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The Very Rev Professor John Baillie (1886-1960)
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John Baillie
John Baillie was Professor of Divinity at the University of Edinburgh from 1934 to 1956. For a number of years he was Co-President of the World Council of Churches. Baillie was an important influence in mediating the conflicting currents of British, American, and European religious and philosophical thought in the mid-20th century.
Baillie is known particularly for A Diary of Readings (Oxford, 1952) and for A Diary of Private Prayer (Oxford, 1936). A Diary of Private Prayer has a page of prayers for each morning and each evening of a full month. In them, we offer our worship and praise, seeking wisdom, guidance and help for the day, and committing ourselves and our work to our Lord.
For centuries, Scotland suffered religious division, with Catholics, Episcopalians and Protestants each persecuted at various times. John Baillie was one of many Scots who have worked to heal ancient wounds and establish ecumenical fellowship. For this week, Baillie's prayers are illustrated by photographs of churches in Edinburgh, where he taught. The dour exteriors of the Scottish capital's churches often open to interiors that shine with light and colour.
Each piece of music this week has a Scottish connection.
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