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]
David Robertson | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | David Andrew Robertson 2 May 1962 |
| Education | B.A. University of Edinburgh, 1983 M.A. Free Church College (ETS), 1983 |
| Occupation | Minister |
| Spouse | Annabel |
| Children | 3 |
| Religion | Reformed - New Calvinism |
| Church | St Peter's Free Church of Scotland, Dundee |
| Ordained | Free Church of Scotland |
| Writings |
|
Congregations served | Brora Free Church, Sutherland; St.Peter's Free Church, Dundee; |
Offices held | Moderator of the Free Church of Scotland (2015-16) |
| Website | theweeflea |
Early life and education
editRobertson 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.[7]
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
editRobertson 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
editRobertson'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
editIn 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
editShortly before entering the ministry, he married Annabel MacLeod, a nurse from Parkend near Stornoway. He has three children.[32]
Selected publications
edit- A.S.K. : Real World Questions / Real World Answers (2019) ISBN 978-1-5271-0339-9,[6] for teenagers.
- Quench : Cafe Culture Evangelism (2014) ISBN 978-0993083204[4]
- Engaging with Atheists : Understanding their world; sharing good news (2014) ISBN 9781909919099[5]
- Magnificent Obsession : Why Jesus Is Great (2013) ISBN 9781781912713.[3]
- Awakening : the life and ministry of Robert Murray McCheyne (2010) ISBN 978-1845505424,[1] a contemporary account of Robert Murray McCheyne's life
- The Dawkins letters : challenging atheist myths (2007) ISBN 978-1845505974,[2] a response to Richard Dawkins' The God Delusion
Debates
editThrough 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:
- BBC Scotland - Debate Night; The panel included: depute leader of the SNP at Westminster, Kirsty Blackman; the Conservative MP for Stirling, Stephen Kerr; the Scottish Labour MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Alex Rowley; President of the Royal Society of Edinburgh, Dame Anne Glover. Topics debated: Brexit, Trump, and the NHS.[33] 2 June 2019
- Peter Tatchell (Peter Tatchell Foundation) The Future of Marriage Debate;[34] 11 December 2013
- Scott S McKenna (Church of Scotland) on atonement; A public conversation;[35] 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;[36] and 'Why I Am Not A Christian'[37]
- Patrick Harvie MSP (Scottish Green Party) & William Rennie MSP (Scottish Liberal Democrats) versus David Robertson & Peter D Williams; Same Sex Marriage?[38]
- Michael Shermer (Skeptics Society); Is Christianity Good For Us[39]
- Gary McLelland (Scottish Liberal Democrats, Humanist Society Scotland); Is Belief in God a Delusion?;[40] Is Belief in God Reasonable[41]
- Michael Nugent (Atheist Ireland); Is Christianity Holding Us Back?[42]
- Peter Cave (British Humanist Association); Better With or Without God[43]
- Alistair Mcbay (National Secular Society); Is Faith in God a Delusion?[44]
- Andrew Copson FRSA, MCMI, MCIPR (Chief Executive, British Humanist Association; President, International Humanist and Ethical Union); Are We Better Off Without God[45]
- Adrian Hyyrylainen-Trett (Liberal Democrats); The Gay Marriage Debate[46]
- Peter D Williams (Executive Officer, Right To Life); Catholic vs Protestant - Is the Catholic Church the One True Church?[47]
- Robertson regularly debated at Abertay University held by its Division of Sociology.[48]
References
edit- ^ a b "Awakening by David Robertson". Christian Focus. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 3 March 2018.
- ^ a b "The Dawkins Letters by David Robertson". Christian Focus. Archived from the original on 22 August 2017. Retrieved 3 March 2018.
- ^ a b "Magnificent Obsession by David Robertson". Christian Focus. Archived from the original on 23 August 2017. Retrieved 3 March 2018.
- ^ a b Robertson, David (1 November 2014). Randell, David J.; Courtney, Thomas J. (eds.). Quench: Cafe Culture Evangelism. SOLAS. ISBN 9780993083204.
- ^ a b "Engaging with Atheists - David Robertson | The Good Book Company". www.thegoodbook.co.uk. Archived from the original on 6 May 2016. Retrieved 30 April 2016.
- ^ a b Robertson, David (2019). A.S.K. : real world questions / real word answers. Fearn, Ross-shire: Christian Focus Publications. ISBN 978-1-5271-0339-9.
- ^ a b https://www.acc.edu.au/podcast/david-robertson/The Inspiration Project.
- ^ a b "Free Church General Assembly begins in Edinburgh". Free Church of Scotland. Archived from the original on 5 March 2016. Retrieved 3 March 2018.
- ^ Macdonnell, Hamish (30 August 2012). "Richard Dawkins: received in the Holy Land, reviled in the Highlands". Independent. Retrieved 21 April 2021.
- ^ a b Gurr, Ewan (5 February 2019). "After 30 years of ministry in Dundee, 'the wee Flea' will be a huge loss to the city". Courier. Retrieved 21 April 2021.
- ^ "David Andrew Robertson | Facebook". www.facebook.com. Archived from the original on 3 March 2018. Retrieved 30 April 2016.
- ^ "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. Archived from the original on 30 March 2016. Retrieved 30 April 2016.
- ^ "M'CHEYNE'S LIFE & TIMES". Mcheyne Info. Retrieved 21 April 2021.
- ^ "'Visionary' named as new moderator of Free Church - Press and Journal". pressandjournal.co.uk. 2 October 2014. Archived from the original on 21 September 2016. Retrieved 3 March 2018.
- ^ "SOLAS (CENTRE FOR PUBLIC CHRISTIANITY) - DUNDEE". Check Company. Retrieved 6 February 2021.
- ^ "Solas Centre for Public Christianity". www.solas-cpc.org. Archived from the original on 5 June 2016. Retrieved 30 April 2016.
- ^ Healy, Derek (21 August 2018). "Dundee University chaplain slams 'discrimination' as Scots youngsters locked out of hundreds of courses". Courier. Retrieved 21 April 2021.
- ^ "False Accusations". The Scotsman. Archived from the original on 24 November 2014. Retrieved 22 November 2014.
- ^ "David Robertson: Confessions of a Rich Pastor". www.christiantoday.com. 31 October 2014. Archived from the original on 13 March 2017. Retrieved 3 March 2018.
- ^ "Moody Radio – TheWeeFlea.com". theweeflea.wordpress.com. Archived from the original on 14 April 2015. Retrieved 3 March 2018.
- ^ Scottish Christian Broadcast Issue 6, inside front cover.
- ^ "Solas Centre for Public Christianity". www.solas-cpc.org. Archived from the original on 18 April 2017. Retrieved 17 April 2017.
- ^ "Solas Centre for Public Christianity". www.solas-cpc.org. Archived from the original on 18 April 2017. Retrieved 17 April 2017.
- ^ "Free Church to allow music and hymns". BBC. 19 November 2010. Retrieved 21 April 2021.
- ^ "About 'The Wee Flea'". theweeflea.com. 22 August 2013. Archived from the original on 26 March 2016. Retrieved 30 April 2016.
- ^ "5yrs of blogging". Facebook. Dundee. 28 February 2018. Archived from the original on 3 March 2018. Retrieved 3 March 2018.
- ^ The Wee Flea https://theweeflea.com/. Retrieved 21 April 2021.
{{cite web}}: Missing or empty|title=(help) - ^ "Daniel McArthur leads the UK's Top 100 most inspirational Christians 2016". Archbishop Cranmer. 31 December 2016. Archived from the original on 24 March 2017. Retrieved 17 April 2017.
- ^ "Free Church minister rated one of most influential Christians in the UK - Press and Journal". pressandjournal.co.uk. 11 January 2015. Archived from the original on 23 March 2016. Retrieved 3 March 2018.
- ^ Premier (17 April 2017). "Shortlist 2014 - Premier digital". Premier digital. Archived from the original on 3 March 2018. Retrieved 17 April 2017.
- ^ Premier (17 April 2017). "Winners 2015 - Premier digital". Premier digital. Archived from the original on 2 August 2017. Retrieved 17 April 2017.
- ^ "About 'The Wee Flea'". The Wee Flea. 22 August 2013. Retrieved 17 November 2023.
- ^ "Debate Night". BBC iPlayer. BBC Scotland. Retrieved 4 June 2019.
- ^ SolasCPC (12 December 2013), Peter Tatchell v David Robertson | Revelation TV | The future of marriage debate, archived from the original on 15 June 2014, retrieved 30 April 2016
- ^ James Hosie (6 October 2015), A Public Conversation Between David Robertson and Scott McKenna, archived from the original on 3 March 2018, retrieved 30 April 2016
- ^ DarkViper8888 (20 February 2014), #164 Debate - Matt Dillahunty vs David Robertson - Why I Am Not An Atheist - 2014, archived from the original on 15 December 2015, retrieved 30 April 2016
{{citation}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ DarkViper8888 (27 February 2014), #177 Debate - Matt Dillahunty vs David Robertson - Why I Am Not A Christian - 2014, archived from the original on 8 March 2016, retrieved 30 April 2016
{{citation}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ Thomistic Theses (18 February 2014), The Same Sex marriage Debate - Peter D. Williams/David Robertson vs. Patrick Harvie/William Rennie, archived from the original on 5 August 2017, retrieved 30 April 2016
- ^ Atheist vs Theist Debates (21 November 2015), #110 Debate - Michael Shermer vs David Robertson - Is Christianity Good For Us - 2010, archived from the original on 3 March 2018, retrieved 30 April 2016
- ^ DarkViper8888 (23 December 2014), #221 Debate - Gary McLelland vs David Robertson - Is Belief in God a Delusion - 2013, archived from the original on 3 March 2018, retrieved 30 April 2016
{{citation}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ Atheist vs Theist Debates (23 February 2016), #204 Debate - Gary McLelland vs David Robertson - Is Belief in God Reasonable - 2014, archived from the original on 3 March 2018, retrieved 30 April 2016
- ^ Atheist Ireland (22 November 2015), Is Christianity holding us back? Michael Nugent v David Robertson, archived from the original on 3 March 2018, retrieved 30 April 2016
- ^ DarkViper8888 (11 March 2014), #197 Debate - Peter Cave vs David Robertson - Better with or without God - 2009, retrieved 30 April 2016
{{citation}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ Atheist vs Theist Debates (10 March 2016), #221 Debate - Alistair Mcbay vs David Robertson - Is Faith in God a Delusion - 2008, retrieved 30 April 2016
- ^ Atheist vs Theist Debates (4 February 2016), #187 Debate - Andrew Copson vs David Robertson - Are We Better Off Without God - 2010, retrieved 30 April 2016
- ^ キリストは主である (15 October 2013), The Gay Marriage Debate: David Robertson vs Adrian Trett, archived from the original on 31 December 2013, retrieved 30 April 2016
- ^ Christian Apologetics (Christian Answers) (7 August 2014), Debate: Catholic vs Protestant - Is the Catholic Church the One True Church? - Williams vs Robertson, retrieved 30 April 2016
- ^ "Assisted dying debated at Abertay". Abertay University. Retrieved 21 April 2021.