28 December 2011

Presbyterians Week Headlines

[1] Death of Francis Nigel Lee

[2] Northern Presbytery of the Free Church of Scotland (Continuing) Issues 22 December 2011 Statement

[3] Vatican Calls for One-World Government

[4] Reformed Church in Hungary Asked by Fidesz Party Leader to Determine Global Religious Communities to be Recognized by Hungary

[5] The Christian Pundit Continues to Write on the Discussions about Creation and Hermeneutics

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[1] Death of Francis Nigel Lee

The Reverend Barrister Professor Doctor Francis Nigel Lee died 23 December 2011 after a long struggle with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease.

Dr. Lee’s daughter Johanna Lee wrote of her father’s passing:

“It is with great sadness, that I need to inform you all on behalf of my family, of the passing of my father, Francis Nigel Lee. Dad died peacefully on Friday morning after a prolonged struggle with Motor Neuron Disease. Although the disease gradually robbed him of his speech, mobility and ability to write, he conducted himself with dignity and grace to the end. When I took him to a neurology appointment in October, he was already wheelchair-bound. The panel of specialists sympathised with his condition and remarked that it would be natural for him to be angry or hope for a less devastating diagnosis. He calmly replied, “Whether I die in two years or two months, is in God’s hands. My hope is in the next life.” On December 5th, Dad celebrated his 77th Birthday. Two days later marked my parents’ 48th Wedding Anniversary. My mother, Nellie, who was his full-time career during his illness, was at his bedside when he died. Her resilience and selfless commitment to Dad’s needs were inspirational. Thank you to all who have expressed their concern for his health and well-being in recent months. His suffering is over now.”

Nordskog Publishing wrote of Dr Lee:

“The world has lost a giant of a Christian man with the death of the Reverend Barrister Professor Doctor Francis Nigel Lee. At 7:50 am, Friday, Anno Domini 23rd December 2011 (Australian Eastern Standard Time), his Lord took Nigel Lee peacefully in glory to His presence. The Christian world will dearly miss this husband, father, passionately Calvinistic Christian, ponderously accomplished theologian, eminent gentleman, and devoted friend. Francis Nigel Lee dearly loved His Triune Savior and Lord, always treating of theology in due relational terms upon the mystery of the Holy Trinity.”

“….In accomplishment, Dr. Lee was an Advocate or Barrister (alias a Trial Lawyer) of the Supreme Court of South Africa before becoming a Minister and pastor to congregations of the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA) in Mississippi and Florida. He served as Professor of Philosophy at Shelton College in New Jersey; Scholar in Residence at the Christian Studies Center in Memphis, Tennessee; and Academic Dean of Graham Bible College in Bristol, Tennessee. Then for twenty years, Dr. Lee served as Professor of Theology and Church History at the Queensland Presbyterian Theological College, Brisbane, Australia, lately emeritus. Dr. Lee was Ernest Oppenheimer Memorial Fellowship Scholar (1964-1966). His letters include Ph.D., Th.D., D.Phil., D.Min., D.Ed., LL.D., Dr. Sac. Th., D.Jur., D.Litt., D.C.L., D.Hum.”

A funeral for Dr. Lee will be held 30 December 2011 at 10:00 a.m. at the Pinnaroo Lawn Cemetery Chapel, Graham Road, Bridgeman Downs, Australia.

Dr. Lee is survived by his wife Nellie and his two daughters Johanna and Anna-Marie.

Matthew 25:23 - “His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.”


+ Nordskog Publishing, 4562 Westinghouse Street, Suite E, Ventura, California 93003, 805-642-2070, Fax: 805-642-1862, Contact Page

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


[2] Northern Presbytery of the Free Church of Scotland (Continuing) Issues 22 December 2011 Statement

“The Northern Presbytery of the Free Church of Scotland (Continuing) hold that any proposals to permit “marriage” of homosexuals and lesbians amount to a direct attack on the teaching of the Bible and a repudiation of Scotland's Christian heritage.

“Presbytery notes that a United Christian Witness took take place outside the Scottish Parliament on 8th December 2011 to oppose legalisation of homosexual and lesbian “marriage.” Presbytery further notes that Rev. James Gracie, Minister of the Edinburgh congregation of the Free Church of Scotland (Continuing), had been invited to take part in the Call Kaye programme on Radio Scotland earlier that day and that in his contributions on the programme Mr. Gracie gave a clear exposition of the Biblical teaching regarding marriage.

“Presbytery understands that complaints regarding some of what Mr. Gracie said on the radio have been made to the Police and to the BBC. The Northern Presbytery support the United Christian Witness as an appropriate means of witnessing to unequivocal Biblical teaching regarding marriage and fully support Rev. James Gracie in his clear exposition of Christian marriage as taught in the Bible.”


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

+ United Christian Witness & Protest Against Same-Sex Marriage


[3] Vatican Calls for One-World Government

(Friday Church News Notes, December 23, 2011, www.wayoflife.org bns@wayoflife.org, 866-295-4143) - The following is excerpted from “The Vatican and the New World Order,” Herescope, Nov. 17, 2011: “The Bible paints quite a clear picture of the major events that precede the return of the Lord Jesus Christ to the earth. While many of the smaller details may be difficult to interpret, the major events concerning the world’s religious, economic and political future are evident in Revelation, chapters 13, 17 and 18. ... Those informed regarding world affairs will recognize there exists an ever-increasing number of influential leaders who have begun to promote the idea of a global economy. The most significant of these is the G20 which in recent years has made several statements advocating such an economy. But the most startling statements were recently made in a 41 page ‘note’ by the Vatican’s Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace, published in several languages on October 24, 2011. Speaking for Pope Ratzinger, the Council’s document is filled with legal verbiage and complicated language, but is an amazing document to read. It is amazing because almost word-for-word, it bears upon the prophecies of Revelation 13, 17 and 18, and places Rome at the center of the prophetic drama! ... the second half of the note calls for a single world government (point 3) and for a single world financial system (point 4)! Had we not read and studied the document, we would not have believed the statements made in it. ... The document quotes several recent Popes to show how support for a single world ruler is very much part of the precedent and philosophy of Rome. For instance, John XXIII (1881-1963) ‘... also expressed the hope that one day a true world political authority would be created.’ ... The document continues to state that today this teaching (of a single world government) is ‘even more vital and worthy of urgent implementation.’ ... The document speaks about the need for all nations to be part of this system and that none should be excluded: ‘… the world Authority should consistently involve all peoples...’ Revelation 13:7 says: ‘And authority was given him over every tribe, tongue, and nation.’ The note says that policies must be binding on all and that the Authority should have ‘universal jurisdiction.’ ... In the fourth section that deals with a global economy they say there is a need for ‘... the commitment to create some form of global monetary management’ and ‘one can see an emerging requirement for a body that will carry out the functions of a kind of central world bank that regulates the flow and system of monetary exchanges...’ They then speak of the need for such a world economy to be under the control of the world government. ... In this document, the Vatican pledges its commitment for planetary financial control, calling for the fulfillment of Revelation 13 to the letter!”


+ Way of Life, Post Office Box 610368, Port Huron, Michigan 48061, 519-652-2619, fbns@wayoflife.org

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


[4] Reformed Church in Hungary Asked by Fidesz Party Leader to Determine Global Religious Communities to be Recognized by Hungary

A 22 December 2011 Politics.hu article titled “Leading Hungarian Protestant Churches Push for Official Recognition in Hungary of All “Global” Religions” reports that on 19 December 2011, Hungary’s constitutional court ruled that the recent law restricting what religious organizations are recognized by the government was unconstitutional. Fidesz parliamentary party leader Janos Lazar had announced on 16 December that the restrictive law would be repealed, revised, then reintroduced for a vote before the end of 2011.

Both the Reformed Church in Hungary (RCH) and the Hungarian Lutheran Church had asked Mr. Lazar to add more church organizations to the fourteen churches approved in the unconstitutional law. A 21 December 2011 RCH statement said that the revised law to be considered in 2012 should “recognise the church status of all global religions and religious communities that have demonstrated that their teachings promote values and their social services benefit the community both in a narrower and wider sense.”

The 14 December 2011 Presbyterians Week article “[3] Reformed Church in Hungary General Secretary Supports New Religious Repression Laws” reported that the RCH had previously enthusiastically supported the unconstitutional law.


+ Politics.hu, 36-30-370-3561, editors@politics.hu

+ Reformed Church in Hungary, MRE Zsinata1146 Budapest, Abonyi u. 21., Hungary, 30-3361-666, info@reformatus.hu


[5] The Christian Pundit Continues to Write on the Discussions about Creation and Hermeneutics

The Christian Pundit has published two additional articles contributing to recent discussions about creation and hermeneutics:

-- Defining Adam and Eve on The Christian Pundit; and,

-- Polity, Power and Politics in The Aquila Report


+ The Christian Pundit, William.VanDoodewaard@puritanseminary.org

+ The Aquila Report, c/o Metokos Press, 211 Main Street, Suite 108, Narrows, Virginia 24124, 540-726-8223, operations@theaquilareport.com

+ Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary, 2965 Leonard Street Northeast, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49525, 616-977-0599, Fax: 616-285-3246, info@puritanseminary.org

21 December 2011

Presbyterians Week Headlines

[1] Death of Denise Sproul, Wife of the Rev. Dr. R.C. Sproul Jr.

[2] Free Smart Phone App for Westminster Shorter Catechism Available from Reformed Theological Seminary

[3] U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton Says Religious Beliefs Should Not Be Allowed To Stand in the Way of Homosexual Rights

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[1] Death of Denise Sproul, Wife of the Rev. Dr. R.C. Sproul Jr.

Denise Elizabeth Sproul, 46, wife of the Rev. Dr. R.C. Sproul Jr. and mother of their eight children, died 18 December 2011 from the effects of leukemia. A memorial service was held today at 11:00 a.m. at Saint Andrews Church (Presbyterian Church in America) in Sanford, Florida. The Sproul family requests that any donations be made to the Denise Sproul Memorial Scholarship Fund at Reformation Bible College in Sanford, Florida.

Dr. Sproul Jr. wrote of his departed spouse: “Denise, enjoying the blessed vision of our God and Father, is at home with the Lord. Cancer no longer afflicts her, and every tear has been dried away. The Queen of Orlando [Florida] casts her crown at her Savior’s feet, and together, they dance.”

Doug Phillips wrote the evening of 18 December: “And this is what I feel compelled to say: Tonight, stop and take a really good look at your spouse. Next, look at each of your children. Look really, really long and hard. Take a moment and thank God for every whisper of a moment that God has given you with them. Thank God for the little kisses offered, the stories told, the tickles dispensed, the games played, the readings shared, the silent moments cherished, the victories experienced, the losses endured, the kind words presented , the songs sung, the glances exchanged. These moments not only count for eternity, but they will be remembered for the next billion years after you leave this minuscule moment in time called “life.” Every moment with your loved one matters. Someday they or you will be gone. Every conversation matters. Every kind deed in the name of Christ matters. It all matters.”

Mrs. Tim Bayly wrote 18 December: “The path of the just is as the shining light, That shineth more and more unto the perfect day.” Proverbs 4:18 — “Tim and I rejoice that Denise Sproul, wife of R.C. Sproul Jr., has entered the full light of glory. But our spirits weep for our brother, R.C. Jr., in the loss of his beloved wife, and for Denise and RC's eight children whose mother lost her battle with leukemia in winning eternity this morning. May God gird them up in faith in the hours and days ahead.”

Douglas Wilson wrote 18 December:

“…the apostle Paul said, to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord (2 Cor. 5:8). The grief and sadness is all on this side of that divide, and most certainly not on the other side.

“Christians certainly grieve, but it is the kind of grief you see in airports, when someone you love is going to be separated from you . . . but only for a time. This is in stark contrast to what the apostle Paul describes as being “without God and without hope in the world” (Eph. 2:12). The phrase "without God" is rendered from just one word -- atheoi. Godlessness is hopelessness.

“So pray for the Sprouls, and thank God for the resurrection of the dead. It is no more unbelievable that we shall live again than that we were given the gift of life the first time. Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift.”


+ Ligonier Ministries, 400 Technology Park, Lake Mary, Florida 32746, 407-333-4244, Fax: 407-333-4233

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

+ Baldwin-Fairchild Cemeteries and Funeral Homes, 301 Northeast Ivanhoe Boulevard, Orlando, Florida 32804, 407-898-8111, Contact Page

+ Vision Forum, 4719 Blanco Rd., San Antonio, Texas 78212, 866-440-0022, Fax: 210-340-8577, Contact Page

+ Bayly Blog

+ Blog and Ma Blog


[2] Free Smart Phone App for Westminster Shorter Catechism Available from Reformed Theological Seminary

Reformed Theological Seminary has made available a free iPhone app titled “Westminster Shorter Catechism in 90 Days”, available on the Apple Computer website.

The app is a flashcard application that coaches the student through a ninety day personalized memorization program.


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

+ Apple, 1 Infinite Loop, Cupertino, California 95014, 408-996-1010


[3] U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton Says Religious Beliefs Should Not Be Allowed To Stand in the Way of Homosexual Rights

(Friday Church News Notes, December 16, 2011, www.wayoflife.org fbns@wayoflife.org, 866-295-4143) - The following is excerpted from “Hillary Clinton,” CNSNews.com, Dec. 7, 2011: “Religious beliefs and cultural values do not justify the failure to uphold the human rights of homosexuals, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton told the United Nations in Geneva on Tuesday. ‘Now, raising this issue, I know, is sensitive for many people and that the obstacles standing in the way of protecting the human rights of LGBT people rest on deeply held personal, political, cultural, and religious beliefs,’ Clinton said. Her speech at the Geneva headquarters of the United Nations and its Human Rights Council (HRC) was delivered ahead of Human Rights Day on December 10, the anniversary of the U.N.’s adoption in 1948 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. ... President Obama [signed] earlier in the day of a memorandum which the White House called the ‘first-ever U.S. government strategy dedicated to combating human rights abuses against LGBT persons abroad.’ ... Republican presidential candidates Texas Gov. Rick Perry and former Sen. Rick Santorum both criticized the administration’s LGBT announcements. ‘Promoting special rights for gays in foreign countries is not in America’s interests and not worth a dime of taxpayers’ money,’ Perry said in a statement, adding that the policy was ‘just the most recent example of an administration at war with people of faith in this country.’ ‘Obviously the administration is promoting their particular agenda in this country, and now they feel its their obligation to promote those values not just in the military, not just in our society, but now around the world with taxpayer dollars,’ CNN quoted Santorum as telling reporters in Iowa.”


+ Way of Life, Post Office Box 610368, Port Huron, Michigan 48061, 519-652-2619, fbns@wayoflife.org

14 December 2011

Presbyterians Week Headlines

[1] Inexpensive December Birthday Gift Ideas for Particular Presbyterians

[2] Catonsville [Maryland] Presbyterians Church (PCUSA) Provides Continuing Support for Hospital in the Congo

[3] Reformed Church in Hungary General Secretary Supports New Religious Repression Laws

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[1] Inexpensive December Birthday Gift Ideas for Particular Presbyterians

Today is the 20^th anniversary of the 18^th anniversary of the 18^th birthday of the editor, and the indeterminate anniversary of the editor developing the Egyptian River Problem, i.e. duh-Nile. As there are several other birthdays celebrated in December, the editor wants to make Presbyterians Week readers aware of several items that have crossed the editor’s desk that might make the perfect inexpensive gift for that picky Presbyterian on your birthday gift list:

-- Refuge: Selections From The Book of Psalms for Worship CD – from Crown & Covenant Publications – Seventeen psalm selections from The Book of Psalms for Worship, recorded by a choir from the Syracuse Reformed Presbyterian Church. Includes Psalms 3B, 27A, 30B, 34B, 42D, 48A, 51C, 68A, 73B, 76B, 84C, 130B, 123A, 107C, 134A, 140A, and 149A.

The quality of the individual and ensemble singing, along with the musical arrangements and harmonization would justify one travelling to Syracuse, New York, just to hear the choir. Add to this the inspired texts of a selection of psalms that call upon God for refuge in times of trouble, and you have true worship music of the highest caliber.

US$15.00 plus shipping


+ Crown & Covenant Publications, 7408 Penn Avenue, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15208, 412-241-0436, info@crownandcovenant.com


-- Alleged – a new movie based on the Scopes Monkey Trail of 1925 – starring Brian Dennehy as Clarence Darrow and Fred Thompson as William Jennings Bryan – Alleged is an entertaining, educational, and family-friendly movie centered around the battle between the Genesis account of creation and Charles Darwin’s evolutionary theory, and the Dayton, Tennessee, show trial of 1925 that captured the world’s attention. Several subplots dealing with the eugenics movement in the 1920’s, worldly pressure to spin the truth for personal gain, and how these factors and the Scopes Trial influence the romance and courtship of two young newspaper reporters demonstrate some of the practical consequences of Darwinian theory and worldly compromise. There is much here for parents to use in teaching about early-twentieth-century history and the questions of ethics and morality explored in the film.

The editor’s one concern about the movie is that pre-air-conditioner Dayton, Tennessee, in the summer of 1925 probably did not have the pleasant temperatures and low humidity so apparent in the movie. Sweaty clothing, lots of insects, and copious quantities of paper fans with tongue depressor handles would have made the movie more climatically, ecologically, and culturally correct, but probably would have drawn attention away from much more important matters.

US$15.99 (DVD) US$16.99 (Blue Ray) plus tax and shipping


+ Alleged, www.allegedthemovie.com


-- The Confessional Presbyterian – The 7^th issue of this scholarly and always interesting journal for the discussion of Presbyterian doctrine and practice has been published for 2011, and issues one through six, published 2005-2010, are also available. Each issue provides hours of thought-provoking and informative reading for anyone interested in the history, doctrine, and practice of confessional Presbyterianism.

US$18.00 in 2011, US$25 in 2012 and beyond, US$25 Institutional and Foreign, post paid (Issue 7)

US$75, US$125 Institutional and Foreign, post paid (Issues 1-7)


+ The Confessional Presbyterian, Post Office Box 141084, Dallas, Texas 75214


[2] Catonsville [Maryland] Presbyterians Church (PCUSA) Provides Continuing Support for Hospital in the Congo

A 7 December 2011 article by Penny Riordan in CatonsvillePatch titled “Catonsville Presbyterian Church Has Impact in Congo” reports that the Catonsville Presbyterian Church (Presbyterian Church (PCUSA)) (CPC) in Catonsville, Maryland, began contributing to a hospital in the Congo through IMA World Health (IMAWH) by purchasing an electric generator. The hospital then needed fuel to run the generator, so CPC sent funds to buy fuel. Prior to these donations, the doctors had to work by flashlight after dark. CPC’s most recent donation to IMAWH will purchase medical equipment for a cervical cancer screening program in Tanzania.

CPC was attracted to IMAWH as a conduit for their donations due to IMAWH being named number five of Forbes magazine’s 2010 ten most efficient charities.


+ CatonsvillePatch, Contact Page

+ IMA World Health, 500 Main Street - Building Old Main, New Windsor, Maryland 21776, 410-635-8720, Fax: 410-635-8726, imainfo@imaworldhealth.org

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

[3] Reformed Church in Hungary General Secretary Supports New Religious Repression Laws

A 7 December 2011 Huffington Post article by Doug Bandow, Senior Fellow at the Cato Institute, titled “Hungary Threatens Religious Liberty” reports on the new “Law on the Right to Freedom of Conscience and Religion, and on Churches, Religions, and Religious Community” in Hungary that officially recognizes only fourteen of the 362 religious organizations registered under the prior law from 1990, and places onerous requirements on other organizations applying for official recognition.

The Reformed Church in Hungary (RCH) is one of the fourteen religious organizations that retained official recognition under the new law. RCH General Secretary Zoltan Tarr, is a strong proponent of the new law, and is quoted as saying: “We wanted a new law to make it more difficult to establish churches here -- and we're happy the present government has now done something. We're very much for freedom of worship and believe everyone should have the right to practice their religion. But this law represents a positive step, since it excludes quite a few communities which don't legitimately qualify as churches.”

Among the religious organizations dropped under the new law are the Methodists, Pentecostals, Adventists, Reform Jews, the Salvation Army, Jehovah's Witnesses, and Islamic, Buddhist, and Hindu congregations.


+ Huffington Post, 560 Broadway, New York, New York 10012, 212-245-7844, info@huffingtonpost.com

+ Cato Institute, 1000 Massachusetts Avenue, Northwest, Washington DC 20001, 202-842-0200, Fax: 202-842-3490, Contact Page

+ Reformed Church in Hungary, MRE Zsinata1146 Budapest, Abonyi u. 21., Hungary, 30-3361-666, info@reformatus.hu

7 December 2011

Presbyterians Week Headlines

[1] New Christian Observer Articles for December 2011

[2] Free Church of Scotland (Continuing) Says Scottish Government in Danger of Bringing Divine Judgement Upon Scotland

[3] Church of Scotland Rejects Homosexual Marriage Legalization – For Now

[4] U.S. Senate Approves Bill that Legalizes Sodomy and Bestiality in U.S. Military

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[1] New Christian Observer Articles for December 2011

New articles in the Christian Observer for December 2011 include:

-- Should Cornerstone Ministries Investments Have Existed? – Part Three – by Bob Wildrick – conclusion of a three-part series exploring The role of the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA) Stated Clerk and Administrative Committee, 1993-1994, in the establishment of the Presbyterian Investors Fund (PIF) and Cornerstone Ministries Investments (CMI);

-- Book Review – Jesus of Nazareth: His Life, Times, and Teaching – by Rob Roy McGregor; and,

-- American Education for Anarchy – by Christian Observer Contributing Editor Dr. Joe Renfro – the American educational system’s fostering of “the wilderness of anarchy spreading across our land.”;

Plus, regular features including weekly Sabbath School Lessons and Westminster Shorter Catechism 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 24450, christianobserver@christianobserver.org

[2] Free Church of Scotland (Continuing) Says Scottish Government in Danger of Bringing Divine Judgement Upon Scotland

2 December 2011

“Statement on Same-Sex Marriage

“The Free Church of Scotland (Continuing), through its Public Questions, Religion & Morals Committee, has submitted a response to the Scottish Government’s Consultation on the Registration of Civil Partnerships and Same Sex Marriage. The Committee feel that this subject is of such importance that it warrants a further statement which in addition to being sent to the Government is being made public.

“We wish to state that in contributing to the consultation we do not condone it. To seek approval for legislation favouring a lifestyle clearly condemned in the Word of God is irresponsible; it indicates a Government which has forgotten its calling as the servant of God (Romans 13:4) and a nation which though in covenant with God has badly lost its way.

“The Government is proposing to redefine marriage to suit a vocal and aggressive minority. Yet marriage was not invented by man but appointed by God, who made us male and female. It is designed for one man and one woman (Genesis 2:24; Ephesians 5:31), providing mutual help, enabling procreation and preventing promiscuity. As a divine institution marriage is above legislation: no government has any business in attempting to re-write it. Instead the Government should protect and promote it as God gave it to us, recognising it to be at the very heart of a healthy society as has been the case in Scotland for centuries.

“We are of the view that what is being contemplated represents a further step in a scheme to ‘normalise’ homosexuality. First homosexual activity was legalised, then a law preventing local authorities from promoting homosexuality was repealed, next civil partnerships were introduced for same-sex couples and now the intention is to permit same-sex ‘marriages’. For some the process will not be complete until every trace of our traditional, God-given values has been removed.

“Behind the proposed change in the law is the Government’s commitment to ‘equality’. We submit that there can be no equality between heterosexual marriage based on a natural attraction and homosexual unions based on what the Bible terms “vile affections” (Romans 1:26). Moreover if ‘equality’is everything then why should the Government stop at same-sex marriage? What about incestuous and polygamous marriage? The logic being followed means that it will be difficult to withstand calls to legalise these too. This is the result when governments mistakenly adopt a secular or morally-neutral approach to such matters.

“We respectfully point out that moral matters are not to be decided by popular or parliamentary majorities but by the unchanging law of God. The Holy Scriptures are the only authoritative rule of faith and life and they declare all homosexual conduct to be sinful. “Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination.” (Leviticus 18:22) Making same-sex unions equivalent to marriage mocks the God who made marriage honourable and a symbol of the union between Christ and His bride the church (Hebrews 13:4; Ephesians 5:32). Such unions will not bring happiness to those involved but sorrow and shame. We do not say this out of hatred but in love to our fellow men and with a regard for the truth, which we should all have an interest in.

“Marriage ought to be about more than just the fulfilment of personal sexual desire. Same-sex marriage would result in unions where there is either no husband or no wife and where any children would have either no father or no mother. The complementary roles of loving headship and loving submission operating in traditional marriage for the mutual benefit of the couple and the good of the family would not be possible. To establish such a perverse arrangement in law could only destabilise our society and harm some of its most vulnerable members. The First Minister has pledged to do all that he can to make Scotland a better nation but the consequences for any country carrying out this experiment are frightening. Indeed history suggests that they could be fatal.

“We are concerned about the possible repercussions for our religious and civil liberties if same-sex marriages are made lawful. From recent precedent we believe that the Government will enforce the acceptance of these unions as normal through the education system and in public bodies generally and that those who in conscience disagree will be penalised. Any safeguards in the legislation will not prevent complaints against those who speak out. The police will investigate and the courts will be involved.

“If the Government attempts to coerce the church into accepting same-sex marriage in any way, shape or form then by the grace of God it will meet with strong resistance. The Free Church (Continuing) requires her officebearers to uphold the doctrine and discipline of God’s Word and expects her people to submit to the same. The Bible teaches unambiguously that sodomy is a sin worthy of divine punishment which needs to be repented of (Genesis 19:4-7, 12-14, 23-25; 1 Corinthians 6:9-11). This we are bound to preach, come what may. It also teaches that the Lord Jesus Christ is the only Head of the church and is to be obeyed before men (Colossians 1:18; 1 Corinthians 7:23; Acts 4:18-20). This we are bound to practice, come what may. Thus we will never solemnise, bless, celebrate, register or otherwise approve same-sex marriages or civil partnerships.

“We hereby call upon the Government to cease from a move which would further erode our nation’s Christian heritage, won for us at great cost by the Protestant Reformation and secured to us by the Treaty of Union.

“We hereby warn the Government that if it continues on its present course then the prospect is increasing moral disorder, family breakdown, disrespect for authority, conflict between church and state and divine judgment upon our land.

“We hereby request a meeting with representatives of the Government to take this matter further. Meanwhile we pray that the Lord in His mercy will so guide those who handle our nation’s affairs “that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty” (1 Timothy 2:2).”


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


[3] Church of Scotland Rejects Homosexual Marriage Legalization – For Now

The Church of Scotland (COS) in a 1 December 2011 response to the Scottish Government has come out against proposals to legalize homosexual marriage, saying: “The Government’s proposal fundamentally changes marriage as it is understood in our country and our culture - that it is a relationship between one man and one woman. In common with the historic position of the Christian Church, the Church of Scotland has always viewed marriage as being between one man and one woman. Scriptural references to marriage, whether literal or metaphorical, all operate under this understanding. To redefine marriage to include same-sex marriage may have significant and, as yet, inadequately considered repercussions for our country, for the well-being of families, communities and individuals.”

A 3 December 2011 article by Duncan Hamilton in The Scotsman reports that on 2 December 2011, the Rev. Ian Galloway, convener of the COS’s Church and Society Council, said the COS General Assembly might come to a different conclusion, saying: “We have a commission looking at some of these questions that will report in 2013. The one thing that I contend is that the government’s consultation process has come in the middle of a process that the Church of Scotland is already engaged in among its membership looking at these issues.”


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

+ The Scotsman, Barclay House, 108 Holyrood Road, Edinburgh EH8 8AS, Scotland, 131-620-8620


[4] U.S. Senate Approves Bill that Legalizes Sodomy and Bestiality in U.S. Military

A 3 December 2011 CNSNews.com article by Pete Winn titled “U.S. Senate Approves Bill that Legalizes Sodomy and Bestiality in U.S. Military” reports that on 1 December 2011 the U.S. Senate voted 93-7 to approve a defense authorization bill that includes a provision repealing Article 125 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice, which makes it illegal to engage in both sodomy with humans and sex with animals.

[“And this is the writing that was written, MENE, MENE, TEKEL, UPHARSIN.” Daniel 5:25 - ed.]


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

+ United States Senate, Washington DC 20510, 202-224-3121, ahazen@aoc.gov

30 November 2011

Presbyterians Week Headlines

[1] ARP Pastor Charles W. Bradley Dies Thanksgiving Day 2011

[2] Preaching on the Plains: Reminiscences Published by Lulu.com

[3] The Christian Pundit on "Hermeneutics and Awkward Science"

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[1] ARP Pastor Charles W. Bradley Dies Thanksgiving Day 2011

Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church (ARP) pastor Charles W. Bradley, 55, died on Thanksgiving Day, 24 November 2011, after suffering a heart attack at the manse of Hopewell ARP Church in Culleoka, Tennessee, where Mr. Bradley had pastored for the past twenty years. Mr. Bradley additionally pastored the Union Grove Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Colombia, Tennessee, for many years. Pastor Bradley was a member of the Tennessee-Alabama Presbytery of the ARP Church, and was presently serving as Stated Clerk of the presbytery and as a member of the ARP Church’s Executive Board of the General Synod.

A funeral service was conducted 28 November 2011 at the Hopewell ARP Church. Pastor Bradley is survived by his wife of thirty-six years, Sandra Fisher Bradley, daughter, Clair M. (Lance) Shroades of Fairbanks, Alaska; three sons, Brandon J. Bradley of Marietta, Georgia, Colin Matthew (Belinda) Bradley of Summertown, Tennessee, and Benjamin Clarence Bradley of Culleoka, Tennessee; nine grandchildren, one sister, a half-sister, and a half-brother.

Pastor Bradley’s obituary described him as “…a man who had a fervent desire to know God and know of God. As a result, he not only possessed a sincere love for God, he also lived his life with a deep love for his family and the family of God. He had a remarkable journey that resulted in Christian faith and that ultimately led him to a call into the ministry…. He loved theology, sought understanding of faith through the Reformed tradition and impacted many lives as he challenged those whose lives he touched to grow deeper into their faith in Christ Jesus.”

One of the speakers at Pastor Bradley’s funeral was a ruling elder who had interviewed the pastor twenty years ago before he was called to the Hopewell pulpit. The elder said that the Hopewell congregation had previously fallen to just a faithful few members, and that God used Pastor Bradley to preach biblical truth and gradually the Hopewell church grew to presently include about eighteen families including extended families, a few families with ten or more children, and some single adults.

The editor knew Pastor Bradley only as an Internet acquaintance and Facebook “friend”, and several years ago God providentially brought a great blessing to the Christian Observer when two members of Hopewell ARP Church agreed to became editors. Pastor Bradley’s deep faith has significantly influenced the lives of these two editors, and presumably the rest of the Hopewell congregation. The editor joins Pastor Bradley’s family and congregation in grieving the loss of their beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, and pastor, and in rejoicing that another good and faithful servant is in the presence of the Lord.


+ Oaks & Nichols Inc., Funeral Directors, 320 West Seventh Street, Colombia, Tennessee 38401, 931-388-4711, oakesandnichols@bellsouth.net

+ Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church, 1 Cleveland Street Suite 110, Greenville, South Carolina, 29601, 864-232-8297, Fax: 864-271-3729

+ Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 8207 Traditional Place, Cordova, Tennessee 38016, 901-276-4572, Fax: 901-272-3913


[2] Preaching on the Plains: Reminiscences Published by Lulu.com

Preaching on the Plains: Reminiscences, by one of the founders of the Presbyterian Church of America in 1936 and the Bible Presbyterian Church (BPC) in 1938, the Rev. David K. Myers, has been published by Lulu.com and is available in paperback for US$10.82 plus shipping.

Myers’ son the Rev. David T. Myers writes:

“[F]or any who are interesting in the history of the early days of the BPC, especially up in the Plains states of Montana, South and North Dakota. Dad was a church planter, an evangelist complete with sawdust tent revivals, an Army chaplain from WW2 through the Korean War, a seminary professor (Faith from 1956 - 64 -- Any one who graduated from Faith in those years would remember him.) and a pastor. He was one of a handful of Presbyterian ministers who was censured by deposition in 1936 from the Presbyterian Church USA (Yellowstone Presbytery in Montana) for his support of the [Independent Board for Presbyterian Foreign Missions] in 1933.

“It features his experiences at Wheaton College in the 1920's and Princeton in 1927 - 29. He had sat under J. Gresham Machen, Robert Dick Wilson, Casper Wister Hodge (grandson of Charles H.), Geerhardus Vos, and the like “famous” names. He tells of his experiences of having to prepare his sermon while drunken cowboys still shot their pistols into the air on Saturday night. It tells of one of his "members" who had killed an entire farm family only to meet frontier justice and swing from the end of a rope over the railroad trestle! That happened just after Dad had led him to a profession of faith in the town jail. Probably not many of our present day pastors have had to experience that!!!

“Over all, it is a testament of divine grace, of the Holy Spirit's work in a man who was yielded completely to Him, doing His work in the Great Depression days of our country, and up to the mid to late 80's of the last century.”

Lulu.com provides a passage from the book:

“For some 32 years I have been absent from the northern Plains area which I call 'My Country.' I have had periods of great loneliness for it. I can fancy still the shouts and sounds of gunfire of riders, exuberant horsemen, rushing through the street on Saturday nights on 'Silk Stocking Avenue' in Fairview, Montana, firing into the air. I can feel the pressure of a quick crush with my car into the huge snow drifts in the wake of blizzard seasons; the warm hospitality of the Plains people. I remember the joyful shouts of little children in Vacation Bible Schools; the young lad who joyfully received Christ, then said just before he succumbed from tubercular meningitis, 'I go to dwell in the house of the Lord forever.' And I remember the exhausting nights after full days of preaching five or six times a Lord's Day, the many miles traversed; but all, all forgotten in the joy of seeing souls saved at points in a far flung parish. However, it is all ending in gladness!”

For more information, please see http://PreachingOnThePlains.wordpress.com, or http://Lulu.com.


+ Lulu, 10930 Raven Ridge Road #107, Raleigh, North Carolina 27614, 919-676-6222

+ Bible Presbyterian Church


[3] The Christian Pundit on "Hermeneutics and Awkward Science"

Associate Reformed Presbyterian pastor and Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary professor the Rev. Dr. William VanDoodewaard on 29 November 2011 published “Hermeneutics and Awkward Science” on his The Christian Pundit blog.

The article is a continuation of responses to discussions on hermeneutics and the creation/evolution debate in light of Peter Enns’ recent presentation to a group of New York area Presbyterian Church in America pastors. In “Hermeneutics and Awkward Science,” VanDoodewaard responds to the 16 November 2011 The Aquila Report article “ANE and Creation One More Time, with a Concluding Plea” by Erskine Theological Seminary professor Dr. William B. Evans.

VanDoodewaard responds to Evans’ article, in summary saying: “My issue is not with having “a place” for extra-biblical data in the interpretive process…. I would argue that in the specific case of the interpretation of Genesis 1 and 2, including the account of the origins of Adam and Eve, the issue encountered in alternative readings is a hermeneutically unwarranted accommodation of the text to the priority and primacy of extra-biblical data, rather than simply giving “a place”.

The article can be accessed at:

http://thechristianpundit.org/2011/11/29/hermeneutics-and-awkward-science/
.

+ The Christian Pundit, William.VanDoodewaard@puritanseminary.org

+ The Aquila Report, c/o Metokos Press, 211 Main Street, Suite 108, Narrows, Virginia 24124, 540-726-8223, operations@theaquilareport.com

+ Erskine Theological Seminary, Post Office Box 668, Due West, South Carolina 29639, 800-770-6936

+ Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church, 1 Cleveland Street Suite 110, Greenville, South Carolina, 29601, 864-232-8297, Fax: 864-271-3729

+ Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary, 2965 Leonard Street Northeast, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49525, 616-977-0599, Fax: 616-285-3246, info@puritanseminary.org

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

23 November 2011

Presbyterians Week Headlines

[1] Gaelic Watchnight Ecumenical Service in Stornaway, Isle of Lewis, Scotland, to be Led by Clergy from Church of Scotland, Free Church of Scotland, and Roman Catholic Church

[2] Trifecta of Syncretism Scheduled in Edinburgh, Scotland, 25-27 November 2011

[3] Free Church of Scotland Begins to Confiscate Free Church of Scotland (Continuing) Properties

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[1] Gaelic Watchnight Ecumenical Service in Stornaway, Isle of Lewis, Scotland, to be Led by Clergy from Church of Scotland, Free Church of Scotland, and Roman Catholic Church

A Gaelic Watchnight Service scheduled for 3 December 2011 at Martin’s Memorial Church (Church of Scotland (COS)) in Stornoway, Isle of Lewis, Scotland, will be led by clergy from the COS, the Free Church of Scotland (FCS), and the Roman Catholic Church (RCC). The overall service will be led by FCS former general assembly moderator the Rev. James MacIver, and assisted by COS minister the Rev. Angus Morrison and RCC priest Father Roddy Johnson.

The service is scheduled to be recorded by BBC ALBA, and will be available on Freeview (Channel 8), Sky (Channel 168), Freesat (Channel 110), Radio nan Gàidheal, and on BBC ALBA Christmas Eve 2011 at 11:00 p.m. and again on Christmas Day 2011. The service will additionally be available on the BBC iplayer following Christmas 2011.

An ecumenical service at the same church and with the same cast of denominations was held in October 2011, which is detailed in the 9 November 2011 Presbyterians Week article “[1] Church of Scotland Minister Joined by Free Church of Scotland Moderator and Roman Catholic Priest Lead Ecumenical Service at October 2011 Gaelic Music Festival.”


+ BBC, 201 Wood Lane, London W12 7TS, England, Fax: 020-8008-2398

+ Church of Scotland, 121 George Street, Edinburgh EH2 4YN, Scotland, 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

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


[2] Trifecta of Syncretism Scheduled in Edinburgh, Scotland, 25-27 November 2011

A 23 November 2011 Ekklesia article titled “Three Faiths to Worship Together in Edinburgh Mosque” reports that the Rt. Rev. David Arnott, Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland (COS), Rabbi David Rose of the Edinburgh [Scotland] Hebrew Congregation, and [an] as-of-yet unidentified Muslim[s] will attend each others’ services in Edinburgh, Scotland’s Annandale Mosque on Friday 25 November, Edinburgh Hebrew Congregation on Saturday 26 November, and St. Andrew’s (COS) on Sunday 26 November, as “part of a unique three-day programme in Edinburgh of talks between the three main Abrahamic traditions.”


+ Ekklesia, 2nd Floor, 145-157 St. John Street, London EC1V 4PY, England, 0845 056 5445, press@ekklesia.co.uk

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


[3] Free Church of Scotland Begins to Confiscate Free Church of Scotland (Continuing) Properties

The following notice from the Free Church of Scotland (Continuing) (FCSC)’s Legal Advice & Property Committee was sent to all FCSC congregations on 19 November 2011:

“Notice To Congregations

“Please note that the (FCSC) Commission of Assembly will meet this Tuesday evening to discuss our position regarding the legal action taken by the Residual Body [Free Church of Scotland] to dispossess our congregation in Partick of all its assets. Please pray that the Lord will help the brethren as they meet.

“In the meantime, it is with great sadness that we must report that the Residual Body of the Free Church of Scotland has gained entry into and taken possession of the manse in Ardelve. We deplore this action as unwarranted and totally improper while legal action is in progress. It demonstrates, in our opinion, contempt for the civil magistrate who is the Minister of Christ for good (Romans 13:4) and who alone possesses the God-given authority to settle such disputes. Further, at a time when the Free Church (Continuing) congregation in Ardelve is contemplating the Call of a minister, the timing of this action constitutes utter disregard for the furtherance of the Gospel in the area.

“We pray for our congregation in Ardelve at this time, and encourage them in the Lord their God: "The LORD maketh poor, and maketh rich: he bringeth low, and lifteth up...He will keep the feet of his saints, and the wicked shall be silent in darkness; for by strength shall no man prevail." (1 Samuel 2:8,9)

“D S FRASER

“(Convener, LAPC)”

The 17 August 2011 Presbyterians Week article “[2] Court of Session in Edinburg, Scotland, Rules that Isle of Skye’s Broadford Church Belongs to the Free Church of Scotland” reported that:

“the Court of Session in Edinburg, Scotland,…upheld a 2009 lower court decision giving ownership of the Broadford Church on the Isle of Skye, Scotland, to the Free Church of Scotland, thus taking the church from the Free Church of Scotland (Continuing) congregation that has worshiped there since 2007.

“….

“Lord Drummond Young, one of three appeals court judges, concluded the court’s written opinion with a recommendation to both parties:

“May I, in conclusion, respectfully suggest that this is a case where such an arrangement might be reached? It is true that the right to the Broadford property belongs to the congregation who adhere to the structures of the pre-2000 Free Church, and that the minister and communicants of that congregation must be members of the Free Church as governed by those structures. Nevertheless, I can find nothing in the trust that prevents the congregation so determined from permitting the use of the church to other bodies of Christians who follow similar doctrines and forms of worship. The defenders appear to me to be such a body. In this respect, the exhortation to longsuffering, forbearance and unity of the spirit within a congregation may be as relevant to Broadford and other communities in Scotland in the twenty first century as it was to Ephesus in the first century.”

The Free Church of Scotland (Continuing) separated from the Free Church of Scotland in 2000 after the majority declined to pursue church discipline against Free Church College Professor Donald Macleod, who was alleged to have committed six charges of indecent assault involving five women between 1985 and 1992, and was acquitted of the charges after a trial in the Edinburgh Sheriff Court.


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

+ 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

16 November 2011

Presbyterians Week Headlines

[1] Why Paterno Will Matter: A Theological Reflection on the Sad Case at Penn State

[2] John Calvin a Radical Socialist?

[3] Occupy Portland [Oregon] Demonstrators Arrested with Bombs Meant for Police

[4] Bill Keller of Liveprayer.com Says 2012 Presidential Election will be Satan vs. Satan

[5] Up to 150 Church of Scotland Ministers Ready to Leave Kirk over Homosexual Ordination

[6] The Christian Pundit on the Choice of Authority in Harmonizing the Historicity of Adam and Eve with Evolutionary Theory

[7] Inheritance Publications Offers Remembrance Day/Veteran’s Day Package for Remembering the Mighty Acts of God

[8] Full-Length English Edition of Wisdom and Wonder: Common Grace in Science & Art by Abraham Kuyper is Released

[9] 2011 Confessional Presbyterian Scheduled for Release

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[1] Why Paterno Will Matter: A Theological Reflection on the Sad Case at Penn State

by Dr. Michael A. Milton

Joe Paterno's career is over. It did not end well.

Writing in the midst of a cauldron of charges and investigations about child abuse, is not easy. Writing with certainty about anything in such times is not wise. I therefore make no pronouncements other than this: Paterno will matter.

By that, I mean to say, his legacy will matter. I don't just mean his legacy as a Brown educated coach, Brooklyn-accent, Easterner who preferred reading classics to hunting deer in a blue collar Western PA place called "Happy Valley." I don't mean his legacy as the man who not only impacted the football reputation of that college but, as Bill Pennington put it in the New York Times, "was Penn State."

His legacy will include his concern for players, his development work in raising the academic influence of Penn State, and his character; not the character in the sense of the Columbo-like figure (with thick glasses) that roamed the sidelines like just another professor on campus who just happens to rule over big time football in America, but the character of the man. That character which is so large and good that it shapes others' character. All of those things matter.

Now some may remember, years from now, this tragic incident. Maybe a lapse in judgement. Maybe things we don't know. Yes, surely things we don't know. Will that be his legacy as well?

Legacies are about the impact that people leave on other people. We do not know if this alleged crime against a child and the failure to report it -- surely the greatest tragedy of all in this sordid story -- that ended Paterno's career will loom so large that it overshadows the other facets of what was already a great legacy.

But we know this -- at least those who know Jesus Christ know this -- sin stains even God's greatest creations. That is what happened in the fall of Mankind. And if that were all of the truth we knew in our worldview lens, as we looked at this, and as we looked at life, then we would be of all men most pitiable.

But the gospel of Jesus Christ is that the legacy of shame was overcome at the cross, when God became Man to live the life we could not live and "For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God" (2 Cor. 5.:21 ESV). That is the gospel -- the Good News.

Embedded in every shameful story of our lives, our families, is the reality of that stain of sin. And that is why Christ came: to remove the stain with His own pure life and give that life to all who will turn from themselves and receive His life and His death for their sin. That is the gospel. And the gospel changes legacies. And for the children of abuse, the families in pain, and even one of the greatest coaches of our time, that is really all that matters now.

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 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, broadcast on the NRB Television Network, and a radio program 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.


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

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


[2] John Calvin a Radical Socialist?

Setri Nyomi, General Secretary of the World Communion of Reformed Churches , in a lecture on the role of the church in the 21st century delivered at Princeton Theological Seminary on 15 November 2011 said that 16^th Century theologian John Calvin would have supported the “Occupy Wall Street” protesters.

Nyomi said: “Calvin expressed opposition to all forms of social oppression resulting from money. Today, it is the global economic systems and practices that have more sophisticated forms of effects….The church of the 21st century needs to align itself with voices of justice…even if it means being out there in the streets.”

Nyomi additionally quoted the Accra Confession: “We believe the economy exists to serve the dignity and wellbeing of people….Therefore we reject the unregulated accumulation of wealth and limitless growth that has already cost the lives of millions and destroyed much of God’s creation.”


+ World Communion of Reformed Churches, 150 route de Ferney, Post Office Box 2100, 1211 Geneva 2, Switzerland, 41-22-791-6240, Fax: 41-22-791-6505, info@reformedchurches.org

+ Princeton Theological Seminary, 64 Mercer Street, Princeton, New Jersey 08542-0803, 609-921-8300


[3] Occupy Portland [Oregon] Demonstrators Arrested with Bombs Meant for Police

A 14 November 2011 KMTR.com article titled “I-5 Traffic Stop Yields Incendiary Devices and Gas Masks” reports that three Klamath Falls, Oregon, men stopped for speeding on I-5 by a traffic safety officer were found to have incendiary devices, gas masks, and fireworks in the car intended to be used against the Portland, Oregon, police when the officers confronted Occupy Portland protestors.

The materials included firecrackers and two commercially manufactured fireworks mortars encased in canning jars that were designed to spread glass shrapnel when exploded. Additionally, a small quantity of marijuana was seized from the car.

Charges against the three men include Unlawful Possession of Fireworks, Unlawful Possession of [a] Destructive Device, Unlawful Manufacture of [a] Destructive Device, and Possession of less than one ounce of marijuana.


+ KMTR, 3825 International Court, Springfield, Oregon 97477, 541-46-1600, newsdesk@kmtr.com


[4] Bill Keller of Liveprayer.com Says 2012 Presidential Election will be Satan vs. Satan

Bill Keller, Internet Evangelist and the founder of LivePrayer.com, says the 2012 Presidential election will be Satan vs. Satan, meaning God is finished with the United States!

Keller says that the most likely match-up in the 2012 Presidential election will be Mitt Romney vs. President Barack Obama, meaning it will be Satan vs. Satan. Keller states that many may call this characterization extreme, but that is exactly what it will come down to.

Keller said: “During President Obama's nearly three years in office, he has proven by his words and deeds to be a true enemy of God. He has been the most pro-death President in history through his support of the killing of innocent babies, he has been a staunch ally of the radical homosexual agenda, and a true friend to the enemies of Israel.”

Keller continued: “While Mitt Romney has been willing to change his core beliefs on critical spiritual issues like abortion and gay marriage, he has never denounced his beliefs of the satanic Mormon cult! As a ‘Temple Mormon,’ Romney not only wears the magical underwear bearing satanic markings, but has taken a blood oath to the Mormon cult over anything else, INCLUDING THE U.S. CONSTITUTION!”

Keller continued, "Romney, like fellow cult member Glenn Beck and all in their cult, truly believe they will die and become the god of their own planet and have sex with an endless supply of women to create millions of spirit babies, in addition to other ridiculous fantasies their cult teaches. Romney and Mormons also believe in the ‘White Horse Prophecy’ of their cult's founder Joseph Smith, claiming the U.S. will be in total chaos, a Mormon will become President, and to save the nation suspend the Constitution and enact a Mormon theocracy."

Keller concluded, “This is not about politics, it is about SOULS. Every person will die, and it is the goal of Satan to lead their eternal soul to hell.” Keller believes that if the election for our next President comes down to Romney and Obama, it means that God has finally had enough of our nation killing 4,000 innocent babies each day, embracing sexual perversion, the destruction of God's Holy Institution of Marriage and the family, and people worshipping every false god and idol man has created in his evil imagination, and [God thus] will take His hand of protection and blessing off our the United States.”


+ Liveprayer.com, 6660 46th Avenue North, St. Petersburg, Florida 33709, Contact Page

+ Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 50 East North Temple Street, Salt Lake City, Utah 84150, 801-240-2640, Contact Page

+ The White House, 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue Northwest, Washington DC 20500, 202-456-1414, Fax: 202-456-2461, Contact Page


[5] Up to 150 Church of Scotland Ministers Ready to Leave Kirk over Homosexual Ordination

A 14 November 2011 article Severin Carrell in The Guardian titled “Gay Clergy Row Threatens Mass Resignations from Church of Scotland” reports that up to 150 ministers from the Church of Scotland (COS) may leave the Kirk due to objections to the ordination of homosexuals. The disaffected clergy may eventually form a new denomination.

The schism is the largest in the COS since 1843 when 474 ministers left to form the Free Church of Scotland.


+ The Guardian, Kings Place, 90 York Way, London N1 9GU, England, 44-20-3-353-2000, reader@guardian.co.uk

+ Church of Scotland, 121 George Street, Edinburgh EH2 4YN, Scotland, 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


[6] The Christian Pundit on the Choice of Authority in Harmonizing the Historicity of Adam and Eve with Evolutionary Theory

Associate Reformed Presbyterian pastor and Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary professor the Rev. Dr. William VanDoodewaard on 10 November 2011 published “Enns’ Clarity and Consistency” on his The Christian Pundit blog. The article summarizes and comments upon discussions on hermeneutics and the creation/evolution debate in light of Peter Enns’ recent presentation to a group of New York area Presbyterian Church in America pastors.

The article can be accessed at:

http://thechristianpundit.org/2011/11/10/six-days/


+ The Christian Pundit, William.VanDoodewaard@puritanseminary.org

+ Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church, 1 Cleveland Street Suite 110, Greenville, South Carolina, 29601, 864-232-8297, Fax: 864-271-3729

+ Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary, 2965 Leonard Street Northeast, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49525, 616-977-0599, Fax: 616-285-3246, info@puritanseminary.org

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


[7] Inheritance Publications Offers Remembrance Day/Veteran’s Day Package for Remembering the Mighty Acts of God

Inheritance Publications is offering a Remembrance Day/Veteran’s Day package of books and DVD’s so that in addition to remembering the World Wars and the soldiers fighting during those times to preserve or achieve freedom, the ultimate freedom that comes from God, freedom from sin and freedom to serve Him, can too be recalled - so to remember the mighty acts of God and to teach these to your children.

The package includes one copy each of :

-- League of Grateful Sons - The Second World War at Iwo Jima - CA$16.00

-- It Began with a Parachute – Children’s book - CA$7.90

-- In This Hour - Adult Historical Novel about World War II and the Floods of 1953 - $13.90

-- Theatre in Dachau – Adult eyewitness account - CA$12.90

Buy all four items and receive a fifteen percent discount:

http://www.telusplanet.net/public/inhpubl/webip/amazon.htm


+ Inheritance Publications, Box 154, Neerlandia, Alberta T0G 1R0, Canada, 780-674-3949, Fax: 775-890-9118


[8] Full-Length English Edition of Wisdom and Wonder: Common Grace in Science & Art by Abraham Kuyper is Released

The first full-length English-language publication of Abraham Kuyper's writings on common grace is slated to be released during the annual meeting of the Evangelical Theological Society (ETS) in San Francisco, California, 16-18 November 2011. Wisdom & Wonder: Common Grace in Science & Art explores the views of the Dutch theologian on the relationship between the Christian faith, culture, and God's preserving work in the world.

The book is available for pre-order now on the Christian's Library Press website at US$24.99 for hardcover and US$14.99 for paperback, and will be available for purchase in stores and online beginning 21 November 2011.


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

+ The Acton Institute, 161 Ottawa Avenue Northwest, Suite 301, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49503, 616-454-3080, Fax: 616-454-9454, info@acton.org

+ Evangelical Theological Society, 2825 Lexington Road, Box 927, Louisville, Kentucky 40280, 502-897-4387, Fax : 502-897-4386, Contact Page


[9] 2011 Confessional Presbyterian Scheduled for Release

The 2011 Confessional Presbyterian is scheduled to be released in late November 2011.

A list of the contents is available at:

http://www.cpjournal.com/2011/05/the-confessional-presbyterian-7-for-2011/


+ Naphtali Press, Post Office Box 141084, Dallas, Texas 75214, naphtali@naphtali.com