Schooled in faith

Crawford Mackie (Letters, 5 May) is “uneasy” about Chariots of Fire’s “veneration of Sabbatarianism”, which he dismisses as “religious fundamentalism”.

I find it difficult to take this assessment seriously.

The film was an entertaining and inspiring study of contrasts between two characters working out the consequences of their personal beliefs, personalities and ambitions in a very public arena.

The real-life story of Eric Liddell, which was referred to in Lord Puttnam’s lecture, gives the lie to Crawford Mackie’s suspicion of anything “silly and harmful” in Liddell’s commitment to keeping the Lord’s Day special.

He was living out his faith in Jesus Christ, who said: “The Sabbath was made for people, not people for the Sabbath.”

Those who knew Liddell in the Japanese internment camp in China have testified to the self-denying service he rendered in that difficult environment right up to his tragic death.

The principle of one day in seven for worship, rest and “the works of necessity and mercy” (Westminster Shorter Catechism) is a good one for individuals and society as a whole.

(Rev) Dr Donald M MacDonald

Craiglockhart Grove

Edinburgh