Patrick Hamilton - Reformation Martyr

The picture above has an important place in Scottish Christian history. It marks the spot in St Andrews where Patrick Hamilton was burned at the stake for his faithfulness to the glorious gospel of Jesus Christ. Murdered at the hands of evil men who believed that a right standing with God was to be found through the Roman Catholic Church and the doctrine of works righteousness, Patrick Hamilton preached the message of salvation by grace alone in Christ alone. The Christian gospel had set him free and he believed it was the only hope for Scotland.

Of noble birth, Patrick Hamilton was born in 1504. In 1520 he went to Paris, France to study and where he came into contact with the writings and teachings of Martin Luther. Returning to St Andrews in 1523, initially as a student, then tutor, he was becoming increasingly committed to the historic Christian gospel.

Hamilton began to attract the attention of the notorious and merciless Cardinal Beaton. The avowed Romanist was committed to preventing the truth of God's word taking root in Scotland. Sensing his danger, young Hamilton fled to Germany and the university of Marburg in early 1527. He would soon return to his beloved Scotland to face his divine destiny.......(to be continued)....

Scotland's Christian Heritage Remembered !!!!

If you visit my beloved homeland of Scotland today you will realize that it is a land of great spiritual darkness and moral decline. There are some good solid churches sprinkled throughout the land of rolling hills, rugged mountains, twisting rivers, mists and cold northerly winds. However most who live in Scotland today are secular and without any knowledge of the period of conflict, turmoil and bloodshed that made her a great nation......

It is strange how living in the USA I am caused to reflect more deeply on my beloved homeland than I did during my years in N.Ireland. Perhaps it is because I am reading about the Covenanters to my son, Andrew before he settles down for the evening. Perhaps it is because this year commemorates the birth of Calvin in 1509 and his influence on Scotland has piqued renewed reflections in my heart.

Whatever the reasons, I intend to post some biographical material about those of whom the world was not worthy, Christians, true disciples of Jesus Christ who influenced the nation of my birth and who were devoted to the true gospel of Christ. Many of them shed their blood for the sake of the gospel and all of them believed they were not their own but were bought with a price, the precious blood of Jesus.

We will begin soon with the three earliest reformers.....Patrick Hamilton, George Wishart and John Knox.

Shepherd's Conference 2009

At last I have a wee bit of time to report on the Shepherd's Conference at Grace Community Church.

It was my second time at this Conference and once again I thoroughly enjoyed it.

The hospitality of Grace Community is excellent and the logistics of the Conference are quite remarkable. As usual I came away with a bagful of books, some bought, most given to us !

I was edified and encouraged and refreshed through the worship and the word.

Phil Johnson's paper on the Friday morning was no doubt the most controversial in terms of the modern scene. I thought he did a good job and that what he had to say in the main needed to be said. I do think there are certain trends arising today that need to be addressed. I am hopeful that Phil's willingness to address this issue that has surrounded Mark Driscoll will serve to open up some of the fundamental issues that require attention in the modern evangelical, and even Reformed context.

Thank you Grace for a blessed few days, thanks to Ernie, Dave and Jeremy for the friendship we enjoy and the fellowship God has given us.