Lina Toth
@linatoth.bsky.social
Lithuanian-born theologian, author, and educator. Scotland.
Director of Scholars Programme, Langham Partnership. Editor, Theology in Scotland. Senior Research Fellow, IBTS.
Practical theology, history, happiness, singleness studies.
https://lina-toth.com
Director of Scholars Programme, Langham Partnership. Editor, Theology in Scotland. Senior Research Fellow, IBTS.
Practical theology, history, happiness, singleness studies.
https://lina-toth.com
Here’s what I’m pondering during this Advent time...
How easily we miss what we don’t expect. Extraordinary things can pass right under our noses while we rush from one day to the next, heads down, hearts distracted. (1)
How easily we miss what we don’t expect. Extraordinary things can pass right under our noses while we rush from one day to the next, heads down, hearts distracted. (1)
December 11, 2025 at 7:30 PM
Here’s what I’m pondering during this Advent time...
How easily we miss what we don’t expect. Extraordinary things can pass right under our noses while we rush from one day to the next, heads down, hearts distracted. (1)
How easily we miss what we don’t expect. Extraordinary things can pass right under our noses while we rush from one day to the next, heads down, hearts distracted. (1)
Wishes. At a shop in Glasgow.
Didn't take much - just a space among all the goods to be sold during this long commerce Xmas season. Hundreds of the 'wish stars'. It often strikes me how readily people talk about or express their wishes, desires, and dreams. (1)
Didn't take much - just a space among all the goods to be sold during this long commerce Xmas season. Hundreds of the 'wish stars'. It often strikes me how readily people talk about or express their wishes, desires, and dreams. (1)
December 9, 2025 at 9:47 PM
Wishes. At a shop in Glasgow.
Didn't take much - just a space among all the goods to be sold during this long commerce Xmas season. Hundreds of the 'wish stars'. It often strikes me how readily people talk about or express their wishes, desires, and dreams. (1)
Didn't take much - just a space among all the goods to be sold during this long commerce Xmas season. Hundreds of the 'wish stars'. It often strikes me how readily people talk about or express their wishes, desires, and dreams. (1)
One of the delights of travelling and staying in non-hotel type of places are the books I encounter on various shelves. During my recent visit to Ethiopia, I had the pleasure of spending some time with Dorothy Sayers. Not the most contextual reading perhaps, but such good fun!
November 19, 2025 at 1:51 PM
One of the delights of travelling and staying in non-hotel type of places are the books I encounter on various shelves. During my recent visit to Ethiopia, I had the pleasure of spending some time with Dorothy Sayers. Not the most contextual reading perhaps, but such good fun!
I'm always reluctant to push my books, but 50% off from the publisher is a good deal if anybody's looking. The code is CONFSHIP + select Media Mail for 50% off and free shipping.
wipfandstock.com/9781532635564/singleness-and-marriage-after-christendom/
wipfandstock.com/9781532635564/singleness-and-marriage-after-christendom/
Singleness and Marriage after Christendom- Wipf and Stock Publishers
Momentous change is taking place in Western societies and churches. Singleness is on the rise, along with growing interest in different pathways to human hap...
wipfandstock.com
November 16, 2025 at 6:28 PM
I'm always reluctant to push my books, but 50% off from the publisher is a good deal if anybody's looking. The code is CONFSHIP + select Media Mail for 50% off and free shipping.
wipfandstock.com/9781532635564/singleness-and-marriage-after-christendom/
wipfandstock.com/9781532635564/singleness-and-marriage-after-christendom/
Re-reading John O'Donoghue's Anam Cara:
"To be holy is to be home, to be able to rest in the house of belonging that we call the soul."
"To be holy is to be home, to be able to rest in the house of belonging that we call the soul."
September 14, 2025 at 2:17 PM
Re-reading John O'Donoghue's Anam Cara:
"To be holy is to be home, to be able to rest in the house of belonging that we call the soul."
"To be holy is to be home, to be able to rest in the house of belonging that we call the soul."
soundcloud.com/user-7654815...
A few weeks, while at Northumbria Community retreat, I shared this simple song. The folks there asked me to record it, and this weekend I finally did it. The song itself weaves together several cultures and languages. I took a Latvian (1)
A few weeks, while at Northumbria Community retreat, I shared this simple song. The folks there asked me to record it, and this weekend I finally did it. The song itself weaves together several cultures and languages. I took a Latvian (1)
Receive our thanks Saranam
Words: Madeleine L’Engle, House Like a Lotus (Farrar, Straus & & Giroux, 1984). Based on a missionary hymn by D.T.Niles. Northumbria Community, Celtic Daily Prayer, Meditations for Each Day of the Mon
soundcloud.com
September 7, 2025 at 3:53 PM
soundcloud.com/user-7654815...
A few weeks, while at Northumbria Community retreat, I shared this simple song. The folks there asked me to record it, and this weekend I finally did it. The song itself weaves together several cultures and languages. I took a Latvian (1)
A few weeks, while at Northumbria Community retreat, I shared this simple song. The folks there asked me to record it, and this weekend I finally did it. The song itself weaves together several cultures and languages. I took a Latvian (1)
One of the memories of the last week:
www.facebook.com/share/p/16xe...
www.facebook.com/share/p/16xe...
Redirecting...
www.facebook.com
July 17, 2025 at 10:19 AM
One of the memories of the last week:
www.facebook.com/share/p/16xe...
www.facebook.com/share/p/16xe...
Love this rendering from Psalm 19 by Eugene Peterson:
"Clean the slate, God, so we can start the day fresh!
Keep me from stupid sins, from thinking I can take over your work;
Then I can start this day sun-washed, scrubbed clean of the grime of sin."
Psalm 19:13 (MSG)
"Clean the slate, God, so we can start the day fresh!
Keep me from stupid sins, from thinking I can take over your work;
Then I can start this day sun-washed, scrubbed clean of the grime of sin."
Psalm 19:13 (MSG)
July 16, 2025 at 9:42 PM
Love this rendering from Psalm 19 by Eugene Peterson:
"Clean the slate, God, so we can start the day fresh!
Keep me from stupid sins, from thinking I can take over your work;
Then I can start this day sun-washed, scrubbed clean of the grime of sin."
Psalm 19:13 (MSG)
"Clean the slate, God, so we can start the day fresh!
Keep me from stupid sins, from thinking I can take over your work;
Then I can start this day sun-washed, scrubbed clean of the grime of sin."
Psalm 19:13 (MSG)
Resting between a podcast recording and an evening talk, I'm in what is apparently called a 'cry room', for parents with wee ones who are crying, restless, or need feeding or calming.
I'm thinking it would be great to have adult cry rooms, too.
I'm thinking it would be great to have adult cry rooms, too.
July 14, 2025 at 6:20 AM
Resting between a podcast recording and an evening talk, I'm in what is apparently called a 'cry room', for parents with wee ones who are crying, restless, or need feeding or calming.
I'm thinking it would be great to have adult cry rooms, too.
I'm thinking it would be great to have adult cry rooms, too.
It was good to be part of the 23rd Baptist World Congress in Brisbane. I have enjoyed my last talk-on worship and arts-the most, perhaps because it was the closest to my general teaching, ministry & research interests.
July 13, 2025 at 1:45 AM
It was good to be part of the 23rd Baptist World Congress in Brisbane. I have enjoyed my last talk-on worship and arts-the most, perhaps because it was the closest to my general teaching, ministry & research interests.
What makes me glad to be a Baptist: a religious freedom covenant that has just been introduced at the 23rd Baptist World Alliance congress.
acts2movement.org/covenant/
acts2movement.org/covenant/
Religious Freedom Covenant Form | Acts 2 Movement
We are compelled by the conviction that every person is created in the image of God and endowed with inherent dignity, beauty, and worth. We believe that
acts2movement.org
July 11, 2025 at 12:55 PM
What makes me glad to be a Baptist: a religious freedom covenant that has just been introduced at the 23rd Baptist World Alliance congress.
acts2movement.org/covenant/
acts2movement.org/covenant/
Several days ago, visiting the Museum of Lithuania Minor, it was quite special to see a tablecloth which belonged to my Omama - my great-grandmother - and to read about her/see her photo. The tablecloth was special as it was used for the worship gatherings taking place in my family's house.
June 22, 2025 at 3:31 PM
Several days ago, visiting the Museum of Lithuania Minor, it was quite special to see a tablecloth which belonged to my Omama - my great-grandmother - and to read about her/see her photo. The tablecloth was special as it was used for the worship gatherings taking place in my family's house.
An important reminder to be very careful when interpreting surveys. The Quiet Revival's claim that men in the UK are now more likely to attend church than women is especially incredulous, and goes against all the research in the area so far.
theconversation.com/is-there-rea...
theconversation.com/is-there-rea...
Is there really a religious revival in England? Why I’m sceptical of a new report
In Anglican and Catholic churches, average weekly attendance is down about 20% from pre-pandemic levels.
theconversation.com
June 21, 2025 at 6:54 AM
An important reminder to be very careful when interpreting surveys. The Quiet Revival's claim that men in the UK are now more likely to attend church than women is especially incredulous, and goes against all the research in the area so far.
theconversation.com/is-there-rea...
theconversation.com/is-there-rea...
The latest issue of Theology in Scotland is out, and it's on language & faith! I've enjoyed editing the journal - and look forward to seeing it flourish in the coming years.
ojs.st-andrews.ac.uk/index.php/TI...
ojs.st-andrews.ac.uk/index.php/TI...
Vol. 32 No. 1 (2025): Language and Faith
| Theology in Scotland
ojs.st-andrews.ac.uk
June 2, 2025 at 8:21 PM
The latest issue of Theology in Scotland is out, and it's on language & faith! I've enjoyed editing the journal - and look forward to seeing it flourish in the coming years.
ojs.st-andrews.ac.uk/index.php/TI...
ojs.st-andrews.ac.uk/index.php/TI...
In the week the world bid farewell to Pope Francis, I found myself reflecting on the memories of meeting him through my work with the Third round of International Dialogue between the Baptist World Alliance and the Pontifical Council for the Promotion of Christian Unity of the Roman Catholic Church.
April 27, 2025 at 1:22 PM
In the week the world bid farewell to Pope Francis, I found myself reflecting on the memories of meeting him through my work with the Third round of International Dialogue between the Baptist World Alliance and the Pontifical Council for the Promotion of Christian Unity of the Roman Catholic Church.
This Sunday, the service we attended focused primarily on the Passion story — and it made me reflect again on life that feels forever caught in those long, hopelessly excruciating days between the crucifixion and the resurrection.
April 13, 2025 at 7:29 PM
This Sunday, the service we attended focused primarily on the Passion story — and it made me reflect again on life that feels forever caught in those long, hopelessly excruciating days between the crucifixion and the resurrection.
On this Day of the Lord, I'm finding refreshment and encouragement in these now not-so-new, but even more critically relevant, words of NT Wright: "Every act of love, gratitude, and kindness; every work of art of music inspired by the love of God and delight in the beauty of [God's] creation;
March 23, 2025 at 5:08 PM
On this Day of the Lord, I'm finding refreshment and encouragement in these now not-so-new, but even more critically relevant, words of NT Wright: "Every act of love, gratitude, and kindness; every work of art of music inspired by the love of God and delight in the beauty of [God's] creation;
Suffering, human and non-human experience, and divine presence in the world: our topic for 2025/2 issue of Theology in Scotland. Call for contributions 👇:
ojs.st-andrews.ac.uk/index.php/TI...
ojs.st-andrews.ac.uk/index.php/TI...
Call for contributions: Autumn 2025 issue on theological perspectives on suffering and the problem of evil
| Theology in Scotland
ojs.st-andrews.ac.uk
February 12, 2025 at 11:42 AM
Suffering, human and non-human experience, and divine presence in the world: our topic for 2025/2 issue of Theology in Scotland. Call for contributions 👇:
ojs.st-andrews.ac.uk/index.php/TI...
ojs.st-andrews.ac.uk/index.php/TI...
A wee intro to my book on Singleness and Marriage after Christendom, for those who are on Facebook
www.facebook.com/share/v/18Ur...
www.facebook.com/share/v/18Ur...
Redirecting...
www.facebook.com
February 6, 2025 at 12:32 PM
A wee intro to my book on Singleness and Marriage after Christendom, for those who are on Facebook
www.facebook.com/share/v/18Ur...
www.facebook.com/share/v/18Ur...
Looking forward to being at the Baptist World Alliance Congress this summer, and seeing many friends old and new. Many good memories of a previous Congress I've attended, 20 years ago... When, of course, I was just a baby!
January 28, 2025 at 4:23 PM
Looking forward to being at the Baptist World Alliance Congress this summer, and seeing many friends old and new. Many good memories of a previous Congress I've attended, 20 years ago... When, of course, I was just a baby!
Things I haven't thought of before, but which reminded me why I love linguistics: "Dr. Lina, according to the pronunciation of your name, [we] gave you a wonderful Chinese name, 莉娜 (Lì nà), the first word means jasmine flower, the second word means soft and beautiful. We hope you like the name."
January 26, 2025 at 11:14 AM
Things I haven't thought of before, but which reminded me why I love linguistics: "Dr. Lina, according to the pronunciation of your name, [we] gave you a wonderful Chinese name, 莉娜 (Lì nà), the first word means jasmine flower, the second word means soft and beautiful. We hope you like the name."
A random observation on Dutch academic culture: students shake hands with you (a guest lecturer), and introduce themselves by name. I always find it really interesting: what our body language, room set up etc, imply about the student-teacher relationship/power dynamic.
January 18, 2025 at 9:16 AM
A random observation on Dutch academic culture: students shake hands with you (a guest lecturer), and introduce themselves by name. I always find it really interesting: what our body language, room set up etc, imply about the student-teacher relationship/power dynamic.
So grateful for the life and impact of Jimmy Carter. I remember the Bible study he led for us at the Baptist World Alliance Congress, 20 years ago.... And visiting The Carter Center a few years ago, during my sabbatical, left a lasting impression on me.
Visit the Official Jimmy Carter Condolence Book
condolence.jimmycartertribute.org
January 10, 2025 at 8:28 AM
So grateful for the life and impact of Jimmy Carter. I remember the Bible study he led for us at the Baptist World Alliance Congress, 20 years ago.... And visiting The Carter Center a few years ago, during my sabbatical, left a lasting impression on me.
Theology in Scotland journal's themed issue on Reimagining Church and Society is out now - and the access is free! For an introduction, have a look at my editorial at ojs.st-andrews.ac.uk/index.php/TI...
Theology in Scotland
Theology in Scotland is a journal of theology which is general in scope, but which is rooted in the Scottish theological tradition.
https://ojs.st-andrews.ac.uk/index.php/TIS/…
December 7, 2024 at 5:54 PM
Theology in Scotland journal's themed issue on Reimagining Church and Society is out now - and the access is free! For an introduction, have a look at my editorial at ojs.st-andrews.ac.uk/index.php/TI...
The new issue of Theology in Scotland is out!
ojs.st-andrews.ac.uk/index.php/TI...
ojs.st-andrews.ac.uk/index.php/TI...
Vol. 31 No. 2 (2024)
| Theology in Scotland
ojs.st-andrews.ac.uk
December 3, 2024 at 7:40 AM
The new issue of Theology in Scotland is out!
ojs.st-andrews.ac.uk/index.php/TI...
ojs.st-andrews.ac.uk/index.php/TI...