Another morning, another logging of the books. Well, actually only one book this time! Just finished it this morning, so thought I’d write a few words while my thoughts are fresh…

44. A Sad Departure by David J. Randall. This book was both depressing and encouraging at the same time. How can that be? This small book, published in 2015, is subtitled “Why we could not stay in the Church of Scotland”. And this book resonates deeply with me because of the fact that it is a historical account of something that I was very much a part of. A controversy arose in the Church of Scotland in 2009 when it was deemed acceptable that a man living with another man and practicing homosexual sin should be inducted as a minister of the Church of Scotland. For the next few years, the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland discoursed and debated and defined a trajectory upon where it would be acceptable that practicing homosexual ministers should lead churches. This book was a concise and darkly fascinating look at how this happened and the response of those who believe that the Word of God is a higher authority than any denominational structure. At the end of the day, that is really the question. Rather than a question of a particular sin…from where do we get our authority? From the cultural mores of the world or from the very Word of God? To what or whom do we owe our honour and allegiance? This fallen world we live in or very God Himself? There is a very telling phrase that was actually spoken in one of the General Assembly meetings – in May of 2011, I believe. It was acknowledged and agreed upon by all that the Bible only speaks of homosexual practices in a negative and condemnatory way. But, as was stated on the floor of the General Assembly, “…we now know better” than the Bible. When the foundation is allowed to crumble – nay, when the foundation is attacked with C4 charges! – the degradation of the house is surely not far behind. So this tragic decision by the Church of Scotland led many churches and ministers to decide that they could not in good conscience remain part of a denomination that valued the praise of man above that of God. Many churches left, many pastors left. And my church – Gilcomston – was one of them. This is part of the reason why this book was one I knew I had to read. I was a part of Gilcomston South Church of Scotland from the years 2010-2013, during the heart of this controversy. I knew the basics of what was going on, but as I read this book, I realized that there were a lot of details that I had no idea of. It was even worse than I thought at the time! And this book was full of names and places that I remember hearing Pastor Dominic talk about and ask for prayer for, as these various churches submitted to God even in the midst of persecutions and troubles. And my own church made our decision sometime in 2012 that we also would not remain part of the church of Scotland. As a member of Gilc, I cast my vote along with the rest – and it was almost unanimously that our congregation voted to leave the Church of Scotland and form a new congregation. And so we did. I still remember the abuse that our church (and specifically Pastor Dominic and his family) received in the papers and media for this decision. I probably didn’t fully appreciate at the time the weight they were under. I probably didn’t fully understand the attacks of Satan that were aimed at Dominic and his family and our church. But God strengthened us mightily and enabled us to carry out the decision that was made. We indeed left the Church of Scotland. And so I’ll do something I don’t normally do and link back to a post that I wrote the day we worshiped together as an independent church for the first time, on March 10th, 2013. Click here for my words on that day. Now to get back to this book. It is a small book, but it is a good history that was written very shortly after the events for which it speaks, which is always useful. Many years from now, memories dim and accounts of this may be muddled. So this work by Randall is surely important for the look it gives into the mindset and spirit of various ministers and congregations. This book depressed me because of the apostasy and feeble-mindedness of the Church of Scotland. This book encouraged and uplifted me because I am reminded that there is yet a remnant that God preserves. There are even yet faithful believers in the Church of Scotland – never let it be said that I am condemning those who remain within. But I am encouraged that God has empowered various churches to take a stand for the truth and authority of God’s Word. May we be ever faithful to the Word of God. May we be ever obedient to our God. May we humble ourselves continually under God’s mighty hand. And He surely will lift us up – at the last day, if not sooner. To God be all glory, now and forever. Amen.