22 April 2009

Presbyterians Week Headlines

[1] Singapore Bible Presbyterian Founder the Rev. Dr. Timothy S.H. Tow Dies at Age 88
[2] White House Compels Georgetown University to Cover Ancient Monogram Symbol for Jesus Ahead of Speech by U.S. President Barrack Hussein Obama
[3] U.S. Senate Bill Looks to Give Sweeping Internet Powers to President Barrack Hussein Obama
[4] House Judiciary Committee to Take Up H.R. 1913 Hate Crimes Bill
[5] Connecticut Legislature Considering Legislation to Remove First Amendment Religious Freedoms
[6] Abortion Protesters Win US$125 Thousand Federal Court Judgment for Multiple False Arrests
[7] Book Published on Canada’s “Thought Police” Human Rights Commissions
[8] Iowa PCUSA Pastor Ousted by Prospect Hill Presbytery
[9] PCUSA Task Force to Examine EPC Conduct with Former PCUSA Congregations
[10] Church of Scotland’s May 2009 Life and Work Magazine Editorial Criticizes Biblical Precepts on Homosexuality
[11] Free St. George’s Blog Begins Biographical Series on Scots Minister and Church Historian A.R. MacEwen
[12] Second Annual Heidelberg Reformation Conference 26-28 May 2009 at St. Paul’s Reformed Church in Bedford, Pennsylvania
[13] Slavic Reformation Society’s Spring 2009 St. Petersburg Mission Field Report Available
[14] Reformed Churches in North Dakota Discussed on Johannes Weslianus Blog


[1] Singapore Bible Presbyterian Founder the Rev. Dr. Timothy S.H. Tow Dies at Age 88

The man most influential in the founding of the Bible-Presbyterian movement in Singapore and who founded the first Bible-Presbyterian congregation in Singapore in 1955, the Rev. Dr. Timothy S.H. Tow, 88, died 20 April 2009 of natural causes at his home.

Dr. Tow started an English congregation at Life Presbyterian Church in 1950 that was renamed Life Bible-Presbyterian Church in 1955 after Tow and his church dissociated from the Presbyterian synod due to the liberalism of the Malayan Christian Council [now the Council of Churches of Malaysia] leadership to which it had been connected.

Dr. Tow led missionary trips to many parts of Malaysia and preached in churches in Singapore and Malaysia on a regular weekly basis for a period of five years. Tow additionally founded the Far Eastern Bible College seminary in 1962 and served as its leader until his death. After a doctrinal conflict with two assistant pastors, Dr. Tow resigned from Life Bible-Presbyterian Church and started True Life Bible-Presbyterian Church, holding the first service in early October 2003.

Dr. Tow’s autobiography states that as of the year 2000, there were sixty Bible-Presbyterian congregations in Singapore, twenty in Malaysia, and many others in the ten Association of Southeast Asian Nations countries, Australia, and the rest of the world.

Dr. Tow’s funeral service will be conducted 23 April 2009 at 10:00 a.m. at the Calvary-Pandan Bible-Presbyterian Church in Singapore.

+ The Christian Post, National Press Building, 529 14th Street Northwest, Suite 420, Washington DC 20045, 202-347-7734, info@christianpost.com

+ Malaysia Bible-Presbyterian Church

+ Presbyterian Church in Singapore, 132 Sophia Road, Singapore 228186, 6338-5837, Fax: 6339-4076, richard@presbysing.org.sg


[2] White House Compels Georgetown University to Cover Ancient Monogram Symbol for Jesus Ahead of Speech by U.S. President Barrack Hussein Obama

The White House compelled Georgetown University to cover up a first-century monogram symbol for Jesus Christ in preparation for a 14 April 2009 speech delivered at the university by U.S. President Barrack Hussein Obama. The symbol consists of the Greek alphabet letters iota, eta, and sigma with a line across the top of the letters - an abbreviation of the Greek word for “Jesus.”

Reformed Presbyterian minister and president of the Christian Defense Coalition (CDC) the Rev. Pat Mahoney commented: “In 32 years of public ministry, I have never seen a President of the United States show such complete contempt and disrespect for faith. This action by the White House should appall and anger every American who cherishes sacred traditions...especially Christians…The image that the Obama team portrayed during the campaign of Mr. Obama being a man of deep faith, understanding and tolerance is now completely in tatters. It is stunning and shameful that anyone would ask a Christian institution to cover up a public expression of Jesus just so they could have a better background for a televised speech. This is not a person who respects or cherishes faith."

Additionally, the CDC rhetorically wondered aloud whether or not U.S. President Barrack Hussein Obama would have covered sacred symbols of the Islamic faith.

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

+ Christian Defense Coalition, 540-538-4741


[3] U.S. Senate Bill Looks to Give Sweeping Internet Powers to President Barrack Hussein Obama

Senators Jay Rockefeller of West Virginia and Olympia Snow of Maine on 8 April 2009 introduced a bill named “The Cybersecurity Act of 2009” which would establish the executive branch Office of the National Cybersecurity Advisor that would have sweeping powers to regulate Internet traffic, with the stated goal of protecting against threats to critical cyber infrastructure.

A 13 April 2009 Mother Jones article by Steve Aquino titled, “Should Obama Control the Internet?” stated that the bill, “gives the president the ability to "declare a cybersecurity emergency" and shut down or limit Internet traffic in any "critical" information network "in the interest of national security." The bill does not define a critical information network or a cybersecurity emergency. That definition would be left to the president. The bill does not only add to the power of the president. It also grants the Secretary of Commerce "access to all relevant data concerning [critical] networks without regard to any provision of law, regulation, rule, or policy restricting such access." This means he or she can monitor or access any data on private or public networks without regard to privacy laws.”

Aquino’s article additionally quotes Leslie Harris, head of the Center for Democracy and Technology, who says, "The cybersecurity threat is real, but such a drastic federal intervention in private communications technology and networks could harm both security and privacy."

+ Axis of Logic, 25 Sunset Road, Somerville, Massachusetts 02144, les@axisoflogic.com


[4] House Judiciary Committee to Take Up H.R. 1913 Hate Crimes Bill

The U.S. House of Representatives Judiciary Committee is expected the week of 20-24 April 2009 to take up bill H.R. 1913, which is designed to create a new class of crimes based on the victim's "actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity," the Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 2009.

Under such "hate-crime" laws, pastors could be prosecuted for preaching the biblical view of homosexuality. Similar laws have been used to prosecute religious speech in the U.S. and abroad [including Canada, Brazil, and Sweden].

+ Focus on the Family, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80995, 800-232-6459


[5] Connecticut Legislature Considering Legislation to Remove First Amendment Religious Freedoms

The Connecticut legislature is considering SB 899, which claims to make the recent Connecticut Supreme Court decision legalizing homosexual marriage the law, but includes multiple provisions in Section 17 of the proposed bill that would remove the current legal restrictions against homosexual marriage; paves the way for the pro-homosexual agenda to be taught to children in schools; establishes preferences and quotas based on sexual orientation for homosexuals of which religious groups would not be exempt, even for religiously sensitive, key positions; forces public officials to perform same-sex ceremonies regardless of their religious beliefs; and forces religious groups to rent their facilities for same-sex ceremonies.

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


[6] Abortion Protesters Win US$125 Thousand Federal Court Judgment for Multiple False Arrests

Four abortion protesters from the group Rescue the Heartland won US$125 thousand in attorney fees in a federal lawsuit against city of Bellevue, Nebraska police chief John W. Stacey who had repeatedly ordered the protesters be falsely arrested in 2006 and 2007 under a residential picketing ordinance. After every one of the arrests, the protesters were acquitted of the charges or the charges were dismissed.

Protester and arrestee Larry Donlan of Rescue the Heartland commented: “We were repeatedly arrested and thrown in jail even though the police knew we were not breaking the law. They just didn't care. It is unfortunate that the taxpayers of Bellevue now have to pay for the police chief's irresponsibility.”

No information was provided as to how or if Bellevue, Nebraska police chief John W. Stacey was to be personally held accountable for his repeated abuse of authority and the resultant expense to the city.

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

+ Operation Rescue, PO Box 782888, Wichita, Kansas 67278-2888, 800-705-1175, Fax: 916-244-2636, info@operationrescue.org


[7] Book Published on Canada’s “Thought Police” Human Rights Commissions

In the 15 April 2009 article “Northern Discomfort: Shame on Canada's Thought Police”, in the National Review Online, author Mark Hemmingway reviews Ezra Levant’s new book Shakedown: How Our Government Is Undermining Democracy in the Name of Human Rights.

Hemmingway describes the book as “a chronicle of injustice, with outrage on every page,” as the book draws Hemmingway “…to the sad realization that Canada no longer has freedom of speech,” and the conclusion that Canada’s Human Rights Commissions (HRCs) have “…morphed into star chambers weighing in on what the press could print, what pastors could say from the pulpit, whether certain Bible verses could be displayed publicly, and so on.”

Hemmingway additionally says that the HRCs “have the power to impose financial and legal penalties, and yet they don’t adhere to the most basic protections of due process found in a real court of law.”

+ National Review, 215 Lexington Avenue, New York, New York 10016, 212-679-7330


[8] Iowa PCUSA Pastor Ousted by Prospect Hill Presbytery

United Presbyterian Church (UPC) of Dennison, Iowa (Presbyterian Church (PCUSA)) pastor the Rev. Brian Rihner had his pastorate dissolved by the Prospect Hill Presbytery (PHP) after being summoned to a 16 April 2009 meeting where for the first time several unsubstantiated accusations were made against him including charges of dividing the congregation, and charges of inappropriate and unethical arrangements regarding the church financial accounts – only because Rihner had non-exclusive signatory authority to the church financial accounts as had been the church’s arrangement with all of its former pastors. There was no financial impropriety alleged.

Following the 2008 General Assembly meeting, the UPC session examined PCUSA policies and programs, concluded that the PCUSA had departed from Biblical principles, and was ready to recommend that UPC seek membership in an evangelical denomination. Rihner and the UPC session had continually informed the UPC congregation and the PHP about all of the details regarding these matters.

After the UPC session called a congregational meeting to address the issues, PHP ordered the UPC session to cancel the congregational meeting, interrogated Rihner and his session separately, issued a gag order against letters and other written communications among members of the UPC congregation, demanded access to the church’s minutes, rolls and other official documents, conducted a search for “loyal” PCUSA members within the membership, and met separately with the handful that responded.

Rihner was offered a three-month severance package if he would admit in writing to the presbytery allegations. Rihner declined to do so and has retained legal counsel.

+ Presbyterian Lay Committee, Post Office Box 2210, Lenoir, North Carolina 28645, 828-758-8716, Fax: 828-758-0920, laymanletters@layman.org

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


[9] PCUSA Task Force to Examine EPC Conduct with Former PCUSA Congregations

The task force named by the Presbyterian Church (PCUSA) General Assembly Committee on Ecumenical Relations during the 2008 General Assembly (GA218) has begun looking into the conduct of the Evangelical Presbyterian Church (EPC) in its dealings with PCUSA congregations that have left the PCUSA for the EPC.

GA218 expressed concern that the EPC is “actively pursuing a strategy to persuade [PCUSA] churches to disaffiliate with the [PCUSA] and be dismissed to the Evangelical Presbyterian Church.”

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

+ Evangelical Presbyterian Church, 17197 North Laurel Park Drive Suite 567, Livonia, Michigan 48152, 734-742-2020, Fax: 734-742-2033, webmaster@epc.org


[10] Church of Scotland’s May 2009 Life and Work Magazine Editorial Criticizes Biblical Precepts on Homosexuality

An editorial in the May 2009 issue of the Church of Scotland magazine Life and Work criticizes Biblical precepts on homosexuality and those who hold to the biblical precepts.

The editorial states that even the strongest biblical traditionalists do not take everything in the Bible literally, saying: “Every student of the Bible is a selective literalist. Those who swear by the anti-homosexual laws in the Book of Leviticus wouldn't publicly advocate slavery or stoning women taken in adultery. They presumably no longer accept Biblical teaching on sexual matters such as polygamy and sex with slaves. And yet there are many who continue to be bound by a few Biblical verses – none of them in the Gospels – about homosexuality, nowadays understood as a matter of genetics rather than lifestyle.”

+ The Scotsman, Barclay House, 108 Holyrood Road, Edinburgh, Scotland EH8 8AS, 0131-620-8620

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


[11] Free St. George’s Blog Begins Biographical Series on Scots Minister and Church Historian A.R. MacEwen

The Free St. George’s blog has begun a series of biographical articles about Scots minister and church historian Alexander Robertson MacEwen, who was involved in the union of 1900 of the United Presbyterian Church and the Free Church of Scotland majority, and was involved in the beginning stages of the union between the United Free Church majority and the Church of Scotland to form today's Church of Scotland.

+ Free St. George’s Blog

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

+ Free Church of Scotland, 15 North Bank Street, The Mound, Edinburgh, Scotland EH1 2LS, 0131-226-5286, Fax: 0131-220-0597, catherine@freechurchofscotland.org.uk



[12] Second Annual Heidelberg Reformation Conference 26-28 May 2009 at St. Paul’s Reformed Church in Bedford, Pennsylvania

The Second Annual Heidelberg Reformation Conference will be held 26-28 May 2009 at St. Paul’s Reformed Church in Bedford, Pennsylvania.

Speakers for the conference are Dr. R. Scott Clark, Professor of Church History and Historical Theology at Westminster Seminary California with “Calvin as Theologian of Comfort;” the Rev. Howard Sloan, Coordinating Secretary of the Heidelberg Reformation Association and Pastor of St. Paul’s Reformed Church in Bedford, Pennsylvania with “Question 1 and Comfort to the Dying;” the Rev. Wilbur Bruinsma, Pastor of the Protestant Reformed Fellowship of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania with “The Heidelberg Catechism’s Teaching on Christ’s Lordship;” and the Rev. John H.C. Niederhaus, Pastor of Immanuel Leidy’s Church of Souderton, Pennsylvania with “While Not My Own, My Faith Must Be Mine.”

Further information about the conference is available at the Heidelberg Reformation Association website.

+ Heidelberg Reformation Association, Rev. Howard Sloan, Secretary, 5543 Business 220, Bedford, Pennsylvania 15522


[13] Slavic Reformation Society’s Spring 2009 St. Petersburg Mission Field Report Available

The Spring 2009 St. Petersburg Mission Field Report of the Slavic Reformation Society (SRS) is available at the SRS website.

+ Slavic Reformation Society, Post Office Box 794, Louisville, Mississippi 39339, 662-779-0519, mforster@internetcapital.com


[14] Reformed Churches in North Dakota Discussed on Johannes Weslianus Blog

Presbyterian Church in America (PCA) pastor Wes White of Spearfish, South Dakota, in an article titled Update on Reformed Churches in North Dakota on his Johannes Weslianus blog, states that there are several Reformed denominations well represented in South Dakota including the PCA, the Orthodox Presbyterian Church (OPC), the Reformed Church in the United States (RCUS), and a United Reformed Church.

In contrast, White describes the Reformed situation in North Dakota as “a rather precarious position,...but [that] some light has begun to appear.” White cites a PCA church plant in Grand Forks, an OPC church in Carson, an RCUS church plant in Jamestown, existing RCUS churches in Ashley, Hosmer, Anamoose, and Minot, and several other Reformed congregations.

+ Johannes Weslianus Blog

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

+ Orthodox Presbyterian Church, 607 North Easton Road, Building E, Box P, Willow Grove, Pennsylvania 19090, 215-830-0900, Fax: 215-830-0350

+ Reformed Church in the United States, Post Office Box 486, Eureka, South Dakota 57437

+ United Reformed Churches in North America, C/O Mr. Bill Konynenbelt, 5824 Bowwater Circle Northwest, Calgary, Alberta T3B 2E2, Canada, 403-286-0521, Fax: 403-286-0759, urcna@shaw.ca