Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1934 (SND Vol. I). Includes material from the 1976 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
BEREANS, n. A sect. Based on scripture in the Acts (xvii. 11) where they of Berea are commended for searching the Scriptures to see if the things spoken by Paul were so. The Bereans commenced in Fettercairn in Kcd. in 1773. See W. R. Fraser Hist. Laurencekirk (1880) 260 sqq.Sc. 1793 Stat. Acc.1 IX. 599:
Next in succession [to the minister of Crieff] was the present minister, admitted in 1770. In his time arose the sect called Bereans, whose founder [Rev. John Barclay, 1734–1798] had been a private tutor in the parish, and formed some of his relations and connexions there into a party.Sc. 1934 (per Cai.6):
The Bereans did not differ much from the confessional doctrines of the Church of Scotland. The chief points were: (1) denial of natural theology or religion; (2) assertion that personal assurance was of the essence of faith; (3) the sin against the Holy Ghost is unbelief; (4) they interpret a great part of the O.T. prophecies and, in particular, the whole of the Psalms, except such as are merely historical or laudatory, to be typical of Christ.
