David Andrew Robertson (born 2 May 1962) is a Scottish Presbyterian minister and religious commentator.[7] Robertson was the minister of St Peter's Free Church in Dundee, Scotland, from 1992 until 2019. He served as Moderator of the Free Church of Scotland between 2015 and 2016.[8] Robertson is also a blogger, podcaster, and writer. He gained public attention following his critique of The God Delusion by Richard Dawkins[9] and has since become a commentator on religious, social, and political affairs in Scotland, with an annual readership of over one million.[10]
Early life and education
Robertson was born in Berwick-upon-Tweed, and was brought up in Fearn in Easter Ross. He spent his secondary school years at Tain Royal Academy.[7]
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 August 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.[12]
Robertson's first full-time ministry charge was in Clyne Free Church, in Brora, from 1986. He became the minister of St Peter's Free Church, Dundee, (the historic church of Robert Murray McCheyne),[13] in October 1992, where he worked closely with Scottish theologian Sinclair Ferguson. He was the Moderator of the Free Church of Scotland between 2015 and 2016,[8] replacing Rev David Miller.[14]
Robertson co-founded Solas (Centre for Public Christianity) in June 2010 with the former SNP leader, Gordon Wilson, who was a member of St Peter's Free Church in his final years.[15] Robertson remained the director of Solas until 2018.[16]
Robertson's ministry became increasingly engaged with secular audiences until he entered apologetics ministry full-time in 2019.
Robertson's writings have been featured in The Scotsman[18] and Christian Today,[19] and he has appeared several times on Moody Radio.[20] He sits on the editorial advisory board for Scottish Christian Broadcast.[21]
Robertson hosts a weekly podcast on current affairs called Quantum of Solas, which began during his role with Solas Centre for Public Christianity.[22] He featured in another podcast series, Unbelievable?, debating several prominent atheists.[23] He was also the editor of The Record, the Free Church's main magazine for several years.[24]
Robertson has a blog, The Wee Flea, the name of which alludes both to Richard Dawkins' description of 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.[25] In 2017, Robertson's blog was viewed 900,000 times from 190 countries[26] and by April 2021 it had a total of over 6 million hits.[27]
Awards
In 2014, 2015, and 2016,[28] Robertson was voted one of the 100 most influential Christians in the UK by online voters on "Archbishop Cranmer's Top 100 List".[29]
Robertson's blog won Runner Up in "Blogger of the Year" category in 2014,[30] and featured as a Finalist in the "Most Inspiring Leadership Blog" category in 2015,[31] both of the Premier Digital Christian New Media Awards.
Personal life
Shortly before entering the ministry, he married Annabel MacLeod, a nurse from Parkend near Stornoway. He has three children.[32]
Selected publications
A.S.K. : Real World Questions / Real World Answers (2019) ISBN978-1-5271-0339-9,[6] for teenagers.
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:
^ abRobertson, David (2019). A.S.K. : real world questions / real word answers. Fearn, Ross-shire: Christian Focus Publications. ISBN978-1-5271-0339-9.
