14 March 2012

Presbyterians Week Headlines

[1] U.S. President Barack Hussein Obama Uses Video of Reformed Presbyterian Church of Manassas, Virginia, and Former Main Office of the Christian Observer, in Ad Announcing Outreach Group “African Americans for Obama”

[2] Prayer Vigil and News Conference in Support of Iranian Pastor Nadarkhani Held 7 March 2012 at Iranian Interests Section in Washington DC

[3] 21st Century Elijah Interrogatory Redux: “How long halt ye between two opinions? If the Lord be God, follow him, but if Baal [and Molech...] be he, then go after him.” (I Kings 18:21b)

[4] U.S. President May Order Killing of American Citizen, Says U.S. Attorney General Eric H. Holder Jr.

[5] Former Taliban Lawyer Appointed to Number Three Position at the U.S. Justice Department

[6] Death Toll Rises to Nine in 11 March 2012 Church Suicide Bombing by Boko Haram Islamist Terrorists

[7] Free Church of Scotland(Continuing) Announces Moderator Designate for 2012 General Assembly

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[1] U.S. President Barack Hussein Obama Uses Video of Reformed Presbyterian Church of Manassas, Virginia, and Former Main Office of the Christian Observer, in Ad Announcing Outreach Group “African Americans for Obama”

An ad featuring U.S. President Barack Hussein Obama announcing the new advocacy group “African Americans for Obama” uses a video of the exterior of the Reformed Presbyterian Church of Manassas, Virginia (Hanover Presbytery, Reformed Presbyterian Church) (RPCM), including a recruiting pitch for churches to appoint a “congregational captain” to lead the church’s reelection effort for the sitting U.S. president.

The ad can be viewed on YouTube at:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BdjoHA5ocwU&feature=player_embedded

A 9 March 2012 article by Joel Gehrke in The Washington Examiner titled “Obama Ad Uses Conservative Church” reports that RPCM pastor the Rev. William Allen Church told The Washington Examiner that he would not allow the president or any other political candidate to set up a “congregational captain” among the RPCM congregation, then added:

We don't do an official endorsement of any political campaign. But because of our conservative theology, biblical points of view -- for instance, we're pro-life and that sort of thing -- so the practical implications of that come into play when people go cast their ballot. But I do not give a precise endorsement, whatsoever.

Regarding the ad’s appeal to African American churches, the pastor said: “We are multi-racial, but we don't describe ourselves according to race. On the political allegiances of the congregation, he said that the congregation is mostly composed of Republicans and independents, with “maybe some Democrats.” The pastor added: “The only relationship [of the church to the Obama campaign is] that we do pray for all of our civil authorities.”

Christian Defense Coalition director and Hanover Presbytery minister the Rev. Pat Mahoney, who was ordained at RPCM, said that the use of the [RPCM] video reflects Obama's insensitivity to Christian communities, and added: “It shows how the Obama administration treats faith as an absolute commodity. They just wanted what they thought was a pleasant-looking church.”


+ YouTube, LLC, 901 Cherry Avenue, San Bruno, California 94066, 650-253-0000, Fax: 650-253-0001, press@youtube.com

+ The Washington Examiner, 1015 15th Street Northwest, Suite 500, Washington DC 20005, 202-903-2000, Contact Page

+ Hanover Presbytery, Reformed Presbyterian Church, hanoverpresbyter@yahoo.com

+ Christian Defense Coalition, Post Office Box 77168, Washington DC 20013, 202-547-1735, ChristianDefense@gmail.com


[2] Prayer Vigil and News Conference in Support of Iranian Pastor Nadarkhani Held 7 March 2012 at Iranian Interests Section in Washington DC

Activists conducted a prayer vigil and held a news conference on 7 March 2012 in front of the Iranian Interests Section in Washington DC in support of Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani, who has been sentenced to death in Iran for his refusal to renounce his Christian faith and embrace Islam.

The vigil participants called for the free nations of the world to keep the pressure on Iran to embrace human rights and religious freedom and demand that Pastor Nadarkhani be immediately released.

The activists also asked U.S. President Barack Hussein Obama to have a more visible role and personally make a public comment calling for the release of Pastor Nadarkhani instead of having statements read by White House Spokespersons.

Director of the Christian Defense Coalition and Reformed Presbyterian minister the Rev. Patrick J. Mahoney stated:

"We are gathering outside of the Iranian Interests Section to pray and ask God for the safety and immediate release of Pastor Nadarkhani. We are also leaving flowers in front of the Interests Section to show our solidarity for Pastor Nadarkhani, his family, and all our dear brothers and sisters who are persecuted around the world for their faith.

"We are also praying that Iran embrace religious freedom for all and move away from a government that crushes human rights and the free expression of faith.

"We also call upon [U.S.] President Obama to take a more active and visible role and that he personally make a public statement calling for the immediate release of Pastor Nadarkhani and not just issue statements through a White House Spokesperson.

"Iran clearly takes notice that White House has only issued statements and that the President himself has not passionately spoken out on this issue.

"It would seem if the President could personally call Sandra Fluke after harsh and mean-spirited statements were made about her by Rush Limbaugh, then he could personally call for the release of Pastor Nadarkhani who is has been sentenced to death by Iran for being a Christian and living out his faith."


+ Christian News Wire, 2020 Pennsylvania Avenue Northwest, Washington DC 20006, 202-546-0054, newsdesk@christiannewswire.com

+ Christian Defense Coalition, Post Office Box 77168, Washington DC 20013, 202-547-1735, ChristianDefense@gmail.com


[3] 21st Century Elijah Interrogatory Redux: “How long halt ye between two opinions? If the Lord be God, follow him, but if Baal [and Molech...] be he, then go after him.” (I Kings 18:21b)

After groups including the Christian Defense Coalition (CDC) and Faith and Action in the Nation’s Capital announced 23 February 2012 that they would encircle the U.S. Supreme Court building with prayer 25-28 March 2012 on the eve of and during the Obamacare oral arguments in memory of the 3300 unborn children that in the U.S. each day are killed through abortion.

A 9 March 2012 New York Times article by Robert Pear titled “White House Works to Shape Debate Over Health Law” reported that on 7 March 2012, “White House officials summoned dozens of leaders of nonprofit organizations that strongly back the health law to help them coordinate plans for a prayer vigil, press conferences and other events outside the court when justices hear arguments for three days beginning March 26,” thus summoning 21^st century Baal and Molech worshipers (Jeremiah 32:35) to a competing prayer vigil.

CDC Director and Reformed Presbyterian minister the Rev. Patrick J. Mahoney’s comments about the presidential prayer vigil included:

"The President again seems to be using 'prayer and faith' as a political commodity rather than as sincere held beliefs and values. His prayer vigils are tied to a public relations campaign to influence the public regarding support for 'Obamacare' rather than looking to God in humility and seeking His blessing and guidance.

"It also troubling that President does not celebrate the National Day of Prayer at the White House or attend church on a regular basis, (as he did all during the 2008 campaign) yet he will call for prayer vigils to help support and promote his political agenda.

"Mr. President, prayer should never be about advancing a political agenda but honoring God.

"Finally, the President seems very 'selective' in celebrating and respecting faith and religious freedom. President Obama is calling for public prayer and expressions of faith to support legislation that crushes religious freedom with immoral and unjust HHS mandates against the Catholic Church.

"I would suggest that the President pray and seek God to put forward health care legislation that honors the Constitution, respects religious freedom and protects innocent human life."


+ Christian News Wire, 2020 Pennsylvania Avenue Northwest, Washington DC 20006, 202-546-0054, newsdesk@christiannewswire.com

+ New York Times, 620 Eighth Avenue, New York, New York 10018, 212- 556-1234, executive-editor@nytimes.com

+ Christian Defense Coalition, Post Office Box 77168, Washington DC 20013, 202-547-1735, ChristianDefense@gmail.com

+ Faith and Action in the Nation’s Capital, 109 Second Avenue Northeast, Washington DC 20002, 202-546-8329, Fax: 202-546-6864, Info@FaithAndAction.org

+ Supreme Court of the United States, One First Street Northeast, Washington DC 20543, 202-479-3000


[4] U.S. President May Order Killing of American Citizen, Says U.S. Attorney General Eric H. Holder Jr.

A 5 March 2012 Los Angeles Times article by Richard A. Serrano and Andy Grimm titled “President May Order Killing of American Terrorists, Holder Says” reports that in a 9 March 2012 speech at Northwestern University Law School, U.S. Attorney General Eric H. Holder Jr. told the audience that the U.S. president has the authority to order the killing of American citizens that are working in another country with Al Qaeda and its allies, saying the U.S. Constitution “does not require judicial approval before the president may use force abroad against a senior operational leader of a foreign terrorist organization with which the United States is at war — even if that individual happens to be a U.S. citizen.”


+ Los Angeles Times, 202 West 1st Street, Los Angeles, California 90012, 213-237-5000, Fax: 213-237-7679, Contact Page

+ U.S. Department of Justice, 950 Pennsylvania Avenue Northwest, Washington DC 20530, 202-514-2000, askdoj@usdoj.gov


[5] Former Taliban Lawyer Appointed to Number Three Position at the U.S. Justice Department

A 5 March 2012 The Daily Caller article by Caroline May titled “Former Taliban Defender Appointed to Third Highest Position at the Justice Department” reports that U.S. Attorney General Eric H. Holder Jr. announced 5 March 2012 that Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Division Tony West was promoted the prior week to Acting Associate Attorney General, the number three position at the U.S. Justice Department.

West was the lawyer that defended American terrorist John Walker Lindh, the American Taliban member sentenced to twenty years in prison after being captured in 2001 in Afghanistan fighting for the Taliban.

Former U.S. Justice Department official J. Christian Adams, who blew the whistle on the Justice Department’s decision not to prosecute the New Black Panther Party voter intimidation case, in an interview on Fox News said that West defended other terrorists, and commented:

“Tony West took on, and his firm, took some of the most radical causes for America’s enemies before coming to the Justice Department.”

+ The Daily Caller, 1050 17th Street Northwest # 900, Washington DC 20036,
202-466-3004, media@dailycaller.com

+ U.S. Department of Justice, 950 Pennsylvania Avenue Northwest, Washington DC 20530, 202-514-2000, askdoj@usdoj.gov


[6] Death Toll Rises to Nine in 11 March 2012 Church Suicide Bombing by Boko Haram Islamist Terrorists

The death toll has risen to nine Christians killed in the 11 March 2012 bombing of a Roman Catholic church in Jos, Nigeria, by Boko Haram Islamist terrorists. Two of the dead were identified by their husbands, one finding his wife’s severed hand with her wedding ring still on it, and the other identified the body of his wife by the clothing she was wearing. Both women are survived by five children each along with their husbands. Two of the others killed were two Boy Scouts, eight-years-old and sixteen-years-old, that were assisting security personnel at the church compound gate in keeping out Islamist assailants. The bombers detonated their explosives after being stopped at the church compound gate.


+ Compass Direct News Service, Post Office Box 27250, Santa Ana, California 92799, 949-862-0304, Fax: 949-752-6536, info@compassdirect.org


[7] Free Church of Scotland(Continuing) Announces Moderator Designate for 2012 General Assembly

The Free Church of Scotland (Continuing) announced 9 March 2012 that the Moderator Designate for the 2012 General Assembly of the Free Church of Scotland (Continuing) is the Rev. James Gracie.

Mr. Gracie was born and brought up in Partick in Glasgow, Scotland. His family were associated with the former Grant Street Free Church of Scotland where his father was an elder.

On leaving school, he attended the West of Scotland Agricultural College for four years after which he joined the Scottish Milk Marketing Board as a Farm Management Assistant.

His career took a further turn when, in 1979, he accepted a post with the Department of Agriculture as an Agricultural Officer in Lairg in Sutherland, Scotland, principally employed in work for the Crofters Commission.

It was during this time that he began to take a very much deeper interest in spiritual things and came to a living personal faith.

Mr. Gracie was transferred to the Department of Agriculture office in Portree on the Island of Skye, Scotland, where he took up residence in his family’s ancestral home in Uig. He was asked to help by preaching in different congregations throughout the Island and even further afield.

He then applied to become a candidate for the ministry, was accepted and entered the theological course of the Free Church College in Edinburgh, Scotland.

It was while he was a student at the Free Church College that he met his wife Catriona who also comes from a Skye background. They have three daughters: Rachel (fourteen), Alison (twelve) and Lydia (ten).

Having completed his studies, Mr. Gracie was called to minister in the Island of Arran, Scotland, in 1994. His second charge was in North Uist, Scotland, and his present charge is in Edinburgh, Scotland.


+ Free Church of Scotland (Continuing), Rev. John MacLeod, Free Church Manse, Portmahomack, Ross-shire, Scotland, principalclerk@fccontinuing.org

7 March 2012

Presbyterians Week Headlines

[1] Christian Observer Highlights for March 2012

[2] Australian Ethicists Argue the Right to Kill Babies After They’re Born

[3] President Obama Elevates Providing Abortion Inducing Drugs and Sterilization above Religious Freedom and the First Amendment

[4] U.S. HHS Secretary Sebelius Says Reductions in Births from Contraceptive/Sterilization/Abortifacient Mandate will Pay for Program

[5] Pastor Steven Andrew – “Jesus Says Obama is Not a Christian -- Obey God and Turn Away from Obama”

[6] BOND Action Founder and President the Rev. Jesse Lee Peterson Rebukes the Rev. Franklin Graham for Caving in to the NAACP, and Apologizing to U.S. President Obama

[7] The Syncretist Driven Life – The Next Chapter

[8] Muslim Terrorists Burn Down Seven Northeastern Nigerian Schools, Leaving Thousands of Students without Schools

[9] “William Hamilton is Dead” – God

[10] Radio Host Mocks Christians as Deadly Tornados Ravage the South

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[1] Christian Observer Highlights for March 2012

New articles in the Christian Observer for March 2012 include:

-- Progressivism and Infallibility: “Shall their unbelief make the faith of God without effect?” – Romans 3:3 Geneva Bible – by David Brand – Part One of a multipart article – The development of progressivism from the late 18^th into the 19^th century and the accompanying attack on biblical infallibility, culminating in development of the Revised English Version and its new rendering of the Greek pistis;

-- Jesus Keeps Bad Company – The Scandal of the Company He Keeps – Gospel Reading: Mark 2: 13-17 – by the Rev. William H. Smith, a.k.a. The Christian Curmudgeon – A study of the Pharisees’ reaction when Jesus began keeping company with the “wrong” kind of people, and its application to the contemporary church;

-- The Conflict of Contrasts – by Christian Observer Contributing Editor Dr. Joe Renfro – Transcript of the 4 March 2012 WNEG AM 630 Christ Over All radio message – the inherent conflict resulting from the contrasts between the Judeo-Christian and the Islamic world views;

-- The Food for Thought – by Christian Observer Contributing Editor Dr. Joe Renfro – Federal food police in action in the Hoke County, North Carolina school system enforcing U.S. Department of Agriculture guidelines on brown bag lunches brought from home, as a prime example of the U.S. Government seeking to dictate their mandates into every corner of the educational domain;

Plus, regular features including weekly Sabbath School Lessons by Christian Observer Assistant Editor Dr. Robert LaMay, and Daily Devotionals by T.M. Moore, dean of the Centurions Program of the Wilberforce Forum and principal of The Fellowship of Ailbe.


+ Christian Observer, Post Office Box 1371, Lexington, Virginia 20110, christianobserver@christianobserver.org


[2] Australian Ethicists Argue the Right to Kill Babies After They’re Born

The Liberty Counsel reported 2 March 2012 that an article entitled “After-birth abortion: Why should the baby live?” was recently published in the London-based Journal of Medical Ethics, advocating that if abortion is allowed, then society also has the right to kill a newborn child. This outrageous deduction by Alberto Giubilini and Francesca Minerva takes abortion to its logical conclusion.

The abstract states: “By showing that (1) both fetuses and newborns do not have the same moral status as actual persons, (2) the fact that both are potential persons is morally irrelevant and (3) adoption is not always in the best interest of actual people, the authors argue that what we call ‘after-birth abortion’ (killing a newborn) should be permissible in all the cases where abortion is, including cases where the newborn is not disabled.”

The authors are willing to admit that handicapped children are able to live happy lives but then advocate that, because of their burden on the rest of the family, the children should be able to be killed.

Mathew Staver, Founder and Chairman of Liberty Counsel, commented: “Abortion opens the door to infanticide. If you can kill a child in the womb, even up to the moment before birth, then there is no logical reason to protect life after birth. A human being begins at the moment of conception and should be afforded legal protection at all stages of life. This is the only logically defensible position. It is shocking to see people advocating killing children after they are born. It is just as shocking to see people advocating killing them before they are born.”

+ Liberty Counsel, Post Office Box 540774, Orlando, Florida 32854, 800-671-1776, Liberty@LC.org


[3] President Obama Elevates Providing Abortion Inducing Drugs and Sterilization above Religious Freedom and the First Amendment

In a 2 March 2012 press release, the Christian Defense Coalition states that U.S. President Barack Hussein Obama’s U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Contraceptive/Sterilization/Abortifacient mandates upon Christian institutions show that the Obama Administration seeks to impose their will on the faith community. President Obama continues to show a profound disrespect for religious freedom, liberty and personal conscience and treats faith as nothing more than a “political commodity.” The U.S. president can no longer portray himself as a candidate who embraces faith and religious liberty as he did in 2008.

The Christian Defense Coalition will lead major demonstrations in support of religious freedom at HHS headquarters in Washington DC on Friday, 23 March and in front of the U.S. Supreme Court on Sunday, 25 March 2012.

Reformed Presbyterian pastor and Director of the Christian Defense Coalition the Rev. Patrick J. Mahoney states:

“It is stunning that America now has President and an administration who has put protecting abortion-inducing drugs and sterilization above the principles of religious freedom and the First Amendment [to the U.S. Constitution , i.e. Freedoms of Speech and Religion].

“President Obama continues to show a profound disrespect for religious liberty and respecting matters of individual conscience. These unjust HHS mandates show this administration seeks to impose their will on the faith community and their values.

“When President Obama ran for President in 2008, he made his Christian faith a very visible part of his campaign. It is now clear that was nothing more [than] political posturing and there appears very little commitment by the President to protect religious freedom and justice.

“This issue has now become a major issue in the 2012 elections and has energized the faith community more than Romney, Santorum, Gingrich and Paul combined.

“We would encourage the President to move away from this reckless position of crushing and trampling the First Amendment and recommend he embrace the proposition that every American should have the right to freely practice their faith traditions without government interference or harassment.”


+ Christian News Wire, 2020 Pennsylvania Avenue Northwest, Washington DC 20006, 202-546-0054, newsdesk@christiannewswire.com

+ Christian Defense Coalition, Post Office Box 77168, Washington DC 20013, 202-547-1735, ChristianDefense@gmail.com

+ U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 200 Independence Avenue Southwest, Washington DC 20201, 877-696-6775, Contact Page


[4] U.S. HHS Secretary Sebelius Says Reductions in Births from Contraceptive/Sterilization/Abortifacient Mandate will Pay for Program

A 1 March 2012 CNSNews.com article by Fred Lucas titled “Sebelius: Decrease in Human Beings Will Cover Cost of Contraception Mandate” reports that U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kathleen Sebelius on 1 March 2012 told a U.S. House of Representatives panel that the reduced number of U.S. births in the United States will compensate employers and insurers for the cost of the new HHS Contraceptive/Sterilization/Abortifacient mandate requiring all health-care plans to cover U.S. Food and Drug Administration-approved contraceptive and abortifacient drugs, and sterilizations.


+ CNSNews.com, 325 South Patrick Street, Alexandria, Virginia 22314, 877-267-6397, newsdesk@cnsnews.com

+ U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 200 Independence Avenue Southwest, Washington DC 20201, 877-696-6775, Contact Page

+ U.S. House of Representatives, Washington DC 20515, 202- 224-3121, Contact Page

+ U.S. Food and Drug Administration , 10903 New Hampshire Avenue, Silver Spring, Maryland 20993, 888-463-6332, druginfo@fda.hhs.gov


[5] Pastor Steven Andrew – “Jesus Says Obama is Not a Christian -- Obey God and Turn Away from Obama”

In a 1 March 2012 statement, Pastor Steven Andrew of USA Christian Ministries said “Christians are to obey God and turn away from Barack Obama -- Obama is lost in sin.”

Pointing to the Sermon on the Mount where Jesus says, “You will know them by their fruits,” Pastor Andrew explains that by looking at Obama's fruits, Jesus says Obama is not a Christian (Matthew 7:16). For example, Obama advocated abandoning living babies to die who survive botched abortions, and covered Jesus' name and cross on a lectern at Georgetown University.

Obama has removed references to God when quoting the Declaration of Independence and Bible verses from the Pentagon reports. Instead of saying the USA's national motto is “In God We Trust,” Obama has lied, saying that it is something without God.

Pastor Andrew adds:

“God says homosexual sin is an abomination in Leviticus 18:22 and that He removes nations for homosexual sin (2 Peter 2:6). However, Obama promotes sexual and homosexual sin and is trying to change God's holy marriage to unholy homosexual 'marriage'.”

“Obama has tempted Americans to desire other people's money in covetousness, but each person is to live for God-not to get other people's money.”

“There is no place in the Holy Bible that says to follow anyone sinning. Instead, God says that Christians are to separate from (1 Corinthians 5:13), turn away from (2 Timothy 3:5), avoid (Romans 16:17), not help (2 Chronicles 19:2) and not listen to people like Obama (Psalm 1). No Christian can follow Obama in sin.”


+ Christian News Wire, 2020 Pennsylvania Avenue Northwest, Washington DC 20006, 202-546-0054, newsdesk@christiannewswire.com

+ USA Christian Ministries, 2059 Camden Avenue #280, San Jose, California 95124, Contact Page


[6] BOND Action Founder and President the Rev. Jesse Lee Peterson Rebukes the Rev. Franklin Graham for Caving in to the NAACP, and Apologizing to U.S. President Obama

BOND Action Founder and President the Rev. Jesse Lee Peterson on 29 February 2012 criticized evangelist the Rev. Franklin Graham after Graham apologized for questioning U.S. President Barack Hussein Obama's Christian faith. In a statement released 29 February 2012, Graham said, “I regret any comments I have ever made which may have cast any doubt on the personal faith of our president, Mr. Obama.” Graham also stated that he objects to Obama's policy stances on abortion and same-sex marriage, which Graham considers to be in “direct conflict” with Scripture. Graham's apology reportedly came on the heels of pressure from black churches and more than a dozen National Organization for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) religious subgroups. The NAACP accused Graham of “bearing false witness” and fomenting racism. Mr. Peterson issued the following statement regarding Graham's forced apology:

“I am saddened to hear that Rev. Franklin Graham was bullied into issuing an apology for the truthful words he spoke, due to accusations of 'racism' by the NAACP and left-wing black clergy. Franklin Graham's weakness is a pitiful representation of Christ and is disheartening to Christians in America and those persecuted around the world.

“This is a politically-motivated attack on a Christian leader by Democrats and the NAACP . Democrats could not allow the facts of what Graham said about Obama's faith to stand and cast doubt in the minds of Christian voters. So they attacked the messenger, labeling him a racist and a liar. This is reminiscent of the intimidation used by Hitler in Nazi Germany.

“Barack Obama has shown without a doubt that he does not believe in a Judeo-Christian God. It's unfortunate that white Christian men and women are being attacked for stating the obvious about this president and they're too weak to stand for righteousness.”


+ Christian News Wire, 2020 Pennsylvania Avenue Northwest, Washington DC 20006, 202-546-0054, newsdesk@christiannewswire.com

+ BOND Action, Post Office Box 35586, Los Angeles, California 90035, 323-556-2623, info@bondaction.org

+ NAACP, 4805 Mt. Hope Drive, Baltimore, Maryland 21215, 410-580-5777, Contact Page


[7] The Syncretist Driven Life – The Next Chapter

A 2 March 2012 article by Jim Hinch in the Orange County Register titled “Rick Warren Builds Bridge to Muslims” reports that Saddleback Church pastor the Rev. Rick Warren “has embarked on an effort to heal divisions between evangelical Christians and Muslims by partnering with Southern California mosques and proposing a set of theological principles that includes acknowledging that Christians and Muslims worship the same God.”


+ Orange County Register, 625 North Grand Avenue, Santa Ana, California 92701, 877-469-7344, thorne@ocregister.com


[8] Muslim Terrorists Burn Down Seven Northeastern Nigerian Schools, Leaving Thousands of Students without Schools

A 1 March 2012 Reuters article titled “Suspected Islamists Burn Down Seven Nigerian Schools” reports that arsonists suspected to be members of the Boko Haram Islamist terrorist group burned down seven schools in northeast Nigeria over several days leading to 1 March 2012, leaving thousands of students without their schools at midterm.

Reuters explains that Boko Haram, which translated means “Western education is sinful,” an Islamist movement styled after the Taliban.

+ Thomson Reuters, 3 Times Square New York, New York 10036, 646-223-4000, general.info@thomsonreuters.com


[9] “William Hamilton is Dead” – God

Mark Ellis of ASSIST News Service reported 3 March 2012 that radical theologian William Hamilton, who led the “God is Dead” movement in the 1960’s died in Portland, Oregon, at age eighty-seven.

In his 1966 book, “Radical Theology and the Death of God,” co-written with Thomas J.J. Altizer, Hamilton stated “The death of God is a metaphor. We needed to redefine Christianity as a possibility without the presence of God.”


+ Assist USA, Post Office Box 609, Lake Forest, California 92609, 949-380-1558, danjuma1@aol.com


[10] Radio Host Mocks Christians as Deadly Tornados Ravage the South

Talk radio host Mike Malloy on 2 March 2012 used the deadly tornados ravaging the southern U.S. to further the atheist and evolutionary agenda.

Malloy said of southern Christians “Their God … keeps smashing them into little grease spots on the pavement in Alabama, and Mississippi, and Arkansas, and Georgia, and Oklahoma. You know, the Bible belt, where [in a mocking voice] they ain’t gonna let no [God’s name taken in vain] science get in the way, it says in the Bible, blah blah blah blah blah. So, according to their way of thinking, God with his omnipotent thumb reaches down here and so far tonight has smashed about twenty people into a grease spot on highway 12, or whatever the hell highway they live next to.”

Malloy’s website (www.mikemalloy.com) now contains an apology that says in part:

“Those comments, as published on various blog sites, were lifted out of context from a larger point I was making about the hypocrisy of many political leaders and commentators who refuse to acknowledge science, logic and fact in assessing disasters such as this one.”


+ THEBLAZE.COM LLC, 1270 Avenue of the Americas, 9th Floor, New York, New York 10036, contact@theblaze.com

+ The Mike Malloy Show, Post Office Box 238, Decatur, Georgia 30030, Mike@mikemalloy.com

29 February 2012

Presbyterians Week Headlines

[1] PCUSA GA Permanent Judicial Commission on 21 February 2012 Upholds Censure of the Rev. Jane Spahr for Performing Sixteen Homosexual Marriages in California

[2] Biblical Literacy, Same Sex 'Marriage,' and a Virus in our National System

[3] Transgender Storytelling Workshop for Children Five-Years-Old and Up at Church of Scotland Venue

[4] Alberta, Canada Government Forbids Homeschooling Families from Teaching that Homosexual Acts are Sinful

[5] US Judge Allows Muslim to Choke Atheist Over Islam

[6] Hillsdale College Offers Free On-Line Course “Constitution 101:
The Meaning and History of the Constitution”

[7] First Presbyterian Church of Macon, Illinois, Constructs Lenten Labyrinth

[8] 2012 Reformed Congregational Fellowship Pastors' Conference Scheduled for 17-19 April at the Wonderland Conference Center in Sharon, Massachusetts

[9] Free Ebook Available for Download – Calvin’s Institutes of the Christian Religion

[10] British Crematorium to Heat Swimming Pool

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[1] PCUSA GA Permanent Judicial Commission on 21 February 2012 Upholds Censure of the Rev. Jane Spahr for Performing Sixteen Homosexual Marriages in California

The Presbyterian Church (PCUSA) General Assembly Permanent Judicial Commission on 21 February 2012 upheld the censure of the Rev. Jane Spahr for performing sixteen homosexual marriages in California during the period that homosexual marriages were legal in the state.

Ms. Spahr was originally censured in the PCUSA’s Redwoods Presbytery for performing the sixteen homosexual marriages between the May 2008 California Supreme Court decision legalizing homosexual marriage and the November 2008 affirmative vote on Proposition 8 that reestablished California’s ban on homosexual marriage. The censure was subsequently upheld by the PCUSA Synod of the Pacific.


+ Presbyterian Church (PCUSA), 100 Witherspoon Street, Louisville, Kentucky 40202, 888-728-7228, Fax: 502-569-8005

+ Synod of the Pacific, 200 Kentucky Street, Suite B, Petaluma, California 94952, 800-754-0669, Fax: 707-765-4467, rob@synodpacific.org

+ Redwoods Presbytery, 1226A Salvador Avenue, Napa, California 94558, 707-224-5407, Fax: 707-224-4309, pbyrw@pacbell.net


[2] Biblical Literacy, Same Sex 'Marriage,' and a Virus in our National System

Commentary by Dr. Michael A. Milton

Another state legislature approves same-sex “marriage.”

Another chip in the foundation of civilization. Another moment closer to a death sentence for a nation, and not even ObamaCare will be able to stop it. But the trials that we face in this nation, and in the West, are not about healthcare or even a constitutional crisis, but a crisis of ethics and morality.

Legislatures concoct bills to allow for violations of the Law of God because they either do not know the Law of God or they oppose it or they are simply apathetic toward it. Governors sign these laws for the same reason. And the yoke of moral bondage is then placed back on the children and grandchildren of our citizens. But the process of passing bills into law, in this case codifying what the Bible and thousands of years of human civilization clearly abhors, reveals the fatal flaw that our founders saw could happen: uninformed or unconcerned citizens placing people into office who do not meet necessary conditions to serve–the first condition being moral.

The government of the United States was not devised on a whim, as Senator Smith told the leadership at the National Religious Broadcaster’s dinner this year. Madison, Washington, Adams and the others, whatever their differences on religion (there was comparatively little space between them), were firm in their conviction that the representative government of the U.S. could work, but, and this is a large condition, only if the citizenry was committed to electing representatives with religious (and they referred to at least the broader tenets of Judaeo-Christian religion) morals that could exercise wise moral (and they for the larger part meant biblical) decisions in their stead. Thus John Adams would write:

“[W]e have no government armed with power capable of contending with human passions unbridled by morality and religion. . . . Our constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other” (Source: John Adams, The Works of John Adams, Second President of the United States, Charles Francis Adams, editor (Boston: Little, Brown, 1854), Vol. IX, p. 401, to Zabdiel Adams on June 21, 1776. See Wallbuilders.com)

Former Senator Gordon H. Smith of Oregon, now CEO of the National Association of Broadcasters, declared that the governmental system of the United States was erected in an era when absolute monarchy, and monarchy by divine right ideas, were all the rage in the world. The U.S., alternatively, grounded a system of government in such a biblical representative fashion that King George III once remarked in exasperation that the experiment in self governance was a “Presbyterian parson’s rebellion!” (Source: Douglas F. Kelly, The Emergence of Liberty in the Modern World: The Influence of Calvin on Five Governments form the 16th Through 18th Centuries [Philipsburg, N.J.: P&R Publishing, 1992], p. 131).

But the government of this nation, founded on the idea of representative governance, requires an “activation code” to work. That code is the wise moral choices of a people who know the difference between right and wrong.

That is why the Northwest Ordinance, the first major legislation signed into law by President Washington, was passed by the first Congress. It was passed to provide government funds to establish Christian "schools and the means of education" in the far territories that would support the "religion, morality, and knowledge" of citizens which they considered was "necessary to good government and the happiness of mankind." Their conviction? Only those who know the divine laws of God revealed in His Word, the Bible, can intelligently elect a candidate who will uphold those laws in office. Without that one critical element, the government runs sluggish at best, and at worst, is infected with a virus that destroys sacred and indispensable elements of morality that hold the body of our nation together. This is also what President Washington meant when he charged a nation in his farewell address,

“It is substantially true, that virtue or morality is a necessary spring of popular government.” (Source: George Washington, Address of George Washington, president of the United States . . . Preparatory to His Declination (Baltimore: George and Henry S. Keatinge), pp. 22-23. In his Farewell Address to the United States in 1796. See Wallbuilders.com).

Rogue legislatures and courts that are defying the laws of God can only be stopped when the people know their Bible. Only a true revival of religion in our nation can stop the insidious regression we are witnessing. And only God can do that. As Christians, we need to pray now more than ever, for the “moral code” that runs this nation to be re activated. For a government for the people, by the people, and of the people begins with one person who quite frankly knows his Bible.

Michael Anthony Milton (Ph.D., University of Wales) serves as the chancellor/CEO elect of Reformed Theological Seminary (one of the largest accredited seminaries in the country), a U.S. Army chaplain (instructing at the Armed Forces Chaplain School) and the James M. Baird Jr. chair of pastoral theology at RTS/Charlotte. He is an author, songwriter, singer, ordained minister, former pastor of First Presbyterian Church in Chattanooga, Tenn., and he previously served as the president of RTS/Charlotte. Dr. Milton also hosts a national Bible teaching television program, Faith For Living, reaching 70,000,000 potential households through DirecTV, Legacy TV network, YouTube and iTunes. It is also available as a free app in the Android and iPhone markets. The Faith For Living radio program is broadcast on several stations in the southeast. For 16 years he served in the business world and has also served as a top-secret Navy linguist.


+ Reformed Theological Seminary, 2101 Carmel Road, Charlotte, North Carolina 28226, 704-366-5066, Fax: 704-366-9295


[3] Transgender Storytelling Workshop for Children Five-Years-Old and Up at Church of Scotland Venue

A transgender storytelling workshop targeting children as young as five-years-old was held at the Scottish Storytelling Centre in Edinburgh, Scotland, on Saturday 18 February 2012. The children attending were provided the opportunity to “explore the diverse makeup of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender families in a child-friendly way.”

The Scottish Storytelling Centre is a partnership of the Church of Scotland and the Scottish Storytelling Forum.


+ The Christian Institute, Wilberforce House, 4 Park Road, Gosforth Business Park, Newcastle upon Tyne NE12 8DG, England, 44-0-191-281-5664, Fax: 44-0-191-281-4272, info@christian.org.uk

+ Church of Scotland, 121 George Street, Edinburgh EH2 4YN, Scotland, 0131-225-5722

+ Scottish Storytelling Centre, 43-45 High Street, Edinburgh EH1 1SR, Scotland, 44-0-131-556-9579, Fax: 44-0-131-557-5224,


[4] Alberta, Canada Government Forbids Homeschooling Families from Teaching that Homosexual Acts are Sinful

A 23 February 2012 LifeSiteNews.com article by Patrick B. Craine titled “Homeschooling Families Can’t Teach Homosexual Acts Sinful in Class Says Alberta Gvmt” reports that under Alberta, Canada’s new Education Act 2012, the curriculum of homeschooling parents and faith-based schools cannot teach that homosexual acts are sinful.

Education Minister Thomas Lukaszuk’s spokesman Donna McColl stated:

"Whatever the nature of schooling – homeschool, private school, Catholic school – we do not tolerate disrespect for differences. You can affirm the family’s ideology in your family life, you just can’t do it as part of your educational study and instruction."

Paul Farris of the Home School Legal Defense Association said that the Alberta Ministry of Education is “clearly signaling that they are in fact planning to violate the private conversations families have in their own homes. A government that seeks that sort of control over our personal lives should be feared and opposed.”


+ LifeSiteNews.com, Incorporated, Post Office Box 25382, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15220, 866-787-9947, lsn@lifesitenews.com

+ Home School Legal Defense Association, Post Office Box 3000, Purcellville, Virginia 20134, 540-338-5600


[5] US Judge Allows Muslim to Choke Atheist Over Islam

A 25 February 2012 Vision to America article titled “US Judge Allows Muslim to Choke Atheist Over Islam” reports that Pennsylvania District Court Judge Mark Martin, a Muslim, dismissed harassment charges against a Muslim defendant accused of choking an atheist during a Halloween parade for wearing an offensive “Zombie Mohammad” costume.

The judge brought a Quran into court and told the atheist that he was “using the First Amendment [to the U.S. Constitution i.e., Freedom of Speech]” to madden Muslims, and called the atheist a “doofus.” The judge added: “I think our forefathers intended to use the First Amendment so we can speak with our mind, not to [expletive] off other people and cultures – which is what you did.”


+ Christian Worldview Communications LLC, 457 Nathan Dean Boulevard, Suite #105-373, Dallas, Georgia 30132, Contact Page


[6] Hillsdale College Offers Free On-Line Course “Constitution 101:
The Meaning and History of the Constitution”

Hillsdale College is offering for free an online course “Constitution 101:
The Meaning and History of the Constitution,” a ten-week course available on Mondays between 20 February 2012 and 23 April 2012 that can be viewed the day of the class or after, as the classes are prerecorded.


+ Hillsdale College, 33 East College Street, Hillsdale, Michigan 49242, 517-437-7341, Fax: 517-437-3923, Contact Page


[7] First Presbyterian Church of Macon, Illinois, Constructs Lenten Labyrinth

A 24 February 2012 article in The McDonough County Voice titled “Reflect on Labyrinth at First Presbyterian” reports that First Presbyterian Church (Presbyterian Church (PCUSA)) of Macomb, Illinois, has constructed a thirty-six-foot classical labyrinth in the church fellowship hall that was opened at the 22 February 2012 Ash Wednesday service and will remain open daily from 9 a.m. until 7 p.m. until the day after Easter, Monday 26 April 2012.

The labyrinth walks will be accompanied by a Tibetan singing prayer bowl, a drum, a chant, or silence. Resources are being made available for guided labyrinth walks.

A 6 December 2005 post on The Puritan Board by the Rev. Bruce Buchanan of the Chain-O-Lakes Orthodox Presbyterian Church in Central Lake, Michigan, describes the prayer labyrinth as “an occult path of the dead. Successful navigation of it led one to heaven; the lost wandered it forever in terror, ending up in the center pit from which there was no escape. Arcane knowledge (gnosis) of traversing it or a suitable guide, therefore, was [a] necessary part of pagan religion. In other incarnations, it serves a gnostic purpose of meditation…not the “inner-peace” type, but the “path”…to enlightenment.”


+ The McDonough County Voice, 203 North Randolph, Macomb, Illinois 61455, 309-833-2345, lynne@mcdonoughvoice.com

+ Presbyterian Church (PCUSA), 100 Witherspoon Street, Louisville, Kentucky 40202, 888-728-7228, Fax: 502-569-8005


[8] 2012 Reformed Congregational Fellowship Pastors' Conference Scheduled for 17-19 April at the Wonderland Conference Center in Sharon, Massachusetts

The 2012 Reformed Congregational Fellowship Pastors' Conference is scheduled for 17-19 April 2012 at the Wonderland Conference Center in Sharon, Massachusetts. The conference theme is “Of the Assurance
of Grace and Salvation.”

Presentations include:

-- “Spiritual Union and Assurance” - Kirk van der Swaagh, New York, New York

-- “Assurance and Friendship” - David Green, Beverly, Massachusetts

-- “Be Even More Diligent To Make Your Call and Election Sure” - Paul Wanamaker, South Easton, Massachusetts

-- “Assurance of Grace and Salvation at End of Life” - Christopher Bogosh, Yulee, Florida

-- “Dark Nights of the Soul: Waiting Long In Assurance” - Tim Broberg, Pennsylvania

-- “Grace Abounding to the Chief of Sinners: John Bunyan’s Pilgrimage to Assurance of Salvation” - Bob Hall, Bronx, New York

The conference brochure is available at:

http://christianobserver.org/wp-content/RCF Brochure 2012.pdf


+ Reformed Congregational Fellowship


[9] Free Ebook Available for Download – Calvin’s Institutes of the Christian Religion

A free ebook, Calvin’s Institutes of the Christian Religion is available for download at:

http://calvinismisthegospel.com/2012/02/free-ebook-institutes-of-the-christian-religion/


+ Calvinism is the Gospel


[10] British Crematorium to Heat Swimming Pool

A 23 February 2012 article by Rowena Mason in The Telegraph titled “Minister Praises Plan to Heat Swimming Pool from Fires of Crematorium” reports that a leisure center in Redditch, Worcestershire, England, will soon begin using the excess heat generated by a nearby crematorium to heat the center’s swimming pool.


+ The Telegraph, Victory House, Meeting House Lane, Chatham, Kent, ME4 4TT, England, 0800-316-6977, telegraphenquiries@telegraph.co.uk

22 February 2012

Presbyterians Week Headlines

[1] Reformed Presbyterian Minister and Five Other Clergy Arrested by “Obama Gestapo” for Praying in Front of White House

[2] Geneva College Sues Obama Administration over “Contraceptive Mandate”

[3] Dordt College President Dr. Carl Zylstra Among Signatories of Notre Dame Law School Letter Responding to Obama “Contraceptive Mandate” “Accommodation”

[4] Major Mainstream Religious Leaders Voice Support for Obamacare “Contraceptive Mandate”

[5] An Editorial on the “Contraceptive Mandate” from Christian News

---

[1] Reformed Presbyterian Minister and Five Other Clergy Arrested by “Obama Gestapo” for Praying in Front of White House

A 20 February 2012 Godfather Politics article by Da Tagliare titled “Obama Gestapo Arrests Group for Praying in Front of White House” reports that Reformed Presbyterian minister the Rev. Pat Mahoney and five other clergymen were quickly arrested by U.S. (National) Park Police officers when they began to kneel and pray in front of the White House in protest of the Obamacare “contraceptive mandate” that compels health insurance providers to provide no-cost abortifacient and contraceptive coverage whether or not the religious denomination, employer, or other entity providing health insurance has a moral objection to abortifacients and contraceptives.

The author prefaced the article by writing:

"Occupy Washington protesters have been camping on US [National] Park Service property for the past four months. They littered and trashed the park. They urinated and defecated all over it. They even defaced public property and nearby buildings.

"But few arrests were ever made."


+ Godfather Politics

+ Hanover Presbytery, Reformed Presbyterian Church, hanoverpresbyter@yahoo.com


[2] Geneva College Sues Obama Administration over “Contraceptive Mandate”

Geneva College of Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania, on 21 February 2012 filed suit against the Obama administration, saying regulations that require employers to offer birth control coverage that includes drugs that abort fertilized embryos [abortifacients] are "directly at odds" with its religious values, including the Bible's Sixth Commandment [Thou Shalt Not Kill].

The college is represented by the Alliance Defense Fund.


+ Geneva College, 3200 College Avenue, Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania 15010, 724-846-5100, Fax: 724.847.6696, pr@geneva.edu

+ Alliance Defense Fund, 15100 North 90th Street, Scottsdale, Arizona 85260, 800-835-5233, Fax: 480-444-0025

+ Reformed Presbyterian Church of North America (RPCNA), 7408 Penn Avenue, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15208, 412-731-1177, Fax: 412-731-8861


[3] Dordt College President Dr. Carl Zylstra Among Signatories of Notre Dame Law School Letter Responding to Obama “Contraceptive Mandate” “Accommodation”

Dordt College President Dr. Carl Zylstra has signed a 10 February 2012 letter on Notre Dame Law School letterhead titled “Unacceptable” responding to U.S. President Barack Hussein Obama’s “accommodation” to the Obamacare “contraceptive mandate.”

The letter states, in part:

"This so-called “accommodation” changes nothing of moral substance and fails to remove the assault on religious liberty and the rights of conscience which gave rise to the controversy. It is certainly no compromise. The reason for the original bipartisan uproar was the administration’s insistence that religious employers, be they institutions or individuals, provide insurance that covered services they regard as gravely immoral and unjust. Under the new rule, the government still coerces religious institutions and individuals to purchase insurance policies that include the very same services."


+ The Becket Fund for Religious Liberty, 3000 K Street Northwest, Suite 220, Washington DC 20007, 202-955-0095, Fax: 202-955-0090, ehardman@becketfund.org

+ Dordt College, 498 4th Avenue Northeast, Sioux Center, Iowa 51250, 712-722-6000, public-relations@dordt.edu

+ Notre Dame Law School, Post Office Box 780, Notre Dame, Indiana 46556, 574-631-6627, Fax: 574-631-3980, ndlaw@nd.edu

+ Christian Reformed Church in North America, 2850 Kalamazoo Avenue Southeast, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49560, 616-241-1691, Fax: 616-224-0803 crcna@crcna.org

+ The Vatican, Città del Vaticano, Rome, Italy, 39-6-69-88-35-11, Fax: 39-6-69-88-54-47, Contact Page


[4] Major Mainstream Religious Leaders Voice Support for Obamacare “Contraceptive Mandate”

An 8 February 2012 statement supporting the Obamacare “contraceptive mandate” was signed by Union Theological Seminary in the City of New York President the Rev. Dr. Serene Jones and United Church of Christ General Minister and President the Rev. Geoffrey Black, joining other signatories including Muslims for Progressive Values President Ani Zonneveld, Society for Humanistic Judaism Executive Director M. Bonnie Cousens, and Planned Parenthood Clergy Advisory Board Chair the Rev. Jane Emma Newall.

The statement reads:

"We stand with [U.S.] President Obama and [U.S. Department of Health and Human Services] Secretary Sebelius in their decision to reaffirm the importance of contraceptive services as essential preventive care for women under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, and to assure access under the law to American women, regardless of religious affiliation. We respect individuals’ moral agency to make decisions about their sexuality and reproductive health without governmental interference or legal restrictions. We do not believe that specific religious doctrine belongs in health care reform – as we value our nation’s commitment to church-state separation. We believe that women and men have the right to decide whether or not to apply the principles of their faith to family planning decisions, and to do so they must have access to services. The Administration was correct in requiring institutions that do not have purely sectarian goals to offer comprehensive preventive health care. Our leaders have the responsibility to safeguard individual religious liberty and to help improve the health of women, their children, and families. Hospitals and universities across the religious spectrum have an obligation to assure that individuals’ conscience and decisions are respected and that their students and employees have access to this basic health care service. We invite other religious leaders to speak out with us for universal coverage of contraception."


+ Religion News Service, 1930 18th Street Northwest, Suite B2, Washington DC 20009, 202-463-8777, Fax: 202-463-0033, info@religionnews.com

+ Union Theological Seminary in the City of New York, 3041 Broadway at 121st Street, New York, New York 10027, 212-662-7100, online@uts.columbia.edu

+ United Church of Christ, 700 Prospect Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio 44115, 216-736-2100, ogm@ucc.org


[5] An Editorial on the “Contraceptive Mandate” from Christian News

[Editor’s Note: Christian News is an independent publication within the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod]

Abortion and Birth Control have been much in the news. Until the 1930s the major Protestant denominations and the Roman Catholic Church recognized that the Bible opposes both abortion and birth control.

“Obama threatens religious liberty”, a column by Jeffrey T. Kuhner in the January 26, 2012 Washington Times says:

"Like many leftists, President Obama has deep contempt for Christianity and democracy. This is why his administration has declared war on the Catholic Church and “religious liberty.”"

“The president sandbags the archbishop,” a January 30, 2012 column by Patrick Buchanan says:

“Not only should the bishops file suit in federal court against the president and Sebelius for the violation of Separation of Church and State, they should inform the White House that no bishop will give an invocation at the Democratic Convention.”

“Totalitarian Obama…Tries to Pull the Plug on Medical Morality”, a column by Dexter Duggan in the February 9, 2012 Wanderer begins:

"This is totalitarianism.

"The domineering state orders the Church to buckle under, bow down, and worship death. Heavy penalties await those who dare say no.

"Sounds like orders coming from Communist Moscow or National Socialist Berlin in the 1930s.

"But these orders come from Washington, D. C., in 2012.

"Barack Obama’s self- enchanted thugs lay it on the line.

"Neither Catholics nor others have a choice. They must fund abortion- causing drugs, sterilization, and artificial contraception through the nationalized government medical program.

"Catholics must live in constant mortal sin to be good, obedient Americans.

"This is an election year. Obama truly has lost his mind."

"You might as well be forcing a Southern Baptist minister to run a bordello on church grounds," said a January 24, 2012 editorial by the conservative Investor’s Business Daily. It was headlined, ‘Is Obama trying to replace the Pope?’

A government that already thinks itself all-powerful simply hands down the order, no matter how unconstitutional, weird, or unjustifiable.


+ Christian News, 684 Luther Lane, New Haven, Missouri 63068, 573-237-3110, Contact Page

+ Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, 1333 South Kirkwood Road, St. Louis, Missouri 63122, 888-843-5267, infocenter@lcms.org

15 February 2012

Presbyterians Week

D.V., will resume with the 22 February 2012 edition.

8 February 2012

Presbyterians Week Headlines

[1] PCA Fellowship Presbytery Issues Statement Affirming Accuracy of Genesis 1 and 2

[2] A New Crime Wave at American Universities: What has China to do with State U?

---

[1] PCA Fellowship Presbytery Issues Statement Affirming Accuracy of Genesis 1 and 2

In the light of recent discussions related to theistic evolution, genetics, and the historicity of Adam and Eve, the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA)’s Fellowship Presbytery (FP) has been concerned about views which compromise the accuracy of the Scriptures, particularly the accounts related to the first eleven chapters of Genesis. A motion was passed at the FP 51st meeting that the FP Membership Committee study the account of the historicity of Adam and Eve, and bring back a recommendation to the FP 52nd meeting. The following is the first part of the requested report.

On the recommendation of the FP Membership Committee, FP adopted at its Winter Meeting the following position statement:

“The members of Fellowship Presbytery affirm that the Scriptures, specifically Genesis 1 and 2, teach that Adam and Eve are historical individuals, that Adam and Eve were specially created by God through His direct intervention and that God formed Adam, the first man, from the dust of the ground. The members of Fellowship Presbytery deny that Genesis 2:7 means that God acted upon a group of humans or hominids to set apart the first couple. Anyone seeking to be ordained within Fellowship Presbytery or to transfer his ordination into Fellowship Presbytery must agree with the above statements.”


+ Fellowship Presbytery, Robert F. Sprinkle, Jr., Stated Clerk, Post Office Box 205, Sharon, South Carolina 29742, 803-927-7640, clerk@fellowshippresbytery.net

+ Presbyterian Church in America, 1700 North Brown Road, Suite 105, Lawrenceville, Georgia 30043, 678-825-1000, Fax: 678-825-1001, ac@pcanet.org


[2] A New Crime Wave at American Universities: What has China to do with State U?

(CHARLOTTE, NC) - Feb. 7, 2012 - A sinister wave of crime is sweeping American university campuses. Even the most prestigious universities like Vanderbilt University in Nashville are not exempt. Indeed, these types of criminal activity have spread like a hideous contagion to state universities, SUNY Buffalo being the most recent site. And the most alarming part of it all? The criminals are those who are running the schools. No, I am not talking about white collar crimes. I am not talking about violence. I am talking about what Dr. Michael M. Jordan of Hillsdale College has called "pedagogical crime" – that is educational crime – which can result in his sobering phrase: "cultural suicide."

Yes, I am talking about the recent and escalating discrimination policies against Christian college campus ministries. If this absolutely sinister and anti-American crack-down on Christians is not stopped then we will commit "cultural suicide," indeed. All other freedoms are grounded in this fundamental freedom to worship God as we understand it, and to assemble freely to do so. All other religions flourish (and the "idea of the university" is allowed to exist) when Christianity's beacon of light shines brightly.

The discrimination against Christian groups is ironically cloaked under the guise of university policies of nondiscrimination. Such "politically correct" policies demand that student Christian groups, even long-standing ministries such as InterVarsity Fellowship and others, must change their constitutions and allow unbelievers to not only join but be able to lead the groups. In other words those who are atheists, agnostics and those who would oppose Christianity with both their beliefs and their lifestyles, must, according to this new religious police force, be fully accommodated. Or? Or the Christian groups must disband as official campus ministries. These recent anti-Christian actions not only violate the first amendment of the U.S. Constitution, but are textbook cases in "the worst public relation blunders ever!"

After a more than three hour meeting with Vanderbilt's provost, students failed to find any compromise. One report I read cited a Chinese student who recognized the American university's demands to quell free speech and seek to control the faith and practice of conservative evangelicals and devout Catholics. The Communists in his home country have created an entire movement of underground churches by their similar repression of religious freedom. But his insight may be the final divine disposition of this matter. If we have learned anything from two millennia of church history and from 20th century history, we have learned that whenever any government or any organization or any power structure seeks to stop Christianity it actually ends up promoting a vibrant faith in Christ.

Yes, Christian campus groups may have to go underground at universities like Vanderbilt and SUNY Buffalo and other campuses. But the Gospel pattern is that the very thing which seeks to destroy Christianity becomes the instrument that promotes it. It was this way with the cross which was an instrument of shame and became a symbol of victory.

Could it now be that in seeking to quiet the faith and practice of believers on some of our nation's top campuses those individuals responsible are in fact lighting the fires of a revival that will soon begin to sweep across a nation? And maybe even some university officials who are seeking to stop the faithful will become, Paul-like, converted to that which they oppose? We have every reason to be alarmed at this recent attack of religious liberty and freedom of speech in our nation. But as Christians we also have every reason, biblical and historical, to suspect that God is up to something good.

"You meant it for evil," Joseph told his criminal brothers, "but God intended it for good, so that many will be saved." And that is a faith that overcomes and transforms antagonists into saints. Let our voices be heard by those who seek to stop the campus ministries who declare that Jesus is Lord. Let's also let our voices be heard by the One we worship: "Lord, do it again on our college campuses!" Then the lion will lie down with the lamb and the university president will lead in singing "Stand Up, Stand Up for Jesus" at the Wednesday night campus Bible study group. That would be a lesson we would never forget.

Michael Anthony Milton (Ph.D., University of Wales) serves as the chancellor/CEO elect of Reformed Theological Seminary (one of the largest accredited seminaries in the country), a U.S. Army chaplain (instructing at the Armed Forces Chaplain School) and the James M. Baird Jr. chair of pastoral theology at RTS/Charlotte. He is an author, songwriter, singer, ordained minister, former pastor of First Presbyterian Church in Chattanooga, Tenn., and he previously served as the president of RTS/Charlotte. Dr. Milton also hosts a national Bible teaching television program, Faith For Living, reaching 70,000,000 potential households through DirecTV, Legacy TV network, YouTube and iTunes. It is also available as a free app in the Android and iPhone markets. The Faith For Living radio program is broadcast on several stations in the southeast. For 16 years he served in the business world and has also served as a top-secret Navy linguist.


+ Reformed Theological Seminary, 2101 Carmel Road, Charlotte, North Carolina 28226, 704-366-5066, Fax: 704-366-9295