John Ballantyne

John Ballantyne (1778–1830) was a Scottish minister of religion. Born in Kinghorn on May 8, 1778, he entered the University of Edinburgh in 1795. He joined the Burgher branch of the Secession Church, despite his parents belonging to the established church. Ballantyne was ordained as a minister in Stonehaven, Kincardineshire, in 1805. He died on November 5, 1830. His notable works include a pamphlet published in 1824, *A Comparison of Established and Dissenting Churches, by a Dissenter*, which was reissued in 1830 during the voluntary church controversy. Ballantyne actively participated in this controversy. He also published the first part of his *Examination of the Human Mind* in 1828, with plans for two further parts that were never completed. This work shows influence from philosophers Thomas Reid and Dugald Stewart, alongside critical engagement with Thomas Brown.