The plot sounds rather complicated. I'll take a side issue because I believe it is important as a takeaway from a book of fiction. About the doctrine, Scotland was a wellspring of Presbyterian (reformed) growth. In your citing the "divine punishment for their sins", the author might be putting ideas in the head of readers as true doctrine, but this is not at all reformed doctrine. I would first cite the Westminster Confession to look at on this subject. The revised version is the standard today for reformed churches, such as the Presbyterian Church of America (PCA) affiliated churches. Also, one could take a deep dive into the book of Job to challenge the "transactional" nature narrative of the relationship of God to man. BTW our church has a missionary in Glasgow. The population of churchgoers is extremely low there.
On another note, it's amazing how much splits in the church have happened historically, and the impacts, such as the influence on the founding of the US. Too much to cover. Would take days to discuss.
You make a good point; I don’t remember the author spending much ink on the split in the church, other than John the preacher needing a paying job. Interesting about modern Scotland and church attendance. Yes, I think churches are prone to dividing over the issues of the day.
The plot sounds rather complicated. I'll take a side issue because I believe it is important as a takeaway from a book of fiction. About the doctrine, Scotland was a wellspring of Presbyterian (reformed) growth. In your citing the "divine punishment for their sins", the author might be putting ideas in the head of readers as true doctrine, but this is not at all reformed doctrine. I would first cite the Westminster Confession to look at on this subject. The revised version is the standard today for reformed churches, such as the Presbyterian Church of America (PCA) affiliated churches. Also, one could take a deep dive into the book of Job to challenge the "transactional" nature narrative of the relationship of God to man. BTW our church has a missionary in Glasgow. The population of churchgoers is extremely low there.
On another note, it's amazing how much splits in the church have happened historically, and the impacts, such as the influence on the founding of the US. Too much to cover. Would take days to discuss.
You make a good point; I don’t remember the author spending much ink on the split in the church, other than John the preacher needing a paying job. Interesting about modern Scotland and church attendance. Yes, I think churches are prone to dividing over the issues of the day.