The Record - November 2019 by Free Church of Scotland

THE

RECORD

MONTHLY MAGAZINE OF THE FREE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND NOVEMBER 2019 • £2.00

Editor • John Macdonald The Editor, The Record, Beltone, Moray Street Blackford PH4 1QF editor@freechurch.org News Editor • Dayspring MacLeod dayspring.macleod@icloud.com 07974 261567 Missions News • Sarah Johnson Free Church Offices, 15 North Bank Street, Edinburgh, EH1 2LS sarah@freechurch.org WFM Editor • Sarah Cumming 31 Doune Park, Dalgety Bay, KY11 9LX sarah.cumming@hotmail.co.uk Gaelic Editor • Janet MacPhail 24 North Bragar, Isle of Lewis, HS2 9DA 01851 710354 Seminary News • Rev. Thomas Davis St. Columba's Free Church, Johnston Terrace Edinburgh, EH1 2PW thomas@stcolumbas.freechurch.org Prayer Diary • Mairi Macdonald ian.macdonald57@btinternet.com Design & Layout • Fin Macrae @DUFI Art www.dufi-art.com The Record • ISSN 2042-2970

Advertising • Anyone wishing to advertise in The Record should contact the editor. For Subscriptions • The annual subscription price for The Record is £33. Cheques should be made payable to: Free Church of Scotland. Please contact the offices for overseas subscription costs.

This QR Code will direct you to the digital version of the magazine on ISSUU. Available for 30 days for current print subscribers. iPhone: Open your camera app and hold the lens above the QR Code, it will automatically detect the link which you can click on to open. Android: Download QR Code Reader from Google Play Store and follow app directions.

Details of the church's activities, latest news and 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

THE RECORD

NOVEMBER

Cover: Photo by Logan Fisher on Unsplash

Published • The Record is produced by The Free Church of Scotland, Free Church Offices, 15 North Bank Street, The Mound, Edinburgh, EH1 2LS 0131 226 5286 offices@freechurch.org

WELCOME TO THE NOVEMBER RECORD

CONTENTS

t is good to remember what god has done .

Psalm 78:5 tells us, ‘He established a testimony in Jacob and appointed a law in Israel, which he commanded our fathers to teach to their children, that the next generation might know them.’ The final day of this month is marked for several reasons. The supermarkets sell it as Halloween, and certain politicians as Brexit deadline day; but many of our brothers and sisters in Reformed churches will be using it to celebrate Reformation Day. Philip Melanchthon records 31st October 1517 as the day his friend Martin Luther posted Ninety-five Theses on the door of All Saints’ Church in Wittenburg. The rapid circulation of Luther’s writing began a debate in the medieval church which culminated in the Protestant Reformation. Church history is a rich source of wisdom and encouragement. Many of the questions we still have about how we should be living as Christians have been asked and answered by our forebears. We can also learn from their mistakes, and be better prepared to avoid repeating them. You can expect to see stories from our past appear in The Record in the coming months. This month, we take some time to reflect on the church in our own day. We have been set in a culture with different values to our own, and we still have a heart to see our society reformed. We will all have experienced the challenges this brings. As you read of two more recent inductions, learn about the candidates for ministry studying at ETS, and benefit from Alex MacDonald’s insights into the challenges of ministry, I hope you will be encouraged to pray for the ministers whose preaching is being used by God to prepare us for the work. • Please send your comments on the magazine, letters, news from your congregation or suggestions for articles to: editor@freechurch.org or by post to the Free Church Offices.

THOSE IN GLASS HOUSES The Editor

WORLD NEWS UK, USA, Iran, Iraq, Nigeria, Rwanda

PRAYER DIARY

FREE CHURCH NEWS Moderator Designate Announcement, Big Free Rally, FC Paisley Preaching Stations, CCG Church Plant, South Uist & Benbecula Induction, Greyfriars Harvest Festival, ETS Student Licensed, Dunblane Induction.

GOD AND DEPRESSION

THE AGE OF AGES Roddie Rankin

ETS NEWS Thomas Davis

BACK TO PERU

TREASURE IN JARS OF CLAY Alex J MacDonald

OBITUARIES

BOOK REVIEWS

WHEN THE WORLD LETS YOU DOWN Dayspring MacLeod

MISSION MATTERS David Meredith

CEANNARD AR SLÀINTE Janet MacPhail

POETRY PAGE A Psalm of The Sons of Korah

POST TENEBRAS LUX Catriona Murray

Yours in Christ John

That in all things he might have the pre-eminence Colossians 1:18 2019

WWW.FREECHURCH.ORG

THOSE IN GLASS HOUSES BY THE EDITOR

An 18th-century minister advises on God-honouring disagreement

THE RECORD

NOVEMBER

n our era of contention, to disagree graciously is a

division they brought — the First Council of Nicaea or the Reformation, for example. But aside from such instances of clarification and return to scripture, church history is littered with disputes which are far from the heart of the gospel but which have caused the church family to rupture. Richard Baxter, a 17th-century English Puritan, wrote ‘Had the ministers of the gospel been men of peace, and of catholic, rather than factious spirits, the Church of Christ had not been in the case it now is.’ Similarly, John Stott has noted that, ‘We fragment over what we regard as issues of principle, but often the real reason is personal... When we’re afraid, we withdraw into our own fellowships and ghettos.’ In the Free Church, we do not need to look far to find examples of such disputes. Our own experience is enough evidence of the damage these have done to our gospel witness, and of the time it takes to repair the damage. Disharmony in the church gives the world grounds to level the charge of hypocrisy and reason to ignore the message of union with Christ which we seek to share. As a result, it is tempting to shy away from disagreement altogether, for the sake of unity and to prevent further embarrassment. But here again, history shows the harm caused by giving in to this temptation. A refusal to challenge or to openly disagree leads very

more powerful witness than winning an argument.

We are experiencing the kind of division in British society and politics that we have not seen since the time of Margaret Thatcher. Opinion polling shows that the country continues to be split down the middle on whether or not we should leave the European Union. The way the political process is being conducted at present is a source of frustration. A recent Ipsos Mori poll found that almost two thirds of Britons believe society is broken, while 70% feel the economy is rigged. Political commentators are concerned that some of the divisions created by the last few years’ public policy debate are both irreconcilable and far-reaching. They speculate that schism with Europe will lead to further schism within the UK, perhaps even that Brexit will lead to further departures from the EU. The debate over Brexit has already resulted in splits within UK political parties. There can be no doubt that the policy decisions taken at the conclusion of the Brexit process will have significant consequences. It seems likely that we will witness Britain’s retreat from cooperation and leadership in Europe; our secession from a partnership of peace; and a recession of our influence on global politics. While the historic peace and democratisation in Europe today is strong enough to hold, the UK’s withdrawal will surely be destabilising.

‘What will it profit a man if he gains his cause and silences his adversary, if at the same time he loses that humble, tender frame of spirit in which the Lord delights?’

©vvetersy at Unsplash

Aside from the policy decisions still to be taken, the tone of the debate itself has been consequential. There have been controversies surrounding the accuracy of claims made during the referendum campaign, legal disputes over the suspension of parliament and ongoing brinksmanship as to the implications of the Benn Act. At the same time, anger has been expressed in parliament and in the press at the prime minister’s use of language, his opposition’s lack of respect and at Jacob Rees-Mogg for not sitting up straight. Given that no-one in government, academia or the media can predict with any confidence what the results of Brexit will be, some reticence and humility might be expected. However, it seems that personal principle and intellectual integrity has been sacrificed to attain the greater goal of being able to claim victory of the argument.

quickly to a watered-down gospel. Paul rebuked the Galatian Christians for their failure to challenge the false teaching of the Judaisers, who were demanding that Gentile Christians follow Jewish traditions (Galatians 1:6-9). Similarly, many in the church through the ages have conformed to the pattern of this world by accepting ideas from the prevailing culture in the name of unity. In the early church, the Gnostics sought agreement with the intellectuals of their day by interpreting Christian doctrine in light of the latest astronomy and psychology. Liberal theologians in the nineteenth century continued this approach, seeking to match their faith to the modern worldview, and their influence continues to be felt in contemporary Christianity. Schleiermacher — the ‘father of modern liberal theology’ — denied that Christ died in our place to atone for sin, instead arguing that redemption is achieved by Jesus sharing his consciousness of God with humankind. So, in setting out to make Christianity relevant, credible and attractive to modern thinking, the refusal to disagree with the prevailing culture has resulted in a denial of core aspects of the gospel. We are in no position to cast stones at our rancorous political culture, but we must be brave enough to challenge ideas which stray from scripture. How, then, >>

DISPUTE IN THE CHURCH Those in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones. There is not much that politicians can teach the church about acrimonious disputes, to our great shame. Here, it is important to separate out the many principled stands the Christian church has taken which have been both necessary and ultimately beneficial, despite the

2019

WWW.FREECHURCH.ORG

...it is tempting to shy away from disagreement altogether, for the sake of unity and to prevent further embarrassment. But here again, history shows the harm caused by giving in to this temptation. << do we engage in debate in a way that glorifies God? We can sharpen our brothers and sisters in the church, while being salt and light in our culture, through gracious and God-honouring disagreement. To learn how this is achieved, we can benefit from the wisdom of one of our forebears in the faith. John Newton is immediately known to us as the author of ‘Amazing Grace’, but during his own ministry his reputation was as a writer of letters. He came to be called ‘the spiritual director of souls through the post’. One of his letters, published in Gospel Magazine in 1771, provides the counsel of a wise pastor to those seeking to defend the truth of scripture. Published with the title On Controversy, Newton’s letter has become one of Christianity’s most beloved writings on God-glorifying debate. Newton advises his correspondent, whom he assumes is on the right side of the argument, to ‘consider your opponent’, ‘consider the public’ and ‘consider yourself’.

joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control, and will find justification for dismissing our arguments — and even the gospel itself — if we fail to conduct ourselves in line with the fruit of the Spirit. ‘The anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God’ (James 1:20); but, says Newton, if the manner in which we disagree convinces observers that ‘we wish well to their souls, and contend only for the truth’s sake…they will be more disposed to consider calmly what we offer; and if they should still dissent from our opinions, they will be constrained to approve our intentions.’ CONSIDER YOURSELF We have seen the detrimental effects of declining to challenge false ideas, but there are dangers to be aware of when engaging in debate. Newton asks, ‘What will it profit a man if he gains his cause and silences his adversary, if at the same time he loses that humble, tender frame of spirit in which the Lord delights?’ He notes that getting involved in disagreements without full dependence on God can give us an inflated sense of our own importance. If we enjoy the challenge of the debate, we can be drawn away from the core of the gospel and spend too much time on less important matters. We can also be tempted to bring personal grievance into the discussion, especially if we feel we have not been treated fairly. Instead, Newton recommends Jesus’ example, ‘When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten’ (1 Peter 2:23). John Newton concludes: ‘If we act in a wrong spirit, we shall bring little glory to God, do little good to our fellow creatures, and procure neither honour nor comfort to ourselves…you would rather be a means of removing prejudices in a single instance, than obtain the empty applause of thousands… Go forth, therefore, in the name and strength of the Lord of hosts, speaking the truth in love’. It is with prayer, a spirit of gentleness and love, a desire for the truth of the gospel to be understood and in God’s strength that we must engage in debate. In these days of contentious dispute in politics and public policy, gracious and God-honouring disagreement within the church will be a powerful witness to those outside. Beginning in early 2020, we aim to put these principles into practice in The Record. We intend to seek answers to a series of ‘Public Questions’ — matters of public policy, theology, ethics and church practice — which will help us to respond to our culture with a Christian mind. If there are any topics you would like to see addressed, please send your suggestions to editor@freechurch.org. •

CONSIDER YOUR OPPONENT Newton’s first priority is that we should pray for the person with whom we disagree. Interestingly, his primary concern is not that prayer might change their mind and so win the argument. Instead, he writes that prayer will encourage us to love the other person as we debate with them. Newton goes on to observe that the one we are in disagreement with will either be a fellow Christian or an unconverted person. If the former, he suggests applying David’s words to Joab: ‘Deal gently for my sake with the young man Absalom’ (2 Samuel 18:5). Since God loves and bears with his child, so should we, recognising that we are conversing with our brother or sister. If the person we disagree with is not a Christian, they are ‘a more proper object of your compassion than of your anger’. We must recognise that our status before the Lord, and the understanding this has brought through his Spirit, is ours by God’s grace alone. ‘Of all people who engage in controversy, we, who are called Calvinists, are most expressly bound by our own principles to the exercise of gentleness and moderation,’ Newton writes. There is therefore no room for disdain of the other person because ‘you were both equally blind by nature’. CONSIDER THE PUBLIC Whether we are engaging in debate in public, online or within our own church community, it is likely that people not directly involved will hear of it. Newton realised that, while these outside observers may not be wellversed in Christian doctrine, they will be able to discern the spirit in which we approach the disagreement. They will likely be aware that Christians seek to show love,

THE RECORD

NOVEMBER

NEW

WHAT DO YOU BELIEVE? In the face of false doctrines and distortions of the truth, Christians must be prepared to boldly confess what they believe. The Westminster Confession of Faith equips you to do just that. In his book Truths We Confess, now thoroughly revised and available in a single, accessible volume, Dr. R.C. Sproul surveys this remarkable confession—explaining its insights, applying them to modern life, and helping you answer the question, “What do you believe?”

Now available at: Evangelical Bookshop (Northern Ireland), FM Bookshops (Scotland), and CLC Christian Bookshops (UK)

2019

WWW.FREECHURCH.ORG

WORLD NEWS AMERICASAFRICAEUROPEASIAAUSTRALASIA

NI CHURCH ABORTION LAW (EUROPE) The leaders of the Church of Ireland, Methodist Church in Ireland, Roman Catholic Church, Presbyterian Church in Ireland and the Irish Council of Churches have issued a statement calling for the Stormont Assembly to reconvene in order to prevent an abortion law, passed in Westminster, being enacted in Northern Ireland. In the statement, church leaders argue, ‘There is no evidence that these changes reflect the will of the people affected by them, as they were not consulted… We are, along with others, gravely concerned that the imposition of this Westminster legislation removes from law all explicit protection for the unborn child up to 28 weeks of pregnancy. ‘Our Northern Ireland political parties have it in their own hands to do something about this. They all need to take risks and make the compromises necessary to find an accommodation that will restore the devolved institutions.’ The law takes effect on 21st October, unless the Stormont Assembly has been restored. •

JUSTICE AND GRACE (AMERICAS) On 6 September 2018, Amber Guyger, an offduty police officer in Dallas, Texas, entered the home of 26-year-old accountant Botham Jean. She later said she thought it was her own apartment and mistook Jean for a burglar, shooting and killing him. A year later, in October 2019, she was found guilty of murder and sentenced to ten years in prison. This was one of a series of high-profile cases in the USA involving an unarmed black man being killed by a white police officer. Speaking in court, Botham Jean’s brother Brandt told Amber Guyer, ‘If you truly are sorry, I can speak for myself, I forgive, and I know if you go to God and ask him, he will forgive you…I want the best for you, because I know that’s exactly what Botham would want you to do. And the best would be to give your life to Christ…I love you as a person and I don’t wish anything bad on you.’ After seeking permission from the judge, Brandt Jean hugged Guyger. Speaking later, Botham’s mother, Allison Jean, added, ‘Forgiveness for us as Christians is a healing for us, but…there are consequences. It does not mean that everything else we have suffered has to go unnoticed… You saw investigations that were marred with corruption… While we walk as Christians, we still have a responsibility to ensure that our city does what is right.’ According to the Jean family, the crime scene was contaminated by Dallas police, officials deleted evidence and police officers turned off their body cameras and vehicle cameras. •

SUNDAY SERVICE (AMERICAS) It has been reported that US rapper Kanye West will no longer be producing secular music, instead focussing on gospel. Kanye has been performing a series of concerts called ‘Sunday Service’ in advance of his new album, which is believed to be entitled ‘Jesus is King’. Christian music fans have speculated about his views on faith throughout his career. In a recent interview with US talk show The View, Kanye’s wife Kim KardashianWest said, ‘Kanye started this to really heal himself and it was a really personal thing, and it was just friends and family… He has had an amazing evolution of being born again and being saved by Christ.’ Some observers have questioned his motivations, suggesting a publicity stunt. But Adam Tyson, the pastor of a church in California, who has preached at some of Kanye’s concerts, told Christianity Today that ‘this is an opportunity to reach pop culture and America for Christ’. •

THE RECORD

NOVEMBER

IRAN DENIES EDUCATION TO CHRISTIANS’ CHILDREN (ASIA) An Iranian pastor is on hunger strike in prison to protest against the denial of education to his children. Yousef Nadarkhani is serving a ten-year sentence for crimes against the state involving running churches. Mr Nadarkhani’s 17-year-old son is being refused a school report which is necessary for him to begin higher education. In addition, his 15-year-old son is being prevented from returning to school because he has not completed Islamic Studies. Religious minorities are normally exempt from this class, but the authorities have decided that the children of converts to Christianity should be treated as Muslims. Although he is Iranian, Mr Nadarkhani argues that he did not practice Islam before his conversion. The Chief Executive of Christian Solidarity Worldwide, Mervyn Thomas, said ‘CSW is deeply concerned that Pastor Nadarkhani’s children have been denied access to education on account of their religious beliefs. Even more disturbing are indications that other secondgeneration Christian children are experiencing similar difficulties. This directly contravenes a Supreme Leader’s fatwa permitting children raised in Christian homes to access appropriate education. We call on the Iranian authorities to rectify this situation.’ Yousef Nadarkhani has told the authorities that his hunger strike is the ‘cry of a father, unjustly imprisoned’ •

ANCIENT BIBLE ONLINE (EUROPE) Ancient religious texts including a 1,000-year old Hebrew Pentateuch have been digitised and made available online for free by the British Library. The collection, called ‘Discovering Sacred Texts,’ also includes a 14th-century Wycliffite Bible — the first complete copy of the Bible in the English language. The new website includes more than 250 digitised collection items, teachers’ resources, short films and articles written by academics, faith leaders and curators. Many of the newly digitised texts are being made available online for the first time. To see the collection, visit www.bl.uk/sacred-texts. •

CHRISTIAN LIBRARY IN IRAQ REOPENS (ASIA) Three years after it was burned by Islamic State, a Christian library in Qaraqosh, Northern Iraq, has been restored and is open to the public, reports Church Times. Following Islamic State’s invasion in 2014, tens of thousands of Assyrian Christians were forced to leave the Nineveh Plains region. However, the city of Qaraqosh was liberated in 2016 and, since then, more than 5,100 Christian families have returned. The restoration cost about £7,000, with financial support coming from a partner of the anti-persecution charity Open Doors UK. The library currently contains 650 manuscripts and books, and is looking to expand its collection. •

BOKO HARAM VIOLENCE (AFRICA) Islamic extremist group Boko Haram have murdered two Christian aid workers and threatened further violence. Lawrence Duna Dacighir and Godfrey Ali Shikagham, members of the Church of Christ in Nigeria, were helping to build shelters for people displaced by terrorist activity when they were captured by the group, which now refers to itself as Islamic State in West Africa Province. One of those responsible for the murders has said they have vowed to kill every Christian they capture in revenge for Muslims killed in past religious conflicts in Nigeria. John Pofi, a pastor in the Church of Christ in Nigeria, told Morning Star News, ‘Lawrence and Godfrey left Abuja for Maiduguri in search of opportunities to utilize their skills for the betterment of humanity and paid with their lives. • NAME CHANGE FOR RWANDA’S ANGLICANS (AFRICA) Writing in the monthly letter of the chairman of the Global Anglican Future Conference, the Archbishop of the Anglican Church of Rwanda has announced that the denomination has changed its name. The change, from ‘Province de l’Eglise Anglicane au Rwanda’ to ‘Eglise Anglicane du Rwanda’, has been made to highlight that the church is not a colonial subject, according to the Archbishop, Dr Laurent Mbanda. ‘Removing the word Province is a significant change,’ he wrote. ‘We are not subjects. Some want us to accept that it is essential to being Anglican that you are recognised by Canterbury, but we find our identity first and foremost through our biblical and Anglican doctrinal inheritance in Christ… We seek only to be a colony of heaven!’ •

2019

WWW.FREECHURCH.ORG

He hears us Wednesday 27th November â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Once a year - around St Andrewâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Day our denomination invites everyone to join us in a day dedicated to prayer and worship. Speak to your church leaders to see what activities you have planned and how you can get involved, or visit generation-missions.org/ndop

PRAYER DIARY NOV/DEC 2019 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. 1 Peter 1:3 Fri 15th Pray for the work of SU in Scotland and especially remember the PowerPoint event in Edinburgh tonight as they teach the Bible in an engaging way to S1–S6 pupils. Sat 16th Tonight Tearfund hosts the Big Quiz Night. Pray that, as many enjoy a fun evening together, the work to fight poverty in over 50 countries will benefit. Sun 17th Pray for the vacant congregation of Garrabost and their interim moderator, Rev. Andrew Coghill, as they serve the Lord in their community and look for a settled ministry there. Mon 18th Praise God for the official launch of Christ Church Glasgow on 22nd September. Pray for Rev. Jonathan de Groot and the core group as they reach out to their local community. Tues 19th Pray for the board of ministry and Rev. David Ford as clerk, as they meet today. Pray that they will know God’s guidance in all their business. Wed 20th Pray that there will be much fruit from this summer’s cruise liner ministry as crews read the literature they received while in dock in Invergordon and think about the way they were cared for while in port. Thurs 21st Pray for Carlos Silva as he takes on a new role in curriculum development, and for Ana Cerna as she replaces him as Head of Secondary. Both have been in San Andrés for many years. Ask God to bless them and make them a blessing in their new posts. Fri 22nd As winter draws in, pray for all those who are living on the streets of our towns and cities and for all the agencies who give help and shelter to them. Sat 23rd Remember the increasing numbers of desperate migrants fleeing oppression in their own countries. Pray that God will help them find safe places to settle and rebuild their lives. Sun 24th The North American Presbytery and the Revs Kent Compton and Peter Aitken are quite remote from main body of our denomination. Pray for them as they witness in their communities.

Mon 25th Pray for encouragement for all our young folk, especially those who are heading to the end of their schooling. Pray that they will have wisdom and trust in the Lord for guidance.

Thurs 5th Pray for our Scottish Parliament. In September a motion to consider taking steps to restrict abortion now that babies are surviving at a younger age was lodged and not one other MSP supported this motion.

Tues 26th Pray for final year pupils of San Andrés as they take university exams and make plans for life after school. Ask that God would guide each one and instil them with faith and confidence.

Fri 6th Pray for anyone you know working in public services helping disadvantaged, vulnerable people. They often have heavy caseloads and need strength and encouragement.

Wed 27th Give thanks to God for our Queen, who has reigned for over 67 years with such dignity, integrity, compassion, duty and faith. Pray for continued good health as she carries out her duties.

Sat 7th Praise God for the ‘Light at Sunset’ project in Chile where older people gather together to read and study the Bible. Pray for the Chilean Bible Society and their partnership with local churches.

Thurs 28th Pray for our sister church in India, where they are doing some building work in Kahani. They need additional funding for the work to be completed.

Sun 8th Remember the vacant congregation of St Peter’s in Dundee and Rev. Paul Clarke, their interim moderator. Being in a university city, they have ongoing student work.

Fri 29th Tomorrow has been designated as a National Day of Prayer. ‘I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people — for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.’

Mon 9th Give thanks for the new ministry started in South Uist and Benbecula. Pray with Rev. T. Penman that God’s name will be glorified as he and the congregation grow in love for the Lord.

Sat 30th Tomorrow marks the start of Advent. Pray that we can see through the commercialism of our society and be amazed at the sacrifice our Saviour made for us. Sun 1st Pray that all those who gather in the vacant congregation of Grace Church Montrose will know the Lord’s blessing as they and Rev. Alberto de Paula, their interim moderator, worship him. Mon 2nd Pray for Rev. Neil MacMilla,n as he has been nominated Moderator Designate for the 2020 General Assembly, and for Rev. Donnie G MacDonald as he continues as Moderator this year. Tues 3rd Pray for the lecture series on theological and contemporary issues being held in London City, that these will be informative and worthwhile events where God is glorified. Wed 4th Pray for Angus and Kirsty McKeller as they come to the end of their first semester teaching physiology and anatomy courses and prepare to travel back to Harris.

Tues 10th Pray for the funding of the Cornerstone building project. Give thanks for those who have come to faith in their fellowship. Wed 11th There has been an upsurge of traditional non-Christian religions and a spread of the so-called ‘Prosperity Gospel’ in South Africa. Pray for our sister church as they face these issues. Thurs 12th Give thanks for all those who give generously of their time, talents and money to support people in need. Pray that organisations and governments would distribute these with integrity. Fri 13th Give thanks that the Scottish Government have agreed to repeal the entire Named Person legislation. Pray for parents, that they would realise their responsibility in raising children. Sat 14th Give thanks for our camps programme and pray for the preparations being made for next year. Remember Kirsten Macdonald, the camps administrator, as she prepares the brochure.

Prayer requests to: ian.macdonald57@btinternet.com. Please take time to send requests for your congregation or ministry to be included in forthcoming Records. These prayer notes are prepared 5 weeks in advance of publication.

2019

WWW.FREECHURCH.ORG

FREE CHURCH NEWS MODERATOR-DESIGNATE FOR 2020 ANNOUNCED

he commission of assembly, meeting in october, was

pleased

macmillan

had

confirm accepted

that the

the

rev.

nomination

mission and establishing new church planting strategies. In Edinburgh, he was the founding chairman of the East of Scotland Gospel Partnership – a regional coalition for planting gospel churches — and he serves as the Chair of the Steering Committee of Transforming Scotland, a national forum for the re-evangelisation of Scotland. In September 2014, Neil, Louise and other members of St Columba’s Free Church launched Cornerstone Edinburgh, a new church for Morningside and Bruntsfield. From a core group of twelve people, Cornerstone is now a congregation of around 150 adults and children. Neil serves the wider church-planting efforts in Scotland through his leadership of Generation Church Planting. He also serves on the Boards of City to City Europe and City to City UK. Commenting on his acceptance, Neil said, ‘I love the Free Church of Scotland. It’s got a great gospel history and a great gospel future. It will be a joy to serve my colleagues and the wider denomination as Moderator.’•

neil of

moderator-designate of the free church of scotland general assembly for 2020.

Neil MacMillan leads the Cornerstone church plant in Morningside, Edinburgh, and teaches Mission and Evangelism at Edinburgh Theological Seminary. He is a son (and grandson) of the manse and was born in Aberdeen in 1967. He studied politics at the University of Glasgow and went on to train for ministry at the Free Church College, now Edinburgh Theological Seminary. Neil married Louise in 1990 and they have three adult daughters and a teenage son. His life’s passion is to see Scotland return to the gospel. He loves to run, cycle, read books, eat out and be on holiday with his family. In 1993 Neil was appointed to lead the revitalisation of Kirkcaldy & Kinglassie Free Church, a congregation based in the Gallaton area in Kirkcaldy, a highly deprived housing scheme. During his time in Fife, he served as chaplain to Raith Rovers Football Club and several schools. Whilst in Kirkcaldy he also led a church planting initiative in the nearby town of Dunfermline. Neil served for seven years on the Board of Trustees of the Free Church of Scotland and chaired the denominational Strategy Group which led to a renewed denominational focus on mission through the local church. In 2009 Neil returned to Edinburgh where he served as Mission Development Officer for the Free Church of Scotland – equipping ministers and lay leaders for

BIG FREE RALLY

live as a new creation in our day-to-day lives. The talks were followed by times of discussion in groups, and the Big Free Rally 2019 musicians led everyone in some of the songs which had been enjoyed at the Camps in the summer. The world premiere of the 2019 FCYC video was a highlight, cheered on by an enthusiastic crowd of campers and their friends. Ably hosted by the comedy duo Callum-and-Kirsty, the Big Free Rally also featured a giant game of ‘Rock-Paper-Scissors’ and the young people rose to the challenge of trying to find the unicorn

ver 200 young people from all over scotland gathered together on the 28th september for the annual big free rally.

The event was held at Smithton Free Church, Inverness, and buses brought young people from Ullapool, Aultbea, Brora, Edinburgh and Glasgow. The main speaker for the day was Robin Gray, who gave talks on ‘Looking after God’s creation’ and ‘I am a new creation’, explaining how Christians should respond to the current discussions on climate change, what it means to be a ‘new creation’, and how we should

THE RECORD

NOVEMBER

in the room for ‘Bring Me A...’ Free Church Youth Camps Administrator Kirsten Macdonald said, ‘It was hugely encouraging to have so many young people gathered together, catching up with each other, singing together and discussing God’s Word. ‘We are hugely grateful to all of the adults who came along on the day and helped in numerous ways, and to Smithton Free Church for being so accommodating and welcoming. ‘Most of all we are grateful to God for his faithfulness, and we pray that the Big Free Rally will have made an impact on the lives of everyone who attended.’ •

FREE CHURCH PAISLEY PREACHING STATION BY MATTHEW HUNT

It is the largest town in Scotland, with a population of just over 73,000. We have beautiful buildings: Paisley Abbey, Coats Memorial. On a slightly smaller scale, just round the corner from the Abbey, is Paisley Free Church – sadly the building is not as attractive! We have been in the same place for over 50 years, and if we were to name-drop, Rev. David Meredith and Rev. Iver Martin are previous men who have worshipped with us – we won’t say how long ago!

2019

We were previously united with Dowanvale Free Church in Glasgow, but with the prospect of services being stopped in the town, a core group petitioned Presbytery and we have been made a preaching station in our own right. We would value your prayers as the Presbytery will make a decision in November regarding our long-term future. We are a small group of committed people aged from four to 93. We meet faithfully each Sunday and Wednesday for regular worship, Bible study and prayer. >>

hat can we tell you about paisley?

WWW.FREECHURCH.ORG

<< We have a desire to tell people about Jesus. For the last two years we have visited a local café for breakfast after our early morning prayer meeting. This happens on the first Saturday of the month, and the café’s staff now know us well and have asked some interesting questions. Please pray that the Lord will use us in this outreach. We are a fellowship that enjoys food. We have monthly meals and we have also recently reached out to Friends International, offering hospitality in any form to the students they work with. Paisley is a university town and as such we’d love to make more contact with the students. We sponsor two children through Compassion. Our own children in the Sunday School were the same age when this started and we are able to think about how quickly the wee ones grow. We have regular get-togethers outside of the normal services, where, in addition to Bible study, we have a book club, had a darts competition, have been clay pigeon shooting and had a pizza and curry night (food again!!). These have given us the opportunity to invite friends along who perhaps would not normally come to a church group. Next on the list is a quiz night to raise money for Tearfund. At the moment we are collecting essentials for Bear Necessities (whom we hope to have come and speak soon) and the Blythswood Shoe Box appeal.

We would be grateful if you would pray that the Lord would guide us and those who will make decisions about our future; that the Lord would show us the way he wants us to go; and that we would continue to try, even in small ways, to influence the community around us and shine a small light in a dark place. That the Lord would provide someone to lead us if we are to continue. That we would have the financial resources and people to grow the gathering. And that we would deliver the good news of our Saviour Jesus Christ in a caring and compassionate way. •

CHURCH PLANT LAUNCHES SERVICES

free church of scotland church plant in glasgow officially launched their services on the 22nd september.

Christ Church Glasgow was initially established by a core team led by the Rev. Jonathan de Groot in early 2018. The group had a desire to plant a new, reformed church in the north-west of Glasgow. As with most church plants, Jonathan and the team had to start from scratch, but they were confident that God had led them to reach out to their local community with the Gospel. Commenting on the journey to get to this stage, Jonathan said, ‘Our core team has grown slowly as people have heard about the vision and wanted to be part of it. We have been encouraged by the people God has brought to us. ‘As a family, we moved home last February and started meeting midweek from March. Sunday worship began in our conservatory in May 2018. We

THE RECORD

then began meeting in a school lecture theatre from September. In December we moved into a church café area, where we are currently meeting. Each stage has seen steady growth as we worked towards launching. ‘We have reached this significant day after much prayer, planning and preparation. We are grateful to God for how he has led us so far and for all the many encouragements we have experienced as we work on planting a new church.’ •

NOVEMBER

NEW MINISTER IN SOUTH UIST AND BENBECULA

he rev. thomas penman was formally welcomed

Mr Penman is married to Mhairi and has a daughter, Deborah. He worked in the chemical industry for several years until he felt a call to ministry. Studying part-time in Cornhill, he then moved on to ETS and eventually to Perth, where he gained experience through a ministry apprenticeship program in Knox Free Church. After two years he moved to Kirkcaldy Free Church, where he served as an elder while completing his theological studies. •

into the free church of scotland as a minister

during a meeting of the western isles presbytery. Mr Penman, a recent summer graduate of Edinburgh Theological Seminary, also accepted the call from the South Uist and Benbecula Free Church congregation to serve as their minister. His ordination and induction were held on 8th October in Balivanich Hall. Mr Penman was thankful for the call to South Uist and realistic about the work ahead: ‘I am very glad to be able to serve the Lord here in South Uist and Benbecula. ‘The truth is, there are many on the Isles who do not know the good news of Jesus, just as there are millions across Scotland in the same position. There is much good work to do. ‘Please pray that we would all grow in our love for the Lord, our love for our neighbour, and our desire to see God’s name glorified here.’

GREYFRIARS HARVEST FESTIVAL

n the evening of friday, 27th september, the

Dr MacLean noted that we should have joy because harvest is a reminder that God is the creator. We should have joy because harvests are a sign that God does not deal with us in the way our sins deserve. And we should have joy because harvests teach us that there will be a harvest of souls when Jesus returns, with people from all nations and periods of time gathered in to the kingdom. He went on to say that the joy that God gives should be a greater priority for us than all the food given at harvest time. Gratitude for the harvest is truly expressed when God above all else makes us happy. So harvest time is a spiritual test: do we only look to the things of earth, or do we also find joy in heavenly things? Dr MacLean concluded that Christians have the best of both worlds. They can have joy in the good things of this life and in the spiritual things of God. The joy of pardon, provisions and prospects should be theirs as they make their way from the world of temporary harvests to the world where all things are greater than harvests. After worship, a gathering of around 80 people met in the church hall for the Harvest Buffet Supper prepared by many in the congregation and coordinated by Mrs Joan MacQueen. Prior to the meal, chairman Norrie MacDonald welcomed everyone and announced that it was exactly ten years since the induction (from Scalpay, >>

congregation of inverness greyfriars met in greyfriars free church for its annual harvest

thanksgiving service and supper.

The special evening began with the minister of the congregation, the Rev. Dr Malcolm MacLean, conducting a service of worship and speaking topically from Psalm 4:7: ‘You have put more joy in my heart than they have when their grain and wine abound.’

Harvest Supper at Greyfriars

2019

WWW.FREECHURCH.ORG

<< Harris) of the minister, Dr MacLean, to the congregation. As a token of the congregation’s appreciation for Malcolm and his wife Katie’s work in the congregation, he presented the couple with a gift to mark the occasion. Dr MacLean duly thanked the congregation but, for once, was stuck for words! Those gathered then shared in the feast together, including a celebration cake featuring a quotation from Jeremiah 3:15: ‘And I will give you pastors according to mine heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding…’ The evening was closed with prayer after the singing of Psalm 103. •

Malcolm and Katie MacLean with Keilah Davidson (presented flowers to Katie)

Norrie MacDonald (Chairman) addressing the congregation

ETS STUDENT LICENSED FOR MINISTRY

he rev. calum cameron has become the latest edinburgh theological seminary student

to be licensed for free church of

ministry. His licensing took place during a meeting of the Inverness, Lochaber and Ross Presbytery in September. Calum had previously studied for three years at Highland Theological College UHI before continuing his scotland

theological training at ETS. As part of his training, he also spent a year working full-time as a ministry apprentice in Kilmallie Free Church near Fort William. Commenting on his licensing, Calum said, ‘It was a real joy and a wonderful privilege to be licensed by Inverness Presbytery at my home congregation. ‘I’m so thankful for the incredible

support, kind encouragement and fervent prayers of so many friends over this difficult year. ‘I’ve definitely been carried by grace. To God be the glory.’ Please pray for Calum as he continues his studies at ETS for another two years to complete his Masters. During this time he will also work part-time in a training capacity with St Columba’s, Edinburgh. •

Questions were put to Calum by Rev. Callum Iain Macleod

Inverness Presbytery and Ferintosh and Resolis Kirk Session

THE RECORD

Rev. Calum Cameron

NOVEMBER

INDUCTION IN DUNBLANE

Given the road that has been travelled by the congregation, the induction was an occasion for joy and celebration. Friends from Cumbernauld, Stirling, Glasgow City, and Newmilns among others joined with those from Dunblane to give thanks to God for his provision. Rev. Benjamin Wilks led the service, preaching from Luke 9:18-27. He reminded the congregation that their new minister is not the Messiah but a fellowworker who will endeavour, along with them, to take up his cross daily and follow Jesus. After Allan signed the formula, Rev. Andy Longwe commended his passion for preaching God’s Word and encouraged the congregation to prayerfully support their new minister. Following the service, over afternoon tea, there was a sense of anticipation as the congregation looked to God to prosper this new era of Dunblane Free Church’s witness. •

he congregation of dunblane free church were delighted to welcome the rev . allan shearer

and

his

wife ,

joanna ,

into

their

fellowship at his induction on 5 th october .

The Dunblane congregation began as an extension from Cumbernauld Free Church, went on to become a charge in its own right, and was involved in establishing the Free Church in Stirling. Yet the recent vacancy was lengthy, and concerns about the long-term viability of the congregation have previously been raised. Nevertheless, in God’s providence and through the commitment of faithful members, a new ministry has now begun. The Kirk Session are grateful to the Free Presbytery of Glasgow and Argyll for their support and guidance in reaching this stage, and to Rev. David Ford for serving as Interim Moderator.

QUOTATIONS C. H. SPURGEON

“

Enspire 2020

I know, perhaps as well as anyone, what depression means, and what it is to feel myself sinking lower and lower. Yet at the worst, when I reach the lowest depths, I have an inward peace which no pain or depression can in the least disturb. Trusting in Jesus Christ my Saviour, there is still a blessed quietness in the deep caverns of my soul. C. H. Spurgeon

“

”

I find myself frequently depressed - perhaps more so than any other person here. And I find no better cure for that depression than to trust in the Lord with all my heart, and seek to realise afresh the power of the peacespeaking blood of Jesus, and his infinite love in dying upon the cross to put away all my transgressions. C.H. Spurgeon, The Secret of Happiness

2019

'Sisterhood'Teachings from Titus Saturday 7 March 2020 Greyfriars Free Church Inverness

9.30am-4pm Creche available

” 17

If you would like to attend please contact enspire.women@gmail.com An event for ministers' wives Friendship. Food. Worship

WWW.FREECHURCH.ORG

God and

DEPRESSION A wee conference about a big problem

28th september st columba free church,

edinburgh,

hosted

sold-out

WHAT IS DEPRESSION LIKE? People experiencing depression often find it difficult to express what it feels like. It is often compared to a heavy weight overwhelmingly bearing down on you. Things that should bring pleasure to you no longer do. JB Phillips categorised it as ‘hellish torments’. CH Spurgeon called it ‘a veritable howling tempest in the brain’. Churchill spoke about the ‘black dog’ coming to visit. Depression is not limited to a certain ‘type’ of person, nor does it necessarily follow from a specific trauma, yet when it grips it is all-consuming. When Darkness Seems My Closest Friend by Mark Meynell describes the experience of depression as like lava sweeping everyone away. Or like a cave — vast and lonely. Or as shame, to hide and be wretched. Or like closing, death, and embracing darkness to stop the pain.

conference

on depression. The event was run by Biblical Counselling UK in partnership with Christian Counselling and Educational Foundation and was supported by Oak Hill College, London. The following is a summary of the message presented by the Rev. Dr Andrew Nicholls, Director of Pastoral Care at Oak Hill College and a member of the Executive Committee of Biblical Counselling UK.

Depression affects us to the depths of our souls. It requires us to ask questions about who we are and what we are worth. Christians do not have all the answers to these questions, but we can have compassion, and we can be better equipped to help. Most importantly, God does have the answers. God alone can fully heal people. Faith is the only thing that saves people, and until the resurrection there will be tears. It can be hard to read the Bible or find its relevance in the midst of depression. Yet scripture has much to say about depression. It is full of people who suffer. In Psalm 88, the writer cries out to the Lord from Sheol. Yet clearly the writer is known by God, heard by him, and belongs to him. God shows that he understands our feelings and our brokenness. He speaks into these situations. Depression is one of the most demanding issues in our churches today. We can minister to this by showing a love that is defined by bearing the cost, as exemplified by Christ.

DOES GOD UNDERSTAND? For a Christian with depression, it feels as if the devil has got your soul and won’t let go. Yet Psalms such as 42 and 88 show that God hears and understands the really desperate suffering of his people. God is in charge and he has ordained our suffering. This is a hard truth, but it is the reality. Even though the psalmist is in despair, he is entirely a man of God and belongs to God. SUICIDE It is a trauma that affects so many, not simply the person that has committed the act. The inquest, counselling, tears, the space where they were. A person who feels the need to commit suicide feels that their gloom has spread to others and infected them. They become convinced that it is too hard for those closest to them, and they would be better off without them. The fight is just too hard to continue. These thoughts don’t flit away, they stick and become all-pervasive. This is an act of despair and desperation because it feels that nothing can possibly fix them or make them feel whole again. Yet our God is huge. He is outside of time, he created the whole world and he ordains all things. Matthew 26 describes the crucifixion. Jesus cries out that his soul is overwhelmed unto death. His anguish brought him to this point. Jesus says: I know what it means to be overwhelmed

WHAT IS DEPRESSION? Depression can be characterised by low mood, reduced energy, lack of enjoyment, inability to take pleasure in anything, pessimistic thinking. We all feel extreme highs and lows at times and mostly we recover. But those with depression feel flat and may feel no joy at all. Experiences of depression are as unique as we are but they share a common thread of hopelessness. 10-20% of the UK population experience depression at some point in their lives. It accounts for one-third of all GP visits. It is a big issue in society today.

THE RECORD

NOVEMBER

©andranik123 - stock.adobe.com

THE CHURCH’S RESPONSE To help people with depression, the church must know Jesus. Jesus knows our struggles. He understands them and speaks into them. Ecclesiastes 2:22-23 shows a disordered world and brokenness. In Psalm 102 the writer cries out to God in great pain, but recognises God’s sovereignty. These passages in Scripture show that the world is not perfect. We still wait for the return of Jesus. This is the world that God has sent us into to help. He knows and he cares. The truth of Scripture speaks into all situations. It doesn’t fix things in a moment; such passages seep through us until we know the truth that James shares in his letter (James 1:2-4). We must know that there is an answer in the gospel, and hope in Christ. The response to depression is love, patience and gentleness. We are all rescued from sin, yet still being rescued from our sin. As Christians we must be wise when offering help. We should aim to bring encouragement, not judgement. The Bible is clear that God works through our suffering, but we are only able to discern this once we have moved through disaster. Steadfastness in the Lord is a slow and gradual journey that you cannot hurry people along. Let Job and his friends be a warning to us. We have no idea what God is doing behind the scenes. Job never finds out all that has happened, or why. Job’s friend Eliphaz feels that he understands and cannot help but tell Job where he is going wrong. But he is operating under misapprehension. We should likewise be wary of giving specific diagnoses. God gives us all sorts of people in community, and all have gifts to share. Therefore we must care for, and not sideline, people who are struggling. We should remain with them, no more than two steps ahead. It is good to get down into the pit with them, but it is okay for them to know that we are more hopeful than they are. We can pray for them and read Scripture alongside them. Do the same for the carers of those with depression — they will become tired and weary. We must understand what depression is and how it affects people. We must know and be known, building deep relationships. The church is a team, so help recruit help. People with a clinical understanding can be useful. Include lots of people. Do not draw away from someone suffering because you feel you do not know how to deal with it. Draw closer to them and bring others alongside you. Diet, exercise and time management can help treat depression. Church communities can meet with people to go for a walk or a coffee so that people have a date on their calendar and a reason to get up in the morning. Biblical counsellors can be a great help, but the key is to see a good counsellor. If you see a secular counsellor, then it is important to have Christian community that can speak the gospel’s truth alongside the counselling given. Depression is one of the most demanding issues in our churches today, but we can shine the gospel’s light into dark places. ‘We rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us’ (Romans 5:3-5). •

with grief. He identifies with all our pain and suffering. He takes it on himself. Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane cried out to his Father and all those suffering from depression can do the same. Jesus shares his overwhelming sorrow with those closest to him — his disciples. Jesus wanted people to comfort him and to pray for him. We should follow this example when supporting those who are suffering, and those caring for them. Let us not fall asleep and leave them alone, as the disciples did. It is wrong to take any human life. It is a sin to take your own life. Yet, a final act does not condemn a person. We are saved by grace, not by works. No person is condemned by a final act of madness. Jesus promises, ‘whoever comes to me I will never cast out’ (John 6:37). Long before there were any doctors or psychologists, God knew and understood. Although they may not feel like it, those suffering belong to God. They belong in churches and they belong among us. RESPONDING TO DEPRESSION How you think someone ‘gets’ depression greatly influences how you will respond to them. The interplay between emotions, thoughts and decisions is infinitely complex. Is depression experienced in just one of these aspects? If depression is affected only by decisions, you could simply tell people the ‘right’ things to do. But the Bible tells us all are tied together in the heart. They govern our capacity to worship and to desire. We all make something our central desire, whether we are a Christian or not. This thing will have the main determining effect on our life and thoughts. We are also embodied souls: we relate through our bodies. We access a person through their ears with speech, through their eyes or through physical touch. Our bodies are a great gift from our creator. We exist in a culture and a world, and things happen to us. We are affected by cultural norms. For example, anorexia does not exist in cultures which do not idealise a skinny perfection. If we change the culture, we can change how people view themselves. Usually depression is not caused by one thing. Mind, body and soul are in a complex interrelationship all the time. MEDICATIONS Medications can have an important role to play in the treatment of depression. They are useful for some people and not helpful for others. They can help but they do not provide the answers. The brain is an extremely delicate and complex organ which is not fully understood. The drugs currently used are limited and cannot closely reflect the neurotransmitters in the brain. One neuroscientist compares using psychotropic drugs to treat disorders with trying to fix a car with a hammer. But medication can be like calming the sea. When the waves are huge and the storm is wild, taking medications calms the waters so the rescue boat can explore what is happening underneath. They can create in a person so overwhelmed with thoughts and emotions the space to explore and talk.

2019

WWW.FREECHURCH.ORG

Photo by Heather Zabriskie on Unsplash

THE AGE OF AGES RODDIE RANKIN explores the continuing marvel of time

THE RECORD

NOVEMBER

Christians are often heard complaining that they don’t have enough time. In Christ, God has given us scope for an endless odyssey in the age of the resurrection and whatever follows.

ime. we all know what it is, until we try to explain

to have passed before Adam’s race entered history. Measurements gauge the earth to be billions of years old. Genesis uses days to frame its poetic description of how we got here. They were not human days, for sure, as we were not around to observe them. There was an Observer who witnessed them. We can’t even guess at how his mind traversed them. Had we been present, would we have witnessed those countless years pass in extreme fast-forward as galaxies swirled into shape, and life grew up with breathless pace?

it!

We take measurements of it constantly, and live by them. As Christians, it regulates our day, year and view of history. Yet it defies easy description and evades captivity. It is an abstraction, an apparition we cannot grasp. Our writers liken it to a wingéd chariot which steals pleasure; a dreary sequence creeping in with petty pace; a highway to travel, if only you have the right machine; an elusive deer in the wood of Hallaig. In classical science it is an essential term to describe process. To Paul it is the now of opportunity. To us it may be a commonplace: we daily wander further into its endless maze, perhaps failing to contemplate its scale and splendour. Time is another of God’s wonders. Let us use a little of it now to explore and admire it, and to praise our God who has welcomed us aboard its thrilling journey. Again we are happy to use modern as well as biblical insights to enlarge our wonder as we observe that...

TIME IS RELATIVE If our little tour of time is starting to unsettle you like the first lurch of the Loch Seaforth as she heads into the Minch in a gale, more challenges lie ahead. The processes of nature occur at vastly different rates. As I plod across my keyboard writing these words I marvel at my son’s super-fast texting. Likewise, the bristlecone pine’s five-thousand-year lifespan contrasts sharply with a mayfly’s few frantic hours. There are still greater extremes. What kind of clock do you need to measure time on the sun? A very slow one! The sun shines by turning hydrogen into helium. It ‘burns’ an unbelievable 600 million tonnes of hydrogen every second. Fortunately it has colossal reserves of hydrogen in the tank — enough to last another four billion years. However, that tank is already half empty, which suggests our star has been blazing for a while. The psalmist ties the length of our Messiah Christ’s reign to the longevity of the sun. ‘May he endure as long as the sun...may his name endure for ever; may it continue as long as the sun’ (Psalm 72:5, 17). So science gives a stunning perspective on the psalm’s poetic analogy. What greater way of saying the reign of Jesus will never end? Compared to the sun’s languid timescale, electrons are truly frantic. In God’s wonderful world of time, they are certainly among those who fill the unforgiving minute with sixty seconds’ worth of distance run. In the time it takes you to read this sentence an electron can do its version of the Hokey Cokey a billion billion times. This is why computers, which harness the electron’s fervid pace, run circles round the human brain. Try thinking what an electron can get up to between two beats of your heart. Then try to comprehend the lifetime of the sun. If you get even a hint of either you will probably find yourself clutching the arms of your chair for reassurance, and exclaiming with David, ‘such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain’ (Psalm 139:6). However, God’s knowledge encompasses both the electron’s fleeting >>

PERCEPTIONS OF TIME VARY How hard it is to swat a fly! The reason is simple. Smaller animals with faster metabolisms experience time as passing more slowly than we do. That is, they can see more detail for each second of time: four times more in the case of a housefly. So your lightning-fast rolled-up newspaper kung fu is less impressive seen through a fly’s slow-motion perception. Adults experience a more rapid passage of time than children. Consequently, it has been shown that a person who lives for 80 years will have experienced half their subjective life by their 21st birthday! What a comfortless thought that is for many of us! On the other hand, your loved one with dementia will experience those days which drag for their carers as fleeting, hopefully mitigating their suffering. Recognition of the subjective nature of the flow of time is given in familiar proverbs about watching pots boil, or having fun. Sometimes we shoot the rapids of time, only to be later becalmed in time’s meandering plains. Should we be surprised, then, at the reports of God’s ability to alter his perception of time? ‘With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day’ (2 Peter 3:8). In our relationship with him, this means that there are times when we feel he is moving too quickly (like the disciples struggling to follow where Jesus leads) or too slowly (both revival and Christ’s second coming ‘tarry’). Again, we may balk at the idea that vast aeons appear

2019

WWW.FREECHURCH.ORG

In our relationship with him, this means that there are times when we feel he is moving too quickly (like the disciples struggling to follow where Jesus leads) or too slowly (both revival and Christ’s second coming ‘tarry’) << hiccup and the age of the cosmos. He is the ‘Ancient of Days’ (Daniel 7:9), yet nothing escapes his eyes as they ‘run to and fro through the whole earth’ (Zechariah 4:10). Caught somewhere between the lightning fast and the interminably slow is man. It is humbling for us to realise that our take on time is not the benchmark or paragon, but just one of many possibilities. Moreover, thanks to Einstein, our hold on time has been further perturbed: not only is time different for different creatures, but it can never be the same time in two places. My ‘now’ is not your ‘now’. There is no universal GMT. This is because news of your ‘now’ does not reach me instantaneously, but at a limited speed — the speed of light. An analogy in terms of sound uses athletes lined up to begin a race. Those further from the starter hear the ‘now’ of the pistol’s report slightly later, because it takes longer for the sound to reach them. As though this wasn’t difficult enough, there are other effects involving gravity and acceleration which further ensure that every place has its own, unique time. Truly, it might have been of time that Zophar spoke when he said, ‘can you fathom the mysteries of God? Can you probe the limits of the Almighty?’ (Job 11:7).

Time, then, has been given a purpose by God. It has an arrow which points to bringing ‘all things in heaven and earth together under one head, even Christ’ (Ephesians 1:10). TIME NEVER ENDS From the time of the early church Christians found difficulty in thinking about time as the Jews, in both Old and New Testaments, thought of it. That difficulty remains. We often hear in Christian conversation phrases like ‘at the end of time’ and a contrast made between ‘time’ and ‘eternity’. For many the hope is to get out of time and into eternity. This results in a fuzzy idea of the future world, more akin to nirvana or the Elysian Fields than the new creation of God. The wonder of time in God’s creation is that it never ends. Eternity is actually more time. We live ‘in the present age’, and look forward to ‘the age to come’ (see Mark 10:30, Ephesians 1:21). These are ages of time. Sometimes the future is spoken of as ‘the ages of ages’ — a continuous procession of novel ages, usually obscured by the translation ‘forever and ever’ (see Galatians 1:5, Revelation 1:18, 22:5). This language is found everywhere in our New Testament, but we shouldn’t leave it there. Let us resolve to soak our thinking in time as God has given it: an endless succession of ages, each with its own character, in which we will explore, discover, develop and modify the renewed earth and the heavens beyond. We will fulfil the sympathetic dominion and responsible care to which humans were originally called. Christians are often heard complaining that they don’t have enough time. In Christ, God has given us scope for an endless odyssey in the age of the resurrection and whatever follows. Let us banish our mean grumbling as we behold the boundless bounty of God: not only do we share in his life; he invites us to share in his time! At present we live with the constant fear of time running out. This age is a sequence of deadlines. The biological clock ticks loudly, primes are quickly past, we fade. ‘The grass withers and the flowers fall’ (Isaiah 40:8), but whoever does the will of God continues into the age to come (1 John 2:17). What will it be like then when, however much time passes, no less time remains? We will have as much time as God to travel with the best of company into the brightest of futures. Glory to His name! •

TIME HAS A PURPOSE The laws of the universe dance to the beat of time. If we extrapolate them into the remote future they appear to be destining everything towards ‘heat death’ or a ‘Big Crunch’. In the former, all the major structures of the expanding cosmos have moved so far from each other that the universe becomes dark, cold and disordered. The latter has the expansion of the universe eventually reversing, so that everything rushes back to the centre like a giant version of Auld Lang Syne! Thankfully, God doesn’t leave us to take our pick from these! He writes the laws. His future, which may be imminent, promises a renewed heavens and earth. In this destiny he appears to bring the universe to a poise between expansion and crunch — an unending equilibrium like the peace of slack water between the tides. He tells us about that future. ‘I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come’ (Isaiah 46:10). He appears to predict it. In our minds we may think of him as having looked forward to see it and then come back to us to report what he saw. In reality he declares and decrees it, then steers history across the ocean of possibilities to arrive at his intended destination. (At this point you might like to speculate why time-travel is not among the medley of miracles God is recorded as having performed!)

THE RECORD

Rev. Roddie M. Rankin is minister of Kyle and Plockton Free Church

NOVEMBER

ETS NEWS BY REV. THOMAS DAVIS

FREE CHURCH CANDIDATES There are currently twelve Free Church Ministry Candidates studying at ETS. This month, we are giving them all the opportunity to say hello and introduce themselves to the readers of The Record. PETER TURNBULL (due to complete studies June 2020) I’m Peter Turnbull, entering my fifth and final year at ETS on the BTh programme (part-time). I’m originally from the North East of England and have previously worked in full-time ministry roles in Newcastle and Sheffield before moving to Morayshire in 2015 (my wife, Morag, hails from Elgin). Since then I have combined my studies with my role as Church Worker at Burghead Free Church, where I have been involved in the revitalisation of that small, semirural congregation. Morag and I have five children aged between eight and two.

CIARÁN KELLEHER (due to complete studies June 2021) My name is Ciarán Kelleher. I grew up in Limerick, on the west coast of Ireland. I became a Christian in my first year when studying at the University of Chester. After a couple of years as a ministry trainee at a church in Edinburgh, I am now in my fourth year as a pastor-intraining in St Andrews, where I also serve as an elder. Alongside my work in the church, I study part-time (two days a week) at ETS. I have two more years to go at ETS and my role in St Andrews. I am married to Sarah, who is studying for a PhD in Maths at Glasgow.

WILL LIND (due to complete studies June 2021) My name is Will Lind and I am a 2nd year student at ETS. I am married to Marianne, who works in the NHS. We have a son called Jonathan, who is two years old, and are expecting our second child in mid-October. We are members of Grace Church Leith. Prior to attending ETS I was a history teacher. Before that I worked in university admissions, offshore logistics and as a staff worker with UCCF. I was fortunate to grow up in a very happy Christian home. My father is a retired Church of Scotland minister who served congregations in Skye and Campbeltown. It is a privilege to be at ETS, and although my caffeine consumption is likely to have to increase very soon, I am really looking forward to the year ahead!

2019

WWW.FREECHURCH.ORG

CRAIG ANDERSON (due to complete studies June 2021) My name’s Craig Anderson and I’m married to Amy. We have three children: Tabitha (3), Charis and Peter (1). We live in Charleston in Dundee and are part of the launch team for Charleston Community Church. I grew up in a Christian home and Jesus saved me during a school assembly when I was nine. A serious rugby injury when I was 18 taught me the urgency of the gospel and put me on the path for ministry. After studying civil engineering at the University of Dundee, I trained as a ministry associate at Chalmers Church Edinburgh. Following this, I worked for UCCF as a staff worker in Dundee; then in 2017 I began studying at ETS and working as minister-in-training at St Peter’s Free Church. I am now in my third of four years of training, plunging into the complex world of Hebrew and Scottish church history! JOE HALL (due to complete studies June 2021) I’m Joe Hall, born and raised in Romford (Essex), though I’ve lived my whole adult life in Scotland. I moved up in 2012 to study Social Anthropology at the University of Edinburgh. As a student I joined Grace Church Leith — where I later trained as a ministry apprentice alongside the Cornhill Training Course — and where I now continue to worship, train and support the ministry as a candidate for the Free Church, alongside my 2nd year of full-time studies at ETS. My wife Susy and I got married in January of this year and are looking forward prayerfully to all the Lord has for us in the coming years.

DONALD MACLEOD (due to complete studies June 2020) I am currently on the first semester of my final year at ETS. The last two years have flown by in a flash! I am from Gravir, a small village in the South Lochs district of the Isle of Lewis. After leaving school I studied a Gaelic language and culture BA at the Stornoway campus of UHI, and then worked on the island for two years before coming to Edinburgh. The time at ETS has been an incredible privilege — spending every day studying God and his Word, alongside a great group of fellow students, and under the teaching of committed and passionate lecturers. I am continually thankful for all the prayers and support from the Lord’s people. Knowing that folks are praying for us at ETS is a great encouragement!

ALISTER MACINNES (due to complete studies June 2020) I am a candidate through Northern Presbytery, and in my final year at ETS. I have completed a large part of my degree as a part-time student while working with the church. For the first two years, I was a ministry apprentice, under Iain MacAskill and Calum MacMillan, with the Rosskeen congregation. In 2017 my family and I moved north to Dornoch, and in September 2018 the opportunity opened up for me to work under Duncan Macleod as a ministry apprentice with the Dornoch congregation. I have found it a real privilege and blessing to combine practical ministry experience with seminary studies.

THE RECORD

NOVEMBER

JAMES BLACKWELL (due to complete studies June 2022) Born in Derby, raised in Orkney and having spent the last ten years in Dingwall, that simple question ‘Where are you from?’ is always a complicated one. But my wife Claire assures me that I am a born-again Scot! My parents raised me as a Christian and I came to know the Lord personally during my late teens after a few years of wandering. My wife and I have been a part of Dingwall and Strathpeffer Free Church for almost ten years and I have served as a deacon there for several years. We will miss our church family there (although we will visit as often as we can!). This year marks my first of three years training as a Free Church candidate studying a Licentiate of Theology and I feel really blessed to be able to do so. I previously studied for a BA (Hons) in theological studies at Highland Theological College in Dingwall. My course is structured a bit differently to some of the other candidates and will also involve some practical work alongside a church. Please pray for my wife and myself (and our two cats) as we settle into our new life in Stirling and that God would help me in my studies to glorify and serve him. Thanks for your prayers and support. JOHN WILSON (due to complete studies June 2021) My name is John Wilson. I am a ministry candidate with the Free Church of Scotland, and am married to Anna. We live in Alness where I work as a ministerin-training with Rosskeen Free Church. I am studying a part-time Licentiate programme at ETS and am just beginning my third year of study. My modules this year will be Hebrew and Practical Theology. My Background is in Music and Theology, having completed honours degrees from Napier University in 2008, where I studied as a classical tenor, and a theological degree from London School of Theology in 2013. When I am not working or studying theology I love songwriting and recording psalms, hymns and spiritual songs, some of which can be found on my YouTube channel. Anna is from Northern Ireland (though she doesn’t sound Irish) and is a qualified early years practitioner. She also works for Rosskeen Free Church as a front of house lead at its Grounded Café and she runs a toddler group out of the Capstone Centre as an outreach to the local mums and dads. God willing, I will complete my candidacy training with the Free Church in 2021.

MATTY GUY (due to complete studies June 2023) I am from Northern Ireland, where I came to faith at the age of 18, just before moving to Newcastle for university. I also lived in Stirling and Glasgow before moving to St Andrews in 2016 as the UCCF staff worker there. Recently, I started as a minister-in-training at St Andrews Free Church as well as studying the BTh part-time at ETS. I am married to Jody and I enjoy a good read, good coffee and a good football match, though my beloved Newcastle United rarely provide that!

KEN MACDONALD (due to complete studies June 2020) My name is Ken MacDonald and I am a 2nd year student at ETS. I am on a two-year course as a mature student and serving as a parttime, not-yet-ordained minister in Glenelg, Arnisdale, Lochalsh and Glen Shiel. I have been in the post for five years and am hoping to be ordained next year. Finally working out what I’m going to do when I grow up!

GEOFF MURRAY (due to complete studies June 2022) I am Geoff, I am 22 years old, and though now living in Bruntsfield I am originally from Anstruther in Fife, home of Thomas Chalmers! I am married to Maddie and we are expecting our first baby this autumn, which is very exciting. We worship at Cornerstone in Morningside and I am in my second year of studies fulltime at ETS; however, I plan to transfer to part-time for the next two years, which will offer me time to gain a bit more hands-on experience in the local church.

2019

WWW.FREECHURCH.ORG

few weeks ago rev. david macpherson, minister of bon accord free church in aberdeen, informed his congregation that he had accepted an invitation to return to peru and work with operacion san andrés.

Having been born in Peru and having served the Lord there, firstly as a volunteer in a house building project for earthquake victims, and then, after studies in the Free Church College, as the minister of a large Presbyterian church in Moyobamba, capital of the San Martin department in north-east Peru, David and his Peruvian wife, Martha, will be returning to a land they know well. The Record has asked David’s father, Rev. John MacPherson, a former missionary in Peru, to interview David and find out more about what is involved in this move. What is OSA and what does it do? Operacion San Andrés (OSA) is a small Christian charity founded back in 2003 by Dr Luis Campos, a Peruvian cardiologist based in Houston. Its history, though, can, intriguingly, be traced back to the early 1960s and the classrooms of Colegio San Andrés and the influence of Sam Will, a missionary teacher of the Free Church of Scotland. Luis was a pupil in San Andrés and an eager participant in mission ventures organised by Sam Will in shanty towns on the outskirts of Lima.

The battle is fought on various fronts with OSA involved in initiatives that tackle malnutrition, poor education, inadequate housing, low income (with micro loans) and a host of social ills including — and perhaps most dramatically — domestic violence that is almost endemic. It’s also worth mentioning that the work of OSA in Collique has spawned the birth of a church — Luz de Esperanza — that provides a spiritual home for those who have come to faith through the ministry of OSA or in other ways. You can try and work out for yourselves the meaning of the name of the fellowship!

Dr. Luis Campos with local children Inside the Light of Hope (Luz de Esperanza) Church

This face-to-face encounter with extreme poverty impacted greatly on Luis and his response was to cry out to God: ‘Give them Hope! Hope in Him who is the maker of the universe but had no place in this world to lay His head. He knows all about poverty…’ The seed planted germinated and, in due course, blossomed into what is today Operacion San Andrés, operating under the banner of its mission statement: ‘As a Christian organisation, we are committed to combat the effects of poverty in the community of Collique in a holistic (spiritual, emotional, and physical) and sustainable manner by demonstrating the love of Christ in practical ways.’ As the mission statement indicates, the battle that OSA wages against poverty takes place in Collique: a sprawling community nestled in the desert hills on the outskirts of Lima. As a rule, the higher up the hill you live, the poorer you are.

THE RECORD

What will be your role in OSA? In addition to OSA in Peru there is also a formally registered charity in Houston that serves as a means of raising support for the work in Peru. The board members in Houston put in a power of work advocating for and supporting the work in Peru and also, thus far, have served as the principal decision-makers. As OSA has grown and developed, Dr Campos and his colleagues in Houston have recognised the need to encourage and cultivate a greater degree of local autonomy and decision-making and — to facilitate that — determined that it was necessary to appoint a local Executive Director who would lead the work in Peru and liaise with supporters in Houston and beyond. That’s where I come in! What does the role involve? I’m not too sure but hope to work that out once I get my feet on the desert slopes of Collique!

NOVEMBER

You mentioned Dr Luis Campos and his roots in Colegio San Andrés. What other connection does Dr Campos have with the Free Church of Scotland? After finishing high school in San Andrés, Dr Campos travelled to Scotland for his medical studies in Edinburgh University. In Edinburgh he joined the Buccleuch & Greyfriars congregation and met and married a Free Church lass, Ruth Gilmour. Luis and Ruth maintain a great love for, and connection with, Scotland and the Free Church — something reflected even in the name of the charity. In 2017 the Free Church General Assembly devoted a memorable evening to celebrating the centenary of Colegio San Andrés. Among the participants was Luis Campos, who had travelled all the way from Texas to express his gratitude for the part played by Colegio San Andrés and the Free Church of Scotland in his personal and spiritual development. It’s also worth mentioning that the Women for Mission project this year is supporting the ministry of the Luz de Esperanza congregation in Collique.

and kindness. Our affection for Bon Accord will continue and we look forward to hearing about and celebrating all that God will continue to do in and through his people in Bon Accord.

American volunteers and local workers (Luis & Ruth Campos 4th from right and end right back row.)

You will be employed by OSA. Does that mean you’ll no longer have any connection with the Free Church and its Mission Board? Will you be able to keep the church in Scotland well informed about all you’ll be doing in Peru? I very much see myself as a Free Church minister serving with a partner mission agency, in this case OSA, and have been in touch with the Mission Board indicating that I would like to be viewed in that way. The Mission Board have expressed their desire to maintain a very live connection and we look forward to exploring how that can best be achieved. The second part of your question is more challenging! The simple answer is ‘yes’, I will be able to keep folks informed. The challenge will be to actually do it! There are no excuses with the many channels of communication provided by technology and social media. I guess all I can say is… watch this space!

A view of Collique

Everything you’ve told us about OSA focuses on Collique, but we’ve heard that OSA might extend its work to the city of Moyobamba, where you used to live and where the Free Church has a long history of missionary activities. What can you tell us about that? The vision can be encapsulated with the tag line ‘one charity, two locations’. The idea is to complement the current work in an urban desert location with a new venture in a rural tropical location. One of the advantages of Moyobamba is precisely the longstanding evangelical presence in the city and surroundings that facilitates ministry initiatives of different kinds. One of the big and exciting challenges will be to explore and — hopefully — spearhead ministry partnerships with local Christians and churches in and around Moyobamba aimed at ‘… combating the effects of poverty in a holistic and sustainable manner’.

If folks are interested in finding out more about OSA and your involvement, how can they do that? The place to start would be the OSA website www. operacionsanandres.org and, in addition, folks should feel free to drop me an e-mail (david.duncan.macpherson@ gmail.com) with questions about OSA and queries about how they could be involved in supporting the ministry.• Thank you, David, for providing us with all that information. You can be sure that your friends in Bon Accord and many others throughout the Free Church will be praying for you both as you enter this new sphere of service for the Lord. They’ll be remembering too those you leave behind: John and his fiancée Hilary; Samuel and Mairi; Joseph in Florida; and also an old couple who’ll miss you greatly, but who rejoice in knowing you will be serving the Lord in the place of his choosing.

You’ve served for 11 years as minister of Bon Accord Free Church in Aberdeen. It will be quite a wrench for you and Martha to end this chapter of ministry amongst people that you’ve grown to appreciate and love. How are you feeling about that? It is bittersweet; I’m excited about a new start in a country I know and love but also — together with Martha — apprehensive about leaving a congregation that we have grown to love and that has treated us with great generosity

2019

WWW.FREECHURCH.ORG

TREASURE IN JARS OF CLAY BY REV. ALEX J. MACDONALD

hear

from

time

do all the work that could be done — the pastoral work and evangelism, the hospital visits, the school chaplaincy work, the admin, the meetings of church courts and committees, the preparation of Bible studies and sermons and so on. In addition, just as we all have different pain thresholds, so we have different tolerances of pressure or stress. The Apostle Paul had a high tolerance — read the list of his troubles he survived in 2 Corinthians 11:23-29: hard work, flogging, prison, stoning, shipwrecks, dangers, sleeplessness, hunger, thirst, cold and pressure of concern for all the churches. Who of us could endure all that? But someone like John Mark had a low tolerance of pressure — he deserted Paul and Barnabas in Pamphylia (in modern-day Turkey) on their first missionary journey (Acts 15:37). It’s significant that this became a cause of a sharp disagreement between Paul and Barnabas as to whether Mark could be trusted again. However, Barnabas took Mark under his wing, and later Paul had Mark as a fellow worker (Colossians 4:10, Philemon 24) and said he was helpful to him in his ministry (1 Timothy 4:11). No one should be written off because they have failed under pressure. What can you do to support your minister?

christian

leaders who have given up their faith or made shipwreck of their lives in one way

or another.

We also know that there are ministers who are struggling with various things: mental health, family difficulties, pastoral relationships and so on. Why is this? Aren’t ministers supposed to be better than the rest of us — stronger in faith, more resilient, with more theological training? The Apostle Paul reminds us of part of the answer. In speaking of his own ministry and that of those who worked with him, he said, ‘We have this treasure in jars of clay.’ The gospel which ministers are called to preach is indeed treasure, or as King David put it, ‘more precious than gold’ and ‘sweeter than honey’ (Psalm 19). The message we are called to proclaim is always the same. It never tarnishes. It never loses its loveliness. But the carriers of the message are ‘jars of clay’ — ordinary and fragile, not special like gold, or indestructible like steel. I was ordained and inducted as a newly qualified 24-year-old to my first charge of Bishopbriggs. After all the full and complicated requirements of the ordination service, Rev. Peter Jackson addressed the congregation, and he said, ‘Remember, your minister is human.’ I am eternally grateful to him for that! Congregations need to be reminded that their ministers are human. But ministers also need to be reminded of that. We are only human. We are not supermen. On the one hand, congregations can put their ministers on pedestals and think they can do no wrong. And we as ministers can buy into that, and have an exaggerated sense of our own importance, and become arrogant, or lazy and neglectful. How unlike the apostles! When Cornelius fell at Peter’s feet in reverence, Peter said, ‘Stand up, I’m only a man myself’ (Acts 10:25f). And when the people of Lystra wanted to worship Paul and Silas, they told them, ‘We too are only men, human like you’ (Acts 14:15). On the other hand, the failure to recognise the ordinary humanity of ministers can result in people having unrealistic expectations of ministers and so becoming critical when these expectations are not met. The church in Corinth expected Paul to be as eloquent as Apollos, not realising God had given them different gifts. This attitude can cause a minister to become discouraged as he compares himself with other more ‘successful’ ministers. But there can also be unrealistic expectations of a minister’s time. No one can work 24/7, with the minimum of sleep and interaction with his family and friends, without burnout. Because a minister is his own time manager, this can result in laziness, but it can also result in overwork. There are not enough hours in the day to

THE RECORD

• Pray for him (and ask him what you should pray for). • Get to know him and his wife and family. Invite them for a meal. • Offer to help with any activity or aspect of the congregation’s work that might take a load off the minister. • If you have any suggestion/criticism about the minister’s work, don’t talk about it to others; talk to the minister about it! As I mentioned in a previous article, the Church has appointed me as Pastoral Care Support Worker for ministers, and more recently the Board of Ministry has appointed Louise MacMillan as a contact person for ministers’ wives. Louise is a member of the Pastoral Care team, and married to Neil MacMillan, minister of Cornerstone Church in Edinburgh. Please don’t hesitate to contact us, if you feel we can help. Our contact details are as follows: Louise MacMillan, LMacmillan@live.co.uk Alex MacDonald, 336 Gilmerton Road, Edinburgh, EH17 7PU 0131 621 1221 07504 989189 alex@alexjmacdonald.co.uk

NOVEMBER

‘But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed’ (2 Corinthians 4:7-9 NIV).

2019

WWW.FREECHURCH.ORG

THE LATE DUNCAN MACKENZIE (1921-2019) BY REV. NEIL LACHLAN MACDONALD

mackenzie was born to Duncan and Catherine Mackenzie on 25th Oct 1921, in the shop at the end of Market Street, Ullapool, where he enjoyed his crofting and village childhood with siblings Flora, Peggy, Ina and Joan. Duncan was called up to serve during the Second World War and his life was spared on a number of occasions, by the grace of God. Married to Winnie from Kinlochbervie in Lairg on the 5th June 1959, Duncie and Winnie welcomed Kenneth into the family in 1964. Duncie Jeck, as he was affectionately known by all, was a man for whom much could be written, and it would be challenging to define him, and his life, succinctly. Nevertheless, one word which could be employed to sum Duncie Jeck up would be ‘dedicated’. He was a man who was dedicated to the Lord, dedicated to his family, dedicated to his church, dedicated to his community, and of course, dedicated to his tremendously impressive garden! Duncie was never one to seek the limelight, preferring to remain in the background, but never shying away from anything which required attention. Having come to a living and personal faith in Jesus Christ as his Lord and Saviour, Duncie took up the role of Deacon in the congregation where he served prayerfully, willingly, and tirelessly over decades. Maintaining the fabric of the church, often single-handedly, Duncie continued in this role well into his eighties. Many marvelled at the fact that Duncie lived to such an age, a miracle in itself when you consider some of the homemade scaffolding he rigged up to maintain high windows in the church! Duncie took up the role of Elder in the congregation in May 2014 at the age of 92, where his prayer ministry on behalf of the congregation was hugely significant. A great example that you are never too old to serve the Lord and his church! Duncie was very much a family man. Devoted to his family, he liked nothing more than to spend time with his dearly loved son Kenneth and daughter-inlaw Mairi, whom he also loved very much, along with his cherished grandchildren Adele, Jemma and Rory. Duncie was relishing the prospect of becoming a greatgrandparent and prayed continually for the Lord’s blessing to be upon his family. Duncie Jeck is a name well known and highly regarded by all throughout Wester Ross and Assynt. Tall and impressive in stature, humble and hardworking in spirit, Duncie worked many years as a linesman with the Hydro Board until his retiral some 32 years ago. Many speak with admiration for the man who would not be deterred, even by road closures due to drifting snow, but who would ‘tool up’ and walk, through drifts and harsh weather, to fulfil his remit and reconnect cut power supplies.

This perseverance, determination, and hard work ethic is no more evident than in Duncie’s garden. Hewn from a rocky hillside by hand, with no more than a pick and spade, Duncie created a garden in the side of the hill which is admired by all who enter the village. A man of few words, resolute determination, strength, dignity, and a prayerful concern for his family, church and community, Duncie Jeck leaves a legacy of blessing to many, fulfilling the words of Proverbs 10:7 — ‘The memory of the righteous will be a blessing’. Now at eternal rest, in the presence of the Saviour whom he loved and served throughout his life, Duncie has received his great gain, as alluded to in these fitting words by Rev. Derek Lamont, written in Duncie’s honour: GREAT GAIN A highland gentleman, tall, rugged but gentle, A man of God well-grounded in living Kind-hearted and fair in his dealings with all Driven by grace, and a heart full of giving For him now, great gain.

uncan

THE RECORD

A soldier, a linesman, a husband, a dad, He lived with simplicity yet depth in his soul Bad words in judgment were rare to be heard And peace among all was ever his goal For him now, great gain Duncie Jeck was renowned to those near and far His garden a welcome to the village for all His exploits in old age drew many a gasp, He was fearless, and shrugged off the odd fall For him now, great gain Great gain with godliness was ever his verse And he lived out its truth in his walk and his way And now, the great shepherd has taken him Home To the real place he longed for, the place he will stay For him now, great gain. •

NOVEMBER

THE LATE JOHN ROSS (1946-2019) BY REV. ALASDAIR MACAULEY

ohn ross was a man who had a servant heart. With

He had the same unstinting commitment to his family. John was a wonderful husband and father and doted on his two grandchildren, Emily and Oscar. Even when he would go away for a break to his daughters’, he always took a fully equipped tool-bag with him to see to whatever needed attention. John retired in 2011 and since then he enjoyed his passions to the full, fishing, gardening and travelling to the west coast for picnics with his beloved wife Rae. His final illness was short and his testimony to the end was bright. John’s trust in the Lord was so clear that when he was told that he had terminal cancer, there was no great panic, but just calm acceptance. It was Jim Elliot who said ‘Make sure that when the time comes for you to die, that all you have to do is die’, and this was certainly true in John’s experience. John loved the psalms, and one that was particularly precious to him in his last weeks was the Sing Psalms version of Ps. 32: How blessed the one who has received forgiveness for his sin! Whose sins are covered from God’s face, Whose debt is cancelled in God’s grace; there’s no deceit in him John treasured these words and still sang them even when his breathing became difficult. As a congregation, we miss his voice, his smile, his talents, and so much more. We extend our deep sympathy to his widow Rae and the girls, June and Gail, and their respective families. We continue to uphold them in prayer and commit them to the God of all comfort. •

a cheerful temperament and welcoming smile, he endeared himself to all who met him. His many talents meant that he was a huge asset to Tain and Fearn Free Church and we miss him sorely. John was born in the seaboard village of Hilton in 1946, the youngest of four siblings. Village life was pretty good, until he experienced island life during a visit to Stornoway at the age of sixteen. He fell in love with the place and as soon as he finished school in Tain, he returned to Stornoway in 1962 to commence an apprenticeship as a TV and Radio Engineer with the firm Maciver and Dart. It was in Stornoway that he met Rae Afrin. They married in 1969 and were blessed with two daughters, June and Gail. Although John would happily have stayed in Stornoway, employment took him back to the mainland and the family settled in Tain. John worked in Kishorn and Nigg before taking up a post as a TV and radio engineer in Invergordon and finally setting up his own business, Tain TV services. John loved that job and people loved him, and through his work he got to know many people throughout the community. He became a Christian in his late thirties, professing faith in 1986, and becoming a member of Tain Free Church. The minister, Rev. Innes MacRae, was a great support to him. John was soon involved in the work of the church. He served as clerk to the Property Committee in the 90s, became a deacon in 2001 and was made an elder in 2007. He was, for many years, Clerk to the Deacons’ Court and took responsibility for many of the jobs that needed done around the church and manse. He always seemed able to produce a screwdriver from his pocket whenever one was needed. John was an enthusiastic member of the Project Team for the New Church in Tain and often encouraged the others to keep moving forward trusting that the Lord would provide. John had an outstanding voice and was a gifted precentor who was always willing to lead the praise. He was a delight to have on door duty; his attractive personality and winsome manner could put anyone at ease. He also took the responsibility for counting the takings and banking it each week. His contribution at meetings of the elders or deacons was measured and wise. It is only since his passing that it has become apparent just how much John attended to around the church. He could fix pretty much anything and would usually attempt to repair something rather than replace it. He was environmentally friendly, long before that was in vogue. He was an all-rounder; a man whom any minister would be glad to have among his officer-bearers. It didn’t matter whether you needed someone to lead a meeting or fix a leaky tap, John was always willing and able.

2019

WWW.FREECHURCH.ORG

BOOK REVIEWS As the nights draw in, a good book can bring a bright spot to a grey day. This month, we have reviews for four excellent titles, including one very timely one in this month of remembrance. All are available at https://thefree.church/shop unless otherwise stated. ASPECTS OF LOVE WILLIAM J.U. PHILLIP (2019) In every airport or train station bookshop there are multiple volumes which seek to help people work out how to achieve or maintain good relationships. With so many opinions floating around, it is imperative that Christians allow the Word of God to shape their world and not the prevailing culture. With clarity and sensitivity, William Philip leads us through what the Word of God has to say about good, healthy, God-honouring relationships. I don’t think I can give this book higher praise than this; it made me more grateful for the Lord Jesus and for my wife. Covering everything from friendship to family life, Aspects of Love is an indispensable book which will be a blessing to anyone who reads it. There are also some very good discussion questions which makes this a great resource to use with home groups or in 1-to-1 discipleship. • Martin Paterson, OMF International & Cumbernauld Free Church

THE VIEWING JOHN R. BALDOCK (2019) This book is intended to provide serious seekers with the answers to the key and crucial questions about the Christian faith. The author does this through posing 70 questions which are grouped around the features of a house which someone is thinking of buying. The reader is invited to journey through the house, checking out the structure of each area before coming to a decision whether or not to buy. So the reader considers questions which represent the foundations of the house, the roof, the garden and the various rooms in the house. Foundational questions without which the structural integrity of the house would be seriously undermined are asked; questions like ‘What is a Christian?’, ‘Who is God?’, ‘What is the Bible?’ and then the reader walks through other rooms, such as the study, where deep thought and reflection goes on. Here questions like ‘Who is Jesus?’, ‘Was he for real?’ and ‘What is meant by Trinity and is it important?’ are asked. If you were to think of this book as an estate agent giving a viewing of a house I would say this is very thorough, methodical and comprehensive. • Colin L. Macleod, Gairloch, Kinlochewe & Torridon Free Church (Available from DayOne)

THE RECORD

NOVEMBER

IDENTITY THEFT MELISSA KRUGER (ED) (2018) Becoming a Christian involves a fundamental change of identity; we know that. We belong to Christ – we are ‘in him’ rather than ‘of the world’. Where this change of identity becomes tricky, however, is when we have to live in the world, facing its challenges, temptations and easy fixes. In this book, Melissa Kruger and her co-authors tackle this conundrum head-on. Taking ten aspects of our identity in Christ (e.g. child, beautiful, citizen), they look at the ways in which we misunderstand them, what the biblical truth of each aspect is, and what that truth means for us as we live out our life of faith. The ten aspects have been well chosen to provide a comprehensive picture of who we as Christians truly are, and the writing is winsome and relatable. Identity Theft is biblically-based, Christ-focused, and completely practical. My one criticism would be of the scarcity of specific biblical references in the chapters, but this is counterbalanced by the study text provided in each set of group discussion questions. For this reason, although it is an excellent book to read alone, it is perhaps even better for any group of women who might fancy reading a book together. • Miriam Montgomery, Free Church Books

WE WILL REMEMBER THEM GAVIN DICKSON (2018) Gavin’s story is an honest and open account of growing from a boy to a man while serving in the British Army. He was not the worst person to be around, but he wasn’t the best either. The change that took place in his life was profound when he sought forgiveness for his sins. His newfound faith was challenged on operational deployment to Afghanistan, where death and injury among the troops was commonplace — and this included losing friends from his battalion. Through it all Gavin became deeply conscious of God’s love and care. This is a reality he now witnesses to daily as a Scripture Reader, serving the military community he knows from personal experience. Highly recommended. • Colin F. Macleod, Leith Free Church

THE NEW ELDER’S HANDBOOK GREG R. SCHARF AND ARTHUR KOK (2018) Rev. James Ross, minister of Buccleuch Free Church, Edinburgh, recommends this Bible-based guide to encouraging and preparing new elders to lead the local church. (This is an expanded version of a review due to appear in the Scottish Bulletin of Evangelical Theology 37/2. Printed with permission.)

The motivation behind the book comes from Scharf’s own testimony and wrestling with the question ‘How can qualified elders be raised up?’ The starting point many of us adopt is to look for those already qualified for eldership. Scharf takes a step back to pursue a structure for patiently training those willing to serve as elders.

Answering a crucial question I still recall vividly a question I was asked during my interview for admission to be a candidate for ministry. Having spoken briefly on the importance of working with elders in local church ministry, a mature minister working in a rural context then gently asked, ‘But what if there are no local elders?’ That stopped me in my tracks! I can’t remember what I said beyond ‘pray that God provides’. Now, more than ten years on, Scharf and Kok have provided in their book a better answer!

Principles and Practicalities I deeply appreciate what this book seeks to do. The authors manage, in short compass, to provide the biblical ‘why’ before offering their ‘how’. Typically, books on developing leaders might fall into only one of these two positions, so that perhaps a unique selling point of this book is its emphasis both on principle and practical tools in training and developing new elders. In section one they establish a vision of biblically qualified elders who are growing in knowledge, >>

2019

WWW.FREECHURCH.ORG

A vital question; a helpful answer God’s church needs godly elders. But this doesn’t happen by accident. Scharf and Kok have provided discipleship principles and practice to helpfully answer the questions ‘What if there are no local elders?’ or ‘How do I train new elders?’ I look forward to this book being of benefit in our local church in coming years, and would encourage others to use it too. •

<< pursuing obedience and developing as teachers. The example of Ezra is usefully employed both as a model for eldership and in providing assurance that God desires godly eldership and his grace works in, through and for those he calls. Character formation and spiritual growth are seen to be a work of God over time in which Christian men are called to participate through pursuing spiritual disciplines. Learning in community is strongly emphasized for mutual encouragement, shared wisdom and accountability among other reasons. While in some cases this would not be practical, it is a helpful ideal to pursue. In section two there is the movement towards practically resourcing pastors with a list of seventyfive questions for new or prospective elders. These questions aim at the discovery of truth, the honing of spiritual disciplines and ministry practices, and growth in obedience to Christ. Each question comes with a list of biblical texts to read and reflect on, along with recommendations of supplementary reading on each topic. The list of biblical texts is very extensive and the breadth of questions covering theology, life and ministry is well thought out. Slow, careful, prayerful engagement with the texts in the form of ‘homework’ before regularly meeting to share and discuss provides a meaningful way to assimilate truth with the intention of passing it on to others. Putting it to use I have recently begun to meet fortnightly with a small group of potential church elders, and while the ‘test drive’ of Scharf and Kok’s book is in the early stages, I am confident that this will prove a mutually beneficial resource and guide in training and developing new or potential leaders for God’s church. I deeply appreciate the pastoral tone struck throughout the book. This is not a ‘five steps to multiplying leadership’ book! Better, it calls on pastors and potential elders to lean on God and his grace, to be prayerful and humble in pursuing the noble aspiration of eldership, and it consistently frames the discussion in a way that emphasizes eldership as service, not status. Finally, if you are in the camp that says ‘Yes! But how?’ The practical resources that have been used by Scharf for decades will certainly provide a foundation and framework to follow. If you want to be proactive in identifying and training those who may in time be raised up by God for serving his church, then you will find much to help in this. It provides encouragement that with God’s help Christian men can grow in knowledge of the Lord, godly character, and skill in serving.

THE NEW ELDER’S HANDBOOK: A BIBLICAL GUIDE TO DEVELOPING FAITHFUL LEADERS GREG R. SCHARF AND ARTHUR KOK GRAND RAPIDS, MI: BAKER BOOKS

GET IN TOUCH: EMAIL: books@freechurch.org SHOP: https://thefree.church/shop

THE RECORD

WEBSITE: books.freechurch.org MAILING LIST: https://thefree.church/books-sign-up

NOVEMBER

Insults have broken my heart, and I am in despair. I looked for sympathy, but there was none, for comforters, but I found no one.

don ’ t think there are many of us who would actually claim psalm 69:20 as their own .

David, hunted for his life first by an outgoing king and later his own pretender son, seems eligible. Much more does Christ, utterly alone on the cross. Looking at their troubles, well, ours look a little pathetic. And yet, you might have felt it. There are plenty of situations in life that make us feel alone. For most of us it might not be on a national stage, as for David or Jesus, but a rejection or two in the context of a personal relationship can put you right in that place. A friend who gossips behind your back. A family member who disowns you over a political difference. A minister who’s publicly sinned, and you don’t know how to reconcile it in your mind. An elder who never visits despite your clear need. A

them into a monster. Don’t take the most cynical view of everything they’ve ever done and said. And don’t let one or two friends’ wounds blot out all the blessings that are in your life, or indulge the notion that the whole world is against you. I often find that when I start to feel sorry for myself, the Lord immediately ‘reminds’ me of many kindnesses — a sort of antidote. Finally, don’t let your heart be hardened. Disappointment can calcify into bitterness almost immediately. Pray against it. I don’t know the exact statistic of those who have consciously prayed against bitterness who have then been saved from it, but I’m going to guess it’s a good 100% more than those who haven’t. You know what you’ve got to do, don’t you? Pray for the people who hurt you. This may take some time. Pray for them if they’re children of God, that they would be reconciled to you. Pray for them if they aren’t, that they would be reconciled to Christ.

WHEN THE WORLD LETS YOU DOWN DAYSPRING MACLEOD talks about getting past disappointment and resting in God’s faithfulness child who announces ‘I hate you.’ An injustice in the workplace. You’re in the right, but no one seems to be on your side. Or you’re in the wrong and you know it, but everyone seems more interested in judging than restoring you. How do you keep going when your faith in people is shaken? The first thing is to know that everyone will disappoint you. If you know anyone on earth well enough, you will see their failings. You will be hurt. You will wonder if it’s possible to go back to the relationship you had — or even if you want to. And the equally important converse is that you will disappoint everyone. Seriously. Take a minute to remember the times you’ve let people down. The hurtful words, the friends you’ve gradually dropped, the encouragement you never gave. And remember that these past sins, if confessed, are dead and buried with Christ. The grace you’ve been given is your greatest motive for the grace you need to give. You have to forgive because all people are sinful. If you hold offenses against everyone who sins against you, you will soon have no one left. Second, don’t make the problem bigger than it is. It’s human nature: if you’re feeling upset and shaken, you naturally want to believe the person who hurt you to be as bad as possible. Don’t let yourself make

I’ve often heard it preached that, on the cross, Jesus was forsaken by the Father so that we would never have to be. This is undoubtedly true, but the theological truth of it doesn’t reach into my darker moments. I don’t always plumb the depths of Scripture well when I’m weary and heartsick! What I need to hear is just ‘You’re my child and I love you’ — an assurance of presence, acceptance, identity. A divine fatherly hug. So, if you’re going through a time of disappointment, let me point you toward the Father’s arms with a few short, memorable reminders of his love. • The Lord is on my side; I will not fear. Psalm 118:6a My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. Psalm 73:26 …in the shadow of your wings will I make my refuge, until these calamities have passed. Psalm 57:1b But I am poor and needy; yet the Lord thinks upon me. Psalm 40:17a

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

ne should not have favourites.

That may be true, but in our family of churches there are some which stand out for their collective winsomeness and witness in challenging contexts. One such congregation is Govanhill in Glasgow, where Kenny and Fiona Boyd and others have ministered for the best part of two decades. Govanhill is Scotland’s most culturally diverse area. A recent study revealed that within one section of 13 tenement flats there were 52 nationalities who spoke 32 languages. A walk round the area reveals sub-standard housing, the detritus of chaotic lives and evidence of a parallel economy which resembles mediaeval serfdom.

drank Kofola — try it, we think you will like it. Back at the church I was chastised for walking on the table. Who eats on a rug? The answer is that most people in the world don’t use a conventional table. The evening was designed to make us think. It did make me think and two things stayed with me. The cultures represented in Govanhill are highly communal and family links go deep. In South Asian communities there is the concept of wasta, which means that people will inevitably turn to the family or baradari before approaching any government agency for help. Roma communities are similar in that the clan is the most significant influence in their lives. The point? In our ignorance we forget how hard it is for people to leave

It makes you think about the need to be dissatisfied with anything less than the authentic shared life of the New Testament church...Life together costs but it also pays out. Fairness demands the telling of another story. It is demeaning to the community to portray it as dysfunctional and totally toxic. There is another Govanhill which prevails amidst the much-publicised negativity. Few places offer such variety for international cuisine. Bespoke shops offer colourful clothes. Traditional artisans ply their trade using ancient methods long-forgotten by most technophiles. Where else would you find tenements designed by Alexander ‘Greek’ Thomson? Govanhill Free Church has stood in Belleisle Street for the best part of a century. It has witnessed waves of immigration. First the Highlanders came, then the Irish, then the Jews, then the Italians, then the Pakistanis and now the Roma from Eastern Europe. In recent years the congregation have made real efforts to contextualise to enable them to reach the diverse population with the gospel. At the end of September, I had the opportunity to attend a ‘World on our Doorstep’ course run by the church. The purpose of the evening was to take us on tour around the area before enjoying dinner back at the church. All five senses were employed as we noted elements which we found different. We observed the specially widened pavements to cope with a life lived outside; many of us

THE RECORD

this powerful social dynamic to join a cause which consists of constantly attending meetings where the centrepiece is a man talking for a long time. It makes you think about the need to be dissatisfied with anything less than the authentic shared life of the New Testament church. Such language brings the hidden accusers out to say that we are downplaying preaching and order. By no means! We have simply gone soft on engaged and costly community. Life together costs but it also pays out. The second thing which stayed with me was the trainspotting comment. One of the speakers spoke of people who were into evangelism and mission being regarded as the ‘trainspotters’ of the church. You know the idea, a little bit odd and into minority subjects. Please don’t let mission be the preserve of the oddities of the church. Remember the words of Henry Martyn: ‘The spirit of Christ is the spirit of missions. The nearer we get to him, the more intensely missionary we become.’ The story of the Bible is mission. God had one Son: he was the mission and the missionary. We are ‘saved to serve’ and there is no greater act of service than speaking of Jesus. In that small, under-resourced but happy church in Govanhill my life experienced a little more change. •

NOVEMBER

Ceannard ar Slàinte (The Founder of our salvation) LE JANET NICPHÀIL

seann

tiomnadh

tiomnadh nuadh le chèile,

agus

Dh’ullaich an Cruthaidhear Maois anns an t-Seann Tiomnadh, agus dh’ullaich E Aon nas motha na Maois gu bhith na Cheannard air A shluagh, agus ‘ a stiùireas iad gu tèarainte, gun eagal is gun sgàth’. Is e Criosd Ceannard A shluaigh. Is e seo Slànaighear a dh’ fhuiling bàs do dhaoine peacach, ged nach robh peacadh Annsan. An uair a bhàsaich Criosd, reubadh brat-roinn an Teampaill o mhullach gu ìochdar, agus Criosd tro bhàs a’ fosgladh slighe d’ A shluagh; tha seo a’ cur nar cuimhne mar a dh’ fhosgail uisgeachan na Mara Ruaidh, agus mar a choisich Clann Israeil tromhpa, mar gum biodh air talamh tioram. Tha sinne air ar cur saor, nuair a tha an t-Slàinte a choisinn Criosd air a meas dhuinn, agus aig a’ cheann thall, thèid ar treòrachadh dhachaigh a Ghlòir. Is e seo tìr a tha làn de bheannachdan, ach tha beannachdan a’ ruighinn oirnn’ a-bhos an seo cuideachd. Tha cumhachd an t-Sàtain air a bhriseadh aig a’ Chrann Cheusaidh, agus nach e adhbhar taingealachd a tha seo? Cha bu chòir na th’air thoiseach oirnn’, mar shluagh Dhè, a bhith a’ cur eagal sam bith oirnn’, oir tha deagh làmh còmhla rinn air an t-slighe, gar gleidheadh agus gar stiùireadh, agus tha dachaigh iongantach Aige Fhèin air ullachachadh dhuinn, an-dèidh dhuinn an saoghal-sa fhàgail. Cha chaill sinne gu bràth ar Buachaille; is e a th’ann deagh cheannard nach leig gu bràth às A ghrèim. Cuidichidh E sinn tro gach cruadal, oir tha tuigs’ Aige-san air fulangas, mar nach eil aig Aon eile. B’ Esan Slànaighear a dh’ fhuiling am bàs, gus am biodh A shluagh Fhèin air an cur saor. Abair gràdh! San dà Thiomnadh tha aon sgeulachd, sluagh nan tràillean a’ faighinn fuasgladh. Ceannard a’ tighinn a stiùireas gu sàbhailt’ iad tro fhàsach le eagal agus iomadach gàbhadh. Tha sinn air ar stiùireadh le Ceannard ar Slàinte a dh’fhuiling na aonar air ar son mòran àmhghair. Dh’ fhosgail Esan dhuinn sligh’ air an imich sinn sàbhailt’ ’s e Glòir ar Ceann-uidhe- àit’ gun oidhch’ no nì sàraicht’. (B’e an t-Urramach Mark Macleòid a bha a’ searmonachadh agus tha sinn a’ toirt taing dha.) •

ag ìnnse dhuinn mu Phearsa agus Obair Chriosd. Anns an litir gu na h-Eabhraidhich anns an Tiomnadh Nuadh, lorgaidh sinn tòrr ìomhaigheachd bhon t-Seann Tiomnadh. Leughaidh sinn mu Àrd Shagart, am Pàillean agus an Teampall, agus seo gar teagasg mu Iosa Criosd, a bha ‘na Àrd-shagart tròcaireach agus dìleas ann an nithean a-thaobh Dhè.’ B’ Esan, ‘ Ceannard ar Slàinte a rinneadh foirfe tro fhulangais’. Tha an dealbh-sa air Saorsa a’cur nar cuimhne Saorsa Chlann Israeil, nuair a threòraicheadh iad a-mach à daorsa. Anns an t-Seann Tiomnadh, leughaidh sinn mu Chlann Israeil, a tha nan tràillean anns an Eiphit, ’s iad a’ glaodhaich a-mach ri Dia nan teinn, agus Esan gam freagairt agus a’ dèanamh ullachaidh dhaibh. Tha Maois air ullachadh gu bhith a’treòrachadh an t-sluaigh-sa tron Mhuir Ruadh, agus fadheòidh gu bhith gan toirt gu Tìr a’ Gheallaidh. Tha Criosd a’ tighinn gu bhith a’ treòrachadh A mhuinntir Fhèin tron fhàsach-sa, agus mu dheireadh thall, gu bhith gan toirt dhachaigh a Ghlòir. Tha sinne ann am braighdeanas aig a’ pheacadh, agus aig ar Nàmhaid an Diabhal, agus cuideachd aig eagal a’ bhàis. Airson gu feum ciont a bhith air a pheanasachadh, tha eagal oirnn’, oir an-dèidh a’ bhàis tha sìorraidheachd. Cuiridh seo uabhas oirnn’, ach nach prìseil an naidheachd gu bheil dòchas ann dhuinn?

2019

WWW.FREECHURCH.ORG

POETRY PAGE PSALM 88 — I CRY OUT DAY AND NIGHT BEFORE YOU A SONG. A PSALM OF THE SONS OF KORAH. O Lord, God of my salvation, I cry out day and night before you. Let my prayer come before you; incline your ear to my cry! For my soul is full of troubles, and my life draws near to Sheol. I am counted among those who go down to the pit; I am a man who has no strength, like one set loose among the dead, like the slain that lie in the grave, like those whom you remember no more, for they are cut off from your hand. You have put me in the depths of the pit, in the regions dark and deep. Your wrath lies heavy upon me, and you overwhelm me with all your waves. Selah

But I, O Lord, cry to you; in the morning my prayer comes before you. O Lord, why do you cast my soul away? Why do you hide your face from me? Afflicted and close to death from my youth up, I suffer your terrors; I am helpless. Your wrath has swept over me; your dreadful assaults destroy me. They surround me like a flood all day long; they close in on me together. You have caused my beloved and my friend to shun me; my companions have become darkness.

Psalm 88 was the text which underpinned the recent God and Depression conference held in Edinburgh. CH Spurgeon who, we understand, suffered with depression, remarks ‘if ever there was a song of sorrow and a psalm of sadness, this is one.’ The troubles faced by the psalmist are not stated, but they feel like expressions of God’s wrath. Most psalms of lament end on a confident note. Psalm 88 ends with ‘darkness’. Nevertheless, verses 6 and 14 reveal the psalmist’s confidence that God is sovereign, and as the power to bring relief. Despite the darkness, the psalmist is persistent in prayer. There is no alternative in times of trouble. •

THE RECORD

NOVEMBER

You have caused my companions to shun me; you have made me a horror to them. I am shut in so that I cannot escape; my eye grows dim through sorrow. Every day I call upon you, O Lord; I spread out my hands to you. Do you work wonders for the dead? Do the departed rise up to praise you? Selah Is your steadfast love declared in the grave, or your faithfulness in Abaddon? Are your wonders known in the darkness, or your righteousness in the land of forgetfulness?

TRY TABLETALK MAGAZINE FOR FREE For over forty years, Tabletalk magazine has helped growing Christians live biblically informed lives. Today, it is read in more than seventy-five countries around the world, including the United Kingdom. Each issue features a series of daily Bible studies, along with articles on a variety of biblical and theological topics from trusted pastors and teachers. Sign up for your free three-month trial at TryTabletalk.co.uk and discover why thousands of Christians read Tabletalk every day. You’ll also get access to TabletalkMagazine.co.uk, where you can read the current issue and explore our expanding library of back issues from your smartphone or tablet. “Tabletalk magazine exists to help establish us in the Word to deepen our understanding of God and apply this knowledge to our daily living.”

— R.C. Sproul

TryTabletalk.co.uk | (020) 3970 0398

Your no-risk trial includes three print issues delivered monthly and digital access to past issues. No credit card information required.

BY CATRIONA MURRAY

POST TENEBRAS LUX W

hile attending a local charity recently,

fundraiser one

dining companions leaned across to tell me about an article he’d just read, all about the scottish

"Examination of a Witch" (Painting by T H Matteson)

witch trials.

He was, in fact, the third person to mention it to me that day, and I was beginning to feel a little typecast. Living (alone, with my cats) in the village reputed to be the witchcraft capital of Lewis, and teaching folklore by day, I suppose I have invited this sort of thing upon myself. It piqued my curiosity enough to go and read the item for myself, and look at the accompanying map. This illustrated where trials had taken place, and I was intrigued to see two in Lewis. Clicking on these, I saw that they had taken place, three months apart, in 1631. The accused in the January trial was a sister of the woman subsequently tried in April. One was found guilty and put to death, the other escaped with her life merely because the evidence against her was insufficient. These must have been amongst some of the very last trials to take place for this purpose in Scotland, 1631 being at the very tail-end of the witch hunting hysteria that had rolled over the nation in waves and claimed the lives of many innocent people — three quarters of whom were women. The Western Isles escaped the worst excesses of this period for a number of reasons. However, there is something quite stark about reading the bald account of what happened to these

THE RECORD

two women. In both cases, the court commissioners were all Mackenzies — kinsmen of the Earl of Seaforth who owned Lewis at that time. You are reminded very sharply of the contrast between accused and accuser: one, the very lowest in society; the other, enjoying privilege and power beyond measure. So elevated, indeed, were these Mackenzie men, that they could subject women to this kind of horror, and yet have neither their impartiality nor their justice questioned. I see in it a great illustration of the difference between the justice of mankind, and the justice of God. Ours is a moveable feast, depending upon so many variables that it would make your head spin. What was once unlawful and even punishable by death is now not just permissible, but positively encouraged. Modern-day atheists have the audacity, in light of this, to accuse God of being ‘capricious’. God, though, is the same today as he has always been. He is unchanging in his nature, in his love and his mercy. What was an abhorrence to God in Eden is an abhorrence to him now. Many midwives were accused of witchcraft, and fell under suspicion of causing infants to die in the womb. This suspicion alone was enough to see many of them to the gallows, or the pyre. Yet, today, mankind has changed its mind again. Not only is the deliberate killing of unborn children a service offered by every modern health service in the world, but the witch finders now focus their attention, not

upon the abortionists, but on those of us who dare to question anyone’s right to remove a life. I have, in the course of ordinary conversation with reasonable and intelligent people, been made to feel like an anachronism for stating my opposition to it. ‘What’, they say, in horrified tones, ‘about women who fall pregnant as the result of an assault?’ I hardly know where to begin with that one. Only a world very far from God could imagine that one sin can be wiped out by committing another. Part of our problem as human beings is that we think that the default position, the natural order, is that things should go our way. We would choose no other path. So, when providence gives us something difficult to bear, we cannot simply try to overwrite that burden by doing what is wrong in the sight of God. It is not easy, but where is the promise that life would be easy? Sometimes we can control little about our own circumstances, other than the way in which we respond. The answer lies in our relationship with God, our acceptance that he is sovereign, and that he alone has power over life and death. In order to reach that point, however, humanity has to give up its thirst for the knowledge of good and evil, its age-old desire to be God. Instead of being content with the most sublime of all mercies — to know God and to say then with the psalmist, ‘who is like you, Lord?’•

NOVEMBER