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The people's theologian

Writings in honour of Donald Macleod

Four decades

THE PEOPLE’S THEOLOGIAN
Writings in honour of Donald Macleod
Edited by Iain D. Campbell & Malcolm Maclean
Mentor. 316 pages. £14.99
ISBN 978 1 845 505 844

I first came across Professor Donald Macleod through his doctrinal introduction, A Faith to Live By. While clear and accessible, this was profound theology from the pen of one who was clearly an intellectual giant.

I have read some of his other writing since then, including a stimulating blog that goes by his name, and find him engaging, thoughtful and not a little provocative. For over four decades Prof. Macleod has served the Free Church of Scotland as pastor, scholar, theologian, author, editor, and college principal, and even though into his 70s, he remains at the college as systematics professor. With such a legacy, the writing of this festschrift, including some 15 essays, is apt indeed.

Character and controversies

There are four sections: Bibliographical, Historical Theology, Systematic Theology, and Theology and The Church, and the whole is introduced by a biographical essay written by his son John. This is an engaging piece that provides an insight into the private man as well as Macleod family life. It also charts some of the historical details of the Free Church from a personal perspective, touching on a number of the controversies that Macleod has been engaged in through the years, offering brief reasons along the way.

As with any work like this, different readers will find different essays more interesting than others, but Richard Gaffin’s ‘More than That — Christ’s Exaltation and Justification’, and Iain D. Campbell’s ‘Revisiting The Covenant of Redemption’ are both well-written and thoughtful with particular relevance for today’s church. Also included is a Carl Trueman piece on preaching which, in true Trueman style, will provoke, irritate and encourage in equal measure.

Not a light read, but honouring a theologian isn’t a light business.

Reuben Hunter,
Acts 29 church planter, West London