Issuu

THE

RECORD

MONTHLY MAGAZINE OF THE FREE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND DECEMBER 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.

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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

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Cover: Photo by Jon Tyson on Unsplash

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

CONTENTS

WELCOME TO THE DECEMBER RECORD

t’s icy here in the ochil hills.

Winter has come and 2019 is drawing inexorably to a close. What kind of year has it been? Living and working in Scotland, it is tempting to think that not much has changed. We have a new Prime Minister, but still no conclusion on Brexit, the public policy question of the moment. We are about to elect a new Parliament, but even that may not break the deadlock. Polling expert Sir John Curtice has described the election as an ‘unpopularity contest’, with a hung Parliament or a small Conservative majority the two most likely results. We are also told that church attendance around the country continues its downward trend. The latest British Social Attitudes survey showed that more than half of people say they do not belong to any religion while 38% identify themselves as Christians. The data also suggest that young people are less religious than their parents. So there remains work for us to do here. Yet, looking beyond these shores, the sown seed of the Gospel continues to produce a mighty crop. As we reported in October, the church is growing on every continent, with Africa leading the way. There are now 619 million Christians in Africa — an increase of more than 100 million in less than a decade. This is not without challenges. Moses Owojaiye, CEO of the Centre for Biblical Christianity in Africa, has written about the threat of the prosperity gospel to the church across Africa — later in this edition, Dr Jack Whytock of Dumisani addresses the challenge. There is also much to be encouraged about here. Stirling Free Church have outgrown their premises, Women for Mission continue to advance the Gospel’s reach and Jesus remains the Saviour at whose name every knee will bow. As we rejoice that he made his dwelling among us, we will keep praying that his will be done, and continue to enjoy the sight of his work being accomplished.• 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.

REFORMING CHRISTMAS The Editor

WORLD NEWS UK, Cuba, Iran, Bangladesh, South Africa, Mozambique, New Zealand

BALM OF GILEAD VACCINATION SCEPTICS PART 03 Anonymous

PRAYER DIARY

FREE CHURCH NEWS South Uist and Benbecula Induction, The Gathering, Love Matters, New Stirling Free Church Premises, Loving and Serving in Govan.

WOMEN FOR MISSION WESTERN ISLES Anne-Etta Macleod

CAN WE BE GOOD WITHOUT GOD? Stephen Allison

GLOBAL CHALLENGES FACING CHRISTIANITY: THE PROSPERITY GOSPEL Jack C Whytock

CHRISTMAS IS A TIME OF WONDER Roddie Rankin

ETS NEWS Thomas Davis

OBITUARIES

WHY DID GOD RAISE JESUS FROM DEATH? Iain Gill

BOOK REVIEWS

DEEP-DOWN CONTENTMENT Dayspring MacLeod

MISSION MATTERS David Meredith

FIALAIDHEACHD AN ATHAR Janet MacPhail

POETRY PAGE Joseph Hart

POST TENEBRAS LUX Catriona Murray

Yours in Christ John

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

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FREE CHURCH NEWS SOUTH UIST AND BENBECULA INDUCTION

n tuesday 8th october 2019, the presbytery of the western isles met in balivanich hall for the ordination and induction of the rev. thomas penman to the pastoral charge of south uist and

benbecula free church.

The moderator of presbytery, the Rev. James MacIver, minister of Stornoway Free Church, led the service of worship, taking as his focus the words of Psalm 117. Mr. MacIver explained at the outset that this short psalm packs a big punch. He proceeded to explain that the love of God is evident in the Old Testament, and that all people everywhere are called to praise God — a God whose love is steadfast and whose faithfulness endures for ever. After the singing of some verses from Psalm 36 led by the Rev. Lachie Macdonald, and the completion of the necessary formalities, Mr. Penman was ordained and inducted to the ministry. Given the inclement weather in the lead up to the induction, the Rev. Calum Smith, minister of our sister congregation in North Uist, aptly applied that analogy and, referring to Psalm 46, advised Mr. Penman to expect stormy patches, periods of beautiful calm, but also some very ordinary days. Rev. David Macleod, who served as interim-moderator in the vacancy, based his address to the congregation on three scripture verses that had significance in the vacancy. He paid tribute to the congregation’s vision, instructed them to prayerfully expect growth and advised them to allow their minister time to sit at the feet of Jesus. Following the service and the customary presentations, the congregation enjoyed a time of warm fellowship with old and new friends, tasty treats served by Stepping Stone Restaurant, and fitting and well-crafted speeches from Mr. Penman and from three of his friends in the ministry: the Rev. Robin Gray, the Rev. John Johnstone and the Rev. Benjamin Wilks. We commit Tom, Mhairi and their delightful little daughter, Deborah, to God in prayer, asking that He will supply all their needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus. •

THE GATHERING BY IVOR MACDONALD

ach spring for the last two years, kilmuir, in the

Highland croft. For some working with livestock and the land is old, familiar territory. For many, however, being present when a lamb enters the light of day, shaking and sneezing, is a moment of breath-taking beauty that makes the heart soar in awe and wonder of the Creator. Each morning we celebrate the joy of working together and learning about the gift of land. The second is to enable each individual to grow in their Christian discipleship. Each evening we have a time of worship and training. Training subjects for the future include one to one evangelism and handling the

beautiful isle of skye, has been the base for an experience we call “the gathering” The Gathering

aims to gather around 15 young Christians, mainly but not exclusively from the Free Church and see how God blesses us as we live in community for 5 days or so. The Gathering doesn’t fall neatly into any category. It’s not Boot Camp, holiday or mission trip although it does have elements of each. In fact the Gathering has three aims. The first is to give an exposure to spring work on a

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doctrine of sonship. These times are the focal point of our discipleship, but discipleship carries on throughout the day. We believe that shared work and shared fun should be offered up as worship and that some of the best discussion of Christian teaching takes place informally, in the car, walking along the road, working in the field. The third aim is to be a blessing to the local church and community. The local Free Church congregation have been very kind to us — providing the manse as accommodation in time of vacancy. We want to encourage them by being present at the prayer meeting, Sunday services and bringing the kind of practical help that a group of young people can offer. This year we joined in a community litter pick on one of the beaches. All of this is laced together with a lot of enjoyment. Afternoons are given over to seeing some of the sights of Skye. With the Quirang around the corner and the sea eagle soaring overhead you don’t need to travel far in order to stand in awe of God’s handiwork. What might a typical day look like? Early morning lambing checks for the very keen! Breakfast plus morning devotions Work on the croft Lunch Explore the island/activity or chill time Dinner Worship/training/prayer time Supper/chill

Some quotes Gatherings:

from

past

“it was great to really be in community together throughout the whole week sharing meals together, working on the croft, touring the island worshipping, discussing the Bible, having impromptu times of prayer and testimony late into the night and just enjoying God’s creation together.” “the most memorable incident when touring was when Emily was scrambling the rocky Quirang in a pair of pink brogues. This girl always looks good!” “Hearing the psalms sung in Gaelic for the first time was beautiful and having a time of fellowship with our brothers and sisters in church was a treasured memory.”

The Gathering is open to all young people 16 to 30 and there is no cost apart from a share of transport costs and food costs. Next year’s dates are April 14th to 20th 2020. To enquire or book your place get in touch with Ivor MacDonald on ivormacdonald@btinternet.com or 07794441995 •

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OH LITTLE TOWN OF BETHLEHEM,

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HOW STILL WE SEE THEE LIE.

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RODDIE RANKIN reflects on the marvellous truth of the incarnation.

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It is easier for a reindeer to pass through Santa’s buttonhole than for a cynic to behold with childlike eyes the holy wonder of Christ’s birth.

O wonder most inscrutable, That human tongue can name, The God of all eternity A suckling child became! Dugald Buchanan, 1753

Later, to the infant Christ those emissaries come, finding the place. It was, you may say, satisfactory. They present their gifts. And leave. The holy family leave too. God’s Son, like his people, must be called out of Egypt. Was ever a story told like that? Let sceptics stumble, but this is the record of carefully-researched history. As John says, he came by water and blood.02 The amniotic sac broke, the umbilical cord was cut and the Son of Mary, of David and of God took his place in history, resetting the date and redeeming the world. John lifts the nativity to a higher sphere in the fourth gospel: The Word became flesh and pitched up in our midst.03 It’s Christmas, but not as we usually tell it. The Word precedes the world. The Word is with God and the Word is God. He belongs not with creation but with the Creator.04 As the Creator. For small human brains, these are mysteries to accept, not explain. Nothing in the creation is like the Word. He is not made as we are. He is not made at all. John says he is the one and only Son who is in the Father’s bosom.05 Yet, in Bethlehem he is revealed as embodied: flesh, meat, solid and substantial, bawling for his first feed. With which wonder shall we begin? Is it that God, who is Spirit, made a physical universe? What leap of imagination did that require? What novelty of thought? Or is it then that God the Son joined with that material world, taking into his person a real, human body and mind? That deed, that verity is so shocking to many that it has often been denied. Acceptance of it is a hallmark of godly faith: every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God.06 The Docetists, who arose when the eyewitnesses had all passed on, claimed that, for propriety’s sake, holy divinity would not touch corrupted flesh; Christ only seemed a man. The disciples would beg to differ, to whom he said touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have.07 We understand their concern for propriety. We too resist the washing of our dirty feet by our holy Lord. So, marvel at how close he comes to the dirt without becoming dirty; to being a sinner without any sin of his own. He was born in the likeness of sinful flesh.08 In that flesh he is tempted in every way, just as we are – yet he did not sin.09 We, whose wills often lie broken under temptation’s feet, ask how Christ’s spotlessness is possible? It is the greatest wonder in all of God’s works. Our tongues, which are guilty, must worship the Lord; our hearts, hung in shame, must rise to adore. He is holy, innocent, unstained, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens.10 Yet he is not super-human. It is a mistake to imagine the embodied mind of Jesus somehow melded with the >>

or me as a child, the wonder of christmas was felt when kneeling at the foot of our tree in a darkened

room. Magical shafts of fairy light played among the strands of shimmering tinsel, scattering coruscating constellations of colour. It was the wonder of dancing baubles and mysterious parcels gaily wrapped. It was whispered secrets, and bright revelations of coveted gifts to joyous hearts. It was the knowledge that behind the festive scenes lay the hidden workings of a jolly being and his helpers. It is no surprise that as adults we seek to recapture that wonder in the annual rituals, enduring the stress, expense and inevitable anticlimax in the hope that we might but touch the hem of Saint Nicholas’ garment. We are addicts, pursuing the illusion that this will be the Christmas to finally relieve our cravings, while we strive to forget the cold turkey that inevitably awaits! Disappointment fosters cynicism. And it is easier for a reindeer to pass through Santa’s buttonhole than for a cynic to behold with childlike eyes the holy wonder of Christ’s birth. But praise God! What is impossible with man is possible with God.01 Our true encounter with the transcendent wonder of Christmas begins in the first three gospels. We watch wide-eyed as the long-planned, much-foretold story develops. None other than Immanuel comes! The Father’s time is now. Breathless angels receive his announcement and tell first a peasant virgin. God’s Son is uniting with his creation in her womb! Sweet is her submission, great is her faith. Her cousin’s miraculous conception confirms the gift. The humble shall be exalted; the hungry filled. Just in time the angels tell Joseph. They add a detail long overlooked: it will be from sin that the Child will save, not from the Romans. Their empire is God’s servant, now moved to count men so that the God-Man may be born in the place God said. And he is. Mary wraps her firstborn and lays him in the hay. In the East a sign is kindled in the night. Star-gazing ambassadors begin a journey. Irrepressible angels spill glad tidings before astonished shepherds. In turn they too cannot be silent: the foolish, weak, lowly and despised become unlikely heralds for the greatest of news. Soon the temple throng chimes out the glory-words of Simeon.

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