http://www.freechurch.org/index.php en gordon@freechurchofscotland.org.uk Copyright 2012 2012-11-19T11:58:19+00:00 http://www.freechurch.org/index.php/scotland/articles/flats_to_let_in_edinburgh/ http://www.freechurch.org/index.php/scotland/articles/flats_to_let_in_edinburgh/#When:11:58:19Z The Free Church of Scotland has two unfurnished flats in Edinburgh to let on a short-assured lease.The Free Church of Scotland has the following unfurnished flats in Edinburgh to let on a short-assured lease: 45 (2F2) Comely Bank Avenue – available immediately Rent - £640pcm 45 (2F1) Comely Bank Avenue – available early July Rent - £640pcm Both flats consist of: Hall, lounge with boxroom off, kitchen/diner, two bedrooms and bathroom. Gas Central Heating. In the first instance, a lease will be available until the end of June 2014. Council Tax and utilities are not included in the monthly rents. A deposit of one month’s rent is also required, returnable when the property is vacated, subject to the conditions of lease. Further details can be obtained by contacting Sharon Fraser at the Free Church Offices. Tel: 0131 226 5286 or by email: Below: Comely Bank Avenue 2012-11-19T11:58:19+00:00 http://www.freechurch.org/index.php/scotland/articles/2013_general_assembly_reports/ http://www.freechurch.org/index.php/scotland/articles/2013_general_assembly_reports/#When:14:57:26Z Download the 2013 General Assembly reports.Free Church of Scotland General Assembly 2013 The Free Church General Assembly meets from Monday 20 to Friday 24 May in St. Columba’s Free Church, Edinburgh, and commissioners will debate several reports covering various topics. The following committee reports are available - more will be posted over the coming days, with some supplementary reports not expected until the Assembly week itself (20 May). The Assembly timetable has not yet been confirmed, but will also be made available on this page in due course. A live webstream will be available to view on the St Columba’s Free Church website for the entire General Assembly, and the link will be posted here on Monday 20 May. Assembly Arrangements Committee (Click here to download PDF copy) The Assembly Arrangements Committee makes the practical arrangements for the annual meeting of the General Assembly of the Free Church of Scotland every May in Edinburgh. The report will be presented by convener Rev John Maclean. Board of Ministry (Click here to download PDF copy) The Board of Ministry’s workload focuses on students for the ministry, probationers, ministers, and elders and deacons. The report will be presented by chairman Rev James Beaton. College Board (Click here to download PDF copy) The role of the College Board is to oversee the operation of our Free Church College in Edinburgh. The college is the theological centre where students for the Free Church ministry, as well as others, receive their academic training. The report will be presented by chairman Reverend Iver Martin. Committee on Church Practice and Procedures (Click here to download PDF copy) The role of the Committee includes the issuing of advice on matters of Church practice and procedure to Presbyteries and Kirk Sessions and to other Committees and Boards of the Church. The report will be presented by convener Rev James MacIver. Communications Committee (Click here to download PDF copy) The remit of the Communications Committee includes oversight of Free Church magazines The Record, Free and The Instructor, as well as the Free Church bookshop and the website. As well as covering these important communication outlets, the report also includes papers on same-sex marriage and the independence referendum. The report will be presented by convener Rev Dr Iain D Campbell. Ecumenical Relations Committee (Click here to download PDF copy) The Ecumenical Relations Committee continues to develop and maintain active prayerful interest in the work of the gospel in other denominations, with a particular interest in those churches holding to a Reformed persuasion. The report will be presented by convener Rev Dr Iain D Campbell. Home Missions Board (Click here to download PDF copy) The Home Missions Board has a broad remit over the ministry of the Free Church of Scotland, including church development, planting, extension and youth work. The report will be presented by chairman Rev Derek Lamont. International Missions Board (Click here to download PDF copy) The Free Church of Scotland has several mission interests abroad, including Latin America, India, South Africa and Central Asia. The International Missions Board report will be presented by chairman Rev David MacPherson, and it is expected there will be mission speakers on the Thursday evening of the Assembly too. Nominations Committee (Click here to download PDF copy) The task of this Committee, as its name suggests, is that of bringing nominations to the General Assembly for the filling of vacancies in the various Committees and Boards of the Free Church of Scotland on an annual basis. A certain proportion of members of Committees and Boards reach the end of their period of service each year, and these need to be replaced by the Assembly. The report will be presented by convener Rev James MacIver. Panel of Pastoral Advice (Click here to download PDF copy) The majority of the Panel’s work is composed of informal conversations and contacts. As the natures of these are both sensitive and confidential they do not appear in print. The report will be presented by its chairman Rev Angus MacRae. Personnel Committee (Click here to download PDF copy) The personnel committee has responsibility for oversight of all matters relating to the working conditions of ministers (including stipend) and other staff members. The report will be presented by vice-convener Rev Gordon Matheson. Psalmody Committee (Click here to download PDF copy) The Psalmody Committee is responsible for encouraging and developing the psalm-singing ethos in the Free Church of Scotland. The report will be presented by convener Rev Finlay Mackenzie. Special Committee on Praise (Click here to download PDF copy) The Committee was appointed by the Plenary Assembly of November 2010, to investigate the provision of materials for sung praise in addition to the Psalms for the congregations who wish to use them. This fell into two parts: the provision of a list of hymns which conform to the finding of the Assembly and the provision of Scripture songs and paraphrases. The report will be presented by convener Professor Donald MacDonald. Above: The 2012 Free Church General Assembly 2012-05-03T14:57:26+00:00 http://www.freechurch.org/index.php/scotland/articles/upcoming_events_in_the_free_church/ http://www.freechurch.org/index.php/scotland/articles/upcoming_events_in_the_free_church/#When:10:33:39Z A brief diary of upcoming events in the Free Church of Scotland.Free Church of Scotland General Assembly Monday 20 to Friday 24 May, St Columba’s Free Church WFM Annual meeting Thursday 23 May 2013, Free Church College Friends of Sudan meeting Monday 3 June 2013, Falkirk Free Church, 7.30pm. If you have an event that a Free Church of Scotland congregation or member is involved with, please get in touch by emailing: gordon@freechurchofscotland.org.uk 2012-05-02T10:33:39+00:00 http://www.freechurch.org/index.php/scotland/articles/find_a_free_church/ http://www.freechurch.org/index.php/scotland/articles/find_a_free_church/#When:10:28:56Z A list of congregational websites, and you can download the current Year Book to find your nearest Free Church.The Free Church of Scotland has over 100 congregations in the UK. Each of these congregations belongs to one of our six presbyteries. You can find contact information for each Free Church of Scotland congregation by downloading our current Year Book here. Hard copies of the Year Book are available from the Free Church Bookshop for £4.50 (plus postage). To order a copy, please contact Charles Douglas on 0131 718 4141 or bookshop@freechurchofscotland.org.uk. Not all of our congregations have a website, but below are a list which do: Congregational Websites Aberdeen - Bon Accord Achiltibuie - Coigach Arran Ayr (Martyrs) Back Bishopbriggs Bonar Bridge & Lairg Cambuslang Coatbridge Cross Dingwall & Strathpeffer Dornoch Dumfries Dunblane Free Church Dundee - St Peter’s Dunfermline Dunoon and Strachur East Kilbride Edinburgh - Buccleuch & Greyfriars Edinburgh - Leith Edinburgh - St Columba’s Elgin & Forres Falkirk Ferintosh & Resolis Fort William Fortrose Glasgow - Dowanvale Glasgow - Glasgow City Glasgow - International Students Church Glasgow - Govanhill Glasgow - Partick Glen Urquhart and Fort Augustus Golspie Greenock Harris Helmsdale Inverness - Free North Inverness - Greyfriars & Stratherrick Kilmallie Kiltarlity Kiltearn Kingussie - Badenoch Kirkcaldy Knock Knockbain Livingston (Follow Livingston Free Church on Twitter by clicking here) London City Presbyterian Church London - Cobham Presbyterian Church Maryburgh and Killearnan Free Church Nairn North Uist, Grimsay & Berneray Park (Gravir) Perth & Pitlochry Plockton and Kyle Point Poolewe and Aultbea Portree Prince Edward Island Rosskeen Scalpay Shawbost Sleat & Strath Smithton Culloden South Uist & Benbecula St Andrews Stornoway Tain Thurso Toronto Ullapool - Lochbroom 2012-05-02T10:28:56+00:00 http://www.freechurch.org/index.php/scotland/articles/general_assembly_2012/ http://www.freechurch.org/index.php/scotland/articles/general_assembly_2012/#When:09:57:41Z The resource page for the 2012 General Assembly.The Free Church General Assembly met from Monday 21st to Friday 25th May in St. Columba’s Free Church, Edinburgh, and commissioners debated several reports covering various topics. If you missed this week, you can read the various summaries by clicking on the links below, or downloading the Assembly reports at the bottom of the page. 2012 General Assembly summaries Monday Click here to read a summary of Monday’s business. Tuesday Click here to read the Tuesday morning summary. Click here to read the Tuesday afternoon summary. Click here to read the Tuesday evening summary. Click here to read the Moderator’s address to the 2012 General Assembly. Wednesday Click here to read the Wednesday morning summary. Click here to read the Wednesday afternoon summary. Click here to read the Wednesday evening summary. Thursday Click here to read the Thursday morning summary. Click here to read the Thursday afternoon summary. Click here to read the Thursday evening summary. Click here to read about the appointment of a new Professor to the Free Church College. Click here to read about the admittance of new ministers to the Free Church of Scotland. Friday Click here to read the summary of Friday’s business. 2012 General Assembly reports Assembly Arrangements Committee: Download the PDF here The Assembly Arrangements Committee makes the practical arrangements for the annual meeting of the General Assembly of the Free Church of Scotland every May in Edinburgh. The Committee decides on the number of commissioners who are to attend from each Presbytery of the Church, and on matters like making arrangements for various functions held during the Assembly week. The report will be presented by convener Reverend Angus Howat. Board of Ministry: Download in PDF format by clicking here The Board of Ministry’s workload focuses on students for the ministry, probationers, ministers, and elders and deacons. It is expected there will be discussion on candidate selection and assessment, particularly how Kirk Sessions and Presbyteries can work better together on this matter. The report will be presented by chairman Dr Fergus Macdonald.  Board of Trustees: Download in PDF format by clicking here Over the past year, the Board of Trustees dealt with a variety of issues covering finance, policy, strategy, compliance and risk management. The Board has also continued to monitor the legal activities of the Free Church Continuing. This year’s report focuses on finance and spending priorities, with recommendations for a reduction in 2013 budgets and a project levy freeze for congregations. It will be presented by the Board’s chairman, Mr James Fraser. College Board: Download in PDF format by clicking here The role of the College Board is to oversee the operation of our Free Church College in Edinburgh. The college is the theological centre where students for the Free Church ministry, as well as others, receive their academic training. This year’s report notes the Quinquennial visitation, and states that the Board is seeking constructive input from the wider Free Church so the College can continue to provide an efficient and relevant service. The standard of teaching is again praised by the students and ministers alike, and it is also hoped that a successful appointment will be made to the chair of Systematic Theology, following Professor Donald Macleod’s retirement in 2010. The report will be presented by chairman Reverend Iver Martin. Committee on Church Practice and Procedures: Download the PDF  The Committee was appointed by the 2011 General Assembly as an advisory Committee comprising the membership of the Review of Disciplinary Procedures, extending its remit and changing its name to the Committee on Church Practice and Procedures. The role of the Committee includes the issuing of advice on matters of Church practice and procedure to Presbyteries and Kirk Sessions and to other Committees and Boards of the Church. The report will be presented by convener Reverend James MacIver. Committee on Psalmody: Download in PDF format by clicking here The Psalmody Committee is responsible for encouraging and developing the psalm-singing ethos in the Free Church of Scotland. The report notes that Psalmody resources continue to be popular within the Church, and the Committee is also keen to make its services available to congregations and precentors by way of practical workshops. The report will be presented by convener Reverend Finlay Mackenzie. Communications Committee: Download the PDF by clicking here The remit of the Communications Committee includes oversight of Free Church magazines The Record, Free and The Instructor, as well as the Free Church bookshop and the website. As well as covering these important communication outlets, the report also includes papers on same-sex marriage (by Reverend Alex MacDonald), universalism (written by Reverend Dr Iain D Campbell) and the London riots (by Reverend Dr John Nicholls). The report will be presented by convener Reverend Dr Iain D Campbell. Ecumenical Relations Committee: Download the PDF here The Free Church of Scotland continues to develop and maintain active prayerful interest in the work of the gospel in other denominations, with a particular interest in those churches holding to a Reformed persuasion. This year’s report from the Ecumenical Relations Committee includes a summary of discussions with the Associated Presbyterian Churches, as well as noting developments with other denominations. The report will be presented by convener Reverend Kenneth Ferguson. Home Missions Board: Download in PDF format by clicking here The Home Missions Board has a broad remit over the ministry of the Free Church of Scotland, including church development, planting, extension and youth work. The report lays out a number of challenges facing the Church, including the need for a reduced staff size and strategic cost-cutting measures. However, the Board suggests that the current economic situation may be a friend, not an enemy, and points to the early Christian church which thrived in a period of financial stress, no buildings and few paid workers. There is to be a discussion on church planting, and there will be news of a potential new church plant in Edinburgh. The report will be presented by chairman Reverend David Meredith. International Missions Board: Download the PDF by clicking here The Free Church of Scotland has several mission interests abroad, including Latin America, India, South Africa and Central Asia. The International Missions Board has begun a wide-ranging strategic review of its work, not only to come to conclusions regarding current activity but also to identify future opportunities in the light of the evolving shape of Christianity around the world. The report shares developments in theological education in Peru, Columbia and South Africa, commending it to the wider Church for prayer. The report will be presented by chairman Reverend David MacPherson, and there will be mission speakers on the Thursday evening of the Assembly too. Nominations Committee: Download in PDF format by clicking here The task of this Committee, as its name suggests, is that of bringing nominations to the General Assembly for the filling of vacancies in the various Committees and Boards of the Free Church of Scotland on an annual basis. A certain proportion of members of Committees and Boards reach the end of their period of service each year, and these need to be replaced by the Assembly. The report will be presented by convener Reverend James MacIver. Panel of Pastoral Advice: Download in PDF format by clicking here The majority of the Panel’s work is composed of informal conversations and contacts. As the natures of these are both sensitive and confidential they do not appear in print. The report notes that the addition of new members with greater expertise in pastoral counselling will further improve the Free Church of Scotland’s care of its ministers and families. The report will be presented by chairman Reverend Alasdair MacDonald. Personnel Committee: Download in PDF format by clicking here The personnel committee has responsibility for oversight of all matters relating to the working conditions of ministers (including stipend) and other staff members. The report will be presented by convener Mr Callum MacDonald. Quinquennial Review Committee to the College: Download the PDF The Quinquennial Review Committee to the Free Church of Scotland College was appointed by the 2011 General Assembly with the remit to review all aspects of the College’s performance. The Committee unanimously agrees that it is essential that the Free Church of Scotland continues to have its own College for the theological training of its future ministers and of persons engaged in other aspects of the denomination’s work and witness. It also recommends that the College Board appoint a committee to investigate some of the other matters raised in their report, such as the future role of the Principal. The report will be presented by convener Reverend Dr Malcolm Maclean. Special Committee on Praise: Download in PDF format here The Committee was appointed by the Plenary Assembly of November 2010, to investigate the provision of materials for sung praise in addition to the Psalms for the congregations who wish to use them. This fell into two parts: the provision of a list of hymns which conform to the finding of the Assembly and the provision of Scripture songs and paraphrases. The report will be presented by convener Professor Donald MacDonald. Study Panel: Download in PDF format by clicking here The Study Panel has been wrestling with the issues of marriage, divorce and remarriage, following David Instone-Brewer’s recent contribution to the matter. The Free Church of Scotland position is that of the Westminster Confession, which says the Bible allows for divorce in cases of adultery and desertion. However, the Panel – which stressed the Church should do all in its power to support, strengthen and honour marriage – believes Instone-Brewer is correct in suggesting that the Bible also allows for divorce in cases of neglect and abuse. The Panel has also included a section on same-sex marriage, outlining the Free Church of Scotland’s firm opposition to this proposed legislation. The report will be presented by convener Professor Donald MacDonald. The General Assembly agreed that section A of the Study Panel report be placed on the website for further study. It can be downloaded by clicking here. 2012-05-02T09:57:41+00:00 http://www.freechurch.org/index.php/scotland/articles/contact_us/ http://www.freechurch.org/index.php/scotland/articles/contact_us/#When:07:35:13Z How to get in touch with the Free Church of Scotland offices. Whether it’s to ask the time of a service, about renting church halls or even just curious questions about the Christian faith, please do not hesitate to get in touch - we’ll always be delighted to hear from you and aim to respond as promptly as possible. Email: offices@freechurchofscotland.org.uk Phone: 0131 226 5286 Address: Free Church of Scotland, 15 North Bank Street, The Mound, Edinburgh, EH1 2LS Website: http://www.freechurch.org A list of congregational websites can be found by clicking here. 2012-05-02T07:35:13+00:00 http://www.freechurch.org/index.php/scotland/articles/a_ray_of_sunshine/ http://www.freechurch.org/index.php/scotland/articles/a_ray_of_sunshine/#When:20:24:05Z We are all creatures of habit, are we not? We put milk into our cups before pouring tea or check the rear-view mirror of the car before driving off (not for car safety reasons, just to make sure the hair isn’t too windswept!), we have our favourite music artists we listen to over and over again, we sit in the same pews in church, and we even go to bed on the same side each night. I’m no different to anyone else, but sometimes habit can get in the way of progress. Usually, at night, I need background noise in order to fall asleep, either the iPod playing softly or, more often than not, the BBC World Service. Why this channel? It’s simple enough - habit. I can recall my father listening to it when I was a child and the habit became ingrained, so now I find it hard to nod off without first hearing the dulcet tones of Neil Nunes proclaim, “And now, the Shipping Forecast”, followed by that wonderful tune, Sailing By. Once I know that no major hurricane or unforeseen weather disaster is going to hit the Hebrides in the next 24 hours, I can shut my eyes and sleep soundly (usually). Last night, I discovered I had left the iPod in the car. Now, normally, I would have thrown on a jacket and slippers, and braved the midges in order to have my musical interlude, but no excuses, I couldn’t be bothered. Having spent a good part of the day up a ladder with a hammer and bolster, I was just too tired to move, even to stretch over and switch on the radio. At first, I lay in a semi-comatose state, but gradually, the quiet silence of a Saturday evening in Gress began to speak to me. More than just the soughing wind, I heard the heavy sigh of a dog, the creak of wood as the house settled comfortably for the night, the quiet tick of a clock, the distant cry of a lonely seagull, the answering song of a grey seal and, eventually, the steady beat of my own heart. That night, I slept to the soothing melody of silence. Being quiet before God is like this - getting away from the noise and bustle of life, and allowing Him to speak to us. So many things intrude on our time and interfere with how well we can hear what our Father is saying to us. How many times do we kneel in prayer, end with Amen and, suddenly remembering an ‘essential’ task that remains undone, rush off without a backward glance? Would you go up to a dear friend, hold out your hand in greeting, but before they have time to respond, turn and walk away? We all need a reminder to be still and know that He is indeed God. Many times, He speaks loudest to us in the quiet hush, if only we have the faith to be silent and listen. My favourite verse in the Bible comes from Zephaniah: “The Lord your God is in your midst. A mighty one who will save, He will rejoice over you with gladness; He will QUIET you by His love”. 2011-06-29T20:24:05+00:00 http://www.freechurch.org/index.php/scotland/articles/moderators_address_2011/ http://www.freechurch.org/index.php/scotland/articles/moderators_address_2011/#When:10:21:25Z The Moderator of the 2011 Free Church General Assembly spoke on the subject: 'The Glory of Christ'. Rev. James Maciver, Moderator of the 2011 Free Church General Assembly, gave his opening address on Tuesday 24th, entitled, ‘The Glory of Christ’. The full text is found here: The Glory of Christ You can watch the Moderator’s Address here: stcolumbas.freechurch.org/news/the-glory-of-christ. 2011-05-20T10:21:25+00:00 http://www.freechurch.org/index.php/scotland/articles/2011_assembly_reports/ http://www.freechurch.org/index.php/scotland/articles/2011_assembly_reports/#When:09:02:31Z The Free Church General Assembly meets from 23rd to 27th May in St. Columba’s Free Church, Edinburgh. The Assembly will hear and debate several reports covering various topics. These are as follows:   Board of Trustees The Board of Trustees is the body which oversees the Free Church’s legal and financial affairs. The report covers ministers’ working conditions, including salaries and pensions, but focuses mainly on how well the new financial system, set up two years ago, is working throughout the church. It being the Board’s responsibility to ensure that the books balance, concern is expressed about last year’s financial shortfall. The report also covers legal items abroad, including the current action in respect of the Colegio San Andrés in Lima. It will be presented by the Board’s chairman, Mr James Fraser.  Board of Ministry The central responsibility of the Board is recognising candidates for the ministry, as recommended by their Presbytery. The Board is also responsible for supervising such candidates during their university and College training, as well as monitoring progress during their studies. The Board is further tasked, for the moment implicitly, by the General Assembly to review all applications to the Free Church ministry from ministers of other denominations. This report, given by Dr Fergus Macdonald, will give details of the committee’s actions over the past year. College Board The role of the College Board is to oversee the operation of our Free Church College in Edinburgh. The college is the theological centre where students for the Free Church ministry, as well as others, receive their academic training. The Board’s report briefly defends the existence of the college, before going on to mark the retirement of Prof. Donald Macleod from the chair of Systematic Theology. The Board reports that they have been unsuccessful in replacing Prof. Macleod; and, whilst he is willing to stay on temporarily, the fact that no one can be found at present to accept this position is a cause for concern. The report will be presented by Dr Iain D. Campbell. Communications Committee This report covers all aspects of publishing via our magazines: Free, The Record, The Instructor, website, as well as the Free Church Bookshop. The report briefly reports on all these aspects, as well as including three Public Questions papers. These are: Suicide (written by Robert Macleod) , Transhumanism (written by Roddie Rankin) and Sex Education in Schools (written by Murdo Macleod). The report will be presented by Rev. Roddie Rankin. Ecumenical Relations Report The Free Church continues to develop and maintain active prayerful interest in the work of the gospel in other denominations, with a particular interest in those churches holding to a Reformed persuasion. Our church is actively involved in the International Conference of Reformed Churches and continues to send delegates to support their ongoing work.  This year, the Ecumenical Relations Report will be presented by Rev. Kenneth Ferguson. Home Missions Report In many ways, this report is a snapshot of the breadth of our church’s ministry and outlines the huge challenges which we face within Scotland. The report covers church development, planting, extension, youth work, ministry to overseas students and other areas of home mission. The report attempts to address the challenges faced by congregations which are struggling, and the Assembly will hear proposals to establish team ministries in these and other areas in which our church is more scattered and small in size. The report is presented by Rev. Alex MacDonald. International Missions Report The Free Church has several mission interests abroad. In Latin America, we have been actively and prayerfully supporting our mission work in Peru and Colombia. In South Africa, our focus is on the Dumisani Theologial Institute, as well as the Free Church in South Africa. The Free Church in Central India has recently enjoyed a period of encouragement and strengthening. The recently established Martyn Project has seen a focus on mission work in Central Asia. These and other areas of interest will be reported by Rev. Iain MacAskill. The report will be given on Thursday, as well as mission speakers, as listed in the Assembly Programme. Study Panel - Divorce and Remarriage The study panel, led by Prof. Donald MacDonald, has been attempting to wrestle with the issue of divorce and remarriage, particularly in the light of David Instone Brewer’s recent contribution to the issue. This thought-provoking, comprehensive and detailed report is the result of much discussion into the criteria which justifies divorce and remarriage, and asks whether the circumstances given in the Westminster Confession are too restricted. This is a very challenging subject and will give rise to some interesting discussion. Psalmody Committee Although the Plenary Assembly in November 2010 gave liberty to congregations to include some items of praise other than psalms, the Free Church unreservedly continues to be a psalm-singing church. This committee is responsible for encouraging and developing our psalm-singing ethos. The report details the many areas in which God’s word as sung praise can be bettered as an integral part of our worship. The report will be presented by Rev. Finlay Mackenzie. All of the reports can be accessed (as they are available) here.   2011-05-05T09:02:31+00:00 http://www.freechurch.org/index.php/scotland/articles/transhumanism/ http://www.freechurch.org/index.php/scotland/articles/transhumanism/#When:08:41:15Z This article, by Roddie Rankin, is an extract from the Communications Committee report to the forthcoming General Assembly. The article appears in full in the report. This article, by Roddie Rankin, is an extract from the Communications Committee report to the forthcoming General Assembly. The article appears in full in the report. “Transhumanism” is not a word you will hear every day. However, if you try putting it into Google, you’ll get many more returns than for “Free Church of Scotland”. This shows, if nothing else, that there are bigger worlds than our own of which we may know nothing. Transhumanism concerns the future: what will it be like in technological terms? A few decades can radically alter the technology available and our relationship to it. Could Logie Baird or Graham Bell have imagined our world with its iPhones and SatNav? Where might our relationship with technology take us in the future? Science Fiction has been guessing this for more than a century. While some visions are bizarrely far-fetched, we remember that the future world is one about which we know as little as our grandparents knew about ours. The rate at which technology develops is dazzling. The only certainty is change. In some scenarios, this progress will increase exponentially. Breakthroughs associated with artificial intelligence may take the human race to unthought of levels. This is the realm of the Transhumanist. He sees technology increasingly modifying what it means to be human. We are now in charge of our evolution, he says, and we can redesign our bodies and minds to escape from the limitations of our present condition. The goal then becomes what he calls a “posthuman” state, where we play on a higher level. Consider the following scenario: Eve is a nine-year-old living in Inverness. ‘She’ will live forever. Her father owns a Model T Ford, which he lovingly maintains long past its original life expectancy. When Eve is fifteen, she will wonder why she can’t live forever, like the Ford. This seed thought will mature during her studies in Life Extension Technologies at the Google Multiversity and will lead her into research. She will pioneer, by auto-experiment, the implantation of computer chips, which monitor vital signs and organ function. This data will enable tailored real-time drug therapy, which will optimise her health and cognition. In 2040, she will receive gene replacement therapy, which will entirely remove any genetic predisposition to illness or ageing. In 2067, she will develop cancer. While it is treated, she will receive, by transplant, a vastly superior set of synthetic major organs. To eliminate further disease, repair-nanobots will also be injected into her bloodstream. A life threatening injury in 2090 will necessitate the transplanting of her brain into a machine body, with capabilities hugely superior to her former biological body. In her new, exhilarating cyborg existence, she will now interface with multiple sensory and super-consciousness devices, and participate in the over-class, served by unmodified humans. In 2147, her brain wiring will be uploaded to a newly developed deep-space craft. She - that is her cloned intellect and self-awareness - will become the craft. Her computer brain will vastly augment her intelligence. The cyborg will be ‘taken out of service’. The craft will depart from earth on a millennia-long trajectory to populate another part of the galaxy, manufacturing lifeforms using her onboard molecular assembler. She will narrowly miss the wholesale destruction of earth by a malevolent artificial super-intelligence. Eve will survive to create life in her own image. This is a typical transhuman conjecture. For sure, it relies on a continued process of development being possible and the avoidance of technological apocalypse. If you look in the right places, you will see scientists, futurists and philosophers discussing just such scenarios. Try these websites: http://www.hplusmagazine.com, http://www.ieet.org, http://www.kurzweilai.net, http://www.nickbostrom.com. Heady stuff. Maybe plain nonsense. But it is mightily influential and appealing to those who are working in many areas of technology, and in turn, to those advising governments on policy. Is there adequate debate about the desirability of ‘transhuman’ technologies? Probably not. Prof. Nigel Cameron writes: “From where I sit, I see nothing so significant as the rapid development of these technologies, and nothing so troubling as the near absence of healthy public engagement with their social and ethical implications”. When we think about technologies that may achieve transhuman goals, we are not talking, in the first place, about speculative possibilities. The technologies are already with us, at least in basic form. They are sometimes lumped under the rubric NBIC: nano, bio, info, cogno, and include cryonics, virtual reality, genetic modification, neuropharmaceuticals, nanotechnology, robotics, bionics and information technology. Transhumanism exerts a beguiling influence on its proponents. It dovetails well with the present consumerist, materialistic, individualistic and evolutionist ethos of our times. They view the body like a commodity, which they hope to trade in for a better model. Technology provides the means to realise dreams, whether these concern longevity, enhanced intellect, deliverance from suffering or uninterrupted pleasure. Put like this, it is a means of achieving salvation through human endeavour; of engineering humanity to ameliorate the effects of the Fall. Unsurprisingly, most transhumanists are agnostic, if not atheist. Their ideology sits snugly with the New Atheism. The future is humankind’s to conquer. A naive optimism concerning man’s moral nature, coupled with an ethical imperative to pursue perfection, gives transhumanism a pragmatic, compelling feel. What man wants, man shall have. Technology will yield contentment. Critiques Most commentators remain to be convinced that technology can usher in the utopia the transhumanist longs for. They dismiss the vision on the grounds that it is escapist, unrealistic, dehumanising, dystopian and dangerous. Far from birthing a Golden Age, the Brave New World that technology enables may be a nightmare. A few may benefit at the expense of the many, or the creations of science may usurp humanity entirely. Christians have concerns of their own. But before expressing these, we must remember that we are not Amish or Luddites, standing on a neutral sideline. I’m not chiselling this article onto a tablet of stone, nor will it be laboriously copied by hand and deposited in a monastic library. Who knows - it may even go viral on the web and spark a revolution in China! Whatever, it will enter the Matrix and become lodged among the heaving mass of 1s and 0s, which entirely govern our mode of living and melt the plastic of our brains. Yes, we participate as much as any other citizen of the 21st Century in the rapidly changing technoscape. We cannot assess technological trends from an outside standpoint. It is not like we are railing against immorality from a high place of purity. Christians, like everyone else, are both blessed and besmirched by the gadgets and possibilities of the present age. We do, however, believe in the sanctity of human life; the uniqueness and nobility conferred upon us as creatures made in God’s image. We acknowledge the wisdom of our Creator seen in the ‘very goodness’ of Mankind. But, with sadness, we recognise that our nature has been corrupted by sin, so that there are flaws in every human endeavour. Therefore, we cannot believe that our own ingenuity can raise us to the pristine level of Edenic bliss or higher still. Instead, we believe we must receive God’s fix for our flaws - salvation through Jesus Christ. This salvation purifies our nature and delivers unimaginable powers to our human bodies through the resurrection. Most importantly, it brings us back into joyful fellowship with the Heavenly Father and allows us to develop in the age to come according to His perfect plan. With this in mind, we must surely declare the following convictions in relation to technology and transhumanism: The wonder and glory of all of God’s creation, including homo sapiens. Our use of technology, like the rest of our activity, is something we do under the lordship of Jesus Christ. We affirm science, engineering and the development of technologies as God-given enterprises. Christians can bring realism to society’s view of technology. Human nature will frequently handle technology inappropriately. We reject the idea that technology should develop in an unbridled, unregulated manner, like a garden left to itself. Legislative control of technological development is essential. The motive for seeking a technology should be examined. The priority for applied technology is to increase equality, not to raise up a technological elite. The image of God in man must retain its integrity. Destructive experimentation on human life should be avoided and ways to achieve research goals which do not require this should be found. The gospel of Jesus Christ is the only ‘technology’ which can guarantee a sympathetic and life-enhancing transformation of human nature. Societies are becoming increasingly dependent on technology. Devices and data are the cement that holds everything together. We are being changed and our humanity is being redefined by the products of technology. This presents specific challenges to Christians, who seek to live their lives in fellowship with Jesus Christ. Pastor Vermon Pierre echoes many when he calls for Christians, in recognition of the subtle dangers of technology, to major on the importance of: being physically present (e.g. in fellowship), when technology tends to us being only virtually present; self-forgetfulness, when technology fosters self-centredness; sustained, undivided attention to God and people. He encourages us to employ “techno-fasts”; words, especially God’s words. Technology gears us to the medium of images; gaining wisdom and understanding. Technology has exponentially grown our access to information in every category. Possessing this information is not the same as achieving good character. The church must find ways to relate to technology which harmonise humanity with the rest of Creation and with God. It is the tendency of transhumanism to corrupt our relationship with God, ourselves and the Creation, which presents its greatest challenge. May God help us to love His creation and our humanity as He does, and to serve Him with a view to the glorious consummation of that humanity. Then, when God’s purpose is complete, His people shall be “before the throne of God and serve him day and night in his temple; and he who sits on the throne will spread his tent over them. Never again will they hunger; never again will they thirst. The sun will not beat upon them, nor any scorching heat. For the Lamb at the centre of the throne will be their shepherd; he will lead them to springs of living water. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”  Revelation 7v15-17 For Further Reading: How to be a Christian in a Brave New World, Joni Eareckson Tada and Nigel M. de S. Cameron, Zondervan The Emerging Brave New World, Thomas A. Glessner, Highway Matters of Life and Death, John Wyatt, IVP Designers of the Future, D. Gareth Jones, Monarch Responsible Technology, Stephen V. Monsma, William B. Eerdmans The Abolition of Man, C.S. Lewis, Zondervan 2011-04-13T08:41:15+00:00