Edinburgh Autumn

Hello again from Edinburgh! All is well here. We're enjoying some beautiful fall weather (OK, it does rain quite a bit) - it reminds us very much of a New England fall. We're starting to enjoy more 'normal' weekends now that the extra work of moving in and setting up the flat is done.

Yesterday we had a great visit to the National Galleries, the major art museum in Edinburgh. We viewed mostly 14th-18th century European art over the course of 2 hours, and it was beautiful. There were so many incredible images of biblical scenes. It's always so good to 'see' the gospel, and to be reminded that Christians hundreds of years ago were captured and transformed by the same events we know and love of the life, death, and resurrection of our Lord Jesus. The children had workbooks in which they were able to find various paintings in the museum, and even create their own versions of the artwork. They did a great job, as did the fellow patrons who always patiently side-stepped JT and Ella who were frequently sprawled out on the floor! These are some scenes of Princes Street Gardens just next to the National Galleries...

The kids have their first break this week. While Dad was doing research, Mom and the kids visited nearby Craig Millar Castle. Here are some choice shots of that excursion...

We have a longer day trip planned for Saturday to Stirling Castle and the Wallace Monument, which is about an hour west of Edinburgh. It will be our first train trip out of the city and should be quite an adventure.

The PhD update is encouraging, although we're still at a very early stage of course. My advisor seems convinced that I have a compelling and valid thesis in asking what influence Jonathan Edwards' doctrine of the 'love of God' had on his broader theology and philosophical writings. It seems to me his most prior and foundational theological conviction, and I believe it also therefore drives and defines his theology of God, the gospel, and the Christian life. It is a real privilege to be considering these great things. The paper I'm working on currently is on Edwards' understanding of the 'Divine Attributes of God.' The 'attributes' are the 'perfections' of God that we hear about in the Bible, such as his eternality, infinity, immutability (unchangeableness), his goodness, knowledge, love, wisdom, mercy, justice, etc... My research consists of three main buckets: Edwards own writings, the historical/ theological context, and what other theologians/scholars have wrote on the subject.
In addition to this writing which works toward building the grand dissertation project, I have been taking four classes (which are essentially 'audits,' though I keep up with much of the reading and work). First is Latin (which is M,T, Th), next is Calvinist Theology and Piety in England and New England, then Religion and the Enlightenment both on Thursdays, and finally I have a research seminar on Friday afternoons. Oh, and a weekly theology division seminar, where various scholars deliver papers and we have q+a (for instance last week a visiting Oxford theologian gave a paper). I am really enjoying the studies and the British PhD system: I can't imagine better training for eventually teaching theology.
JT and Ella are enjoying new activities: JT has one more golf lesson through school on Tuesday. Last week he won his team's award for best player! He then will begin a Photo/Media program which he's really excited about. Ella is finishing up one session of dance, and is now starting up lessons at Morningside Ballet Academy - she's really loving it. They are having fun with so many new friends, and "learning" :) to play well with lots of different kids.

Liz continues to hold it all together. The home cooked meals and amazing loving care we receive are such a blessing! She is being really enriched by the Christian community here, and God is, as usual, giving her so many opportunities to get to know and encourage other women here, at school, and at church. Thank you all for your prayers. We love you.