“Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering” (Hebrews 10:23)

The Presbyterian Church in Scotland has long associated itself with a Confession of Faith as its subordinate standard, so much so that Scottish Presbyterianism and Confessionalism have gone hand in hand. The Scots Confession of 1560 (co-authored by John Knox) had been the accepted confession of faith of the Scottish Church up until the time of the famous Westminster Assembly, from which the Westminster Confession of Faith we know today was published in 1646.

That said, it is entirely legitimate to ask the question, “Should we have a confession of faith?” The fact that, historically speaking, we have always had a confession of faith isn’t sufficient in and of itself to answer that question.

Continue reading “Why a Confession of Faith?” →

“What must I do to be saved?” (Acts 16:30)

“We dwell in Him…” (1 John 4:13)

Images of the recent fire, which tragically consumed a 24 storey block of flats in West London, have shocked the nation. The massive inferno broke out at the Grenfell Tower block in the early hours of 14 June, causing many fatalities.

Continue reading “A House for your Soul” →

 

That we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine…” (Ephesians 4:14)

Many people today react negatively to the words, “theology” and “doctrine.” They are said to involve dry, irrelevant matters, which have no bearing on real life. If that were true, it would be quite understandable why we might want to steer clear and focus our attention elsewhere. Then, there are others who would not consider theology and doctrine to be irrelevant, rather something only for the ministers, theologians and elders. It is not something for the laity, the ordinary man or woman in the pew.

Continue reading “Doctrine” →

“Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God.” (Ephesians 2:19)

Physical Homelessness

One of the hardest providences we could ever experience, humanly speaking, must surely be that of homelessness. When we think of homelessness, our minds tend to be drawn to those sleeping rough on the streets who, for a variety of reasons, have found themselves at the extreme end of homelessness. They are more vulnerable to becoming victims of violent crime, more likely to develop physical and mental health problems and are isolated from much of society.

Continue reading “Homelessness” →

New Year is traditionally a time where many of us make New Year’s resolutions, in one form or another.  The majority of resolutions quickly fall by the wayside, and in many ways, there is nothing to stop us resolving on a particular course of action at any point in the year. However, there is something about a New Year that can give us more of an impetus than at other times, as it provides us with a blank slate. Depending on your character, perhaps you are more likely to achieve something substantial if you set goals for the year.

One of the best resolutions we could make at the beginning of 2017 is to become more familiar with the Bible, “Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Psalm 119:105).  Continue reading “Bible Reading Plan for 2017” →