Theology in Scotland Journal

Theology in Scotland is sponsored by the School of Divinity, University of St Andrews (St Mary's College) and appears twice yearly, in spring and autumn. It was first published in 1994 at the request of a large group of ministers of the Church of Scotland.

With a mix of academic and practical articles and stimulating reviews, it is an ideal tool to help keep up-to-date with current theological thinking.

Current issue

Theology in Scotland 18 no. 2 (Autumn 2011)

Preparing for enabling the ministries of the Church: Where are we and where do we want to be?

Rev Dr Martin Scott (Secretary of the Ministries Council of the Church of Scotland)

For Martin Scott one of the main challenges for the Church of Scotland lies in the integration of the intellectual, practical and spiritual aspects of ministry formation with structured theological reflection that is both ecumenical in outlook and mindful of its Reformed origins. However, theological training patterns of the present and future will be distinctively different in structure – the reflective and formative components will require to be much more collaborative. A theological education of this kind will seek to foster a learning community engaging in education for mission and leadership. There will also be a recognition of the importance of lifelong training as an entitlement. Dr Scott writes of this type of theological reflection as ‘connecting head, hands and heart’ in a seamless integration with ongoing learning and development. This, he argues, is how the Gospels portray Jesus Himself – as offering a foundation in discipleship for His followers and modelling life for those who minister in His footsteps.

Formation for ministry in the Scottish Episcopal Church

Rev Dr Michael Fuller (Provincial Ministry Development Officer for the Theological Institute of the Scottish Episcopal Church)

In his paper, written from the perspective of the Scottish Episcopal Church, Michael Fuller argues that attention to the formation of those called to authorised ministry in the church has never been more essential than at the present. The churches are facing challenges from within and without as they witness to the Christian faith in word and deed in twenty-first century Scotland. Traditional models of formation which, in the Anglican tradition, have involved candidates for ministry spending time together in learning communities, are now under acute pressure in terms both of financial viability and the fewer numbers called to full-time ministry. The necessity remains, however, for the provision of a fully validated programme that is pedagogically and academically sound. The goal is to provide a range of foundational competencies within the framework of a programme offering a system robust enough to include small student numbers dispersed across the whole of Scotland.

The old question of Barth’s universalism: An examination with reference to Tom Greggs and T. F. Torrance

Rev Mark Koonz (Pastor of Emmanuel Lutheran Church, Walla Walla, Washington, USA)

In the course of reflecting on Tom Gregg’s recent claim that Barth ‘did not reject universalism [...] only problematic elements associated with it’, Mark Koonz raises the fascinating question of Barth’s doctrinal position on universalism. That is, the question as to whether limited atonement or universalism are two separate, mutually exclusive alternatives. This paper argues that Barth’s understanding is a good deal more complex than Greggs allows for. Limited atonement and universalism are related, not by way of paradox or as contraries, but through the absolute freedom of the grace of the living God in Jesus Christ. The paper also draws on T. F. Torrance to illuminate further the way in which these doctrines might be harmonised coherently.

Praying for the Christian departed: A brief view of the doctrine and practice in  Scottish Episcopacy

Rev Dr Douglas Kornahrens (Rector of the Church of the Holy Cross, Davidson’s Mains, Edinburgh)

In this extended paper the earlier theological tradition of the Scottish Episcopal Church is set out in historic form through examination of its leading representatives. Key texts and their place in the Episcopal tradition are approached through a close, scholarly study of prayer for the dear departed. Some theologians in this tradition may already be more familiar to students of T. F. Torrance – John Forbes of Corse, for example. Others, such as William Forbes and Thomas Rattray may be less familiar, however. The significance of this paper is that we have not only a doctrinal discussion on the range, scope and legitimacy of prayer for the dead but also an introduction to some of the riches of the Scottish Episcopal theological tradition.

You are invited to respond to any of the above papers at the Theology in Scotland blog.

Books reviewed:

• Sandy Finlayson: Unity and Diversity: The Founders of the Free Church of Scotland
  
• Hannibal Hamlin and Norman W. Jones (eds.): The King James Bible After Four Hundred Years: Literary, Linguistic, and Cultural Influences
  
• Nick Spencer: Freedom and Order: History, Politics and the English Bible
  
• George Gammack: Advocacy and Exodus: From Moses to the Mental Health Act