Plenary, 09 Sep 2009

Meeting date: Wednesday, September 9, 2009

Official Report 425KB pdf

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Time for Reflection

Good afternoon. As always, our first item of business is time for reflection. Our time for reflection leader today is Elaine Duncan, the chief executive of the Scottish Bible Society.

Presiding Officer, members of the Scottish Parliament and friends, in 1809 a small group gathered less than a mile from here. They met to constitute a society to promote

"the circulation of the scriptures at home and abroad",

especially among the poor in Scotland. Thus the Edinburgh Bible Society, now the Scottish Bible Society, was formed.

The early 19th century was a time of turmoil coupled with opportunity. Across Europe the Napoleonic wars raged, while technological advance meant that transport opened the possibility of travel to the new world. This period saw the formation of many great missionary societies and charities, some of which still flourish today. Moved by concern for the plight of their fellow human beings in Britain and beyond, people put faith into action.

Through our sophisticated 21st century eyes, the well-intentioned actions of those people of God may seem old-fashioned, even misguided, yet their passion for justice, compassion for the poor and integrity of heart echo through two centuries. The values that they held dear—values that drove them to sacrifice time, energy and resources—we see woven into our mace, the foundation on which contemporary Scotland is built. People motivated by wisdom, justice, compassion and integrity are surely what our nation needs in 2009.

We also live in a time of turmoil and opportunity. The global village offers young Scots limitless employment and leisure opportunities, yet we also see the turmoil of poverty, the breakdown of community and the repetitive patterns of addiction and abuse. We face a new world of possibility, but many of today's problems are rooted in the same issues the 19th century reformers faced.

The Bible is rich as a source of wisdom for a healthy society—you would expect me to say that, wouldn't you? However, it also teaches that the best drafted laws, the finest education system and the most caring welfare structure are powerless to change human nature. Legislation, education and care cannot eradicate greed, envy, jealousy or selfishness. Although this ancient text contains wisdom for government, a society based merely on the Old Testament laws and the New Testament morality is no utopia. Rather, the Bible confronts us with the reality of the human condition and our need to engage with the living word of God in the person of Jesus Christ.

As the Scottish Bible Society celebrates its 200th birthday, we are encouraging the people of Scotland to rediscover the truth and relevance of Scripture. We want people to be stirred by the passion and commitment shown by the 19th century men and women whose discovery of the source of wisdom, justice, compassion and integrity propelled them to be world changers and life bringers. We also want them to experience an inner transformation through a personal encounter with Jesus Christ, the living word. May he inspire and energise you through this session of Parliament.