University of St Andrews: Journal Hosting Service
Not a member yet
1414 research outputs found
Sort by
The Shed Project, Stornoway
Full text linkThis short paper is one of several case studies of innovative missional initiatives presented at the ‘A Future with Hope: Resurrection, Not Restoration’ conference held at New College, Edinburgh on 9 March 2024. Describing the initiative to establish The Shed youth and community project, Rev Tommy MacNeil illustrates how a struggling congregation can be transformed into a vibrant community hub, how struggling individuals can discover the transformative power of God’s love, and how struggling disciples can learn to trust God’s ability to multiply resources as they shift from an inward focus to mission
“The Ethics of Generating Posthumans: Philosophical and Theological Reflections on Bringing New Persons into Existence” edited by Calum MacKellar and Trevor Stammers
No full textReview of
Calum MacKellar and Trevor Stammers, eds., The Ethics of Generating Posthumans: Philosophical and Theological Reflections on Bringing New Persons into Existence (London: Bloomsbury Academic, 2022), pp. x + 234, ISBN 978-1350216587. £28.9
"Plato of Athens: A Life in Philosophy" by Robin Waterfield
No full textReview ofRobin Waterfield, Plato of Athens: A Life in Philosophy (Oxford: OUP, 2023), pp. xxxix + 255, ISBN 978-0197564752. £21.9
Church and university in Scotland: Challenges and prospects: (D. W. D. Shaw memorial lecture 2024)
No full textThis paper was originally delivered as the third D. W. D. Shaw memorial lecture at the University of Aberdeen on 27 May 2024. It examines the shifting patterns in the relationship of church and academy in Scotland from the establishment of the four ancient universities to the present day. Despite historical changes, most notably the Reformation, the church and the academy maintained a cooperative relationship in the shared project of producing a well-educated clergy. Yet this has altered significantly in recent decades. Contributory factors include a steep decline in the number of ordinands, the emergence of religious studies, and diverging economic circumstances. The paper concludes by examining future prospects for theological education, addressing critical questions concerning the academic pursuit of a confessional Christian theology amidst rising secularism and alternative approaches to the study of religion
Radical hope: Reimagining church and society in Scotland
Full text linkThis article proposes an interdisciplinary approach to understanding the factors that have led to the Church of Scotland’s current programme of reorganisation of its presbyteries and parishes in the face of a steep decline in its membership and recruitment to ordained ministry. Drawing on sociological, philosophical, and theological sources, it argues that the Kirk is experiencing the devastation of its local parish culture and way of life as an integral part of modern, industrial Scotland under the impact of hyper-individualism in a post-industrial and post-modern Scottish society, but like the Crow tribe, it can find radical hope in its traditions
Reimagining our common mission: ‘Tell Scotland’ now
Full text linkIn mainstream churches, with particular reference to the Church of Scotland, this paper argues that the concept of ‘mission’ is in need of rehabilitation. It has been reduced to vague objectives and is being tainted by being linked with a programme of restructuring and church closures. The rehabilitation of the concept of ‘mission’ will be necessary as the Kirk proceeds with its task of re-negotiating the future of its ministries, its buildings, and communities. To this end, the paper re-visits the life and work of the Church of Scotland minister and evangelist Tom Allan (1916–1965), drawing out principles from both his work at parish level and with the ‘Tell Scotland’ national mission campaign. Rather than being about numerical gain or preserving institutional structures, ‘mission’ might be understood and lived out through theologically reflective, lay-empowering, and relational community engagement, creating space for new possibilities shaped by God’s grace
The Conflict between Political Factions of the Syrian Military Establishment, 1954-1958: Coups and Political Pluralism
Full text linkThis study criticizes the general frameworkthat has governed the broader current of the researchers in civil-military relations, their method of thinking about the military institution since the inception of the field, the paper presents the theoretical and practical gaps in that literature, in particular the researchers of "Coup-Proofing". The study shows the weakness of the explanatory capabilities of the field in extrapolating and analyzing the historical era that the research seeks to reveal its theoretical and historical ambiguities, which is the phase of political pluralism in Syria between 1954-1958, which the researchers viewed as a democratic phase. The paper examines why did the army step down from the presidency and allowed civil forces to engage in political action at the time, in spite of that phase is in the midst of two series of coups. The paper is based on a basic premise that the army as a military institution do represent wings, sectors, units, brigades, and power relations, before it is an expression of any other social segments, which is in contrast to what the literature says in examining the sociological backgrounds of the officers.
Keywords: Syria, Military coups, Coup-Proofing, Officers, Democrac
Editorial: Laity in Christian work and witness
Full text linkFor this issue of the journal, contributions were invited on any subject relevant to the Church and theology in Scotland. From the diverse range of topics covered in the papers selected for the issue, one uniting theme emerged: the significance of the role of lay people in Christian work and witness and in the life of the Church
Reflections on ‘A Future with Hope’ from a lay perspective
Full text linkThis short reflection responds to papers presented at two ‘A Future with Hope’ events held at New College, Edinburgh in 2023 and 2024 (featured in this issue of Theology in Scotland). John Sturrock provides a layperson’s perspective on the Church of Scotland’s failure to grasp the implications of the profound social and cultural changes that have occurred in Scottish society over recent decades. He further explores the potential for the church to adapt by empowering the laity and embracing new forms of church life