Journals

The Kirk of Perth Anniversary Year

Allan Young

1976 marked fifty years since the building's restoration in 1926 and the 850th Anniversary of the Kirk's foundation in 1126. Significant things have been introduced in the last half-century: a 'nave altar', a lectern and a font, all examples of contemporary art. An east end chapel has been created for 'small' services. These changes are illustrated with photographs as are liturgally coloured frontals, new Communion vessels and a cross. The period has also seen a new stained glass window unveiled

Reference: Volume 06, Number 02 Nov 1976, p31

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The Kirk of Perth Anniversary Year	1.76 MB

The Theology of Prayer and Intercession

James Wood

Christians pray. Only in extremis? Does God intervene in response? We share in outgoing love as the Spirit makes our prayer part of Christ's intercession. It is God's will to hear prayer. We should 'wait on God' for his 'answer'. As in the Lord's Prayer, the centre is petition. Praying is our need to obey God. Petition and penitence arise from gratitude. All true prayer is corporate, from humanity to the Trinity. Like Abraham we pray in faith. 'We do not know how to pray as we ought'. We leave things 'in God's hands' because God knows. God's Will will become known. 'Not what I will, but what thou wilt'. We must pray, though we only groan. The Spirit will present our prayer to God, 'in God's own way'.

Reference: Volume 06, Number 02 Nov 1976, p35

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The Theology of Prayer and Intercession	7.31 MB

Notes on the frequency of Celebration of Holy Communion in the Church of Scotland

Harvey Cruickshank

This is a statistical enquiry based on congregational practice in 1967. A geographical and an urban-rural pattern is discerned. There is no evidence of frequent Communion or of 'Apostolic Practice' in 98% of Congregations. This situation has 'evolved' rather than being deliberate policy, and it should be remedied in accord with the practice of the Early Church and the wishes of the Reformers. Indifference and opposition would have to be overcome. Change should be seen to be for the good of the Church. Eucharist would have to be accepted as the 'norm' of worship. Education to this end would have to be undertaken. There is however some evidence of slow advance having been made in the previous thirty years.

Reference: Volume 06, Number 02 Nov 1976, p49

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Notes on the frequency of Celebration of Holy Communion in the Church of Scotland	4.22 MB

The Church Service Society Notes

No Author Specified

No summary currently available

Reference: Volume 06, Number 02 Nov 1976, p58

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The Church Service Society Notes	449.97 KB

Obituary

No Author Specified

The Revd John Alexander Lamb, DD, BD, PhD
The Revd David Alexander Hodges, MA, BD

Reference: Volume 06, Number 02 Nov 1976, p59

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Obituary	1.34 MB

List of Plates

Illustrations in this volume

Plate 1 St John’s Kirk, Perth - The Choir
Plate 2 St John’s Kirk, Perth - The Red Pulpit Fall
Plate 3 St John’s Kirk, Perth - The Green Pulpit Fall
Plate 4 St John’s Kirk, Perth - The John Knox Chapel

Reference: Volume 06, Number 02 Nov 1976

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Illustrations	1.71 MB

Editorial

The Editor

This comments on the incoming Moderator of The General Assembly, Professor T F Torrance; on the authorization of Exorcists; on the Induction of Ministers; on amplification in worship and on appropriate offertory processing.

Reference: Volume 06, Number 01 May 1976, p1

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Editorial	547.45 KB

“Our Eyes Fixed on Jesus”

John B Logan

John Logan preached on Heb. 12.1-2 (NEB) at the Society's Conference. He emphasised the incarnation of Jesus Christ in faith and life, focused in the 'real presence' in Word and Sacrament. Our race through life is encouraged by saints and martyrs and by the whole body of Christ. Holy Communion prefigures a consumated race to glory, with Christ at the centre.

Reference: Volume 06, Number 01 May 1976, p3

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“Our Eyes Fixed on Jesus”	1.2 MB

The Paschal Mystery of Christ and the Eucharist

T F Torrance

Professor Torrance presents twelve general theses. The meaning of the Eucharist is grounded in the Paschal Mystery. The priesthood of Christ determines the real presence and the eucharistic sacrifice. He mediates our offering of worship. Eucharist embraces both Passion and Resurrection. We make anamnesis of the whole Christ. God gives himself through his Spirit. Such grace must not be limited by ideas of transubstantiation. What is important is who is present rather than how. We must also beware of symbolist tendencies and a psychological sacerdotalism. Today's ecumenical emphasis on the inherent oneness of Christ rejects such dualism and gives us the possibility of re-establishing a primitive Christianity.

Reference: Volume 06, Number 01 May 1976, p6

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The Paschal Mystery of Christ and the Eucharist	3.4 MB

Luther’s “Taufbüchlein” - Part II

Bryan D Spinks

Bryan Spinks first outlines Luther's high view of Baptism as the outward sign of Justification, as something God does. He then considers both of Luther's revisions of the Baptismal Liturgy in order to make the glory of God's action manifest. Luther lists non-essential ceremonies, then the 'integral' parts of the Liturgy – vows, immersion and the triune name. He lists those things which can take away from the 'glory of Baptism'. Spinks adds a note on Luther's view of Confirmation and concludes that Luther's chief concern was that Baptism should be the sacrament of salvation.

Reference: Volume 06, Number 01 May 1976, p13

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Luther’s “Taufbüchlein” - Part II	4.14 MB

Marriage and the Oriental Churches

Jan Tellini

Oriental practice has held together the temporal and the eternal. This is so in the Marriage Liturgy which sets out a way of salvation. Tellini spells this out in three ways: Marriage as a matter of Grace, Calling and Election; Marriage as Fulfilment; and Marriage as the microcosm of the union between Christ and his Church. He commends the Coptic ceremonies as a way of portraying these things.

Reference: Volume 06, Number 01 May 1976, p22

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Marriage and the Oriental Churches	3.85 MB

The Protestant Liturgy and the Working Classes

David G Kibble

Kibble's concern is the absence of the working classes from the Church. In addition to other reasons he puts forward a theological-liturgical one. Many Western liturgical acts were popularised and so devalued. Reformers emphasised lay participation but did away with much art, including much music, elevating the Word. This playing down of the sensory has alienated the working classes. We need to re-emphasise group mentality, sensory worship and the presentation of the Gospel in other than verbal ways.

Reference: Volume 06, Number 01 May 1976, p31

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The Protestant Liturgy and the Working Classes	6.9 MB

New Church Building

George Paterson

Contemporary Church design is considered, with special reference to three buildings which are illustrated: East Kilbride – South Church; Cumbernauld – St. Mungo's; and Kilmarnock – St. Kentigern's.

Reference: Volume 06, Number 01 May 1976, p45

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New Church Building	3.41 MB

Who Goes to Church in Scotland?

Robin Gill

The lack of any real survey of churchgoing in Scotland encouraged a 'mini survey' in part of Edinburgh. This showed double the national average of churchgoing for Britain as a whole. The influence of sex, marital status, age and physical mobility on church-going is analysed.

Reference: Volume 06, Number 01 May 1976, p48

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Who Goes to Church in Scotland?	2.35 MB

A Meditation

Jean Carmignac

This short meditation was given at a session of the 1973 International Conference of New Testament Scholars. It is translated by Mrs. K.M. Moir of Edinburgh. It is a plea for humility before the Word of God.

Reference: Volume 06, Number 01 May 1976, p54

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A Meditation	634.69 KB