The Record - October/November 2022 by Free Church of Scotland

THE

RECORD

MONTHLY MAGAZINE OF THE FREE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2022 • £2.00

Interim Editor • Sarah Robinson The Editor, Free Church Offices, 15 North Bank Street, The Mound, Edinburgh, EH1 2LS editor@freechurch.org

Mission News • David Meredith Free Church Offices, 15 North Bank Street, Edinburgh, EH1 2LS mission@freechurch.org

Remember our military with SASRA’s 11days

WfM Editor • Fiona Macaskill 8 Campsie Drive, Glasgow, G61 3HY rfmacaskill@me.com Gaelic Editor • Janet MacPhail 24 North Bragar, Isle of Lewis, HS2 9DA 01851 710354 Seminary News • William Mackenzie Edinburgh Theological Seminary, 15 North Bank Street, Edinburgh EH1 2LS offices@ets.ac.uk

Find out more:

Prayer Diary • Shona McGuire seonaid1954@hotmail.co.uk

sasra.org.uk/remembrance

Design & Layout • Fin Macrae @DUFI Art www.dufi-art.com The Record • ISSN 2042-2970 Published • The Record is produced by The Free Church of Scotland, Free Church Offices, 15 North Bank Street, The Mound, Edinburgh, EH1 2LS 0131 226 5286 offices@freechurch.org

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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 Photoholgic on Unsplash

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

CONTENTS

WELCOME TO THE OCTOBER/NOVEMBER RECORD

elcome to the latest edition of the record.

04 THE HEART OF A GREAT THEOLOGIAN Thomas Davies

This month’s edition contains insightful articles, the latest updates on church news, a look at world news, and includes feature pieces about the late Queen Elizabeth II, who passed away last month at the age of 96. Do look out for the editorial piece by Rev Thomas Davis, of Carloway Free Church. He explores what we can learn from the late Scottish theologian William Cunningham. Thomas has delved into thoughts around the importance of theology, saying: ‘Theology is cultivating a relationship with God, a relationship that is rooted in love towards God and delight in the truth that God has revealed in his word.’ The edition also features updates about the ordinations of Rev Geoff Murray and Rev Will Lind. Look out for details about upcoming events including the Generation Vision Day on Saturday 19th November and the Free Church of Scotland Day of Prayer on Wednesday 30th November. You may have noticed that this edition covers October and November. As we have still not been able to appoint an editor to take over the role, and I have taken it up on an interim basis, we will be running a joint October/November edition and a joint December/January edition. The situation will be reviewed in the New Year. For anyone who has taken out a subscription for The Record, it means that your subscription time will in effect be extended as the editions will be published over a longer period of time. Do pray and be on the lookout for a new editor for this role. The Record cannot continue without an editor in place, so do get in touch if you’re interested in the role or know someone who is. The Record has been an essential part of communications within the Free Church since 1843, and we would like it to continue to encourage the church and the wider community. If you would like to send in your church news or letters for the next edition, please do so by emailing editor@freechurch.org • Yours in Christ Sarah Robinson

That in all things he might have the pre-eminence Colossians 1:18 2022

HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN ELIZABETH II & PAGES FROM THE ARCHIVES

FREE CHURCH NEWS

WORLD NEWS U.K., U.S.A., Mozambique, Cameroon, China

ETS- PROFESSOR ANDREW WALLS AND ‘THE EPHESIAN MOMENT’ Alistair I Wilson

TRAINING FOR MINISTRY IN THE FREE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND Sarah Robinson

SIMON PETER Donald Mackay

A HEALTHY GOSPEL CHURCH... IS A NEW TESTAMENT CHURCH Callum Macleod

PAGES FROM ADAM'S DIARY: THE WEDDING GIFT

DONALD MACCRIMMON MACKAY: SCIENTIST, PHILOSOPHER, APOLOGIST (PART II) George M. Coghill

FOOD FOR FELLOWSHIP

WfM UPDATE Fiona Macaskill

OBITUARIES: IAN R MACLEOD, JOHN MACKENZIE

BOOK REVIEWS

MISSION MATTERS David Meredith

POETRY PAGE William Langland

PRAYER DIARY

COSAMHLACHD AN T`SIOLADAIR Duncan Macleod

40 POST TENEBRAS LUX Catriona Murray

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saying: 'We are all profoundly thankful for all the years and the health that the Lord has given to her. She has given stability to this nation and over the many decades that she has been in place, and particularly during the last two years.' Following her death, fourteen Church leaders, including Rev Iver Martin, who make up the Scottish Church Leaders’ Forum issued a statement on the death of Her Majesty the Queen. They said: 'We join with the Nation in offering our thanks to God for the life of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth and for her faithful service as Sovereign throughout these last 70 years. We give thanks for her evident Christian faith and recall that in her first Christmas broadcast as Queen in 1952 she asked us to pray for her ‘that God may give me wisdom and strength to carry out the solemn promises that I shall be making, and that I may faithfully serve Him and you, all the days of my life.’ In her faithful service of God and of the Nation she has surely fulfilled the promises that she made. 'We join with people of good faith everywhere in offering our prayers for His Majesty King Charles III and the Royal Family at this time.' As Her Majesty passed away at her home in Balmoral, she was transported to Edinburgh before being taken to London for the state funeral. Former Free Church of Scotland Moderator Rev Neil MacMillan was invited to the Service of Reflection in St Giles’ Cathedral. He offered his sincere condolences to His Majesty King Charles III and signed the book of condolence on behalf of the Church. The passing of the Queen has been marked in different ways by churches, including holding a minute’s silence, prayer and inviting people to come together to watch the Queen’s funeral in churches. See more in the Mission Matters piece on page36. •

ributes have been paid to the late queen elizabeth ii for her 'faithful service' following her death at the age of 96.

A number of tributes and acts of remembrance have been carried out by those in the Free Church of Scotland to pay their respects to Her Majesty the Queen, who was the UK’s longest-serving monarch. Free Church Moderator Rev Iver Martin has given thanks to God for Her Majesty and has reflected on her life of public service, saying: 'Her Majesty’s 70-year reign has been characterised by continuous and wholehearted commitment to what she believed was her God-given position as sovereign over the United Kingdom. 'We are deeply thankful for her many years of service and the important principles she stood for, most notably her personal faith in Jesus Christ, which was made evident in her consistent conduct and regular broadcasts. 'The Free Church wishes to extend its deepest and prayerful sympathy to the Royal Family: His Majesty King Charles III, their Royal Highnesses Anne, Andrew and Edward, together with their spouses, children and grandchildren.' Her Majesty the Queen was committed to the relationship between Church and State. Her first visit to the General Assembly of the Free Church of Scotland was in 1969 when she visited with her husband Prince Philip. Each year since she has appointed a Lord High Commissioner as her representative. These have included senior Royals such as His Majesty King Charles III, Princess Anne and Prince William. During the visit by the Lord High Commissioner, The Right Honourable Lord (Patrick) Hodge, to the General Assembly this year, Free Church Moderator Rev Iver Martin spoke about Her Majesty, the Queen,

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Photo by Alessia Pierdomenico on Shutterstock

HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN ELIZABETH II 1926-2022

FROM THE ARCHIVES

THE RECORD JUNE 1969

standing ovation given to Her Majesty at the close of the address could have left her in no doubt as to the place she occupies in Free Church hearts. Little Alison Urquhart, who represented the Assembly in presenting the Queen with a bouquet of flowers, did her part gracefully and naturally, and, indeed, for a few moments, completely stole the show!

THE QUEEN’S VISIT The visit of Her Majesty the Queen and His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh on the last day of the Assembly was a much appreciated event and the Assembly Hall was packed to the rafters for the occasion. The Secretary of State for Scotland, Mr William Ross, accompanied them as Purse-Bearer. We reproduce the Queen’s address and the Moderator’s reply in full in this issue, together with one or two pictures which may help our readers to catch something of the spirit of the event. The

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THE ROYAL VISIT There was an Order of the Day at 11 o’clock to receive Her Majesty the Queen, who was accompanied by her consort, H.R.H. Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. Welcoming Her Majesty, the Moderator said:

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SIMON PETER imon, son of john and brother of andrew, was

Simon’s life was changed. He was one of the band of Jesus’ disciples, travelling where he travelled, drinking in his teaching, witnessing his mighty works of healing and mastery over nature, even going out himself to teach and to heal. He found himself one of a privileged group of three who were drawn into closer fellowship with the Master. Was it this perhaps that set up the petty jealousies and strivings for position which disfigured the fellowship, and gave rise to the insistent teaching of Jesus that the constant aim of the disciple should be to seek out the lowliest place? But the ebullient Simon was always to the fore in professions of loyalty and devotion – which were sincerely meant but founded on a woeful ignorance of his own heart. He was given privileges of an exceptional kind: invited to walk on water, promised the keys of the kingdom of heaven, given a vision of the transfigured Jesus – and in each case he stumbled. Like the rest of the disciples, he could not accept that the path to glory led through the cross; and, like them, at the critical moment he forsook his Lord and fled. But, worst of all, he disowned him – three times over. What was to be done for a renegade like Simon? In despair, after his threefold denial, he suffered even deeper trauma after the news of his Master’s death sank in. Then came the breathless Mary Magdalene, with a garbled tale of an empty tomb. Simon rushed to look, along with his younger cousin John, went into the tomb, saw the scattered graveclothes, but could make nothing of it. It took the appearance of the risen Christ to convince Simon that it had really happened, and a personal visit by the Lord to convince him that he was

one of jesus’ first disciples.

He was a fisherman, a native of Bethsaida, a town on the north shore of the Sea of Galilee and adjacent to Capernaum. But he first met Jesus near the Dead Sea, where John the Baptist had gathered a group of disciples, among whom was Andrew. Andrew introduced him to Jesus, who at once conferred on him the title of Cephas, meaning a rock (petros in Greek). Back in Galilee, Simon and Andrew were washing their nets after a fruitless nights’ fishing on the lake. Jesus was there too, talking to the bystanders who were crowding around him. He called to Simon: ‘Will you lend me your boat for a while, so I can stand offshore and speak to the people?’ Simon was only too willing, and the teaching went ahead. But he was not prepared for the next question: ‘Simon, will you put out into deep water and try for a catch?’ Simon was an experienced fisherman, and knew that if there was no catch during the night there was no point in trying again in the morning. ‘But, Master’, he said, ‘since you say so, I will let down my nets.’ He did so, and now the nets were full to bursting, so that it took all the strength of the two brothers and their partners, the sons of Zebedee, to get them ashore. Simon’s reaction to the event was dramatic. Far from clapping his hands with joy, he fell to his knees at Jesus’ feet, conscious not only of the Master’s awesome power but of his awesome holiness, showing up Simon’s own ugly imperfection. This response was typical of the man: immediate, passionate, extreme. Obviously, it delighted the heart of Jesus. This was the kind of follower he was looking for.

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"Saint Peter", c. 1616/1618, Sir Peter Paul Rubens (1577-1640), National Gallery of Art, Washington D.C.

BY DONALD MACKAY

forgiven. That, he wrote later, was for him a new birth from the dead. Once more in Galilee, at the Lord’s command, Simon and the others were at a loss what to do and decided to go fishing. They caught nothing and were on the point of landing when they heard a voice call out from the shore: ‘Let down your nets on the other side of the boat, and you’ll get something.’ They complied, and Simon instinctively knew who was speaking. He jumped out of the boat and rushed to meet Jesus. Meanwhile, the others were labouring to haul the nets ashore, laden with 153 fish. Jesus already had breakfast ready for them. During breakfast, Jesus asked three times: ‘Simon, do you love me?’ Simon was deeply wounded by the question, but was able to answer: ‘Lord, you know that I love you.’ Jesus then ordered him: ‘Feed my sheep.’ He went on to tell Simon that he was destined, like his Master, to be crucified. After Jesus’ ascension the disciples were gathered together in Jerusalem, in prayer for direction as to their future. Simon (now adopting his soubriquet Peter) took charge of the meeting and arranged for an election to fill the vacancy among the twelve apostles caused by Judas’ defection and death. They continued in prayer until the day of Pentecost, when in spectacular fashion the Holy Spirit descended on the gathering, causing them to testify to the resurrection in a variety of languages. This drew a crowd - some curious, some mocking, most simply baffled. Peter, now a new man filled with the Spirit, stood up and addressed the mob in a masterly review of the prophetic scriptures, culminating in the resounding words: ‘Let all Israel know that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ!’ At this, the crowd were, as Luke tells us, ‘cut to the heart’, and 3,000 responded to Peter’s appeal for repentance and baptism in the name of Jesus Christ. This was the beginning of the Christian church - a movement marked by intense spiritual energy, signs and wonders, and a display of Christian communism. The movement gathered strength after Peter performed a miracle, the healing of a cripple who had been a familiar sight begging at the temple gate. His ecstatic dance after his cure attracted another big crowd, whom Peter addressed with another Gospel exposition of the Old Testament scriptures. The number of those adhering to the new faith now rose to over 5,000. At this point the authorities closed in, arrested Peter and John, brought them before the high priest, and questioned them closely. The eloquence of Peter in reply – in their eyes a country bumpkin and an ignoramus – knocked them back. And because the formerly crippled man was standing beside the apostles, there was no denying the miracle that had been wrought. Released without charge, but against a background of threats if they ever again dared to preach the resurrection of Jesus, Peter returned to the group of disciples. They raised their voice in prayer and received a fresh visitation of the Spirit. They shared their

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possessions and, from time to time, a member of the group would sell property so that the needs of the most impoverished would be met. But a couple who did this concealed the fact that they were holding back some of the sale proceeds for themselves. Peter, informed by the Spirit, denounced them publicly and they both fell dead, inducing great awe among the company. Persecution resumed, and Peter was hauled before the Sanhedrin and flogged. Later, Herod Antipas, hoping to gain favour with the Jews, had James executed and seized Peter with a view to putting him on public trial. However, after an angelic visitation, Peter was miraculously released. Peter now appears as a superintending elder, travelling through Palestine and encouraging the brethren. He witnessed revivals in Samaria and Lydda, and at Jaffa he restored a dead woman to life, occasioning a revival there. While in Jaffa, he was urgently called to Caesarea at the behest of a Roman centurion who was a God-fearer. While there, Peter had a vision designed to show him that the Gospel was for Gentiles as well as Jews. To confirm this the Spirit, along with the gift of tongues, was conferred upon a group of Gentiles, who were at once baptised as believers. This event, and others like it, caused consternation in the Jerusalem church, which had considered that the only basis on which a non-Jew could become a believer was as a circumcised proselyte. An assembly of the church was called, at which Peter gave testimony to his experience at Caesarea and his conviction that the grace of Jesus Christ was for all peoples. And so, the church opened its doors to the Gentiles. That, however, was not quite the end of the story so far as Peter was concerned. Consciousness of racial privilege died hard in the Jewish psyche. In Antioch, Peter had cast aside his Jewish distinctiveness and was willing to live like a Gentile, and share meals with Gentiles. But, when some Judais ers came from Jerusalem, he took fright and crawled back into his Jewish shell, infecting others as well. So, Paul tells us in his letter to the Galatians, he had to rebuke Peter publicly to make him come to his senses. As a working arrangement, nevertheless, it was agreed between them that Paul would evangelise the Gentiles, while Peter’s ministry should focus on the Jewish diaspora. And what a ministry it was! Paul well remembered the command of his Master to feed the lambs and to strengthen the brethren. He appears to have travelled the length of Asia Minor, mainly on foot, and according to tradition he ended up in Rome, a victim of Nero on a martyr’s cross. His letters are full of warm encouragement and hope, especially for those enduring persecution for the faith. And it is clear that his devotion to the Master had declined not a whit since he made his first commitment on the shore of Galilee. • Donald Mackay is a member of Knox Free Church, Perth.

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FOOD FOR FELLOWSHIP Tell us about yourself My name is Ivanna Yap and I was born in Malaysia. I came to Scotland in 2014 to study Dentistry at the University of Dundee, and I graduated in 2019. I now work as an associate dentist in Aberdeen and have settled into the church family at Bon Accord Free Church. What’s your favourite recipe and why? I would say I don’t really have a favourite recipe as I generally do love food! However, I chose to write this chicken recipe for a Women for Mission fundraising event that we had in church. This is a good one as it is one that is easy to follow, simple, healthy and tasty! Also, it was one of the few favourite foods that my brothers and I loved eating when we were growing up. It is still today a comfort food that I will crave every now and again. I wrote and personalised this recipe exclusively for our Bon Accord Cook-A-Long Fundraiser, held on 27th March 2021 over lockdown (a great fundraising idea!) What I normally do with food is consult at least two or three recipes online, and then start amending it to my own convenience. It was the same for this chicken and rice recipe. I consulted at least two recipes on the internet; search ‘Hainanese Chicken Rice by Tasty’ and ‘Singapore Chicken Rice by Allrecipes’ and you will find another version of this. There are lots of options! How does food play into fellowship in your church? I would say it is essential! Be it just small tray bakes, sweet treats, or main meals, food is very important to us as believers in fellowship. Fellowship often happens so naturally over food! To name a few off an unending list: teas and coffee after church, student lunches, eating out together as a church social event, or meeting in people’s homes. I can’t imagine fellowship without food. It’s such an amazing and easy way to get to know new people and other brothers and sisters in Christ.

What kind of things has being in fellowship taught you about the Lord? That we are one body united in Christ. We break bread and eat together at the Lord’s table. Also, in the book of Acts, in the early days, believers gathered frequently, broke bread and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favour of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved. Praise God for food, fellowship and His saving grace! •

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Ingredients: • Chicken Thighs or breasts (approx 1 per person) • Ginger • Garlic • Sesame oil • Rice, long grain or basmati (1 cup per person) • Salt and pepper • Chicken stock (1 cup per person + 1/2 a cup) • Soy sauce • Sugar

Homemade Chilli Sauce Shopping List • 1 tbsp of lime juice • 2 tbsp of chicken stock • 2 tbsp of sugar • 4 tbsp of sriracha chilli sauce • 1 tbsp/ 4 cloves of garlic • 1 tbsp/ i inch of ginger Instructions • Mince/chop the garlic and ginger. • Mix all ingredients together and combine.

Optional Ingredients: • Coriander/cilantro leaves or cucumber (for garnish) • Sriracha sauce (or homemade chilli sauce) • A lime or lime juice (for the chilli sauce) • Side vegetables Prepare the chicken Season the chicken with 2 tsp of salt, 1 tsp of black pepper, 1 tsp of soy sauce and 2 tsp of sesame oil in a bowl. Leave to marinate for at least 2 hours or overnight in the fridge. Prepare your rice (15 minutes before) • Place the rice in a large bowl and fill with water. • Use your hands to move the water around till the water turns cloudy. Then tilt the bowl and drain the water. • Repeat 2-3 times till the water becomes less cloudy. • Drain and set aside. Cook the chicken • Place a large, deep pan over a medium heat. • Add a splash of cooking oil and add the chicken (skin side down if using thighs) • Allow the chicken to brown for 5-7 minutes on its side, until deep golden brown. • Carefully turn over and cook for another 5 minutes. • Remove the chicken from the pan and set aside. Cook the rice • In the same pan, heat 2tbsp of cooking oil over a medium-high heat. • Add 3 cloves of minced/chopped garlic and an inch/1 tbsp of chopped ginger and fry until aromatic. • Add in the drained rice and stir to coat with the oil, ginger and garlic. • Allow it to cook for a minute whilst adding 1/2 tsp of sesame oil and mixing. • Add in your chicken stock and bring to the boil. • Once boiled, turn the heat down to low. (If you are using brown rice, add an extra 1/2 cup of chicken stock.) • Place the chicken on top of the rice and cover the pot. • Simmer for 15 minutes or until the water has been absorbed by the rice and the chicken is fully cooked. • Then remove from the heat and let sit (with the cover on) for 5-10 minutes. To Serve Scoop a helping of cooked rice onto a plate. Place cooked chicken on top. Garnish the plate with ingredients of your choice (e.g. cucumber, coriander/cilantro). Serve with your sauce (great for dipping on the side).Enjoy!

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