David Robertson (minister)

Reverend David Andrew Robertson (born May 1962)[6] is a Reformed Scottish minister, blogger and podcaster. He has been Minister of St. Peter's Free Church in Dundee, Scotland (the historic church of Robert Murray McCheyne) since October 1992, and was Moderator[7] of the Free Church of Scotland for 2015-2016. He is also a chaplain at the University of Dundee and former club chaplain of Dundee F.C.. He works closely with Scottish theologian Sinclair Ferguson. In June 2019, Robertson left St Peters to lead a new evangelism project in Sydney, Australia.[8]

David Robertson
Born
David Andrew Robertson

(1962-05-02) 2 May 1962
Portmahomack, Easter Ross, Scotland
EducationB.A. University of Edinburgh, 1983
M.A. Free Church College (ETS), 1983
OccupationMinister
Spouse(s)Annabel
ChildrenBecky
Andrew
Emma-Jane
ReligionReformed - New Calvinism
ChurchSt Peter's Free Church of Scotland, Dundee
OrdainedFree 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)
TitleReverend
Websitetheweeflea.com

Education

Robertson graduated from both the University of Edinburgh with a degree in History, and from Free Church College (now Edinburgh Theological Seminary) with a degree in Theology, in 1983.[9]

Ministry

Robertson has been Minister of St. Peter's Free Church in Dundee, Scotland (the historic church of Robert Murray McCheyne) since October 1992, and was formerly Moderator[7] of the Free Church of Scotland between 2015-2016, replacing Rev David Miller.[10]

Political Career and Road to Ministry

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 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.[11]

Writings, Appearances, Podcasts, & Other Roles

Robertson's writings are regularly featured in The Scotsman[12] and Christian Today,[13] and he has appeared several times on Moody Radio.[14] Additionally, he was Director of Solas Centre for Public Christianity,[15] and sits on the editorial advisory board for Scottish Christian Broadcast.[16]

In his role with Solas Centre for Public Christianity, Robertson co-hosts a weekly podcast covering current affairs, world news, and issues relating to the Church, called Quantum of Solas.[17] He featured in another podcast series, Unbelievable?, debating several prominent atheists.[18] He is also the editor of The Record, the Free Church’s main magazine.

Awards

In 2014, 2015, and 2016,[19] Robertson was voted as one of the 100 most influential Christians in the UK by online voters on "Archbishop Cranmer's Top 100 List".[20]

Robertson's blog won Runner Up in "Blogger of the Year" category in 2014,[21] and featured as a Finalist in the "Most Inspiring Leadership Blog" category in 2015,[22] both of the Premier Digital Christian New Media Awards.

The Wee Flea blog

In addition to Robertson's ministerial duties and other roles, he is an award-winning internet blogger.[23] The name of his blog, The Wee Flea, alludes both to Richard Dawkins' description of David 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.[24] In 2017, Robertson's blog was viewed 900,000 times from 190 countries[25] and by 2019 it had a total of almost 4 million hits.

Works

Robertson has authored several books, including:

  • 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
  • Magnificent Obsession : Why Jesus Is Great (2013) ISBN 9781781912713.[3]
  • Quench : Cafe Culture Evangelism (2014) ISBN 978-0993083204[4]
  • Engaging with Atheists : Understanding their world; sharing good news (2014) ISBN 9781909919099[5]

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:

References
  1. "Awakening by David Robertson". Christian Focus. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 3 March 2018.
  2. "The Dawkins Letters by David Robertson". Christian Focus. Archived from the original on 22 August 2017. Retrieved 3 March 2018.
  3. "Magnificent Obsession by David Robertson". Christian Focus. Archived from the original on 23 August 2017. Retrieved 3 March 2018.
  4. Robertson, David (2014-11-01). Randell, David J.; Courtney, Thomas J. (eds.). Quench: Cafe Culture Evangelism. SOLAS. ISBN 9780993083204.
  5. "Engaging with Atheists - David Robertson | The Good Book Company". www.thegoodbook.co.uk. Archived from the original on 2016-05-06. Retrieved 2016-04-30.
  6. "DAVID ANDREW ROBERTSON - DUNDEE - MINISTER". www.checkcompany.co.uk. Archived from the original on 16 June 2016. Retrieved 3 March 2018.
  7. "Free Church General Assembly begins in Edinburgh". Free Church of Scotland. Archived from the original on 5 March 2016. Retrieved 3 March 2018.
  8. https://www.acc.edu.au/podcast/david-robertson/The Inspiration Project.
  9. "David Andrew Robertson | Facebook". www.facebook.com. Archived from the original on 2018-03-03. Retrieved 2016-04-30.
  10. "'Visionary' named as new moderator of Free Church - Press and Journal". pressandjournal.co.uk. Archived from the original on 21 September 2016. Retrieved 3 March 2018.
  11. "David Robertson on Charles Kennedy: So much potential, so much good, and yet so much wasted | Christian News on Christian Today". www.christiantoday.com. Archived from the original on 2016-03-30. Retrieved 2016-04-30.
  12. "False Accusations". The Scotsman. Archived from the original on 2014-11-24. Retrieved 2014-11-22.
  13. "David Robertson: Confessions of a Rich Pastor". www.christiantoday.com. Archived from the original on 13 March 2017. Retrieved 3 March 2018.
  14. "Moody Radio – TheWeeFlea.com". theweeflea.wordpress.com. Archived from the original on 14 April 2015. Retrieved 3 March 2018.
  15. "Solas Centre for Public Christianity". www.solas-cpc.org. Archived from the original on 2016-06-05. Retrieved 2016-04-30.
  16. Scottish Christian Broadcast Issue 6, inside front cover.
  17. "Solas Centre for Public Christianity". www.solas-cpc.org. Archived from the original on 2017-04-18. Retrieved 2017-04-17.
  18. "Solas Centre for Public Christianity". www.solas-cpc.org. Archived from the original on 2017-04-18. Retrieved 2017-04-17.
  19. "Daniel McArthur leads the UK's Top 100 most inspirational Christians 2016". Archbishop Cranmer. 2016-12-31. Archived from the original on 2017-03-24. Retrieved 2017-04-17.
  20. "Free Church minister rated one of most influential Christians in the UK - Press and Journal". pressandjournal.co.uk. Archived from the original on 23 March 2016. Retrieved 3 March 2018.
  21. Premier (2017-04-17). "Shortlist 2014 - Premier digital". Premier digital. Archived from the original on 2018-03-03. Retrieved 2017-04-17.
  22. Premier (2017-04-17). "Winners 2015 - Premier digital". Premier digital. Archived from the original on 2017-08-02. Retrieved 2017-04-17.
  23. "TheWeeFlea.com". TheWeeFlea.com. Archived from the original on 1 February 2016. Retrieved 3 March 2018.
  24. "About 'The Wee Flea'". theweeflea.com. 2013-08-22. Archived from the original on 2016-03-26. Retrieved 2016-04-30.
  25. "5yrs of blogging". Facebook. Dundee: Facebook. 28 February 2018. Archived from the original on 3 March 2018. Retrieved 3 March 2018.
  26. "Debate Night". BBC iPlayer. BBC Scotland. Retrieved 4 June 2019.
  27. SolasCPC (2013-12-12), Peter Tatchell v David Robertson | Revelation TV | The future of marriage debate, archived from the original on 2014-06-15, retrieved 2016-04-30
  28. James Hosie (2015-10-06), A Public Conversation Between David Robertson and Scott McKenna, archived from the original on 2018-03-03, retrieved 2016-04-30
  29. DarkViper8888 (2014-02-20), #164 Debate - Matt Dillahunty vs David Robertson - Why I Am Not An Atheist - 2014, archived from the original on 2015-12-15, retrieved 2016-04-30
  30. DarkViper8888 (2014-02-27), #177 Debate - Matt Dillahunty vs David Robertson - Why I Am Not A Christian - 2014, archived from the original on 2016-03-08, retrieved 2016-04-30
  31. Thomistic Theses (2014-02-18), The Same Sex marriage Debate - Peter D. Williams/David Robertson vs. Patrick Harvie/William Rennie, archived from the original on 2017-08-05, retrieved 2016-04-30
  32. Atheist vs Theist Debates (2015-11-21), #110 Debate - Michael Shermer vs David Robertson - Is Christianity Good For Us - 2010, archived from the original on 2018-03-03, retrieved 2016-04-30
  33. DarkViper8888 (2014-12-23), #221 Debate - Gary McLelland vs David Robertson - Is Belief in God a Delusion - 2013, archived from the original on 2018-03-03, retrieved 2016-04-30
  34. Atheist vs Theist Debates (2016-02-23), #204 Debate - Gary McLelland vs David Robertson - Is Belief in God Reasonable - 2014, archived from the original on 2018-03-03, retrieved 2016-04-30
  35. Atheist Ireland (2015-11-22), Is Christianity holding us back? Michael Nugent v David Robertson, archived from the original on 2018-03-03, retrieved 2016-04-30
  36. DarkViper8888 (2014-03-11), #197 Debate - Peter Cave vs David Robertson - Better with or without God - 2009, retrieved 2016-04-30
  37. Atheist vs Theist Debates (2016-03-10), #221 Debate - Alistair Mcbay vs David Robertson - Is Faith in God a Delusion - 2008, retrieved 2016-04-30
  38. Atheist vs Theist Debates (2016-02-04), #187 Debate - Andrew Copson vs David Robertson - Are We Better Off Without God - 2010, retrieved 2016-04-30
  39. キリストは主である (2013-10-15), The Gay Marriage Debate: David Robertson vs Adrian Trett, archived from the original on 2013-12-31, retrieved 2016-04-30
  40. Christian Apologetics (Christian Answers) (2014-08-07), Debate: Catholic vs Protestant - Is the Catholic Church the One True Church? - Williams vs Robertson, retrieved 2016-04-30
Free Church titles
Preceded by
Rev David Miller		 Moderator of the Free Church of Scotland
2015-16		 Succeeded by
Rev Dr John Nicholls
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