actual house. In those days it was what they would call ‘home confinements’. My father, Hugh Ferrier, was the minister there in the 1950s. I was only a year old when we left Golspie and we spent three years on the Black Isle (Knockbain) before movin to Glasgow (Partick Road). When I was 16 we moved from Glasgow to my father’s last charge was in Inverness (Free North). So I finished my schooling in Inverness. I used to be embarrassed by having my dad as a minister when I was a kid. It’s not easy for any young person who comes from a Christian family and they go to church. I was targeted because I was a son of the manse and went to church all the time. I was very small for my age, and that hasn’t changed!

There were thoughts like ‘I’m not good enough’, ‘I’ll never meet the standards’, ’I’ll never be up to it’... I knew it wasn’t really down to me at all — I always knew that. But it was just finally accepting that there was nothing I could do apart from trusting Christ. Let’s say you’re on death row: what would you want for your last meal? I think I’ve lost my appetite. I don’t think I’d be looking for a slap-up feast. I’ll be just saying ‘get on with it then’. This business of your last meal on death row, I think I’d be asking for a Bible rather than that! • Bill Ferrier is an elder in Tain & Fearn Free Church. He is married to Donella and they have three children.

What did you do after leaving school? My academic achievements were mediocre at best because I was the sort of black sheep in the family in that respect. I had high achieving siblings but I just couldn’t be bothered! One of the things that was suggested to me was nursing, which I scoffed at and ridiculed when I heard it at first. My mother and my guidance teacher thought applying to be a nurse might be a good idea. I reluctantly applied for the job but thought I had about a year’s grace to find myself other work. But they asked me to start almost immediately — before I knew what was happening I was in nurse training at Raigmore! We moved to Wick and then settled here in Camore near Dornoch. I was the one and only CPN for Sutherland for a number of years. So I had to cover the whole county as a community nurse, which took a wee bit of doing. What about your own faith? I think most young people, if they’re brought up in a Christian home, might question it sometimes — but I never really rebelled against Christianity. I probably grew into Christianity in the home. It’s not like I had a defining moment when I thought ‘this is it’, it’s just that I had quit fighting against it.

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All proceeds from the sale of the book will go towards building a new church in Tain. Please contact Mairi MacAulay on mairi.macaulay@yahoo.com or call 01862 892156 to buy your copy! Cost is £15 & postage.

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CHICKEN TIKKA

BY BILL FERRIER Ingredients: • 2 tsp turmeric • 1 tsp ground cumin • 1 tsp ground coriander • ½ tsp ground ginger • ¼ tsp mild chilli powder • ¼ tsp garlic granules • ¼ tsp crushed chillies • ¼ tsp cinnamon • ¼ tsp coriander leaf • 1 tsp cornflour • 1 tsp salt • 1 onion, chopped • 30 ml olive oil • 100g frozen mixed vegetables • 1 medium potato, diced • 1 pt chicken stock • 225g Basmati rice • 2 packs Chicken Tikka pieces, diced Prep time: 30 minutes Cook time: 1 hour 20 mins Servings: 4

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Method: • Preheat oven to 180°C. • Mix all spices together with cornflour and salt in small container. • Heat oil in a large ovenproof dish over a low heat and sauté onions until soft. • Add rice and fry gently for 2—3 minutes. • Stir in vegetables and finally add Chicken Tikka. • Combine until rice, vegetables and chicken are thoroughly mixed together. • Stir in spice mix and gently heat for a further two minutes. • Stir again then add stock ensuring mixture is completely covered by the stock. • Cover dish with lid and bake for 1 hour. • Suggestions: • Replace frozen vegetables with whatever mix of fresh veg you want. You can also replace Chicken Tikka with any other meat you want. • Serve with a good homemade dhal (contact Bill for this recipe!)

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PARTNERSHIP: EVANGELISM IN SECULAR SCOTLAND BY THE REV. NEIL MACMILLAN

‘I

f i expect to be with you in heaven , i will work

Love is the motive of our evangelism. And love must also characterise how we relate to others within, and without, the body of Christ. In John 13:34-35 Jesus says, ‘A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.’ I am sure we have all had experiences of church where there was a deficit of love. When this happens it is a crushing disappointment. And when the secular culture around us perceives the church as unloving, it undermines our claim to know and follow Jesus. In John 13 Jesus calls us to put His love on display by the way we relate to fellow believers. Evangelical unity is crucial to our mission. This is not a plea for structural or institutional unity but a cry to acknowledge that, in Christ, we are made to depend on other members of his body. Without their fellowship we are depleted and weakened. That means that we in the Free Church need the fellowship and partnership of other evangelical churches in Scotland.

with you here on earth .’

These words from Neil Powell struck me like a blow between the eyes this week. Neil is an F.I.E.C. minister leading the London Project, an initiative to help churches in London collaborate so that everyone in that city has the opportunity to hear and respond to the gospel. He is driven by the knowledge that no one church, organisation, denomination or network is going to reach London on their own. The same is true here in Scotland.

GREAT COMMISSION, GREAT COMMANDMENT The Free Church of Scotland is a great church to belong to. We have our flaws but we do enjoy a remarkable degree of unity and warmth. One of the expressions of that unity is our shared commitment to mission and evangelism. We are a ‘great commission’ church, living as God’s covenant people in obedience to the command to go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them and teaching them. ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age’ (Matthew 28:19-20, NIV). Mission is one of the defining features of a biblical church — without mission and evangelism we are no longer the church of Christ. Being a Great Commission church means we also need to be a Great Commandment church. Love for God and for others is another defining feature of the church. Love is the motive that compels us to go forward in mission and evangelism. ‘One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, “Of all the commandments, which is the most important?” “The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these”’ (Mark 12: 28-31).

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TOGETHER FOR THE GOSPEL We want everyone in Scotland to have the opportunity to hear and respond to the gospel. I am totally convinced that for the message of the gospel to advance in our secular nation we need to support those who share our commitments to the authority of Scripture and the urgency of evangelism. It is also the case that we have much to learn from the pioneering mission work being done by people in a variety of denominations and churches. 20schemes is one example of a great partnership where we are benefitting massively from the expertise and wisdom developed at Niddrie Community Church. Chalmers Church in Edinburgh has been a huge help to the Free Church in developing training schemes for Ministry Apprentices, recognising that raising up workers for the harvest is crucial to our mission. At a practical level, I want to encourage you to connect well with other Christians locally. I want to plead with you to pray in private and in public for God to pour out great blessing on congregations in your area that are not part of the Free Church. I want

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I am sure we have all had experiences of church where there was a deficit of love. When this happens it is a crushing disappointment. And when the secular culture around us perceives the church as unloving, it undermines our claim to know and follow Jesus. to remind myself and you to always honour others in the way we speak of them and never to speak badly of brothers and sisters in the Lord. And, wherever possible, let us all find ways to work alongside them to promote the good news of Jesus. This might be through a campaign like ‘A Passion for Life’. Maybe it’s through coming together to pray for your village, town or city. It could be through working together in some form of mercy ministry like a foodbank or homeless ministry. It might be through a church-planting network for your city or region. Whether you are in Lewis, Lanarkshire or the Lothians, Glasgow, Golspie or Glendale, find out how you can bless those who meet in other churches and how they can be a blessing to you. Where can you partner locally for the sake of the gospel?

them, support them and help wherever we can? It has often been the case in the past that we have been quick to criticise others and too proud to learn from them. No more of that please. ‘Love one another as I have loved you.’ As we think about the re-evangelisation of Scotland, we should see ourselves as part of a bigger team — the Free Church is only one part of the body of Christ and as we move ahead in mission we desire to become great team players. There are many fine churches in our nation and we are thankful that across denominations and networks we cross paths with so many Christloving, God-glorifying sisters and brothers in the Lord who are driven by the same passion for mission and evangelism that we are. The Free Church at its best is a warm, biblical, evangelical, outward-looking, generous, happy, fun place to be. Laughter, kindness, compassion, conviction all shaken up into a cocktail of vibrant life. We have not always been at our best; that’s why we need to keep the gospel at the centre. The gospel humbles us. We are the worst of sinners. The gospel melts us — we become soft hearted and gentle. The gospel energises us — it moves us toward the lost, the lonely, the hungry, the addicted, the bruised and bereaved. And we are big gospel people — we care about salvation of individuals and we are care about the transformation of a nation. We care about every square inch of Scotland. And because of this we will work, as best we can, to serve the gospel in partnership with others. •

TOGETHER IN THE KINGDOM This week I have been at a meeting of church planters and evangelists from a number of European cities: Athens, Rome, Frankfurt, Hamburg, London, Birmingham, Budapest and Kiev. It was humbling and remarkable to see the friendships that exist in these cities between Presbyterian ministers and Pentecostal pastors along with Baptist, Charismatic, and Independent church leaders. It was clear to all of us that these men were good friends who loved each other and were working to help all the churches they serve to flourish for the good of the Kingdom. Building great friendships across denominational boundaries takes time. This means investing in loving relationships with our brothers and sisters. It requires that we approach others with humility, generosity and kindness. Are we ready to listen and learn from them? Are we quick to pray for

The Rev. Neil MacMillan is minister of Cornerstone, Edinburgh and is currently serving as Moderator of the General Assembly of the Free Church.

QUOTATIONS: The first service one owes to others in a community involves listening to them. Just as our love for God begins with listening to God’s Word, the beginning of love for others is learning to listen to them. God’s love for us is shown by the fact that God not only gives God’s Word but also lends us God’s ear… We do God’s work for our brothers and sisters when we learn to listen to them. Dietrich Bonhoeffer

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SAUL BY DONALD MACKAY

Rembrandt: Saul and David (c1651-1658) Courtesy of The Mauritshuis, Den Haag

aul, the first king of israel, was a man of

and on the vital importance of remaining faithful to the divine covenant. So far, all is well. But after a period of years (we do not know how many) the Philistines reasserted their dominance over Israel, while Saul’s army seems to have shrunk from 330,000 to 3,000. Nevertheless Jonathan, Saul’s son, kept up guerrilla attacks on the enemy outposts, which provoked the Philistines into full-scale warfare. Saul marshalled his troops; however, their morale was low and weakened by defections. He had expected Samuel to arrive and offer sacrifices before battle, but still Samuel did not come. In desperation Saul decided to secure the Lord’s favour by offering the sacrifices himself. And just at that moment Samuel appeared.

standing, despite his modest protestations to the

contrary. His road to the kingship was dramatic but completely honourable. During a vain quest for his father’s donkeys he met the prophet Samuel, who greeted him effusively and anointed him as the kingin-waiting. He was given a sequence of prophetic signs which he would experience and which would confirm the Lord’s choice of him as the future ruler. Everything happened as predicted, and moreover we are told that the Lord gave him a new heart and a prophetic gift. Samuel next arranged a public ceremony at which lots were cast, and Saul’s name providentially came up, to great public acclaim. He was thirty years old. There were some dissentients, against whom Saul declined to take action. Then Samuel read out the Mosaic Law regarding kingship, and dismissed the people (including Saul) to their own homes. Samuel was in effect resigning political leadership, while retaining his role as spiritual director of the nation

SACRIFICE OR OBEDIENCE This was a critical moment in Saul’s life. It is important to understand why. God, through Samuel, was setting a test of Saul’s heart obedience to himself. And Saul failed, relying instead on the externalities of religion. Although it might have seemed a small failure in the circumstances, Samuel diagnosed it as foolishness, a transgression of the Lord’s command and a disqualification for the kingship. Now Saul was plunged into battle with the Philistines, but without a battle plan or the support and guidance of Samuel. He was rescued from the situation by the bravery of Jonathan, who singlehandedly attacked an enemy outpost and set up a panic in the Philistine ranks, exacerbated by a minor earthquake sent from God. When Saul’s forces reached the battle line they found the enemy in total disorder and headlong flight. Saul,

WARRIOR KING Now came Saul’s first test of kingship. He was busy ploughing with oxen on his farm when news arrived of a threat by the king of the Ammonites to subjugate and mutilate the men of Jabesh Gilead. Possessed by the Spirit of God, Saul slaughtered the oxen, cut them in pieces, and had them sent round the land of Israel with the message ‘This is what will happen to you if you do not answer the call to fight the Ammonites’. The nation responded and there was a great victory, which served to confirm Saul’s elevation to the throne. Samuel used the occasion to deliver a lecture to king and people on the sin of desiring a king instead of theocratic rule,

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still struggling for divine guidance, hesitated before striking a fatal blow on the Philistine army, and imposed a gratuitous ban on his own troops from eating before sundown, which weakened their fighting ability. Discovering that Jonathan had unawares transgressed the ban, he was ready to execute his own son but was prevented by the common sense of his own men, who recognised Jonathan’s heroism and the part that he had played in the partial victory. Saul was thus evincing a somewhat wooden adherence to religious ritual, but his compliance with divine commands was about to be tested more rigorously. Samuel appeared again with a message from the Lord: that Saul was to embark on a holy war against the Amalekites. They were a nomadic people, who had attacked Israel on its desert march through the Sinai peninsula, and had been ‘devoted to destruction’ on that account. Now Saul was commanded to wipe out every trace of the tribe, including women, children and domestic animals. He led a huge army of 210,000 in what appears to have been a surprise attack, which was totally successful. He carried out his instructions (to his mind) completely, sparing only the best of the flocks and herds for sacrifice, and also Agag the king. When he met Samuel a few days later, Saul had a rude shock. The prophet denounced him roundly as a rebel against the Lord, reminding him that obedience was better than sacrifice, and intimating finally that his kingship, too, was devoted to destruction. Samuel also made up for Saul’s disobedience by himself executing Agag. The two never saw one another again.

promoted him to a senior army rank. But the king sent his new officer on dangerous missions, hoping that he would lose his life. Repeatedly, when the fit was on him, Saul would attack David violently, and it took all Jonathan’s skill and tact to keep his friend from harm. But at length David had to flee and became an outlaw. There followed a period of several years in which Saul pursued David and his ragged band of followers through the wild area of the Negev, often coming close to capturing them, but being providentially thwarted each time. Saul committed the awful crime of murdering the entire priestly community on the ground of their having given aid and comfort to David. Twice David was in a position to kill Saul but refused to do so, unwilling to raise a hand against the Lord’s anointed. On each occasion Saul appeared to show genuine repentance and even affection for David, strengthening the impression that his vendetta was pathological. David found support from Jonathan and from Samuel, who was now very old and on the point of death. But in the end David could not take any more and sought refuge in of all places — the land of the Philistines.

SAUL’S LINE ENDS And now Saul’s saga ends in darkness. Conscious of having been forsaken by the Lord, in despair at the prospect of another Philistine invasion, Saul turned to the forces of the night which earlier in his reign he had tried to wipe out. He sought out a witch to summon up a ghostly adviser — Samuel! An old man, clothed in a blanket, duly appeared. His message was bleak: tomorrow you and your three sons will perish, and your army will fall before the Philistines. At this news Saul collapsed in weakness, and was only revived when the kindly witch prepared for him a feast fit for a king. He went into battle on Mount Gilboa above the Jordan valley and fought bravely, but was overpowered and in the end, being severely wounded, fell upon his sword. His sons, including Jonathan, were likewise slain and their bodies, along with Saul’s, exposed on the wall of Beth Shan. From this shameful posture they were rescued by the courage of the warriors of Jabesh Gilead, who gave them honourable burial. Thus Saul died as was foretold, paying the penalty for his unfaithfulness to God and his acts of wanton cruelty. His reign was not, however, a total failure. He had stood firm against Israel’s enemies on every side and laid the foundation for David’s kingly rule. He had engaged the unflinching loyalty of many brave men, which attached to his family after his death. And he had shown nobility of character and warm friendship which won the admiration of David, as celebrated in his eloquent funeral ode; and which, many centuries on, inspired Handel to write a masterly oratorio in his memory. •

SAUL’S SUCCESSOR Now comes the last chapter of Saul’s life. It opens with an evil spirit which began to affect him periodically. We would probably diagnose some kind of violent schizophrenia. The biblical account makes it clear that the disorder was from the Lord. The court officials helpfully suggested music therapy, administered by a talented youth called David, the son of Jesse from Bethlehem. The treatment worked and David became a great favourite at court. He seems to have alternated between court and his father’s farm. What Saul did not know was that Samuel had paid a secret visit to Jesse’s home and, directed by God, had anointed David as the future king of Israel. Meanwhile the Philistines — a constant menace to Israel — had grown in boldness and were drawn up in battle array to the west of Bethlehem. A champion was called for to respond to the challenge of Goliath, a Philistine giant who paraded his strength before the cowering Israelite troops. David answered the call and, armed only with a sling, overcame Goliath and precipitated a Philistine rout, of which the Israelite army took full advantage. So David became an instant national hero, arousing Saul’s jealousy. In a fit of anger, the very next day he flung a spear at David, which the young man evaded. Jonathan however became David’s best friend and protector. Saul could not ignore David’s popularity, so he

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Donald Mackay is a member of Knox Free Church, Perth

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PAGES FROM ADAM’S DIARY The Man Who Became a Feather A brother, known to some of us as Dr Adam, has served the Lord among his suffering church for many years. Dr Adam has also ministered in various parts of the world among refugees. We have asked his permission to print some of the stories of his life and service for the encouragement of readers of The Record. For well understood reasons, some of the names of people and places have usually been changed or omitted.

everal years ago , i was visiting and ministering

single room, itself little more than a prison cell. She said several times to me, ‘Look, what has become of us! Until a few months ago, I had my own chauffeur, my own cook and servants and lived in a mansion — and now this!’

in a refugee camp in northern europe . in these

camps , i teach the word of god . I counsel and do pastoral work and whatever else I can to strengthen the faith of believers and to introduce unbelievers to our Saviour. On that occasion, I met a husband and wife in their early sixties. She was deeply distraught over their plight and did much of the talking. He was reticent, detached in his own thoughts in another world. Tearfully she explained that her husband was an accomplished businessman — a millionaire. Then his business partner, in order to take over the factory, slandered and accused him of a crime against the State. The allegation could have put her husband in prison for years before he could prove his innocence. Therefore, they were forced to flee. With only the clothing on their backs, they had to leave everything behind. Eventually they found themselves in a camp of asylum seekers in northern Europe. She invited me to their living quarters and, while sobbing, pointed around a

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THE WORLD’S BURDEN After that initial encounter, I went to see them several times. They began to anticipate my visits. They followed me like a shadow and attended all the Bible study meetings in the camp. She did most of the talking and asking of questions while her husband was there, dignified, but distant in his own thoughts. I tried to encourage them by sharing my own past — all the glory and riches of this world are fleeting and a momentary transient vapor — they appear and disappear (Ecclesiastes 2:4-11; cf. Isaiah 40:6-8; 2 Corinthians 4:16-18). I cautioned them: your god is the person or thing in which you put your security and trust! It is noteworthy that the last words of the elderly apostle John in his first

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Photo by Javardh on Unsplash

Happiness which depends on things external to us is a very fragile, unfaithful and ultimately disappointing happiness. epistle to the church were these: ‘Little children, keep yourselves from idols’ (1 John 5:21). Anything and everything, beside the true God, which becomes the source of our hope, trust and security, is an idol. At the end of our short journey on this earth, everyone must leave behind everything. There is no other choice. All that we have accumulated — land, houses, cars, boats, stocks and bonds, money in the bank, clothing, treasures of all kinds — everything, everything must be left behind. It is impossible to take anything with us other than our deeds. In this transient world lurking about are thieves, and the chief among them is death. I told them of an experience I had as a child travelling with my father in the heat of the summer in the desert roads of Central Asia. In the distance, there appeared to be a vast sea. It even covered the road. I thought that we would soon reach the edge of the sea. However, no matter how fast my father drove, the sea remained elusive and always out of reach. When I grew older, I learned that there was no sea; it was a mirage. All that we seek in this world to bring us happiness ultimately will prove to be a mirage. The only thing that is real is the Lord God, Creator of all things. In another of our meetings, I was speaking about the ‘I Am’ sayings of our Lord. I explained that when our Saviour says, ‘I Am the Way, the Truth and the Life’, he means He is the only path to salvation and life and He is the only road to reality. Indeed, He is reality and He is life with all its beauty and peace. He is all that we seek. He is the way to the bliss we search for in vain in the world. When we read, ‘In Him is life’, it means He is the essence of everything that is beautiful and good. He is the reality which fulfills our deepest and most profound longings and desires. He is that Bread of Life which you eat and then never hunger again, that fountain of living water you drink and never thirst again — nothing satisfies like this Bread and Water! If you have Him, you have everything; and if you do not have Him, even if you have everything the world affords, you are most impoverished. Happiness which depends on things external to us is a very fragile, unfaithful and ultimately disappointing happiness. I told my listeners that the Lord is the remedy for that most dreadful of all human experiences — that frightful enemy, death. The Lord Jesus is the Door of escape, both the door to life and Life itself. He is the ‘resurrection and the life’. He delivers us from the bondage to that most horrid of adversaries, the tempter,

2021

Lucifer, whose breath is the breath of death — but here is One whose breath is the breath of life. He breathes that breath of life, the Holy Spirit, into all who put their faith and trust in Him.

JESUS’ YOKE As I was speaking, suddenly and abruptly, this same despondent man pushed himself out of his chair and, in a strange manner, he leaned back as though he was going to float in the air. Then, he laid on the floor with all of us around him watching. At first, we panicked, thinking he may have suffered a heart attack, but he showed no signs of any physical distress — in fact, he had a shadow of a smile on his face. While we were still looking at him, he sheepishly got up and went out. The following day, when we came together, he and his wife were there again. As we began our meeting, he said, ‘I want to say a word. For the last few months since we had to leave our homeland and all our possessions behind, the weight of what has happened to me and my wife has been crushing me. I have felt like the weight of the world had been put upon my back. All that I had worked for, all of my life’s savings, my home, all of my priceless paintings, my cars, the picture albums of my children and loved ones, everything, everything is gone. The things to which I had attached memories, the burden of the thoughts of what I have brought upon my wife, they all have overwhelmed me.’ Then pointing toward me, he continued, ‘However, yesterday as this man was talking about Christ, the veil over the eyes of my mind dropped; I suddenly saw the truth. I saw everything with total clarity. It was as though I was cured of blindness. It was as though someone lifted the weight; I felt weightless and I got out of my chair because I thought I was just about to float off like a feather. Last night I told my wife, “I can almost float in a sea of peace!” When I got up this morning, I felt like a new-born child. The sadness, the burden, the sense of loss were all gone.’ As we listened, some of us were laughing with joy; others were crying with joy because in days past we had seen the anguish on his face. It brought to my mind the invitation and the promise of our Saviour, ‘Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart. And you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.’ -Matthew 11:28-30 •

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BOOK REVIEWS Our books this month include our Christmas spotlight, along with a couple you just might like to slip in a stocking or two. All are available from Free Church Books (https://thefree.church/shop), unless otherwise stated. BOOKS OF THE MONTH: CHRISTMAS IS CHRISTMAS UNBELIEVABLE? REBECCA MCLAUGHLIN (2021) You know you’re reading a good Christmas book when it takes several elements of favourite Christmas carols and dares to say: ‘None of this is in the Gospels.’ So much of the tradition around Christmas comes from a faithful place, but often doesn’t make sense to onlookers. In this short book, Rebecca McLaughlin dares to cut through the glitter to the solid, bright truth below. She engages with the usual family and pop culture references, but isn’t afraid to interact with atheists and experimental physicists too. This is a book to give away to the non-Christian who has thought about Jesus and Christianity and decided that they are quite simply unbelievable. It is insightful, incisive and exceptionally well written, and with it God may well change many minds. • Miriam Montgomery, Free Church Books

BE STILL: PSALM DEVOTIONS MATT SEARLES (2021) This is a beautiful book, to be kept, treasured and returned to again and again. Searles, who is based in Oxford and works for the South Central Gospel Partnership, offers us a devotional drawn from the Psalms. However, unlike Tim Keller’s My Rock, My Refuge, which covers the whole Psalter in 366 daily readings, Be Still covers just four Psalms - 16, 27, 34 and 147 - in 40 two-page chapters, taking just one or two verses at a time. Searles’ insights seem to me to be true to the original text, and also sensitive to New Testament and Christian insights, so as to offer moving, contemporary understandings and applications. Searles’ intention is that the book is read slowly and meditatively, a chapter a day, which makes it appropriate to use during Lent or another 40-day period of focussed prayer and meditation. There is plenty of rich food for the soul here! However, three of the Psalms - 16, 27 and 34 - are in many ways quite similar to each other, as individual Psalms of faith and trust, while 147 is a Psalm of praise. This does mean that none of the Psalms of lament and complaint are covered, and yet they are a crucial component of the whole Psalter - and vital as part of our own spiritual lives. Perhaps Searles could write a second volume, offering similar devotions on the likes of Psalms 22, 44 and 88? But, nevertheless, Be Still is well worth obtaining and using for the deepening of your faith in Jesus Christ. • Chris Knights, Lordshill Church of England, Southampton

These books are only a small proportion of the ones we review. You can find all our reviews online at https://books.freechurch.org or sign up to our monthly email to get them directly to your inbox: https://thefree.church/books-sign-up Email Address: books@freechurch.org Sales Phone Number: 0330 2233423 (Please note that this number takes you directly to our bookshop partners, 10ofthose.com. They are very helpful!)

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DECEMBER

TRACING GLORY SARAH RICE (2021) This is a helpful devotional book, designed for families to use together in the run up to Christmas. It comprises 25 Bible readings with associated commentary, aiming to explain the ultimate story of God’s redemption of his people through Jesus Christ his son, all for his glory. The writing is clear and accessible and the author also includes a helpful glossary of words that may need more explanation or discussion, such as glory. Each day also includes a summary box of the main point, how this connects to Jesus and some suggested discussion questions. I found this particularly helpful when reading with a younger child and in this way, it could be useful for families with a mix of ages. I found the emphasis on the whole arc of the Bible very helpful, as it is easy to only focus on the story of Jesus’ birth and miss the greater story that Christmas is but a part of. It is not just our children who need to know this story as their own and this will also help parents and carers reading with their children to see their place in God’s amazing story of redemption.. • Mairi de la Haye, St Peter’s Free Church, Dundee

THE KING AND THE SHEPHERD BOY SAM BREWSTER (2021) This picture book gives a poetic retelling of the story of Jesus’ birth and why he came — to be our Saviour! The book is written in verse and this makes it enjoyable to read aloud. The author draws a contrast between a shepherd boy and a king, both in need of a saviour despite their differences and both finding their saviour in Jesus. This book was enjoyed by a 6 and 4 year old and frequent re-readings were requested! The illustrations are attractive and engaging. This could work well as a gift but it would be best to read together with an adult so that concepts like sin and why we need a saviour could be discussed as they arise in the story.. • Mairi de la Haye, St Peter’s Free Church, Dundee

INCOMPARABLE ANDREW WILSON (2021) The longer I am in the ministry the more I am convinced that the root solution to many pastoral problems is the knowledge of God. This is not a new insight but it seems to be a truth that has to be rediscovered by each generation of Christians (and pastors) after we have exhausted all other therapies, including those based on scripture. Therefore, the republication of Andrew Wilson’s Incomparable (first published by Kingsway in 2007) is to be warmly welcomed. It is, as the introduction unashamedly declares, a book about God. It is set out in four sections or ‘explorations’, each of which is divided into very short chapters of no more than three pages each. The first section, ‘The Being of God’ deals with his existence, and ideas such as that he is unknowable yet knowable. The second section explains the meanings of the various names God is given in the Old Testament. Section three explores the Trinity. Finally, section four looks at the attributes of God. Wilson ministers within Charismatic circles (as testified by those recommending the book) and this comes across at times, for example, in the chapter entitled ‘Yahweh-Your-Healer’. However, if the footnotes are anything to go by, Wilson has clearly read widely and deeply. The book would be most helpful to anyone who has no grounding in theology at all. For a more challenging read I would recommend Matthew Barrett’s ‘None Greater’. A particular strength of Wilson is his desire to evoke worship from doctrine. Peppered throughout the book are short pauses (‘selah’ moments they are called) which encourage the reader to stop and praise the God who has just been described.. • Ian Watson, Hope Church, Blackwood & Kirkmuirhill

2021

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MUSIC NEWS & REVIEWS THE DAUGHTERS RELEASE DEBUT ALBUM ‘GOLDEN SHORE’ Singer-songwriters, Martha Middlemiss and Mary Moira McKay, are both members of Haddington Community Church, a church plant from St Columba’s Free Church. Both serve in the music ministry. After a decade of singing together informally, lockdown gave them a pause amidst the freneticism of life and a renewed desire to sing and share their original songs. Recording as ‘The Daughters’, Mary and Martha released their first single, The Mountains, in Spring 2021. Due to pandemic restrictions they produced their own music video, mostly filmed on location in East Lothian by 14-year-old Ava Middlemiss (daughter of a Daughter) and interwoven with mountain footage from those who inspired the song. The video attracted nearly 1,000 views on YouTube within a few weeks. Mary Moira says, ‘I love this song! It’s a call to keep on keeping on; purposefully seeing the beauty, looking outwards. Musically, you can just tell that something good is coming!’ In May 2021, The Daughters launched a Kickstarter Campaign to raise funds to enable them to record and produce their debut album. They had exceeded their target by June. The album, Golden Shore, features twelve original songs. The opening track, Here is the Highway, was described by John P Arnold of East Coast FM as a ‘message of hope, trust, faith in the face of the inevitable change of this life and the freedom of letting go. It appears innocent, but packs a punch. Hint of Emmy-Lou Harris, Graham Nash/David Crosby, Joni Mitchell.’ Martha says, ‘It was only after we had recorded the album (during a season of personal trials for both of us) and confirmed the track listing that we stumbled upon Isaiah 35 and saw how beautifully the first track (Here is the Highway) and the last (’Til the Sighing is No More) of our album connected with that passage: “And a highway will be there; it will be called the Way of Holiness; it will be for those who walk on that Way…They will enter Zion with singing; everlasting joy will crown their heads. Gladness and joy will overtake them, and sorrow and sighing will flee away” (Isaiah 35:8-10). ‘Track 10, Warm Island Light, is about my dear friend Mairi Dodds from the Isle of Lewis. Mairi

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is now in her 80s. Her husband was an alcoholic for 20 years before he found sobriety and gave his life to Christ. Mairi’s testimony is always that during those dark years the Lord was close: “at my lowest, he was closest”. I managed to record Mairi reciting Psalm 23 in Gaelic and we wove that into the recording.’ Swiss-born local artist Pascale Rentsch provided his painting, ‘And the light began to enter’, for the album’s cover art. Golden Shore is now available across all streaming platforms. The physical CD and digital album can be pre-ordered via The Daughters’ Bandcamp page http://thedaughters.bandcamp.com. •

DECEMBER

POETRY PAGE NATIVITY BY GEERHARDUS VOS “Elizabeth,” “Elizabeth”! The Gospel saith, A kinswoman with that good name Greeted the Virgin as she came: “Mother of her Lord Savior.”

Geerhardus Vos (1862-1949) was a Dutch Calvinist theologian, sometimes referred to as the ‘father of Reformed Biblical theology’. He taught at Princeton Theological Seminary, USA. As well as theological writing, Vos published eight volumes of poetry. His poem Nativity first appeared in Charis, an anthology published in 1931. In the poem, Vos observes both Jesus’ divinity and his humanity, reflecting on the meaning of Emmanuel, ‘God with us’. •

None bears in Scripture-registry That name but she, Though many, doubtless, bore it well Of handmaidens in Israel, Ere it was linked with Mary’s. And Mary, who the babe conceived, Humbly believed, Fore-feeling the exultant cry: ‘Henceforth shall me beatify All future generations.’ O soul, rise early on this morn A world is born; Be present on such dawn as this, Lest thou the jubilance shouldst miss Of morning-stars and Angels. We, too, are of thy company, Nativity! With Kings that, guided by their star, Brought gold and incense from afar, With shepherds from their pastures.

The Raising of the Cross by Rembrandt (1633)

How strange, while worshipping we kneel, I seem to feel, Midst all the marvels of the place, Only the marvel on thy face, Forgetful of the others. The Kings, leaving their gifts, withdrew; The shepherds, too. Wilt thou not stay with me a while? I love to see thine eyes the smile Reflecting of the mother’s.

2021

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MISSION MATTERS A monthly take on some of the mission work the Free Church is involved in by our Mission Director, DAVID MEREDITH

‘ in ’

these days .

Jeremy Clarkson has moved from his laddish phase to a more sedate agricultural mode at Diddly Squat Farm. Dougie Vipond no longer sings the blues as he fronts the hugely popular Landward. Is this a new phase for the young, restless and reformed? The skinny jeans are now giving way to a fetching John Deere boiler suit, red Converse replaced by green Hunters. As we consider the birth of Jesus, rural is everywhere. Shepherds live a fulfilling but predictable life. There may be the occasional dramatic rescue of a wayward lamb or confrontation with a sheep-stealer chancing their hand, but each day looks like the next. One day the mundane is shattered by an angelic visitation announcing ‘a Saviour’ who is the ‘Messiah’. It doesn’t get much bigger. Momentous things happen in small places. Consider the life and ministry of Jesus. It was conducted largely within 300 square miles of Galilean countryside. Jesus was not a big traveller; He was rooted in one place. The point? Less is often more. Jesus was always being urged by his people to go bigger. His disciples had their eyes set on thrones; the crowd wanted to make him king. The local and familiar are almost always where we are being called. Social media has fuelled a growing sense of FOMO (fear of missing out) as we read of other churches having ‘great’ meetings and experiencing unremitting positivity. The big work is not done in the big steepled churches with multi-staff organisations and eye-watering budgets. We genuinely rejoice at the calling of large-resource churches in what are seen as significant locations. Stop right there! Every location is significant to God. God met the shepherds in fields. Let’s not make the mistake of using that blasphemous phrase, ‘the middle of nowhere’. This is God’s world and just as every hair of our heads is known, so every ural is very much

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blade of grass has been planted by a divine hand. Every grain of sand has been placed purposefully in the desert by God. Bethel was a stoppingplace on a road beside some hills but it became ‘the house of God’. Abide and bless. We live where we live for a purpose. They call it hyper-mobility, the spirit of the age which says that if we don’t get going then we don’t get on. But our calling is to be a witness where we are. Most people are called to stay in a place for a significant period of time. We can only speak of Jesus and commend Him to others as the only master worth following if we love people and treasure our community. And we need time to love. Mark Twain spoke more than he knew when he said, ‘Love…is the slowest of all growths.’ Did not a better heart and mind than Mark Twain’s remind us that ‘love is patient’? From the stable in Bethlehem, the heavenly visitors in the fields, the carpenter’s workshop in Nazareth, a kingdom was inaugurated. I think we ought to move on from the mentality which feels sorry for declining rural congregations. These congregations should also move away from the understandable sense of being neglected which can lead to playing the blame game, with ‘Edinburgh’ as one of the chief villains of the piece. We are in this kingdom building business together. At the end of the day, the concept of the city and the village are abstractions or constructs. People are people and the gospel transfers from one person to another no matter where you are. You do not live in the middle of nowhere. Francis Schaeffer wrote, ‘There are no little people in God’s sight, so there are no little places. To be wholly committed to God in the place where God wants him or her – this is the creature glorified.’ •

DECEMBER

Ar tèarmann (Our Refuge) LE JANET NICPHÀIL

Aig deireadh an Dàmhair tha tiodhlacan air a dhol gu rìoghachdan a tha bochd, agus am bràithrean agus am peathraichean air bocsaichean a lìonadh le tiodhlacan a sheallas dhaibh le cinnt air taobh eile an t-saoghail, nach eil iad idir air a dhol a-mach à cuimhne. Is e gun tàinig Criosd dhan t-saoghal an tiodhlac a bu mhotha air am b' urrainn duine smaoineachadh. Gu dearbh, cha b'urrainn duine smaoineachadh air an seo. B'e smuain agus rùn a' Chruthaidheir a bh' ann, agus nach eil E airidh air a mholadh airson a bhith cho truasail ri sliochd Adhaimh? Nach mòr a dh' ionnsaicheadh sinn bhon eisimpleir Aige-san a thaobh a bhith tròcaireach? Abair gu bheil ionad-fasgaidh no tèarmann againn ma tha eòlas againn air Iosa Criosd. Is e seo ' Esan a tha mar ionad-fasgaidh on ghaoith, agus mar dhìdein on doininn; mar shruthan uisge ann an àite tioram, mar sgàil creige mòire ann an tìr airtnealach'.

ò nach eil ag iarraidh tèarmann anns an t-saoghal

chaochlaideach-sa?

Bidh sinn ag iarraidh dìon bho iomadh cunnart a dh' fhaodadh ar sìth a bhriseadh, agus a lìonadh ar cridhe le iomagain ro na th'air thoiseach oirnn'. Tha iomadh rìoghachd anns an t-saoghal-sa far am bheil aimhreit agus eagal, agus mòran beò bho là gu là anns an t-suidheachadh-sa. Aig deireadh na bliadhna, agus oidhcheannan fada geamhraidh romhainn, bhiodh e math a bhith a' cuimhneachadh air iomadh ceàrnaidh den t-saoghal nach eil cho socair nan crannchur ris an t-suidheachadh a th'againne. Dh' fhaodadh sinn a bhith ag iarraidh gum biodh Esan a'cuideachadh, oir is E a thuigeas am feum. 'S iongantach mur robh daoine ann a bha a' cuimhneachadh air na ceàrnaidhean iomallach-sa nuair a bha iad anns an dorchadas gun Soisgeul. Fhuair sinn sin nar cànan fhìn, agus abair adhbhar taingealachd. Tha àitean ann fhathast gun an tiodhlac-sa, ach tha sluagh ann a tha a' saothrachadh, agus iad ag eadar-theangachadh Facal a' Chruthaidheir do shluagh aig nach eil sin fhathast nan cànan fhèin. Coimheadaidh sinn a-rèist air-ais le taingealachd gur e Rìgh mòr a tha a' riaghladh, Esan a chruthaich an solas, agus is e E Fhèin an solas, agus is e Fhacal solas dor ceum.

Ionad-fasgaidh do chloinne, gan dìon air gach taobh. Chan eil cadal nad eachdraidh, tha Thu os cionn ùin' Ach tha sinn air an talamh as leat Fhèin, 's Tu a dhealbh e dod dhaoine mar dhachaigh, air an turas gud làimh. Aig deireadh na bliadhna, is e ar n-ùrnaigh 's ar miann gum biodh taingealachd spioraid nar facail 's nar gnìomh'. 'S Tu a lìon sinn le pailteas, 's Tu a chùm sinn nar triall. Togaidh sinn Eben-eser, gu ruige seo rinn ar dìon.

Aig an àm-sa, tha sinn fhathast air ar sgaradh bhor càirdean, ged a dh' fhaodas sinn ùine ghoirid a chur seachad nan cuideachd aig tràth-bìdh, no fòn a thogail agus an guth a chluinntinn. A dh'aindheoin sin, tha iomadh adhbhar taingealachd againn. Tha iomadh cùbaid air an lìonadh a-rithist le teachdairean dìleas, agus tha sinn a' guidhe beannachd agus soirbheachadh leis an Fhacal. Dh'iarradh sinn gum biodh dìon oirnn' fhìn, agus air a h-uile aon dhiùbh bhor nàmhaid. Dh' iarradh sinn cuideachd gum biodh Dia na thèarmann agus na chobhair do gach aon a th'air an sàrachadh no air am buaireadh.

Cùm sinn ri faire, dèan fialaidh ar làmh gus an tog sinne spiorad aon ded shluagh a tha cràidht' •.

Seasaidh sinn air geallaidhean a' Chruthaidheir. Cuiridh iad seo dìon orra-san a dh' earbas à Facal ar n-Athar nèamhaidh.

2021

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BY CATRIONA MURRAY

POST TENEBRAS LUX A

As we know from the more familiar words of the hymn, Wenceslas entreated the page to follow in his footsteps ‘boldly’. Here is Christ again, going before us into every unfathomable danger and commanding us to draw courage from Himself. We can only try to follow His footsteps exactly and, if we do so with our eyes on Him, the trail will never mislead. In reality, Wenceslas was a mere duke. But after his death, the Holy Roman Emperor conferred the regal title upon him in recognition of his great piety. The notion of just kingship at that time stemmed more from the good deeds of leaders than from any intrinsic power they could claim. This, of course, starts to feel a bit uncomfortable to your average Wee Free who rightly abhors any notion that works can save. We are taught at the knee that this is not so. But we also need to get past daft squeamishness about good works: Wenceslas was charitable because he loved Christ, not the other way around. Because Wenceslas was a Christian he wanted to imitate the Saviour in good deeds and love towards the poor. He could have remained indoors, oblivious to the weather or its effects upon the poor man, gathering winter fuel. Yet, he chose to go abroad in the snow, to get alongside the downtrodden and demonstrate a practical Christianity. This carol, in essence, reminds us of what the Christian life should be. What is the value of going about with the name of Jesus forever upon our lips, telling how we revere and honour Him, if we never walk the path He trod, or tire our hands and feet in caring for those who are hungry, alone and unshod? His WAS a cold and weary way from heaven to here, that is true. But see what He accomplished. And hear what He’s saying to us this Christmas, and always: ‘Mark my footsteps well, my page, tread thou in them boldly’. Boldness in following Him, boldness in loving our fellow creatures, boldness to proclaim Christ not only in words, but in deeds. •

criticism often levelled at some branches of the christian church is that they fail to bring christ before people , or even mention

Photo by ivan kmit on adobe stock

his name .

There can be no question that this is negligent, a dereliction of our duty. Nonetheless, there can also be times when Jesus is not explicitly mentioned, yet is present all the same. Perhaps one of the loveliest books of the Old Testament, Esther, is notable for the fact that it does not mention God – but it teaches us that, though He may be hidden from our view at times, that does not equate to Him having absented Himself. One of our nation’s favourite Christmas carols is ‘Good King Wenceslas’— he who famously looked out on the feast of Stephen. What this real-life Duke of Bohemia did, apparently, was to brave the harsh winter weather in order to go forth and dispense alms to the poor. The carol, by nineteenth-century hymn writer John Mason Neale, has Wenceslas going out on December 26th in order to ensure that a single peasant should be warm and well-fed. Did he rise out of his warm, comfortable accommodation for mere sentiment? Was Wenceslas nothing more than a romantic adventurer who relished pitting himself against the elements? Or, was he anticipating the day that Christ would meet him, saying, ‘For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me’? Perhaps Wenceslas felt the immediacy of the need to minister so greatly that it drove him from the luxury of his palace into the teeth of a winter’s night. I think, despite his apparent absence from this carol, only Christ could make a king so empathetic to the cold grip of poverty on the life of an obscure peasant. And that seems to be exactly what Neale thought too in composing the carol. He had written the legend of Good King Wenceslas elsewhere, elaborating upon the famous exchange where his servant begins to feel defeated by the elements: ‘fails my heart, I know not how; I can go no longer’. In the storybook version, Wenceslas reminds him that, inclement though the weather might seem, ‘was not His journey from heaven a wearier and a colder way than this’?

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