David Robertson (minister)
Rev David Andrew Robertson (born May 1962[1]) is a Reformed Scottish minister, debater, and media commentator. He has been Minister of St. Peter's Free Church in Dundee, Scotland (the historic church of Robert Murray McCheyne) since October 1992, and is currently Moderator[2] of the Free Church of Scotland. David shares the St. Peter's preaching schedule with Assistant Minister Sinclair Ferguson.
Education
David graduated from both the University of Edinburgh with a degree in History, and from Free Church College (now Edinburgh Theological Seminary) with a degree in Theology, in 1983.[3]
Political Career and Road to Ministry
David had originally planned a career in politics, intending to stand for the Social Democrat Party in his home seat of Ross, Cromarty and Skye in the 1983 General Election. However, a failed bid to become Senior President of Edinburgh University Students Association precipitated a change in direction, and in 1986 he became the youngest minister in the Free Church of Scotland (aged 24), while his contemporary Charles Kennedy went on to win the same seat he had hoped to contest; becoming the youngest Member of Parliament (aged 23) in the process.[4]
Writings, Appearances & Roles
David's writings are regularly featured in The Scotsman[5] and Christian Today,[6] and he has appeared several times on Moody Radio.[7] Additionally, he is Director of Solas Centre for Public Christianity,[8] and sits on the editorial advisory board for Scottish Christian Broadcast.[9]
In both 2014 and 2015 David was voted as one of the 100 most influential Christians in the UK by online voters on "Archbishop Cranmer’s Top 100 List".[10]
'The Wee Flea' Blog
In addition to David's ministerial duties and other roles, he is an award-winning internet blogger.[11] The name of his blog, 'The Wee Flea', alludes both to Richard Dawkins' description of David, John Lennox, and Alister McGrath as "fleas living off a dog's back", and to the Scottish colloquialism 'Wee Frees' - referring to the Free Church of Scotland.[12]
Works
David has authored several books, including:
- Awakening : the life and ministry of Robert Murray McCheyne (2010) ISBN 978-1845505424,[13] a contemporary account of Robert Murray McCheyne's life
- The Dawkins letters : challenging atheist myths (2007) ISBN 978-1845505974,[14] a response to Richard Dawkins' The God Delusion
- Magnificent Obsession : Why Jesus Is Great (2013) ISBN 9781781912713.[15]
- Quench : Cafe Culture Evangelism (2014) ISBN 978-0993083204[16]
- Engaging with Atheists : Understanding their world; sharing good news (2014) ISBN 9781909919099[17]
Debates
Through his roles in Solas Centre for Public Christianity, and the 'Unbelievable?' podcast, David has debated several public figures on a range of social and theological issues:
- Peter Tatchell (Peter Tatchell Foundation) 'The Future of Marriage Debate';[18] 11 December 2013
- Rev Scott S McKenna (Church of Scotland) on atonement; 'A public conversation';[19] chaired by Rt Rev Dr Angus Morrison (Moderator of the Church of Scotland)
- Matt Dillahunty (American public speaker, internet personality, atheist); 'Why I Am Not An Atheist';[20] and 'Why I Am Not A Christian' [21]
- Patrick Harvie MSP (Scottish Green Party) & William Rennie MSP (Scottish Liberal Democrats) versus David Robertson & Peter D Williams; 'Same Sex Marriage?'[22]
- Michael Shermer (Skeptics Society); 'Is Christianity Good For Us'[23]
- Gary McLelland (Scottish Liberal Democrats, Humanist Society Scotland); 'Is Belief in God a Delusion?';[24] 'Is Belief in God Reasonable' [25]
- Michael Nugent (Atheist Ireland); 'Is Christianity Holding Us Back?'[26]
- Peter Cave (British Humanist Association); 'Better With or Without God' [27]
- Alistair Mcbay (National Secular Society); 'Is Faith in God a Delusion?'[28]
- Andrew Copson FRSA, MCMI, MCIPR (Chief Executive, British Humanist Association; President, International Humanist and Ethical Union); 'Are We Better Off Without God'[29]
- Adrian Hyyrylainen-Trett (Liberal Democrats); 'The Gay Marriage Debate'[30]
- Peter D Williams (Executive Officer, Right To Life); 'Catholic vs Protestant - Is the Catholic Church the One True Church?'[31]
References
- ^ http://www.checkcompany.co.uk/director/7511681/REVEREND-DAVID-ANDREW-ROBERTSON
- ^ http://freechurch.org/news/free-church-general-assembly-begins-in-edinburgh.
{{cite web}}: Missing or empty|title=(help) - ^ "David Andrew Robertson | Facebook". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 2016-04-30.
- ^ "David Robertson on Charles Kennedy: So much potential, so much good, and yet so much wasted | Christian News on Christian Today". www.christiantoday.com. Retrieved 2016-04-30.
- ^ http://www.scotsman.com/news/opinion/letters/false-accusations-1-3611708
- ^ http://www.christiantoday.com/article/david.robertson.confessions.of.a.rich.pastor/42349.htm
- ^ http://theweeflea.wordpress.com/tag/moody-radio/
- ^ "Solas Centre for Public Christianity". www.solas-cpc.org. Retrieved 2016-04-30.
- ^ Scottish Christian Broadcast Issue 6, inside front cover.
- ^ Free Church minister rated one of most influential Christians in the UK
- ^ http://theweeflea.wordpress.com/
- ^ "About 'The Wee Flea'". theweeflea.com. 2013-08-22. Retrieved 2016-04-30.
- ^ http://christianfocus.com/item/show/1309/-
- ^ http://christianfocus.com/item/show/1345/-
- ^ http://christianfocus.com/item/show/1608/-
- ^ Robertson, David (2014-11-01). Randell, David J.; Courtney, Thomas J. (eds.). Quench: Cafe Culture Evangelism. SOLAS. ISBN 9780993083204.
- ^ "Engaging with Atheists - David Robertson | The Good Book Company". www.thegoodbook.co.uk. Retrieved 2016-04-30.
- ^ SolasCPC (2013-12-12), Peter Tatchell v David Robertson | Revelation TV | The future of marriage debate, retrieved 2016-04-30
- ^ James Hosie (2015-10-06), A Public Conversation Between David Robertson and Scott McKenna, retrieved 2016-04-30
- ^ DarkViper8888 (2014-02-20), #164 Debate - Matt Dillahunty vs David Robertson - Why I Am Not An Atheist - 2014, retrieved 2016-04-30
{{citation}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ DarkViper8888 (2014-02-27), #177 Debate - Matt Dillahunty vs David Robertson - Why I Am Not A Christian - 2014, retrieved 2016-04-30
{{citation}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ Thomistic Theses (2014-02-18), The Same Sex marriage Debate - Peter D. Williams/David Robertson vs. Patrick Harvie/William Rennie, retrieved 2016-04-30
- ^ Atheist vs Theist Debates (2015-11-21), #110 Debate - Michael Shermer vs David Robertson - Is Christianity Good For Us - 2010, retrieved 2016-04-30
- ^ DarkViper8888 (2014-12-23), #221 Debate - Gary McLelland vs David Robertson - Is Belief in God a Delusion - 2013, retrieved 2016-04-30
{{citation}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ Atheist vs Theist Debates (2016-02-23), #204 Debate - Gary McLelland vs David Robertson - Is Belief in God Reasonable - 2014, retrieved 2016-04-30
- ^ Atheist Ireland (2015-11-22), Is Christianity holding us back? Michael Nugent v David Robertson, retrieved 2016-04-30
- ^ DarkViper8888 (2014-03-11), #197 Debate - Peter Cave vs David Robertson - Better with or without God - 2009, retrieved 2016-04-30
{{citation}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ Atheist vs Theist Debates (2016-03-10), #221 Debate - Alistair Mcbay vs David Robertson - Is Faith in God a Delusion - 2008, retrieved 2016-04-30
- ^ Atheist vs Theist Debates (2016-02-04), #187 Debate - Andrew Copson vs David Robertson - Are We Better Off Without God - 2010, retrieved 2016-04-30
- ^ キリストは主である (2013-10-15), The Gay Marriage Debate: David Robertson vs Adrian Trett, retrieved 2016-04-30
- ^ Christian Apologetics (Christian Answers) (2014-08-07), Debate: Catholic vs Protestant - Is the Catholic Church the One True Church? - Williams vs Robertson, retrieved 2016-04-30