News & Events

One of Scotland’s leading Christian apologists will go head-to-head with a top gay rights campaigner in what is expected to be a hotly-contested debate on marriage in London next week.

On Monday, Free Church minister, Rev. David Robertson - who has recovered remarkably after being critically ill in hospital late last year - will defend traditional marriage against the Liberal Democrats’ LGBT+ Chairman, Adrian Trett. Mr Trett is the author of the original motion on ‘Equal Marriage’ at their 2010 Party Conference. The debate, which comes amid proposals both north and south of the border to redefine marriage, begins at 7.30pm at Gunnersbury Baptist Church in west London.

Mr Robertson, Minister in Dundee and Director of the Solas Centre of Public Christianity, said, “Peter Hitchens recently argued that debating about same-sex marriage was pointless because in elite society, those who argue for traditional marriage are regarded as equivalent to those advocating clubbing baby seals! Many other Christians would agree that it is pointless seeking to have dialogue with people on this subject. The fact is that much of the media put forward an emotive and irrational position, and the Christian position is rarely heard, but the debate in Gunnersbury Baptist Church on Monday is an opportunity to do just that.” He continued: “Already, the organiser has received hate mail and I don’t expect it to be an easy ride. However, it is an opportunity not to win an argument, but rather to present the Christian perspective and, above all, to point people to Christ, who is the ultimate fulfilment of all our relationships. I pray that the Lord will enable me to do so.”

It is hoped an audio and video recording will be available on Gunnersbury’s website afterwards: http://www.gunnersburybaptistchurch.org.

In October, Mr Robertson was in the critical care ward for three weeks at Dundee’s Ninewells Hospital with lung problems, with doctors telling his family at one stage that there was a 50/50 chance whether he would live or die. By the grace of God, he has since made an amazing recovery, with Christians praying all around the world for his health. Mr Robertson has recently started a gradual return to full-time ministry.