Freedom and Faith
A Question of Scottish Identity
Format:Paperback
Publisher:Saint Andrew Press
Published:21st Nov '13
Currently unavailable, and unfortunately no date known when it will be back
What is our understanding of Scotland’s spiritual identity? Does it matter? Should it affect the way we make our life-changing personal and national decisions? How does our spiritual identity fit with our ethics, our relationships, the arts, culture, politics and organized religion? How can we build an inspiring future? In this remarkable, page-turning exploration, Donald Smith asks whether the religious question belongs only to the past – or whether it also lies squarely in front of us. Never shirking from the most difficult questions, the author gives us an enthralling, sure-footed and balanced sense of much-needed clarity about the state of the Scottish nation. Whether or not readers agree with the sometimes radical conclusions that he reaches, all will find here an enriching depth of clarity, grace and understanding that will lead to greater personal appreciation of the importance of the Christian faith in building an exciting future. In challenging and absorbing style, Donald Smith sets out to help us to unravel the fundamental spiritual dimension of Scottish identity and enables us to confront our national potential – and our demons – as never before.
This informed, mature and inspiring reflection deserves to become essential reading for anyone with an interest in the shaping of a new Scotland at this turbulent and exciting time in the nation's history.’ -- Ron Ferguson
‘Donald Smith, director of the innovative Scottish Storytelling Centre, is the most creative person in Scotland working at the interface between Church, society and the arts. This informed, mature and inspiring reflection deserves to become essential reading for anyone with an interest in the shaping of a new Scotland at this turbulent and exciting time in the nation's history.’ -- Ron Ferguson
‘Scotland’s ‘quiddity’ has always been bound up with its religious practices in relation to culture, landscape, politics and internationalism. Covering the chequered story up to the present day, Smith looks to the possible future if Scotland becomes independent. He asks how we can live in relationship with “the divine sources of life itself”, in a participatory way, affirming human dignity, self-worth and wellbeing. Smith believes that the continuing divinity and generosity of the Holy Spirit will work to bring the change and renewal we are seeking.' -- Tessa Ransford
These pages are full of freshness. There is a keen sense of clean air blowing through them. The book totally lacks stuffiness. It will fascinate, enlighten and encourage anyone currently engaged in Christian life and work in Scotland - and there are hundreds of thousands of us.’ -- Harry Reid
‘This is a really clear and accessible summary of Scottish history, politics and culture as well as religion - a great resource to inform and stimulate discussion during the independence debate, and beyond.’ -- Lesley Orr
‘It is comforting to read a book which relates the facts of history to religion in Scotland, yet looks to the future with positive faith in the continuing effective generosity of the Holy Spirit to bring freedom and love in a more secular society. The ‘quiddity’ of Scotland is intertwined with the ‘divine sources of life itself.’ -- Tessa Ransford
' ... contains so much to digest that it demands more than one reading ... Smith has managed to compress over 1000 years of history, a pithy and perceptive summary of the state we're in - politically, culturally, socially, spiritually and how all that is interconnected - and some pointers for where we might go from here ... the overwhelming tone is one of optimism: that Scotland is treading its own distinctive path (whatever the outcome of the Referendum), and that there is still very much a place for Christianity ....' * Life and Work *
ISBN: 9780861538133
Dimensions: unknown
Weight: unknown
136 pages