Wednesday, March 28, 2012

28 March 2012



Presbyterians Week Headlines

[1]
CRCNA and RCA Plan for Joint 2014 Synods

[2]
Former Treasurer of North Presbyterian Church in Elmira, New York, Faces Trial - Accused of Embezzling US$83,000 from Church

[3]
Church of Scotland Secretary of Mission and Discipleship Council Resigns after Financial Process Audit

[4] Anniversary and Update - Cornerstone Ministries Investments, Inc., Ponzi Scheme Fraud

[5] Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand Minister Calls for Ordination of Homosexual Clergy

[6] Great Britain Moves toward Removing Gender Specific Terms from Official and Legal Documents

[7] Jesus Seminar Speakers Say Jesus Christ was Illiterate

[8] Faith Leaders Call for Resignation of President of Malawi

[9] At Spring 2012 Presbytery Meeting, ARP Church Released by Mississippi Presbytery to Oversight of the Communion of Anglican Churches, and Memorial to ARP Synod on Historical Adam Approved

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[1]
CRCNA and RCA Plan for Joint 2014 Synods

The Board of Trustees of the Christian Reformed Church in North America (CRCNA) has recommended that Synod 2012 accept an invitation from the Reformed Church in America (RCA) to hold their synods at the same time and in the same place in 2014.

The proposal — pending a favorable site review — is that both synods would meet on the campus of Central College in Pella, Iowa, with some sessions held jointly.


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

+ Reformed Church in America, 4500 60th Street Southeast, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49512, 800-968-6065, questions@rca.org

+ Central College, 812 University, Pella, Iowa
50219, 877-462-3687, admission@central.edu


[2] Former Treasurer of North Presbyterian Church in Elmira, New York, Faces Trial - Accused of Embezzling US$83,000 from Church

A 20 March 2012 Star Gazette by Jason Whong titled “Elmira Church Treasurer Indicted” reports that Donald Maus, former treasurer of North Presbyterian Church (Presbyterian Church (PCUSA)) was indicted in October 2011on a charge of second degree larceny for embezzling more than US$83,000 from the church between August 2009 and February 2011, and is scheduled to appear in court on 12 April 2012.

Maus’ ability to embezzle the church funds was attributed to lax accounting controls, and several changes have since been made to address the issue including two required signatories for checks and retention of an external auditing company.


+ Star Gazette, 201 Baldwin Street, Elmira, New York 14901, 607-734-5151,

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


[3] Church of Scotland Secretary of Mission and Discipleship Council Resigns after Financial Process Audit

The BBC reported 23 March 2012 that Dr. Steven Mallon, secretary of the mission and discipleship council of the Church of Scotland (COS), resigned his post after an internal audit discovered financial process irregularities.

The COS plans to take remediation measures including the clarification of rules, guidelines, processes, and the on-going training of staff.


+ 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


[4] Anniversary and Update - Cornerstone Ministries Investments, Inc., Ponzi Scheme Fraud

15 March 2012 marked the one-year anniversary of the publication of the first of five 2012 Christian Observer articles and one letter to the editor concerning the twenty-plus year history of the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA) and its ongoing enablement of Cornerstone Ministries Investments (CMI) in carrying out what one bankruptcy court investigator called a “[US]$140 million Ponzi scheme.”

The five articles and letter are:

-- Unfinished Business for the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA) – 15 March 2011 – by Christian Observer Managing Editor Bob Williams

-- Letter to the Editor: Insights into Cornerstone Ministries – 30 April 2011 – by CMI creditor Ken Boodhoo, PhD

--
Protecting What God Has Given You From Those Who Use His Name – 1 August 2011 – by Chapter 11 bankruptcy investigator Pat Huddleston

--
Should Cornerstone Ministries Investments Have Existed? – Part One - 15 August 2011 – by CMI creditor Bob Wildrick

--
Should Cornerstone Ministries Investments Have Existed? – Part Two – 4 October 2011 – by CMI creditor Bob Wildrick

--
Should Cornerstone Ministries Investments Have Existed? – Part Three – 6 December 2011 – by CMI creditor Bob Wildrick

Other than a few blog articles referencing the
Christian Observer articles, and the republication of several of these articles by The Aquila Report, there has otherwise been silence from the PCA and CMI’s former principal officers. Two of these officers are Teaching Elders in good standing with the PCA's Metro Atlanta Presbytery (MAP), one of whom was called in December 2010 as full time senior pastor of Christ Presbyterian Church (PCA) in Sharpsburg, Georgia.

In related news, a 28 February 2012 article by Michelle A. Samaad in the Credit Union Times titled “IBM Southeast Employees FCU Investment Suit Settled” reports that a settlement has been reached in the three-year-old class action suit by members against the IBM Southeast Federal Credit Union for the sale of fraudulent investments consisting of CMI bonds sold through Wellstone Securities, LLP (WSLLP) , a broker-dealer corporation set up under the African-American Church Growth Foundation Inc., the brainchild of CMI exec John Underwood, to own and manage WSLLP - thus skirting securities laws preventing CMI from distributing their own securities through an affiliated broker dealer.

More than 100 defrauded credit union members have agreed to settle for US$8.8 million, which represents eighty-five percent of the total damages sustained by the members.

As for the 3500 defrauded investors and their $142 million investments in CMI bonds represented in the February 2008 CMI bankruptcy, bond holders received a settlement distribution in December 2011 of 6.38 percent for the estate and an additional 4.5 percent if the investor had elected the Private Actions Trust.

And still, after more than twenty years, there is unfinished business in the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA).


+ Credit Union Times, 33-41 Newark Street, 2nd Floor, Hoboken, New Jersey 07030, 201-526-1230, Fax: 201-526-1260, scooke@cutimes.com

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

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

+ Metro Atlanta Presbytery, Post Office Box 2648, Duluth, Georgia 30096, metroatlantapresbytery@gmail.com

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


[5] Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand Minister Calls for Ordination of Homosexual Clergy

A 21 March 2012 article in GayNZ titled “Minister Calls for Presbyterians to Include Gays” reports that Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand (PCANZ) minister the Rev. Dr. Allan Davidson, speaking at the funeral of homosexual minister the Rev. David Clark of Auckland, New Zealand, called for the PCANZ to allow the ordination of homosexual clergy.

The PCANZ General Assembly voted in 2004 and ratified in 2006 measures that do not allow the ordination of homosexual, bisexual, and transgender persons.


+ GayNZ, Post Office Box 108-169, Symonds Street, Auckland 1150, New Zealand, 09-412-6067, Contact Page

+ Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand, Level 1, Terralink House, 275-283 Cuba Street, Post Office Box 9049, Wellington, Aotearoa, New Zealand, 04-801-6000 Fax: 04-801-6001, info@presbyterian.org.nz


[6] Great Britain Moves toward Removing Gender Specific Terms from Official and Legal Documents

A 21 March 2012 Godfather Politics article by Giacomo titled “UK to Remove ‘Husband’ ‘Wife’ ‘Bride’ and ‘Bridegroom’ from Official Documents” reports that British Prime Minister David Cameron recently released a consultation paper with suggested reforms including the intent to open ‘civil marriage’ to homosexual couples. The term ‘religious marriage’ will only be used for traditional couples consisting of a man and a woman.

If the reforms are passed, official documents such as marriage licenses will be changed to remove the terms ‘husband’ and ‘wife’ and replace them with ‘spouses’ and ‘partners’. Additionally, the use of the terms ‘bride’ and ‘bridegroom’ are discouraged so to not offend homosexual couples.


+ Godfather Politics, 457 Nathan Dean Boulevard, Dallas, Georgia 30132


[7] Jesus Seminar Speakers Say Jesus Christ was Illiterate

Jeff Walton of the Institute on Religion and Democracy reports that at a recent Jesus Seminar event in Washington DC, Bernard Brandon Scott of Phillips Theological Seminary in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and Joanna Dewey, a professor emerita of Biblical Studies at Episcopal Divinity School in Cambridge, Massachusetts, asserted that early Christianity was an oral culture launched by an illiterate Jesus Christ.

The two seminary professors argued that a later move into “inherently male” manuscripts minimalized the role of women in the early church, while the earlier oral storytelling kept them in.


+ Institute on Religion and Democracy, 1023 15th Street Northwest, Suite 601, Washington DC 20005-2601, 202-682-4131, Fax: 202-682-4136, info@theird.org

+ Westar Institute, Polebridge Press, Willamette University, 900 State Street, Salem, Oregon 97301, 503-375-5323, Fax: 503-375-5324, westar@westarinstitute.org


[8] Faith Leaders Call for Resignation of President of Malawi

A 22 March 2012 Ecumenical News International article by Frank Jomo titled “Malawi President Rejects Calls from Faith Leaders to Resign” reports that at a national meeting of civil society organizations in Malawi sponsored by the Public Affairs Committee (PAC), the assembled delegates issued a statement demanding that Malawi President Bingu wa Mutharika “resign honorably within ninety days or if he thinks he is still popular, he should call for a referendum within the ninety days.” The statement additionally said that a failure by the president to meet the demands would lead to mass action.

The PAC is an organization consisting of the Catholic Church, the
Church of Central Africa Presbyterian, the Muslim Association of Malawi, the Quadria Association Malawi, and Pentecostal churches.


+ Ecumenical News International, Post Office Box 2100, CH – 1211, Geneva 2, Switzerland, 41-22-791-6111, Fax: 41-22-788-7244, eni@eni.ch

+ Church of Central Africa Presbyterian, General Synod, Post Office Box 30398, Capital City, Lilongwe 3, Malawi, 265-796064, ccapgeneral@africa-online.net


[9] At Spring 2012 Presbytery Meeting, ARP Church Released by Mississippi Presbytery to Oversight of the Communion of Anglican Churches, and Memorial to ARP Synod on Historical Adam Approved

At the spring 2012 meeting of the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church (ARP)’s Mississippi Valley Presbytery (MVP) held on 5-6 March 2012 at the French Camp Presbyterian Church in French Camp, Mississippi, the Covenant Presbyterian Church of Heber Springs, Arkansas was released to the oversight of the Communion of Anglican Churches.

The MVP additionally approved a memorial to the ARP Synod on the Historical Adam which was originally adopted by the Session of Midlane Park Presbyterian Church (ARP) in Louisville, Kentucky, on 18 February 2012 and which is as follows:

"WHEREAS, the theory of evolution is a source of much debate and confusion in society, educational institutions, and churches today,

"WHEREAS, the historicity of Adam has come under attack not only from secular groups and liberal churches, but also from professed evangelical individuals and institutions,

"WHEREAS, the Old Testament Scriptures plainly teach that Adam and Eve, as the first man and woman, were the special creation of God, being made in His image (Gen. 1:27; 2:7,22),

"WHEREAS, the New Testament Scriptures confirm that Adam and Eve were real, historical human beings (e.g., Matt. 19.4-5; Luke 3:38; Rom. 5.12-14; 1 Cor. 15:45; I Tim. 2:13-14),

"WHEREAS, the confessional standards of the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church also affirm these truths about Adam and Eve (e.g., WCF 4.2, 7.2; WLC Q. 17; WSC Q. 10),

"THEREFORE, be it resolved that the Session of Midlane Park Presbyterian Church requests that Mississippi Valley Presbytery hereby memorialize the General Synod of the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church to adopt the following affirmations and denials:

"1. We affirm that Adam and Eve were special, unique, direct creations of God, created in His image, with Adam being formed from the dust of the ground and Eve being made from his side; as such, they were real human beings and the first man and woman,

"2. We affirm that the account of creation as found in Genesis 1 and 2 is history;

"3. We deny any teaching that claims that the account of creation as found in Genesis 1 and 2 is mythology;

"4. We deny any theory that teaches that Adam and Eve descended from other biological life forms and that such a theory can be reasonably reconciled with either the Standards of the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church or Holy Scripture."

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




Wednesday, March 21, 2012

21 March 2012



Presbyterians Week Headlines

[1] Body Parts of Aborted Babies Being Sold by U.S. Companies

[2] Grand Mufti of Saudi Arabia Issues Fatwa to Destroy All Christian Churches on the Arabian Peninsula

[3] Slavic Reformation Society March 2012 Webinar Available for Viewing

[4] Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania, Man Honored by Government of Hungary for Lifetime Dedication to Hungarian-American Community

[5] Reformation Presbytery of the Midwest to Hold Annual Stated Meeting

---

[1] Body Parts of Aborted Babies Being Sold by U.S. Companies

A 20 March 2012 Investigate Daily article titled “Brain Harvesting Lights Up Fetal Body Parts Debate” reports that StemCells Inc. of Newark, California, has just gained U.S. government approval to harvest the brains of aborted babies and use them in experiments.

The Investigate Daily article additionally provides a link to an Agilent Technologies of Santa Clara, California, order page where one can “Add to Cart” body parts from human fetuses including the brain, bladder, heart, stomach, skin, skeleton, liver, kidney, colon, or lung for between US$485 and US$502, except for a fetal stomach for which a quote must be requested.


+ Investigate Daily, Post Office Box 188, Kaukapakapa, Auckland 0843, New Zealand, 64-9-3733676, Fax: 64-9-3733667, editorial@investigatemazine.com

+ StemCells Inc., 7707 Gateway Boulevard, Suite 140, Newark, California 94560, 510-456-4000, Fax: 510-456-4001, Contact Page

+ Agilent Technologies, 5301 Stevens Creek Boulevard, Santa Clara, California 95051, 800-227-9770, Fax: 866-497-1134, cag_sales-na@agilent.com


[2] Grand Mufti of Saudi Arabia Issues Fatwa to Destroy All Christian Churches on the Arabian Peninsula

A 16 March 2012 Washington Times editorial titled “Destroy All Churches: Obama Silent While Saudi Grand Mufti Targets Christianity” reports that on 12 March 2012, the Grand Mufti of Saudi Arabia issued a fatwa calling for the destruction of all Christian churches on the Arabian Peninsula.

The editorial states: “This is not a small-time radical imam trying to stir up his followers with fiery hate speech. This was a considered, deliberate and specific ruling from one of the most important leaders in the Muslim world. It does not just create a religious obligation for those over whom the mufti has direct authority; it is also a signal to others in the Muslim world that destroying churches is not only permitted but mandatory.”


+ The Washington Times, 3600 New York Avenue Northeast, Washington DC 20002, 202-636-3205


[3] Slavic Reformation Society March 2012 Webinar Available for Viewing

The second annual Slavic Reformation Society webinar is available for viewing at:

https://docs.google.com/file/d/0BxLYdvwozpgIYkRVcEVTZ01RTm1wclIzeU1JclU0UQ/edit?pli=1

The webinar is a twenty-six minute program of testimonies from students that traveled from nine different time zones to attend a two week intensive class on Pastoral Theology at a seminary in St. Petersburg, Russia.


+ Slavic Reformation Society, Post Office Box 794, Louisville, Mississippi 39339, 800-871-3164, mforster@internetcapital.com


[4] Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania, Man Honored by Government of Hungary for Lifetime Dedication to Hungarian-American Community

Bethlen Communities Director of Pastoral Care the Rev. Gábor G. Nitsch reported 15 March 2012 that Endre Csoman, Vice President of the William Penn Association, past officer of the Hungarian Reformed Federation of America, and past Chief Elder the Third Avenue Calvin Reformed Church in Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania, was honored 13 March 2012 by the Government of Hungary for a lifetime dedication to the Hungarian Community in the United States.


+ Bethlen Communities, 66 Carey School Road, Ligonier, Pennsylvania 15658, 724-238-6711, Contact Page

+ Hungarian Reformed Federation of America, 2001 Massachusetts Avenue Northwest, Washington DC 20036-1011, 202-328-2630, 202- 328-7984, hrfa@hrfa.org

+ Calvin Synod, C/O Rt. Rev. Koloman K. Ludwig, General Secretary, 7319 Tapper Avenue, Hammond, Indiana 46324, 219-931-4321, kkludwig@aol.com


[5] Reformation Presbytery of the Midwest to Hold Annual Stated Meeting

Reformation Presbytery of the Midwest (RPM) has scheduled its annual stated meeting for Saturday, 24 March 2012, at 1:00 p.m. CDT at the Menominee Orthodox Presbyterian Church, Zoar, Wisconsin. Those who are not able to attend in person are invited to join by teleconference.

According to the announcement sent out by Stated Clerk Jim Brown, "Our desire is to continue seeking fraternal relationships with other Reformed bodies and to co-labor with these same bodies in building the kingdom of God right here in Wisconsin. Currently we have mission works in the Milwaukee metro area and in Antigo. Both of these works are under the oversight of the RPM. Reformation Presbyterian Church is our congregation in New London, Wisconsin."

RPM has approached the Reformed Presbyterian Church of North America (RPCNA), seeking full organic union. This matter has been referred by the RPCNA Synod to Great Lakes-Gulf Presbytery, which has encouraged the brethren of RPM to get better acquainted with RPCNA congregations. RPM's Committee on Administration recently communicated to Great Lakes-Gulf Presbytery a plan to accomplish that goal.

RPM has close ties with several Orthodox Presbyterian Church congregations in Wisconsin, and has assisted in joint outreach efforts.


The website for Reformation Presbytery of the Midwest is available at www.rpmidwest.org, where official church documents, including the Constitution and Presbytery minutes, may be viewed.

The meeting is expected to last approximately two hours. Those wishing to join by teleconference should call in just before one o' clock. The number to dial is 605-715-4920, and the access code is 704817. If assistance is needed with calling in, you may telephone Elder Brown at 414-704-4675.


+ Reformation Presbytery of the Midwest, c/o 1336 Neva Road, Antigo, Wisconsin 54409, 715-627-7996, fred@antigopresbyterianchurch.org

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

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




Wednesday, March 14, 2012

14 March 2012


Presbyterians Week Headlines

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

---

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

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

The ad can be viewed on YouTube at:

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

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

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

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

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


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

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

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

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


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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


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

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


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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


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

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

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

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

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


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

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


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

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


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

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

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

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

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



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

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


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

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


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


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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


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



Wednesday, March 7, 2012

7 March 2012


Presbyterians Week Headlines

[1]
Christian Observer Highlights for March 2012

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

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

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

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

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

[7] The Syncretist Driven Life – The Next Chapter

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

[9] “William Hamilton is Dead” – God

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

---

[1]
Christian Observer Highlights for March 2012

New articles in the Christian Observer for March 2012 include:

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

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

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

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

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


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


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

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

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

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

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

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


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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


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

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

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


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

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


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

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

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

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


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

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

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

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

Pastor Andrew adds:

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

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

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


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

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


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

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

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

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

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


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

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

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


[7] The Syncretist Driven Life – The Next Chapter

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


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


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

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

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

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


[9] “William Hamilton is Dead” – God

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

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


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


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

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

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

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

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


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

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