David Robertson (minister) explained

Birth Name:David Andrew Robertson
Birth Date:2 May 1962
Birth Place:Berwick-upon-Tweed, Scotland
Church:St Peter's Free Church of Scotland, Dundee
Education:B.A. University of Edinburgh, 1983
M.A. Free Church College (ETS), 1983
Ordained:Free Church of Scotland
Writings:
  • Awakening : the life and ministry of Robert Murray McCheyne (2010)[1]
  • The Dawkins letters : challenging atheist myths (2007)[2]
  • Magnificent Obsession : Why Jesus Is Great (2013).[3]
  • Quench : Cafe Culture Evangelism (2014)[4]
  • Engaging with Atheists : Understanding their world; sharing good news (2014)[5]
  • A.S.K. : Real World Questions / Real World Answers (2019).[6]
Congregations:Brora Free Church, Sutherland; St.Peter's Free Church, Dundee;
Offices Held:Moderator of the Free Church of Scotland (2015-16)
Spouse:Annabel
Children:3
Occupation:Minister
Religion:Reformed - New Calvinism

David Andrew Robertson (born 2 May 1962) is a Scottish Presbyterian minister and religious commentator.[7] Robertson was the minister of St Peter's Free Church in Dundee, Scotland, from 1992 until 2019. He served as Moderator of the Free Church of Scotland between 2015 and 2016.[8] Robertson is also a blogger, podcaster, and writer. He gained public attention following his critique of The God Delusion by Richard Dawkins[9] and has since become a commentator on religious, social, and political affairs in Scotland, with an annual readership of over one million.[10]

Early life and education

Robertson was born in Berwick-upon-Tweed, and was brought up in Fearn in Easter Ross. He spent his secondary school years at Tain Royal Academy.

Robertson graduated from both the University of Edinburgh with a M.A Honours degree in history, and from Free Church College (now Edinburgh Theological Seminary) with a diploma in theology, in 1983.[11]

Career

Robertson had originally planned a career in politics, intending to stand for the Social Democratic Party (SDP) 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 August 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.[12]

Robertson's first full-time ministry charge was in Clyne Free Church, in Brora, from 1986. He became the minister of St Peter's Free Church, Dundee, (the historic church of Robert Murray McCheyne),[13] in October 1992, where he worked closely with Scottish theologian Sinclair Ferguson. He was the Moderator of the Free Church of Scotland between 2015 and 2016,[8] replacing Rev David Miller.[14]

Robertson co-founded Solas (Centre for Public Christianity) in June 2010 with the former SNP leader, Gordon Wilson, who was a member of St Peter's Free Church in his final years.[15] Robertson remained the director of Solas until 2018.[16]

Robertson's ministry became increasingly engaged with secular audiences until he entered apologetics ministry full-time in 2019. Before moving to Australia in 2019, he was also a chaplain at the University of Dundee and former club chaplain of Dundee F.C.[17] [10]

Writings and broadcasting

Robertson's writings have been featured in The Scotsman[18] and Christian Today,[19] and he has appeared several times on Moody Radio.[20] He sits on the editorial advisory board for Scottish Christian Broadcast.[21]

Robertson hosts a weekly podcast on current affairs called Quantum of Solas, which began during his role with Solas Centre for Public Christianity.[22] He featured in another podcast series, Unbelievable?, debating several prominent atheists.[23] He was also the editor of The Record, the Free Church's main magazine for several years.[24]

Robertson has a blog, The Wee Flea, the name of which alludes both to Richard Dawkins' description of Robertson, 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.[25] In 2017, Robertson's blog was viewed 900,000 times from 190 countries[26] and by April 2021 it had a total of over 6 million hits.[27]

Awards

In 2014, 2015, and 2016,[28] Robertson was voted one of the 100 most influential Christians in the UK by online voters on "Archbishop Cranmer's Top 100 List".[29]

Robertson's blog won Runner Up in "Blogger of the Year" category in 2014,[30] and featured as a Finalist in the "Most Inspiring Leadership Blog" category in 2015,[31] both of the Premier Digital Christian New Media Awards.

Personal life

Shortly before entering the ministry, he married Annabel MacLeod, a nurse from Parkend near Stornoway. He has three children.[32]

Selected publications

Debates

Through his roles in Solas Centre for Public Christianity, and the 'Unbelievable?' podcast, Robertson has debated several public figures on a range of social and theological issues:

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Awakening by David Robertson. Christian Focus. 3 March 2018. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20160304120233/http://christianfocus.com/item/show/1309/-. 4 March 2016.
  2. Web site: The Dawkins Letters by David Robertson. Christian Focus. 3 March 2018. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20170822160929/http://www.christianfocus.com/item/show/1345/-. 22 August 2017.
  3. Web site: Magnificent Obsession by David Robertson. Christian Focus. 3 March 2018. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20170823012532/http://www.christianfocus.com/item/show/1608/-. 23 August 2017.
  4. Book: Robertson, David. Quench: Cafe Culture Evangelism. 2014-11-01. SOLAS. 9780993083204. Randell. David J.. English. Courtney. Thomas J..
  5. Web site: Engaging with Atheists - David Robertson The Good Book Company. www.thegoodbook.co.uk. 2016-04-30. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20160506162456/https://www.thegoodbook.co.uk/engaging-with-atheists. 2016-05-06.
  6. Book: Robertson . David . A.S.K. : real world questions / real word answers . 2019 . Christian Focus Publications . Fearn, Ross-shire . 978-1-5271-0339-9.
  7. https://www.acc.edu.au/podcast/david-robertson/''The Inspiration Project.
  8. Web site: Free Church General Assembly begins in Edinburgh. Free Church of Scotland. 3 March 2018. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20160305021759/http://freechurch.org/news/free-church-general-assembly-begins-in-edinburgh. 5 March 2016.
  9. News: Macdonnell . Hamish . Richard Dawkins: received in the Holy Land, reviled in the Highlands . 21 April 2021 . Independent . 30 August 2012.
  10. News: Gurr . Ewan . After 30 years of ministry in Dundee, 'the wee Flea' will be a huge loss to the city . 21 April 2021 . Courier . 5 February 2019.
  11. Web site: David Andrew Robertson Facebook. www.facebook.com. 2016-04-30. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20180303124039/https://www.facebook.com/darobertsonstpetes/about?section=education&pnref=about. 2018-03-03.
  12. Web site: David Robertson on Charles Kennedy: So much potential, so much good, and yet so much wasted Christian News on Christian Today. www.christiantoday.com. 2 June 2015 . 2016-04-30. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20160330102548/http://www.christiantoday.com/article/charles.kennedy.tribute.so.much.potential.so.much.good.and.yet.so.much.wasted/55211.htm. 2016-03-30.
  13. Web site: M'CHEYNE'S LIFE & TIMES . Mcheyne Info . 21 April 2021.
  14. Web site: 'Visionary' named as new moderator of Free Church - Press and Journal. pressandjournal.co.uk. 2 October 2014 . 3 March 2018. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20160921091529/https://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/news/scotland/363931/new-moderator-for-free-church/. 21 September 2016.
  15. Web site: SOLAS (CENTRE FOR PUBLIC CHRISTIANITY) - DUNDEE . Check Company . 6 February 2021.
  16. Web site: Solas Centre for Public Christianity. www.solas-cpc.org. 2016-04-30. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20160605135208/http://www.solas-cpc.org/wp/team-member/david-robertson/. 2016-06-05.
  17. News: Healy . Derek . Dundee University chaplain slams 'discrimination' as Scots youngsters locked out of hundreds of courses . 21 April 2021 . Courier . 21 August 2018.
  18. Web site: False Accusations . The Scotsman. 2014-11-22 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20141124080509/http://www.scotsman.com/news/opinion/letters/false-accusations-1-3611708 . 2014-11-24 .
  19. Web site: David Robertson: Confessions of a Rich Pastor. www.christiantoday.com. 31 October 2014 . 3 March 2018. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20170313203130/http://www.christiantoday.com/article/david.robertson.confessions.of.a.rich.pastor/42349.htm. 13 March 2017.
  20. Web site: Moody Radio – TheWeeFlea.com. theweeflea.wordpress.com. 3 March 2018. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20150414105626/https://theweeflea.wordpress.com/tag/moody-radio/. 14 April 2015.
  21. Scottish Christian Broadcast Issue 6, inside front cover.
  22. Web site: Solas Centre for Public Christianity. www.solas-cpc.org. en-US. 2017-04-17. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20170418082321/https://www.solas-cpc.org/wp/focusarea/quantum-of-solas/. 2017-04-18.
  23. Web site: Solas Centre for Public Christianity. www.solas-cpc.org. en-US. 2017-04-17. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20170418162045/https://www.solas-cpc.org/wp/tags/unbelievable/. 2017-04-18.
  24. News: Free Church to allow music and hymns . 21 April 2021 . BBC . 19 November 2010.
  25. Web site: About 'The Wee Flea'. 2013-08-22. theweeflea.com. en-US. 2016-04-30. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20160326063150/http://theweeflea.com/about/. 2016-03-26.
  26. Web site: 5yrs of blogging. Facebook. 3 March 2018. Dundee. 28 February 2018. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20180303124039/https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fdarobertsonstpetes%2Fposts%2F10156188819960948&width=500%22. 3 March 2018.
  27. Web site: https://theweeflea.com/ . The Wee Flea . 21 April 2021.
  28. News: Daniel McArthur leads the UK's Top 100 most inspirational Christians 2016. 2016-12-31. Archbishop Cranmer. 2017-04-17. en-GB. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20170324050434/http://archbishopcranmer.com/daniel-mcarthur-leads-uk-top-100-most-inspirational-christians-2016/. 2017-03-24.
  29. Web site: Free Church minister rated one of most influential Christians in the UK - Press and Journal. pressandjournal.co.uk. 11 January 2015 . 3 March 2018. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20160323024600/https://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/news/scotland/452282/free-church-minister-rated-one-of-most-influential-christians-in-the-uk/. 23 March 2016.
  30. News: Shortlist 2014 - Premier digital. Premier. 2017-04-17. Premier digital. 2017-04-17. en-GB. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20180303124039/https://www.premierdigital.org.uk/Premier-DAC/Awards/Shortlist-2014. 2018-03-03.
  31. News: Winners 2015 - Premier digital. Premier. 2017-04-17. Premier digital. 2017-04-17. en-GB. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20170802181737/https://www.premierdigital.org.uk/Premier-DAC/Archive/2015/Winners-20152. 2017-08-02.
  32. Web site: About 'The Wee Flea' . The Wee Flea . 22 August 2013 . 17 November 2023 . English.
  33. Web site: Debate Night . BBC iPlayer . BBC Scotland . 4 June 2019.
  34. Web site: Assisted dying debated at Abertay . Abertay University . 21 April 2021.

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