Dingwall Baptist Church ...well their building to be accurate!
A Non-Presbyterian Evangelical Church in the Highlands.
Tuesday, 5 September 2006
Dingwall Baptist Church
Dingwall Baptist Church ...well their building to be accurate!
A Non-Presbyterian Evangelical Church in the Highlands.
Mission for Scotland from Scotland ... the start
Scotland's mission awareness started in 1790 but was developed greatly during the 19th century. That century was dominated by the Westminster Confession and its emphasis on the doctrine of election by the Moderates. It was the preaching of the evangelicals towards conversions that accelerated mission. As far away as New Zealand and the American Indians people heard of the God who had provided Jesus Christ as the Redeemer. There was also a need to tackle the Paganism in the African and Indian countries. When Missionary Societies were formed during this period they initially got a poor reception in Scotland.
In 1804 the British and Foreign Bible Society was formed and in 1805 the Glasgow Bible Society followed in 1807 by Port Glasgow and Greenock. It was in 1809 that the Scottish Bible Society was formed by founding Church of Scotland ministers in Edinburgh. During that same year the Edinburgh Bible Society was instigated by minority churches. Missionary Society work was focussed in countries less hostile like Jamaica. Workers were paid little living expenses and encouraged to stay “single to save on costs!
It is only as we look back from our perspective that we see Britain's enthusiasm in mission and concern for the lost and its contradiction in encouraging slavery. Many names go down in history as forerunners in the spreading of the Gospel abroad, Livingstone, Slesser, Moffat, Mitchell, Savalle, and Duff. Duff requires specific mention.
Alexander Duff
It is only as we look back from our perspective that we see Britain's enthusiasm in mission and concern for the lost and its contradiction in encouraging slavery. Many names go down in history as forerunners in the spreading of the Gospel abroad, Livingstone, Slesser, Moffat, Mitchell, Savalle, and Duff. Duff requires specific mention.
Alexander Duff
Steve Irwin gone ....!
Sorry to hear of Steve's death. The man who wrestled with crocks is ironically killed by a fish. What he did have was tenacity for life, took plenty of risks.....but was extremely safety minded.
Saturday, 2 September 2006
Burgh /Anti-burgh
Burgh /Anti-burgh
In 1745 the seceders started to debate whether the burgess oath might be legitimate.
The oath was an acknowledgement of the true religion professed with in its realm. By 1747 they had split into burgh (for the oath) and anti-burgher. The anti burghers took the burghers to the church bar, and when they were never turning up they were in turn deposed and ex-communicated. In 1795 a large problem came to a head over subscription to the Westminster Confession.
In 1745 the seceders started to debate whether the burgess oath might be legitimate.
The oath was an acknowledgement of the true religion professed with in its realm. By 1747 they had split into burgh (for the oath) and anti-burgher. The anti burghers took the burghers to the church bar, and when they were never turning up they were in turn deposed and ex-communicated. In 1795 a large problem came to a head over subscription to the Westminster Confession.
Westminster Confession
While most independent churches would avoid confessions, creeds or formal documents as to the basis for constituting a church within the Church of Scotland and future Presbyterian splits leaders over the years struggled with the need of a defending statement that would stand the test of time and accommodate modern change yet not dilute the basis of the church and the truth. An "Athenian Creed" was offered by John Witherspoon to stop the easy-going way of the moderates in the church. This document had a feel of Deism and this may have annoyed the moderates (Deism- God created the earth but does not intervene in the course of nature and human affairs.), especially when Deism does not recognise miracles. The moderates were unable to write a distinct theology because they were bound by the Westminster confession (They could not publicly denounce it).
In 1766 Alexander Ferguson of Kilwinning in a "Scots magazine" article maintained that no church had a right to impose a detailed confession except in so far as it could be justified by scripture. Subscription to the confession therefore, at that time, must be made not that it is absolutely true but only in as far as it is scriptural.
Ferguson was making steps for a more liberal theology but with important grounded Christian doctrine. This was a step more spiritual than parliament had anticipated. It had enacted the confession only for a test of Presbyterian conformity. Twenty years later Dr William Gill took the process further by using fresh language to highlight doctrine in "A practical essay on the death of Christ".
The outcome was a polarisation of Moderates on the one hand teaching tolerance and good conduct as needful more than precise theology- all this as the age of Enlightenment dawned.
The rest supported by David Hume who saw the Moderates theology as weak and dependent on miracles. Hume was from a classical education and relied on those classics as his basis for thought. Although brought up in the same geographical area of Edinburgh as Ebenezer and Ralph Erskine, Hume, was from a different outlook of intellect no miracles and of the world of new thought. In his “Treatise of Human Nature” he set out a philosophy -which ends up at a dead end, in as much as he had no positive conclusion apart from nothing really changes.
Auchterarder creed
At a time when the church was suspicious of the Westminster confession, most likely concerning the thought that this confession might contain heretical thoughts, members of the presbytery of Auchterarder, created a question and answer system for a new student of the ministry. The statement put to him was " It is not sound and orthodox to teach that we must forsake sin, in order to our coming of Christ, and instating us in covenant with God." The probationary young student failed to see that what was meant, in disguise was Christ died to save sinful men. The student appealed to the Assembly who upheld his case condemning the presbytery for its "Auchterarder creed" which evidently caused confusion.
While most independent churches would avoid confessions, creeds or formal documents as to the basis for constituting a church within the Church of Scotland and future Presbyterian splits leaders over the years struggled with the need of a defending statement that would stand the test of time and accommodate modern change yet not dilute the basis of the church and the truth. An "Athenian Creed" was offered by John Witherspoon to stop the easy-going way of the moderates in the church. This document had a feel of Deism and this may have annoyed the moderates (Deism- God created the earth but does not intervene in the course of nature and human affairs.), especially when Deism does not recognise miracles. The moderates were unable to write a distinct theology because they were bound by the Westminster confession (They could not publicly denounce it).
In 1766 Alexander Ferguson of Kilwinning in a "Scots magazine" article maintained that no church had a right to impose a detailed confession except in so far as it could be justified by scripture. Subscription to the confession therefore, at that time, must be made not that it is absolutely true but only in as far as it is scriptural.
Ferguson was making steps for a more liberal theology but with important grounded Christian doctrine. This was a step more spiritual than parliament had anticipated. It had enacted the confession only for a test of Presbyterian conformity. Twenty years later Dr William Gill took the process further by using fresh language to highlight doctrine in "A practical essay on the death of Christ".
The outcome was a polarisation of Moderates on the one hand teaching tolerance and good conduct as needful more than precise theology- all this as the age of Enlightenment dawned.
The rest supported by David Hume who saw the Moderates theology as weak and dependent on miracles. Hume was from a classical education and relied on those classics as his basis for thought. Although brought up in the same geographical area of Edinburgh as Ebenezer and Ralph Erskine, Hume, was from a different outlook of intellect no miracles and of the world of new thought. In his “Treatise of Human Nature” he set out a philosophy -which ends up at a dead end, in as much as he had no positive conclusion apart from nothing really changes.
Auchterarder creed
At a time when the church was suspicious of the Westminster confession, most likely concerning the thought that this confession might contain heretical thoughts, members of the presbytery of Auchterarder, created a question and answer system for a new student of the ministry. The statement put to him was " It is not sound and orthodox to teach that we must forsake sin, in order to our coming of Christ, and instating us in covenant with God." The probationary young student failed to see that what was meant, in disguise was Christ died to save sinful men. The student appealed to the Assembly who upheld his case condemning the presbytery for its "Auchterarder creed" which evidently caused confusion.
Thursday, 31 August 2006
Fox on the run!
In this photograph there are three fox cubs and a mother. Can you see them?
Double click should enlarge the picture.
Wednesday, 30 August 2006
Engaging an alive Christian community
I am encouraged by the conversions, e mails and telephone calls regarding the need for an "alternative worship" for the Highlands.
Already Hi- land P-raise is having an impact on the people of the Highlands.
"Alternative praise" is a better phrase, actually, as worship you do all the time (or don't) praise is the focal point accompanied or not, corporate or not.
I want to see regular praise in a community no matter the size of that community. I also think I want to start collecting names of those interested in supporting and taking part. One does not need to be a musician for that!
If you have n't spoken to be in the last week and you are interested and you live between ....anywhere North of Inverness be in touch.
Thank you
b
Thursday, 24 August 2006
Be creative !
I see from the Exodus 35 30 - 36 7 reading we are called to be creative.
The first person mentioned in the bible as filled....with the Spirit of God is Bezalel ....an artist.
God enabled him to make the place of worship a vibrant, attractive celebration of creativity. Bezalel is appointed to teach others so that more creations can be created amongst his people including everyone who is willing to take part.
When new things are happening and many are taking to be personally involved, it creates a surge of enthusiasm and commitment.
look here ! it is expressed in an offering that most churches treasurers could only dream of:
Its so big that the people are asked to stop giving.
The generosity is from freewill. Out of the joy at what God is doing.
In an area that does not encourage creative things be it art thinking or building help me to work and to help the worship and mission of the church and in the community!
More prayers at Visionbyprayer
Friday, 18 August 2006
A9 Rosskeen
Another Presbyertian church on the A9
Rosskeen the land of the "men" of Easter Ross and East Sutherland. What do you know of these men?
Dingwall and Strathpeffer Free Church of Scotland
The building of the Free Church of Scotland Dingwall is a fine building sitting proudly at the end of the High Street across from the railway station. I am convinced that Dingwall, geographically, has a strategic importance to the Highland church of the future. Interestingly the Theological College moved to Dingwall from Elgin some years ago.
Thursday, 17 August 2006
Sandeman Letters Theron and Aspasio
Some one looking for the text of Sandeman's letters to Harvey in Northampton 1755 ish.
Can any one help?
PDF from makidon
Some quotes here.
Not available - Amazon
Harvey
Glassite
Can any one help?
PDF from makidon
Some quotes here.
Not available - Amazon
Harvey
Glassite
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