Scottish Theology
When I was in high school, my American history teacher excelled in two ways: he made history both exciting and useful. He did the former by telling the truth, the whole truth; he did the latter by applying the truth. As a discipline, history has fallen on hard times. To use a phrase of C.S. Lewis, our culture is one of “chronological snobbery.” We live and breathe an air of superiority that assumes that we know more and that we know better. How has that worked out for us?
Donald Macleod seeks to alleviate this error by making history both exciting and useful. How does he make history exciting? He writes both Therefore, the Truth I Speak and From the Marrow Men to the Moderates, and these two volumes cover Scottish church history from 1500-1700 and 1700-1800 respectively. Macleod does not attempt an exhaustive history; instead, he chooses a more interesting route by selecting a few prominent figures of the age. Some are prominent for their impact on church affairs, others for educational models, and others still for their piety and political achievements. In weaving together this biographical narrative, Macleod highlights how each challenge shaped their theology. Truly, one could call his endeavor a “narrative theology.” The strength here is obvious, isn’t it? Many times, theology is done in the abstract, pontificating about hypotheticals divorced from daily life. Macleod situates these great theological truths within concrete episodes of human life. How did Knox use theology to comfort Mrs. Bowes in her despair? How did Scripture help the famous Robert Bruce battle his own demons? How did the Apostle Paul help Samuel Rutherford understand the role of civil resistance? Or to ask the same questions in a different way - how did a lack of theology lead to the rise of the Moderates in Scotland? How did too narrow a theology lead to constant schism in the 1700-1800s? Donald Macleod leads us into the depths of sorrows and the heights of consolation through our forefathers’ thoughtful application of Scripture.
Being a “fly on the wall” in the midst of historical upheavals is interesting, but how is it practical? Donald Macleod chooses historical figures whose situations most closely mirror our own. For over five years, questions have been bubbling over the relationship between church and state. For far longer, liberal theological views have become dominated the mainstream. These large, tectonic shifts do not begin to compare to the largest battles raging in our own hearts against guilt and shame. But none of these are unique to us. This world may be a new stage with new actors, but it is the same script. We would be better equipped to handle these trials if we sat at the feet of those bearing the scars. Macleod allows the voices of the past to challenge and to critique our outlook. Because their blind spots are different than ours, these voices excel at pointing out our deficiencies. Who knows? We may be able to see a brighter future if we stood on the shoulders of these men.
If you plan on reading any history this year, I highly recommend these volumes. They can be found here and here. As always, if you read them, let me know! I’d love to treat you to coffee and hear your thoughts.
