Scott’s Blog

My thesis, “Church authority and non-subscription controversies in early 18th century Presbyterianism”,  is now available online at the University of Glasgow’s website. Abstract The practice of confessional subscription, or giving assent to a confession of faith through signing a formula of approbation, was the subject of debate among Presbyterian Churches in the early eighteenth century. While [...]

Then he led them out as far as Bethany, and lifting up his hands he blessed them. While he blessed them, he parted from them and was carried up into heaven. – Luke 24:50-51 The year I graduated from University a fellow student, Heather Whitestone, won Miss America. Many of us who had little or [...]

I’ve usually posted daily updates during my research trips to Scotland.  This year I went to Glasgow for my viva (the equivalent of the oral defense.)  After the big event I spent most of my time visiting friends (and missing trains) so I didn’t keep a daily blog but thought I would post a summary [...]

Today I was received by the Presbytery of the Mid-South, Presbyterian Church (USA).  I presented the following Statement of Faith: I adhere to the classic, historic faith of the Christian Church, particularly as it has been understood by the Reformed tradition. I confess the faith of the Apostles’ and Nicene Creeds, the definition of the [...]

I’ve had conversations with friends recently about the Church’s approach to and use of the internet and social media.  John Piper has started using twitter and, unlike most folks who take up technology without consideration, has posted about his reasons for it on his blog. He says he sees two responses to social media and [...]

Luke 24:13-35 The narrative of Jesus meeting the disciples on the road to serves as a wonderful image of the church in microcosm.  Yesterday evening I taught on the passage and wanted to share in brief some of the connections I see Luke pointing to in the event. ‘That very day’ – that is the [...]

A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another. (John 13:34-35) Think of ‘as I have love you’ this way: For [...]

A blogger I just discovered a couple of weeks ago has this about Athanasius’ on the Incarnation.  He mentions Athanasius’ continual arguments from Scripture.  That’s something I had noticed in my thinking through the place of tradition in Christian theology.  While I’m by no means a patristics scholar, in my casual readings through them I’ve [...]

THe Countrey Parson hath read the Fathers also, and the Schoolmen, and the later Writers, or a good proition of all, out of all which he hath compiled a book, and body of Divinity, which is the storehouse of his Sermons, and which he preacheth all his Life; but diversly clothed, illustrated, and inlarged. For [...]

I was reading Irenaeus’ ‘Against Heresies’ last night.  I’m in book one where Irenaeus lays out all the different gnostic beliefs, explaining in detail what they teach.  Not the most exciting reading, but it did have what has to be one of the funniest lines in the history of the Church’s writings, or at least [...]