Life & Work Magazine
Life & Work Magazine


3 mins

Readers’ Letters

Manchester Bomb Thanks

Following the attack in Manchester and the impact it had on the island communities of Barra and Vatersay, we were overwhelmed with the many cards, letters and email messages that were sent to us, many of them to the manse address. On behalf of the people of these islands who were affected in so many different ways I would like to express our most sincere thanks for the condolences and ongoing prayerful support expressed by stranger and friend. The volume of correspondence was such that it proves not possible to respond to each, instead may I use the letters page of this publication to express our deepest gratitude for each and every expression of prayerful support that we received.

Rev Dr Lindsay Schluter (Rev), Barra

Authentic Gospel Plea

It was good to read of Ron Ferguson’s view of the current state of the Church of Scotland and his challenge for churches to “live much closer to the gospel of Christ”.

My impression is that there is great confusion within the Church of Scotland as to what constitutes the “Gospel of Christ”. The orthodox Gospel of repentance of sin and faith in Jesus Christ, whose substitutionary death on the cross atones for our sins, makes us right with God and gives us eternal life, does not seem to be recognised in many of our churches.

If we are going to make an impact again in Scotland, which according to recent news, has disturbingly high alcohol consumption and related deaths, we need to subscribe to the Gospel which has power to save men women and children from the power of sin. I wonder if Ron Ferguson would also challenge the church to stay closer to clear Bible teaching because the church seems to be diluting the power of the gospel message. The Gospel has power to save and transform lives but let’s make sure that we have the authentic gospel and not one made up to suit our present generation, because that is no gospel at all.

Alex Glen, Elder Sandyford Henderson Church, Glasgow

Scripture Union Appreciation

Thank you for featuring the Scripture Union anniversary. It was through SU that I came to faith and learned to pray. I would like to offer this poem in appreciation of their work: This is a people story: Bishop and Spiers found common aims, invested their careers in children’s work for the next forty years. Well initialled projects, like CSSM and (later on) CMVK, soon took them all across the land. A stratagem for teaching children what the Bible says each day soon followed, one of several ways to keep us right on message all our days. Wales, then Scotland, Ireland got the vision, volunteers and staff shared each decision, prayed and talked to counteract division. Old Jordans signalled change, plus handing over leadership to partners standing with us now in many lands, expanding to 130 movements, putting out resources, running camps and school groups, joining forces with the local church for training courses. Sixty years ago my world was limited; now twice my age, this movement led me to find endless life with Christ instead.

Jock Stein (Rev), Haddington, East Lothian

Cartoon: Bill McArthur

Life and Work welcomes letters from readers of not more than 350 wordswhich can be sent by post to Life and Work,121 George Street, Edinburgh, EH2 4YN or by email to magazine@lifeandwork.org

For verification purposes letters must be accompanied by the writer’s name, address and daytime telephone number. Anonymous letters will not be published. In exceptional circumstances the Editor will consider publishing a letter withholding the details of the writer, provided verification can be made. The Editor reserves the right to edit letters for space and legal reasons.

This article appears in the August 2017 Issue of Life and Work

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This article appears in the August 2017 Issue of Life and Work