Blog on the Learig

  14 August 2026 On Wednesday, we saw a screening of one of the world’s most celebrated films, ‘Andrei Rublev’. It was directed by the Russian, Andrei Tarkovsky. He made seven films in his lifetime and they are all rated very highly. He was one of the greatest directors in the history of cinema. This year marks the sixtieth anniversary of the film hence the showing at the DCA in Dundee. It was long – three hours. It is loosely based on the life of Russia’s most famous icon-writer, Andrei Rublev, an Orthodox Christian and a monk. At the time of its production, Russia was an intensely atheist state and had laws governing what was permissible in the cinema. Tarkovsky’s film was heavily censored because of its Christian content. When it was shown in Cannes it won an award and in America it was shortened for commercial reasons. There are two graphic moments. The first is the attack of the Tartars. Their brutality is vividly portrayed especially when they break down the door of t...

  13 August 2026 In his essay on ‘The Firstborn’, Laurie Lee celebrates the birth of his daughter. ‘If I could teach her anything at all … I’d like it to be acceptance and a holy relish for life. To accept with gladness the fact of being a woman – when she’ll find all nature to be on her side.’ To relish life is to take delight in it, to find joy in it, to treasure it, to   remember it, to seize the day and to live every day as if it were our last. It is to see life not as an accident nor a right but as a mysterious gift which has been bestowed upon us. He wants his new born daughter ‘To know the natural intimacy of living close to the seasons, where they are still the gods in possession; to feel the quick earth stir when she treads upon it, to take the smokeless wind in her mouth, to watch the green year turn, lambs drop and stagger, birds hatch, grass grow and seed …’ But Laurie Lee not only talks about relishing life, he qualifies this relish with the word ‘holy’. T...

  12 August 2026 We went to the V and A in Dundee recently and saw an exhibition of around 28 architectural models of assorted Maggie’s   Centres throughout the country. I remember the one at the gatehouse to the Western General in Glasgow which is probably not there anymore. The centres were conceived by Maggie Jencks who suffered from cancer. She wanted to create a welcoming environment for cancer patients, their families and friends where they could gather together, talk, sit quietly or simply be in a peaceful, unhurried place. Although each centre has been beautifully and distinctively designed by different architects, there is one feature which is common to both – the kitchen table. It is described as ‘the literal and symbolic heart of every Maggie’s Centre’. There are no reception desks, no uniforms, no formality. People are drawn towards the kitchen table where the kettle is always on and people can have a cup of tea and drink at their leisure. It is a deliberat...

  11 August 2026 In acknowledging his failure to walk on water, Peter was able not only   to identify more closely with others whose failures are often more acutely seen than our own, but to acknowledge that it wasn’t his leadership but God’s which was of ultimate significance. Sometimes what we do for others is more like the ministry of Santa Claus. It is a detached generosity in which we remain fully in control. It isn’t borne out of our solidarity with fellow human beings who are all in need of each other and of God. Sometimes we are afraid to step out of the boat onto the stormy seas because we do not believe that God is to be found outside the church just as much as inside. We know he has promised to be with us when we gather in his name and   is uniquely present in Word and Sacrament. But   that doesn’t mean to say that he is not present beyond the kirk walls and in the hearts of those who do not belong to the church. By stepping out into the community ...

  10 August 2026 Peter   and his friends are   trapped in the boat in the midst of a storm. The wind is against them. The boat is in difficulties. What is going to happen next? Jesus sees the troubled boat and comes walking on the water. ‘Take heart, it is I: do not be afraid.’ he says. When Peter asks to walk on the water too. ‘ Come!’ says Jesus. Peter steps out and starts walking on the water. But when he feels the strong wind and sees its effect upon the water, he becomes frightened. He loses faith. He begins to sink. Quite naturally, he prays, ‘ Lord, save me!’ There are two encouraging insights. Firstly, those who are called to participate in the leadership of the church at whatever level need not be discouraged for long if they doubt the power of God to save, heal, help, build, renew. It was true of Peter upon whom Christ built his church. It’s true of us too! Secondly, the true nature of our discipleship is not to be found in a perfect life but a life whi...

  9 August 2026 Isaiah, the prophet,     sets   out God’s vision for a new heaven and a new earth in which his people are described as a delight and harmony will reign   across the earth and   within the animal kingdom! He sets out four primary characteristics, summarized in Raymond Fung’s   book,     ‘The Isaiah Vision’, subtitled, ‘A Strategy for Congregational Evangelism’. It specifies: ·          that children do not die ·          that old people live in dignity ·          that those who build houses live in them ·          that those who plant vineyards eat the fruit The strategy is simple. And most people would agree with it. It’s easy to translate into action and everyone can play their part.   But it’s not an exclusively Christian agenda. It’s one which co...