Earlier this week went to Edinburgh to meet up with several folk. Met with Professor David Fergusson, a friend and theological mentor and we tried to put the theological world right, but with only limited success. David will deliver the Gifford lectures in Glasgow next year - I'll post the dates nearer the time. He has been working for some time on the doctrine of Providence which will be the theological focus of his lectures.
Talking of Providence, walking down towards Princes St I was accosted by three excited American tourists who wanted to know where the nearest subway was. In my good humoured, smiling, best enunciated Scottish accent english, I explained that Glasgow, not Edinburgh had a subway, but Edinburgh did have a very good bus service. 'No Sir, we want the nearest Subway' she explained in her good humoured, smiling and best enunciated American accent English. And it dawned on me' Oh, that kind of Subway'. The great big torpedo sized sandwich with shovels of filling type of subway. Since I wasn't THAT sure, I suggested Rose St which has most of the eating places. Nearest Subway - come 5,000 miles across the Atlantic to Edinburgh, and need to find a.....Subway? Excuse the gender specific language but,'man shall not live by bread alone....it needs to be subway bread and with the familiar range of fillings etc'. Providence huh?
Then I met with Aileen and we had lunch - which was very fine - a celebration of the new job which starts soon. Later we went to Harvey Nicholls for coffee and sinfully indulgent pancakes, chocolate sauce and ice-cream - well, we were celebrating the job, and Providence is occasionally about more than calorific minimalism - remember, 'not by bread alone', need the pancakes'n stuff now and then. Providence is also about celebration, fun and the important people in our lives.
We also spent some time in the National Gallery doin our art critic and cultural browsing bit. There are a lot of magnificent pieces of art that don't quite do it for me - I recognise their genius, their right to be considered masterpieces, but they don't reach down into 'that deep place we call the soul' (Bono's words). But some do - and one that always does it for me, is St Bride, by John Duncan.
Professor Donald Meek is deeply sceptical about the historical accuracy of Scottish Celtic Christianity as popularly promoted. Fair enough, and Donald's own book on the subject is by far the most authoritative. But Duncan's painting isn't about historical specifics; it is about the deep mysteries of faith expressed through art which is deeply indebted to Celtic culture but which resonates with contemporary spiritual longings. When I come back from holiday I'll post a bit more on this painting. So not much happenning on this blog for a week.
For now - enjoy and be exhilarated by the sheer glory of this painting. And if you can, go to the Scottish section and see it in all its 'look at me' splendour.
I don't know enough about art in the Celtic world to know if the St. Bride picture reflects celtic art in an adequate fashion. St. Bride hangs on top of the fireplace in our dining room and I am always enamoured with it. Looking at the angels' robes is a space of worship and devotion for me. I am always grateful for it.
Posted by: Rebecca Maccini | July 01, 2007 at 12:42 PM
Hey rebecca - the first time I saw this painting was with Bob when we spent a sightseeing day in Edinburgh way back 1991 or 1992. That's why it was given as a love gift before youz yins left to go back to New England. I read that on the robes there are themese from the life of jesus, and the visit of the magi has a clown near it - the artist's self portrait?
Go on enjoying - and thanks for visiting the blog of this living wittily Christian!
Posted by: jim gordon | July 01, 2007 at 08:16 PM