Wednesday, 2 December 2015

Get This Book – A Must Read


Get This Book – A Must Read

The Banner of Truth has kindly made available a number of chapters from the forthcoming book, “A Sad Departure – Why We Could Not Stay in the Church of Scotland” by David J Randall.

The foreword  by Sinclair Ferguson and introduction are available on the USA site:


The Appendix containing the stories of ministers and churches is available on the UK site:


I will do a full review when the book is published, but the appendix is explosive!  This collection of testimonies shows in many cases the duplicity of a denomination which is more concerned at preserving property and raiding funds than in maintain a biblical witness or supporting biblical morality.  Various testimonies are given of the underhand conduct and lack of integrity in the denomination.  More disturbingly, the testimonies are a record of a spineless and prevaricating response by many professed evangelicals who prioritise their own security and comfort and the maintenance of denominational loyalty over obedience to Scripture.

These testimonies span a rich variety of ministerial statuses, from newly ordained preachers to retired pastors, from those who laboured for years in the hope of reformation to those who realised almost immediately after their ordination that biblical change would not be forthcoming.  Some were firm denominational loyalists who saw that ultimately they were being played and that the reward for loyalty was betrayal. For all there was great cost and sacrifice involved; none say they regret the decision they have made.

It is possible that every testimony in this book is untrue, that a diverse collection of men and churches simply made up a record of denominational unfaithfulness  to Scripture,  avarice and dishonesty – but is that likely?  More likely is that the common tale comes from a common experience of the Machiavellian manipulation of a denomination that has abandoned Scripture and wishes to crush those who dissent and leave.

I look forward to reading the full book with its historical account and exegetical defence – but sadly doubt that those who should be, will be persuaded. “None so deaf as those that will not hear. None so blind as those that will not see.“ Matthew Henry


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