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

---

[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