The 64th Free Church School in Theology was held 5 – 8 September at Carronvale House, Larbert.
As in previous years, it was an opportunity for rekindling friendship and fellowship with other ministers and committed Christians from across the UK and Ireland.
The Revd John Goldby described his involvement in mission to Israel and especially his work in co-ordinating the translation of the New Testament into modern Hebrew, encouraging support for mission to the Jews as an increasingly important priority for the Christian church.
Loving God
The Revd Trevor Kirkland brought a particularly interesting paper on the important subject ‘Loving God For His Own Sake’, urging the need for true love for God in his own attributes as part of our devotional lives.
The Revd John J Murray offered a thoughtful ‘Analysis of Highland Spirituality’, acknowledging some weaknesses in the practice of historic Christianity in the Scottish Highlands. Similarly practical was the challenge from the Revd David Silversides, warning of the ongoing spiritual battle for believers in discussing ‘The Church and Satan’s Devices’. Psalm 116 was shown to relate to the experience of Christ and 1 Corinthians 12 was discussed with regard to ‘Ministry in the Body of Christ’.
A highlight was an exceedingly cogent and thorough discussion of the ‘Implications of the Two Wills in Christ’ by the Revd Bill Schweitzer, showing the importance of this obscure Early Church doctrinal controversy, and the preciousness of the doctrine itself.
