David Dickson (1583-1662) represents a season of the finest theology and pastoral diligence in Scotland’s history and arguably the world. Born in the generation following Knox’s death, he lived through initial controversies and challenges that were brought against the Reformed church. Additionally, alongside the like of Alexander Henderson and Samuel Rutherford, he was instrumental in bringing the church again to a state of purity in doctrine, worship, government, and practice. His life itself is a microcosm of the challenges, victories, doctrine, principles, and faith of the second reformation.
he relationship between Grace and Law, as they relate to the life of a believer, has been a frequent issue of tension in theological history and practice. This has a bearing on how we view the proper of relation between Justification and Sanctification, the place of good works in the life of a believer and the polar dangers of Legalism on the one hand and Antinomianism on the other. In the medieval period the Roman Catholic Church adopted a view where the believer’s obedience to the Law of God was meritorious and thus a component part of his Justification before God. At the Reformation, the Protestant Church rejected this and recovered the Biblical doctrine of Justification by faith alone, but there were different views between the Lutheran and Reformed Churches in the relationship between the Law and the Gospel.
Christian biographies display the impact of God’s truth and grace upon human lives. We find them both encouraging and challenging. While we certainly benefit from faithful doctrinal, devotional, and practical works, we gain models of Christianity when we read the lives of faithful men and women who trusted, loved, and served our Savior. They help us see what is possible in God’s children by his grace. In doing so, they often elevate our own expectations and longings for a greater measure of God’s grace to us.
While we hope that the many works of men like M’Cheyne, Bannerman, and the Bonar brothers have wide circulation, we also realize that not everyone has time or energy to commit to an in-depth reading of all of their works. We are grateful to note that there is a helpful resource now available to keep before us the earnest focus of our forefathers. None Other Name: Daily Devotional Readings from the 19th Century Scottish Ministers, by Leen J. van Valen brings together a curated selection of some of the finest examples of this focus.
As a young Christian I struggled to understand how to engage in religious fasting. That it was expected by Christ was undeniable, “…when ye fast…” (Matthew 6:16). However, when was this to happen? How was I to go about it? How could I avoid the errors of the hypocrites Christ mentioned? Doubtlessly, many today encountered similar questions when various days of humiliation were established over the past several months in light of God’s judgment upon our land and world. While excellent sections in several works exist, few book-length treatments can be found to address the topic. Fewer still are worthy of a Christian’s precious time.
The soul is priceless. “What shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” (Mark 8:37). One need only consider the rich man’s words while in hell, “I am tormented in this flame” (Luke 16:24), to realize how highly we should esteem our soul’s salvation. Yet, however highly we ought to concern ourselves about our soul, God’s Word is clear in indicating that many will be deceived regarding their salvation until the final day: “And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity” (Matt. 7:23). What help is available to the one wanting to know whether he is deceived regarding his own soul and salvation?
God is sovereign over every detail of this world. This the Scripture asserts plainly throughout its pages. Recent times have challenged the church to maintain consistency in its understanding and application of this doctrine. If the Lord is sovereign over all, he is sovereign over trials, afflictions, and global catastrophes.
Few will be familiar with the subject of this biography, William Hamilton Burns (1779–1859). More will be familiar with his sons, William Chalmers Burns and Islay Burns. The father stands less known, not because less faithful, but likely because more ordinary. While less prominent than his sons Islay and, certainly, William Chalmers, he was devoted, godly, and earnest for over fifty years of steadfast labor to God’s glory. But as this brief biography demonstrates, it was not merely his duration but the quality of his labor that warrants our attention.
The Christian may desire that there were no more sin to confess. There is great grief of mind and soul when our corruption is brought to our mind. One thought that the Christian cherishes is that one day he will have no more sin. Presently, however, all know by experience the truth of James’s statement, “For in many things we offend all” (James 3:2). The one who denies his sins in this life is considered a liar, “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us” (1 John 1:8). Each day gives new cause for confessing our sins, for each day witnesses our own transgressions of God’s law.
The church of Jesus Christ appears in scripture under many images and descriptions. Among other things, we find it likened to a temple, an olive tree, a bride, and a kingdom. Each image paints a different, but complementary perspective or emphasis regarding the church’s nature, work, and calling. Though there are nuances and shades of meaning unique to each of these images and descriptions, none of them implies an idea of independence. The temple has a foundation, the olive tree has a stock and roots, the bride has a husband, and the kingdom has a king.
