27 June 2012

Presbyterians Week Headlines

[1] ARPTalk Issue #62 Explores Biblical Usage of “Wolf” – Demonstrating that the Retiring 218^th ARP Synod Moderator was Howling up the Wrong Exegetical Tree

[2] Reformed Church in America 2012 General Synod Appoints New Committee to Study Issues of Homosexuality; Removes “Conscience Clause” from Book of Church Order Regarding the Ordination of Women

[3] Headlines from LifeSiteNews.com

[4] Headlines from The Christian Institute

[5] Raging Heathen and Vain Imagining

[6] The Religion of Peace

---

[1] ARPTalk Issue #62 Explores Biblical Usage of “Wolf” – Demonstrating that the Retiring 218^th ARP Synod Moderator was Howling up the Wrong Exegetical Tree

In ARPTalk Issue #62, editor the Rev. Dr. Chuck Wilson analyzes the biblical usage of the word “wolf”, the term used in a sermon by outgoing ARP Moderator Andy Putnam delivered 5 June 2012 at the opening worship service of the 218^th Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church (ARP) synod meeting. In the sermon titled “Wolves,” Putnam described as “wolves” those who want to disrupt the unity of the ARP Church.

Dr. Wilson clearly demonstrates that the “wolves” referenced in the sermon text Acts 20:28-31 refer to false teachers that teach a way to God other than Jesus and who deny and devour the clear teaching of the Bible, not to those who speak prophetically to those in power, and not to those who critique denominational leaders and denominational institutions.


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


[2] Reformed Church in America 2012 General Synod Appoints New Committee to Study Issues of Homosexuality; Removes “Conscience Clause” from Book of Church Order Regarding the Ordination of Women



A 27 June 2012 article by Michael Gryboski in The Christian Post titled “Reformed Church Appoints 'New Committee' on Homosexuality” reports that the Reformed Church in America (RCA) 2012 General Synod meeting since 21 June 2012 at the Trinity Christian College in Palos Heights, Illinois, on 25 June appointed a new committee to develop plans for the RCA to deal with issues related to the RCA position on homosexuality.

In another 27 June 2012 article titled “Reformed Church Removes 'Conscience' Exemption for Women's Ordination,” Mr. Gryboski reports that the RCA 2012 General Synod voted to remove from the RCA Book of Church Order provisions that specified when someone could and could not refuse to participate in the ordination of women.


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

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

+ Trinity Christian College, 6601 W. College Drive, Palos Heights, Illinois 60463, 866-874-6463, marketing@trnty.edu

[3] Headlines from LifeSiteNews.com

LifeSiteNews.com headlines of the past week include the following articles:

-- Pro-abortion Politicians Read Obscene Play on Steps of the Michigan State Capitol

-- New Hampshire Governor Vetoes Partial Birth Abortion Ban


+ LifeNews.com, Post Office Box 270841, Fort Collins, Colorado 80527, news@lifenews.com


[4] Headlines from The Christian Institute

The Christian Institute’s headlines of the past week include the following articles:

-- Supporters of Traditional Marriage are Being Vilified

-- Report: BBC is ‘Culturally Biased’ against Evangelicals

-- Schools Praised for Labeling Four-Year-Olds ‘Transgender’


+ 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


[5] Raging Heathen and Vain Imagining

Articles from the past week regarding kings and rulers setting themselves against the LORD and against his anointed:

-- Police Chaplain in Charlotte, North Carolina Told Not to Pray in Jesus’ Name

-- U.S. Army Holding Training Exercises In American Streets

-- U.S. Military Holds First Gay Pride Event

-- Tulsa, Oklahoma Criminalizes Self Reliance: Woman’s Survival Garden Seized and Destroyed by Authorities

-- Minnesota Man Beaten, Arrested For Reportedly Carrying Handgun…Despite Having Concealed Carry Permit

-- U.K. Professor: Doctors Using ‘Death Pathway’ To Euthanize Patients

-- University of Minnesota-Duluth Exposes Community to White Guilt Propaganda

-- Human Rights Groups Warn of Eugenics as European Court Mulls Down Syndrome Case

-- Austin, Texas Man Facing Ten Years in Prison after Photographing Cops Making Arrest

-- Dallas, Texas Cop Pulls over Motorcyclist in Order to Confiscate His Helmet Cam — Arrests Him When He Objects

-- New Film: Jesus Wasn’t Divine and He was Born after His Mother was Raped by a Roman Soldier

+ Mission Network News, 1159 East Beltline Avenue Northeast, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49525, 616-942-1500, Fax: 616-942-7328, Contact Page

+ Western Center for Journalism, 42104 North Venture Drive, Suite B-122, Anthem, Arizona 85086, 202-370-6366, Contact Page

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

+ Patriot Post, PO Box 507, Chattanooga, Tennessee 37401, Contact Page

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

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


[6] The Religion of Peace

Articles from the past week about the religion of peace:

-- Muslim Mob Stones Christians in Dearborn, Michigan; Police then Harass the Christians

-- FBI Investigating over 100 Suspected Islamic Jihadists in U.S. Military

-- New Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi: “Jihad is Our Path and Death In The Name of Allah is Our Goal”

-- Carnage as Nigeria Muslims 'Declare War on Christians'

-- U.S. Plans Significant Military Presence in Kuwait to Respond to Region Conflicts

-- Military Instructor Suspended over Islam Course that Taught the United States is at War with Islam

-- U.S. Secretly Drops Terrorism Charges In Taliban Case

-- England: Devout Muslim Preacher Abid Hussain 'Threatens To Kill Daughter' after She Refuses Arranged Marriage

-- Texas Congressman Calls for "Hearing on the Radicalization of Christians"

-- Member of Egyptian Terrorist Group Goes to Washington DC – Meets with Senior Obama Administration Leaders

-- Obama Phones to Congratulate Muslim Brotherhood on Victory in Egypt’s ‘Milestone’ Election


+ American Vision, Post Office Box 220, Powder Springs, Georgia 30127, 770-222-7266, Fax: 770-222-7269, mail@AmericanVision.org

+ Jihad Watch and Dhimmi Watch

+ Human Events, One Massachusetts Avenue Northwest, Washington DC 20001, 202-216-0600, Editors@HumanEventsOnline.com

+ Assyrian International News Agency

+ Atlas Shrugs, writeatlas@aol.com

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

+ The Daily Beast, 555 West 18th Street, New York, New York 10011,
editorial@thedailybeast.com

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

20 June 2012

Presbyterians Week Headlines

[1] ARPTalk Reports on 208^th Synod of the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church

[2] URCNA Synod Nyack 2012 Meets 12-15 June

[3] St. George's Tron Church of Glasgow, Scotland, Leaves Kirk over the Issue of Homosexual Clergy

[4] Headlines from LifeSiteNews.com

[5] Headlines from Christian Concern

[6] Headlines from The Christian Institute

[7] Raging Heathen and Vain Imagining

[8] The Religion of Peace

---

[1] ARPTalk Reports on 208^th Synod of the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church

In ARPTalk Issue #61, editor the Rev. Dr. Chuck Wilson reports on the 208^th synod meeting of the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church (ARP), which met 5-7 June 2012 at the Bonclarken Conference Center in East Flat Rock, North Carolina.

Dr. Wilson titles the issue “I’ve Fallen and I Can’t Get Up” after the tag line in the Lifeline television commercial suggested to the ARPTalk editor by a friend, and characterizes the meeting with the following five subtitles:

     1) “June 2010 Revisited but Worse”;
     2) “Parade of Fools”;
     3) “The Night of the Boy Who Cried Wolf”;
     4) “An Exercise in Platitudinous Nonsense”; and
     5) ([the ARPTalk editor’s] favorite) “Ugh Again!”

After noting the election of Canadian pastor Rev. Jeff Kingswood as ARP Moderator-Elect, Dr. Wilson addresses the 5 June evening worship service where outgoing ARP Moderator Andy Putnam preached a sermon entitled “Wolves,” stating:

“Sadly, Mr. Putnam used the lectern as a partisan bully pulpit as he demonstrated that he was thin skinned and lacked the humility to deal with criticisms forthrightly. Pity, the text has great potential, and some of what he said was appropriate.

“Now, if Mr. Putnam wants to call the Editor of ARPTalk a “wolf,” let him have at it. The Editor is not offended. “Wolf” is one of the nicer things the Editor is called. On the two Erskine alums’ Facebook sites, the Editor is referred to as “the one whose name must not be spoken.” Also, if Mr. Putnam wants to charge the Editor with “slander,” let him remember that pointing out the obvious, no matter how unpleasant to him or the reader, is not slander. Somehow, Mr. Putnam does not seem to understand that his actions on the Erskine board of trustees (EBOT) are open to criticism – even harsh criticism, for what he has done involves all of us in the ARP Church. Therefore,

“1) Is it the work of a “wolf” or “slander” for the Editor and others to point out that Mr. Putnam’s actions on the EBOT’s committee that revised the EBOT’s bylaws resulted in a distancing of Erskine from the ARP Church rather than a drawing of Erskine back to the ARP Church?

“2) Is it the work of a “wolf” or “slander” for the Editor and others to remind Mr. Putnam that he was one of the people who helped frame the 2011 Synod’s request to Erskine asking that our language for trustee removal be written into the charter/bylaws, and he agreed such was not only possible but needed?

“3) Is it the work of a “wolf” or “slander” for the Editor and others to remind Mr. Putnam that he was a member of the EBOT’s ad hoc committee that reported it was impossible for Synod’s request to be accomplished?

“4) Is it the work of a “wolf” or “slander” for the Editor and others to remind Mr. Putnam that the Minority Report demonstrated that the ad hoc committee’s report, which he signed off on, was incorrect if not a falsification of facts?

“5) Is it the work of a “wolf” or “slander” for the Editor and others to remind Mr. Putnam that his actions in this matter show as a member of the EBOT, he demonstrates failure of “competence,” failure of “knowledge,” and failure of “fiduciary responsibility” on behalf of Erskine? After all, is he not party to a report that has caused the integrity of the EBOT to be questioned?

“6) Is it the work of a “wolf” or “slander” for the Editor and others to remind Mr. Putnam that his actions in this matter have shown that as a member of the EBOT he has lead many of us in the ARP Church to question his “competence,” “knowledge,” and “fiduciary responsibility” to the ARP Church?

“7) Finally, is it the work of a “wolf” or “slander” for the Editor and others to say they feel Mr. Putnam, in his role as the Moderator of General Synod, brought not the church together but further divided us? Mr. Putnam asked at Synod, “Why wasn’t I asked to sign the Minority Report?” Mr. Putnam, could it be that you were not trusted? Well, about half of the members of the house you moderated feel that, in the matters pertaining to Erskine, you have not lead or represented us wisely and you cannot be trusted. And, by the way, the way many of us feel about you, is this not how you felt about Dr. Dick deWitt’s leadership as Moderator? Now, we do not know your motives; however, whatever they are, we know what has been done. As unpleasant as it is, this is the unvarnished truth.”

Dr. Wilson reports on several other matters before the ARP 218^th Synod, including approval of the recommended 2012 funding for Erskine before reporting:

“For the second time in three years, the annual meeting of General Synod came to a stand still because of conflict over Erskine. For the second time in three years, delegates left Bonclarken tired and disgusted over the Erskine conflict before the adjournment of synod. A quorum could not be found on Thursday evening to finish the business of the ARP Church. We left with seventeen items on the table.”

Dr. Wilson described the final matter of synod business on 7 June as a passionate and sincere speech given by ARP First Presbytery pastor the Rev. Dean Turbeville, who with tears in his eyes said the following:

“Mr. Moderator, if I may have a moment of personal privilege. After almost forty years of attempted reforms at Erskine College, Synod has once again shown its limitless patience with its own rebellious agency. This is God’s will. Whether for the blessing or the discipline of our body, it is God’s will; I accept that.

“Now I would address only those men of tender conscience for whom the use of church tithes to pay for the salaries of college professors who would laugh at our position on Adam and Eve, professors who still teach our covenant children an unvarnished Darwinism in our biology department, administrators who cheered the church elders who took the Bride of Christ before civil court judges, and a seminary professor who believes the Bible is not the objective Word of God – I speak to those men of tender conscience who remember that brave covenanter martyrs once stood against the intrusion of civil power into the life of the church, and who now cannot fathom the unqualified deference our brethren pay to hostile secular accrediting agencies – to you dear men of tender conscience, I urge you first of all to pray for our denomination this year, and to do all that you can in your local church to see that congregational monies are sent by designation to those agencies which still honor the Gospel, and that you do all you can to end undesignated giving to the Denominational Ministry Fund.

“Thank you.”

Dr. Wilson concluded his synod meeting report with a description of the Strategic Planning Committee Report before stating:

“Perhaps there is a Biblical analogy. For all our good “evangelical theological speak,” we are a sinful and disobedient people. Like ancient Israel, we have Achans in our camp who in their tents are cherishing the idols of Erskine. Therefore, even little Ai defeats us. God has turned our wisdom into foolishness. Instead of the joy of obedience, He has given us fogginess of mind. The reason we retreat before small enemies is because the judgment of God is upon us.”

[The Presbyterians Week editor commends the entirety of Dr. Wilson’s ARPTalk Issue #61 as an object lesson on the results of scores of years of carnal expediency and pragmatism substituting for biblical principle, and even more sadly - as an application of Jeremiah 6:13-15: “For from the least of them even unto the greatest of them every one is given to covetousness; and from the prophet even unto the priest every one dealeth falsely. They have healed also the hurt of the daughter of my people slightly, saying, Peace, peace; when there is no peace. Were they ashamed when they had committed abomination? nay, they were not at all ashamed, neither could they blush: therefore they shall fall among them that fall: at the time that I visit them they shall be cast down, saith the Lord.”]


+ ARPTalk Blog, 864-882-6337, wilson6114@bellsouth.net

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

+ ARP First Presbytery, c/o Rev. Robert C. Wilson, D.Min., 4784 Styers Ferry Road, Winston-Salem, North Carolina 27104, 336-624-9529


[2] URCNA Synod Nyack 2012 Meets 12-15 June

Synod Nyack 2012 of the United Reformed Churches in North America, consisting of 197 delegates from 104 various churches, met 12-15 June at Nyack College in Nyack, New York.

On 12 June, fraternal addresses were delivered to the delegates from representatives of the Free Church of Scotland (Continuing) and the Reformed Presbyterian Church of North America (RPCNA).

On 13 June, fraternal addresses were received from delegates and observers of the Reformed Church in the United States (RCUS), the Canadian Reformed Churches, the Eglise Reformee du Quebec, and the United Reformed Church in Congo. In addition, written greetings were received from the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA). After extensive deliberation, Synod Nyack 2012 voted to enter into ecclesiastical fellowship with the RPCNA.

Additionally on 13 June, the delegates addressed matters relating to theological education, forms for worship, synodical regulations, fraternal interaction, and musical matters. Synod Nyack 2012 overwhelmingly accepted the invitation of the Orthodox Presbyterian Church to work together in their respective tasks of producing updated songbooks for their respective federation/denomination. Synod Nyack 2012 also encouraged the churches to consider the need of funds for the future publication of an URCNA Psalter Hymnal. As the night hours passed, Synod Nyack 2012 turned its attention to two overtures addressing the proposed Psalter Hymnal. As a result, Synod Nyack 2012 directed the Psalter Hymnal committee to pay attention to “unrest and concern” in connection to gender-neutral language, the use of the name ‘Jehovah’ and various word changes in traditional hymns.

On 14 June the Synod Nyack 2012 delegates dealt with financial matters including matters regarding the legal transfer of funds from Canada to charitable causes within the United States given current Canadian legislation, and acknowledged that the Board of the URCNA Corporation (Canada) can no longer function as a body for collecting and distributing funds to U.S. causes.

Additionally on 14 June, fraternal addresses from delegates and observers from the Orthodox Presbyterian Church (OPC), the Heritage Reformed Churches (HRC), the Free Reformed Churches of North America, the Calvinist Reformed Church in Indonesia and the Reformed Churches in the Netherlands (Liberated) were received by the Synod Nyack 2012 delegates.

On 15 June, the Synod Nyack 2012 delegates received an address from the fraternal delegate of the Reformed Churches of New Zealand (RCNZ), and later that afternoon heard a report from the Committee for Ecumenical Contact with Churches Abroad (CECCA). The synod delegates “with joy” affirmed its ecumenical relations with numerous foreign denominations and federations.

Concluding matters for Synod Nyack 2012 included deliberation on the processing of appeals, which concluded with “earnest calling upon [the] God of reconciliation.” Synod Nyack 2012 later adopted a budget “giving the federation “askings” equaling approximately [US]$13.10 per family. Synod Nyack 2012 delegates additionally “set the next meeting of Synod, to be convened by Trinity URC –Visalia, California, for mid-June in 2014, DV.”


+ United Reformed Churches in North America, c/o the Rev. Bradd Nymeyer, 227 1st Avenue Southeast, Sioux Center, Iowa 51250, 712-722-1965, statedclerk@urcna.org

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

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

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

+ Canadian Reformed Churches, comments@canrc.org

+ Eglise Reformee du Quebec, info@erq.qc.ca

+ United Reformed Church in Congo, 4, Avenue LIsala, Quartier Masina Petro-Congo, Commune de Masina, Kinshasa, DR Congo, 00243-9973-15323, www.urccongo.org

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

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

+ Heritage Reformed Churches, info@heritagereformed.com

+ Free Reformed Churches of North America, c/o Free Reformed Publications, Post Office Box 1094, Mitchell, Ontario, Canada N0K 1N0, 519-348-0020

+ Calvinist Reformed Churches in Indonesia, c/o the Rev. Yonson G. Dethan, Tromol Pos 08, Kupang - NTT 85361, Indonesia, 001-62-380-829172, Y.Dethan@kupang.wasantara.net.id

+ Reformed Churches of New Zealand, stated-clerk@rcnz.org.nz

+ Reformed Churches in the Netherlands (Liberated) (GKV), Postbus 770, 3800 AT Amersfoort, Netherlands, info@gkv.nl



[3] St. George's Tron Church of Glasgow, Scotland, Leaves Kirk over the Issue of Homosexual Clergy

A 14 June 2012 BBC article titled “Glasgow Kirk Quits Church of Scotland over Gay Clergy Row” reports that after more than one year of thought and prayer, St. George’s Tron Church (Church of Scotland) on 11 June 2012 formerly seceded from the Church of Scotland (COS) over the issue of the acceptance of homosexual clergy in the COS provided they had declared their homosexuality and were ordained before 2009. The congregation believes that this decision "has marginalised the bible".

A 16 June 2012 The Herald article titled “Church in Split to be Taken to Court” reports that St. George’s Tron Church will most likely be taken to court by the COS over church property ownership issues and donations to the COS's administrative headquarters. The church recently had a UK£3 million refurbishment, with members of the congregation raising most of the money for the project. St. George’s Tron Church raises much of its UK£500,000 annual income.


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

+ The Herald, 200 Renfield Street, Glasgow, Scotland G2 3QB, 0141- 302-7000, Fax: 0141-302-7117, On-lineEditor@theherald.co.uk

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


[4] Headlines from LifeSiteNews.com

LifeSiteNews.com headlines of the past week include the following articles:

-- Bye Bye Cheerios?: General Mills Announces Support for Gay ‘Marriage’

-- Quebec Announces It Is Exploring Ways To Allow Euthanasia Despite Federal Law

-- British Colombia Supreme Court Strikes Down Canada’s Ban on Assisted Suicide

-- Another Ontario Public School Board Bans Gideon Bibles

-- Ontario Passes Bill Adding ‘Gender Identity,’ ‘Gender Expression’ To Human Rights Code

-- Gruesome Photos of Forced Abortion in China Confirmed Authentic: Chinese Express Outrage

-- Infanticide and Bestiality Advocate Given Australia’s Highest Civic Award


+ LifeSiteNews.com, Incorporated, 4 Family Life Lane, Front Royal, Virginia 22630, 888-678-6008, Contact Page


[5] Headlines from Christian Concern

Christian Concern headlines of the past week include the following articles:

-- Christian General Practitioner Found Guilty of ‘Malpractice’ for Sharing His Faith

-- Hundreds of Canadians Have Faced Legal Proceedings over Same-Sex Marriage

-- Schools May Be Forced to Promote Same-Sex Marriage, Warns Leading Queen’s Counsel


+ Christian Concern, 70 Wimpole Street, London W1G 8AX, England, 020 7935 1488, Contact Page


[6] Headlines from The Christian Institute

The Christian Institute’s headlines of the past week include the following articles:

-- Church of England: Same-Sex Marriage Is ‘Worst Threat for 500 Years’

-- Public Order Act Hampering Freedom, Says Guardian Writer

-- British Medical Journal Wants Doctors to Go Soft on Assisted Suicide


+ 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


[7] Raging Heathen and Vain Imagining

Articles from the past week regarding kings and rulers setting themselves against the LORD and against his anointed:

-- Defense Department Yanks Bibles with Military Service Insignias from Shelves

-- U.S. President Obama Celebrates Anti-Police Riot Started at Mafia-Owned Bar for Transvestites

-- U.S. President Obama: The Biggest Government Spender in World History

-- March of the Drones: Map Reveals Sixty-Six Military Bases For Unmanned Aircraft on American Soil... And Twenty-Two More on the Way

-- U.S. President Obama's Propaganda Power Play: Homeland Security-Funded Study on "Tea Party Terrorism"


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

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

+ Forbes.com, 90 5th Avenue, New York, New York 10011, 212-366-8900, readers@forbes.com

+ The Daily Mail, Northcliffe House, 2 Derry Street, London W8 5TT, England, 020-7938-6000, news@dailymail.co.uk

+ Atlas Shrugs, writeatlas@aol.com


[8] The Religion of Peace

Articles from the past week about the religion of peace:

-- Islamists Bomb Three Churches in Kaduna State, Nigeria

-- U.S. National Public Radio Backs Hamas

-- Muslims Desecrate WWII Servicemen Graves in Libya Again

-- Muslims in America: "Sharia is Coming, Baby!"

-- U.S. Congressional Leaders Call for Investigations of Muslim Brotherhood Infiltration of the U.S. Government

-- New Jersey Muslim indicted for Murder that was Initially Blamed on "Islamophobia"

-- Thomas More Law Center Urges Michigan Attorney General to Investigate “Allegations of Corruption” in Sale of Farmington Hills, Michigan, Elementary School to the Islamic Cultural Association


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

+ Atlas Shrugs, writeatlas@aol.com

+ Detroit News, 615 West Lafayette Boulevard, Detroit, Michigan 48220, 313-222-2300, Fax: 313-496-5400, newsroom@detnews.com

13 June 2012

Presbyterians Week Headlines

[1] Additional New Christian Observer Article for June 2012

[2] Christian Reformed Church 2012 Synod Opens 8 June 2012

[3] Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church Opens 208^th Synod Meeting 6 June 2012

[4] Headlines from The Christian Institute

[5] Raging Heathen and Vain Imagining

[6] The Religion of Peace

---

[1] Additional New Christian Observer Article for June 2012

A new article, Census Fibbery: Can They Force You to Answer if You Haven’t First been Made Liable?, by David Tulis, was published in the Covenant Commonwealth category of the Christian Observer on 7 June 2012.


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


[2] Christian Reformed Church 2012 Synod Opens 8 June 2012

The Synod 2012 meeting of the Christian Reformed Church in North America (CRCNA) opened 8 June 2012 at Redeemer University College in Ancaster, Ontario, Canada.

Elected as president of Synod 2012 was the Rev. Leslie Kuiper, a recently retired pastor in Oostburg, Wisconsin, and will now serve as an interim pastor for churches in transition.

On 11 June, Synod 2012 ruled that the Rev. John Visser, senior pastor of Maranatha Christian Reformed Church in Belleville, Ontario, Canada, should be suspended from ministry for at least ninety days for abusing his role as a minister of the Word.

Synod 2012’s reason for the suspension was that “Visser abused his office for inappropriate ends and/or self-interest by soliciting and/or allowing a counselee and her husband, both of whom were parishioners, to invest in companies that he and his family owned.”

Synod 2012 additionally directed the CRCNA’s Board of Trustees to oversee a process, paid for by the denomination, to evaluate Visser’s “readiness for ministry that focuses on professional competence and personal/emotional status.” Visser’s suspension may be lifted after ninety days if the set conditions are met.

Synod 2012 also directed the council of Maranatha CRC to contract immediately for ongoing oversight of the healing ministry at the church by an independent, accredited agency. It said that a church council composed of laypersons is not capable of exercising appropriate oversight. Synod 2012 said that oversight should begin during Visser’s suspension and that Visser may not be reinstated before this condition is met.

Synod 2012 reprimanded Classis Quinte, the regional group of churches that includes Maranatha, over its handling of issues involving the church and its pastor, specifically for violating the right of Maranatha to a fair and impartial hearing and opportunity to respond to accusations. It also reprimanded the classis for not directing the dissenting members of the congregation to refrain from publicly circulating their grievances, and for giving them documents to distribute.

On 12 June, Synod 2012 for more than three hours debated the recommendation of Synod 2009 that the Belhar Confession be adopted as a full confession. Synod 2012’s decision was to adopt the Belhar Confession as an Ecumenical Faith Declaration rather than a confession.

On 13 June, Synod 2012 endorsed “Lift Up Your Hearts: Psalms, Hymns, and Spiritual Songs,” the new hymnal being created in conjunction with the Reformed Church in America. The hymnal is due out in 2013.


+ 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


[3] Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church Opens 208^th Synod Meeting 6 June 2012

The 208^th annual synod meeting of the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church (ARP) opened 6 June 2012 at the Bonclarken Conference Center in East Flat Rock, North Carolina.

Retiring synod moderator the Rev. Andrew Putnam preached on Acts 20:28-31during the opening worship service in a message called “There are Wolves Among Us.”

Mr. Putnam said, “there are wolves among you – and they need to be stopped before they consume the denomination….There are wolves in this room tonight….As Christians, we need to be in prayer and hold fast to Scripture.” Putnam said that there those who are manipulated by Satan may be hard to spot, and they may not realize they are being used by Satan. Putnam counseled to look for those who have selfish ambitions – who want power, those who put themselves first and strive to get attention.

Mr. Putnam warned there are those who want to disrupt the unity of the ARP Church, and that those assembled will hear of attacks to destroy the church. Putnam continued: “Some mock us for being too ‘nice’ to one another. There was a time when we all looked forward to attending Synod – now we dread coming to Synod.”

Putnam offered three solutions:

1) Preach the Gospel – hold fast to the Gospel message – love one another;

2) “Shoot them” – don’t let them run free (Joel 3:10); starve them; ignore them; give them nothing; and,

3) Pray – for the wolves among God’s sheep; for peace and prosperity.

Mr. Putnam concluded: “If we don’t do this, we will be standing in the ruins of the ARP Church saying, ‘Oh, what used to be…’”

Om 7 June, the Rev. Jeff Kingswood of the ARP Canadian Presbytery was unanimously elected synod moderator for 2013-2014.

Mr. Kingswood commented: “What struck us here was a group that embodied confessional Presbyterianism,” he said. “The Word of God was central, preached, and used to make argument – and I felt I had come home. Thank you for welcoming the Canadian Presbytery. The fact that I’m the first Canadian to be elected to the office of Moderator of General Synod speaks highly of your welcoming spirit.”

Kingswood also asked for prayer for the Lord to give grace and guidance to him in his role as Moderator. “We have difficult issues ahead of us. We have a history that points us in the right direction, but we are not defined by our history.

“We would have the world look at us and say, ‘they have been with Jesus’ – and not only for our programs or worship services. We want others to know Jesus – and if others see Jesus in the life of our congregations, we can accomplish what we have been sent to do – to call others to a new life of repentance.”

ARP Synod 2012 additionally approved a resolution rejecting all evolutionary theories on the origin of Adam, and approved the 2012 funding recommendation for Erskine College and Theological Seminary.


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

+ Erskine College, 2 Washington Street, Due West, South Carolina 29639, 864-379-2131, 864-379-2167, norman@erskine.edu


[4] Headlines from The Christian Institute

The Christian Institute’s headlines of the past week include the following articles:

-- Canadian Crackdown on Critics of Gay Marriage

-- Parents in the Dark as Salford, Greater Manchester, England School Helps Girl, 15, Have an Abortion

-- U.K. General Medical Council to Hold Secret Proceedings against Doctor for Sharing his Christian Beliefs


+ 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


[5] Raging Heathen and Vain Imagining

Articles from the past week regarding kings and rulers setting themselves against the LORD and against his anointed:

-- Military Already Flying Spy Drones in US, May Give Info To Local Police

-- Judge Rules against Christians Who Refused To Serve Lesbian Wedding

-- U.S. Army Chaplain Performs First-Ever Military Same-Sex Nuptial Ceremony in Chapel at Fort Polk in Louisiana

-- U.S. President Barack Hussein Obama Can ‘Declare Martial Law’ in Peacetime

-- Armed Homeland Security Police Raid Oklahoma City T-Shirt Shop over Alleged Trademark Infringement

-- TIME Magazine Advocates Removal of Feeding Tubes from the Dying Elderly

-- New Surveillance Cameras to Find ‘Pre-Crimes’ by Detecting Suspicious Behavior

-- U.S. President Barack Hussein Obama Removes Religious Freedom Section from Its Human Rights Reports

-- Chicago, Illinois Police Taser Eight-Months Pregnant Woman Over Parking Dispute


+ American Vision, Post Office Box 220, Powder Springs, Georgia 30127, 770-222-7266, Fax: 770-222-7269, mail@AmericanVision.org

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

+ Nicene Council, Box 411, Draper, Virginia 24324, 866-735-9582, admin@nicenecouncil.com

+ Atlas Shrugs, writeatlas@aol.com


[6] The Religion of Peace

Articles from the past week about the religion of peace:

-- Muslim Woman Convicted of Terror Support Moved to Hijab-Permitting Jail after Complaints

-- Graphic Video: Muslims Slaughter Christian Convert in "Moderate" Tunisia

-- Islamic Center of Murfreesboro Tennessee Defies Court Order- Opponents File Injunction to Stop Construction

-- Bomb Threat Made against Courthouse after Ruling against Mufreesboro Tennessee Mega-Mosque

-- Pakistan - Death for Clapping To Music: Search for Sharia-Condemned Wedding Women, Mass Honorcide

-- Injuries Severe after Bauchi, Nigeria Suicide Bomb Attack

-- Ohio Governor John Kasich Gives Death Penalty Reprieve to Muslim Honor Killer of Wife and Brother-In-Law

-- In Mauritania, the Fight to Abolish Black African Slavery Runs Into Islam

-- After Launching Deadly Attacks, Nigeria Islamists Vow to Continue Killing Christians


+ Creeping Sharia, Follow on Twitter

+ Atlas Shrugs, writeatlas@aol.com

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

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

6 June 2012

Presbyterians Week Headlines

[1] Christian Observer Highlights for June 2012

[2] Dr. Michael Milton Becomes Chancellor and CEO of Reformed Theological Seminary

[3] Presbyterian Church in Ireland 2012 General Assembly Holds Extended Discussion about Lack of Young People in Churches

[4] Free Church of Scotland Moderator Praises Queen Elizabeth II’s Christian Example on the Occasion of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee

[5] Joni and Friends Celebrates Thirty Years of Radio Ministry

[6] Headlines from The Christian Institute

[7] Raging Heathen and Vain Imagining

[8] Radical Muslims in India Continually Threaten to Murder Christian House Church Leader and Family

[9] The Religion of Peace

[10] Thirty-Six Fatalities in May: Deadliest 2012 Month For U.S. Forces in Afghanistan War

---

[1] Christian Observer Highlights for June 2012


New articles in the Christian Observer for June 2012 include:

-- The Ultimate Interlocking Puzzle: “Shall their unbelief make the faith of God without effect?” – Romans 3:3 Geneva Bible – by David Brand – Part four of a multipart article examining the effects upon the church of the change in meaning of the Greek word pistis from faith to faithfulness by the English Revised Version Committee that began meeting in February 1870;

-- The Intellectual Explosion and the Moral Implosion – by Christian Observer Contributing Editor Dr. Joe Renfro – discusses the intellectual explosion characterizing today’s culture with the accompanying moral implosion as the culture turns away from Judeo-Christian values;

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] Dr. Michael Milton Becomes Chancellor and CEO of Reformed Theological Seminary


Lyn Perez, Chief Communications Officer of Reformed Theological Seminary issued the following press release on 1 June 2012:

June 1, 2012. At first glance, it is just another day in history. A number of interesting events took place on June 1st, from the first earthquake recorded in the U.S. at Plymouth, Massachusetts, in 1638, to last of Britain's troops withdrawing from U.S. soil in 1796. But, until the clock strikes midnight tonight, we are not certain if anything memorable to the world will occur on June 1, 2012 or not. I suspect that June 1, 2012 will go much unnoticed by the majority of the world’s population. Just another day, the beginning of the summer months in our northern hemisphere.

However, for Reformed Theological Seminary [RTS], it is an important and a memorable day. June 1, 2012 represents the successful completion of a succession plan that began 22 months before. With the announced retirement of Dr. Robert C. (Ric) Cannada, the board of RTS put in place a plan to assure a smooth succession of leadership. The hope was that it would not only honor God by smooth and deliberate planning, but that it would also be a model for others to help them avoid some of the pitfalls many organizations face with leadership transitions.

So, today we give thanks to the Lord. The succession plan is complete. RTS now begins a new chapter in its service to Christ and His church. Our prayer is that this new chapter of RTS history will read much like the former chapters in that the Lord will find us faithful. We pray that the missionary fervor from which RTS was born will continue to define and guide our mission. We pray that faithfulness to the inerrancy of Scripture and to the teaching of the Reformed faith will continue to be defining traits to RTS in the future as they were under the leadership of the former presidents and chancellors of RTS – Sam Patterson, Luder Whitlock and Ric Cannada.

Please join together with RTS faculty, staff, students and our board of trustees as we all give thanks this day for the appointment of our new chancellor and CEO Dr. Michael Milton, praying for the ever presence of Christ in his life as he leads RTS. We look forward to the continued expansion of our ministry under Dr. Milton’s leadership, to new regions in the U.S. and abroad, preparing a new generation of leaders who are prepared with both a scholarly mind for truth but also a pastoral heart for serving God.

June 1, 2012 will go mostly unnoticed to the world. But for RTS and our community, we rejoice in this day. It is a day of honoring our past yet looking hopefully and expectantly to our future, preparing men and women for positions of leadership in His church and for taking the gospel to the very ends of the earth. Amen.


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


[3] Presbyterian Church in Ireland 2012 General Assembly Holds Extended Discussion about Lack of Young People in Churches


A 1 June 2012 News Letter article titled “Presbyterian Concern over ‘Missing Generation’” reports that at the 2012 General Assembly meeting of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland (PCI), an extended debate was held concerning the lack of young people in PCI churches, what the meeting attendees characterized as “the missing generation of young Presbyterians”.


+ News Letter, Ground floor, Metro Building, 6-9 Donegall Square South, Belfast, BT1 5JA, Northern Ireland, 028 3839 5577, newsdesk@newsletter.co.uk

+ Presbyterian Church in Ireland, Church House, Belfast BT1 6DW, Northern Ireland, 028-9032-2284, Fax: 028-9041-7301, Info@PresbyterianIreland.org


[4] Free Church of Scotland Moderator Praises Queen Elizabeth II’s Christian Example on the Occasion of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee

A 3 June 2012 article Stornoway Gazette article titled “Moderator Praises Queen’s Christian Example” reports that on the occasion of Queen Elizabeth II’s Diamond Jubilee celebrating the queen’s sixty years on the throne, Free Church of Scotland moderator the Rev. Dr. Iain D. Campbell commended the queen for openly demonstrating her Christian faith “in an increasingly changing and secular world”.

Dr. Campbell’s remarks included:

We in the Free Church of Scotland - ministers, elders, communicant members and adherents - join with the rest of the nation in congratulating Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II on her Diamond Jubilee.

We have been greatly encouraged not only by Her Majesty’s leadership and example, but also by every public expression of Her Majesty’s Christian commitment, not least in the 2011 Christmas broadcast.

We have been encouraged by Her Majesty’s speech to the Commonwealth in February this year, in which tribute was paid to the ‘particular mission of Christianity’, and the securing of freedom of religion through the establishment of the Christian Church.

+ Stornoway Gazette, 10 Francis Street, Stornoway, Isle of Lewis HS12XE, Scotland, 01851-702-687, newsdesk@stornowaygazette.co.uk

+ 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


[5] Joni and Friends Celebrates Thirty Years of Radio Ministry

Joni and Friends, the radio ministry of Joni Erikson Tada, is celebrating its 30^th anniversary. Since May 1982, Joni and Friends has aired more than 7,000 programs providing encouragement and insight into subjects including disability awareness, prayer, marriage, poetry, and worship.

The Joni and Friends website describes Mrs. Tada’s circumstances: “In 1967 Joni Eareckson Tada was injured in a diving accident at seventeen years old, leaving her in a quadriplegic state with minimal use of her hands. After two years of rehabilitation, Joni re-entered the community with new skills and a fresh determination to help others in similar situations.”


+ Joni and Friends International Disability Center, Post Office Box 3333, Agoura Hills, California 91376, 818-707-5664, 818-707-2391, Contact Page


[6] Headlines from The Christian Institute


The Christian Institute’s 1 June 2012 In the News this Week headlines include the following articles:

-- Police Minister: Opposing Gay Marriage 'Unacceptable'

-- 'Dad' Deleted from NHS Baby Guide - for Sake of Gay Couples

-- Mosques Tell Women: 'Don't Report Abusive Husbands'

-- Boy, 12, Raped Girl, 9, after Watching Hard-Core Porn

-- Repeat Abortions Increasing, New Stats Show

-- Warning over Reckless Young Adults as [Sexually Transmitted Infections] Rise in England


+ 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


[7] Raging Heathen and Vain Imagining


A few articles from the past week regarding kings and rulers setting themselves against the LORD and against his anointed:

-- Transportation Security Administration Screeners Fired, Suspended for Not Harassing People Enough

-- Cops Detain, Handcuff Every Adult at Intersection in Search for Bank Robber

-- Mom Arrested for Cheering Too Loudly at Daughter’s Graduation

-- “Human Barcode” Threat Has New Corporate Faces

-- New Fines in Place For Cats And Dogs That Don’t Buckle Up In New Jersey

-- U.S. Government Dishes Out Advice on Preparing Healthy Meals: Always Use Bowls or Plates


+ American Vision, Post Office Box 220, Powder Springs, Georgia 30127, 770-222-7266, Fax: 770-222-7269, mail@AmericanVision.org

+ Nicene Council, Box 411, Draper, Virginia 24324, 866-735-9582, admin@nicenecouncil.com

+ CBS Philadelphia, 1555 Hamilton Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19130, 215-977-5333, hoffman@cbs3.com

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


[8] Radical Muslims in India Continually Threaten to Murder Christian House Church Leader and Family


The Christian Observer on 3 June 2012 received an email message from Aimazan Bibi, who with her husband Gaffar Shaike lead a house church fellowship in their home in the village of Nutangram in the Murshidabad District of the State of West Bengal, India.

Aimazan Bibi explains that during a 30 March 2012 luncheon and prayer meeting at the Bibi house, at 2 p.m. a number of radical Muslims forcibly entered the house and attacked the prayer meeting. One of the Muslim invaders kicked Aimazan Bibi in the stomach and head, and injured Mrs. Bibi’s hand.

A crowd of about 100 Muslims later gathered outside the house, shouting anti-Christian slogans and threatening to murder the worshipers. The Muslim mob pushed, kicked, and slapped the Christian worshipers, tried to prevent them from fleeing the area, and one of the Muslims chased worshipers with a sickle, threatening to kill them.

Gaffar Shaike on 31 March 2012 submitted a written complaint to the local police station and sent copies to the district magistrate and the Superintendent of Police in the Murshidabad district, but none of the authorities contacted have taken any action against the attackers.

Aimazan Bibi requests her Christian brothers and sisters around the world to pray for God’s protection upon her, her family, and all other Christians in her village. She additionally requests that letter be written to the Indian authorities listed below, requesting them to address the situation and take necessary action to provide protection for the Christians in her village.

President of India:

Mrs. Prativa Singh Patil
Rashtrapati Bhavan,
New Delhi - 110 004, India

Fax: 011-23017290 & 011-23017824

Email: presidentofindia@rb.nic.in

Prime Minister of India:

Dr. Monmohan Singh

Fax: 91-11-23019545 / 91-11-23016857

e-mail: manmohan@sansad.nic.in

Ministry of Home Affairs:

Mr. P. Chidambaram

Phone: 23092161, 23092011
Fax: 23093750, 23092763

email: websitemhaweb@nic.in

Chief Minister of West Bengal State:

Miss Mamata Bannerjee

Fax : 91-33-22145480

Email : cm@wb.gov.in

Governor of West Bengal State:

Mr. M. K. Narayanan
Raj Bhavan
Kolkata 700 062, India

Phone: 033-2200-1641

Fax: 91-33-2200-2444 / 2200-1649

Email: secy-gov-wb@nic.in
governor-wb@nic.in


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


[9] The Religion of Peace


A few articles from the past week about the religion of peace:

-- Blast Wreaks Bloodshed on Two Churches in Bauchi, Nigeria

-- Pakistani Muslims Rape Girl, Beat Relatives for Prosecuting

-- Top of Form

Islamist Mob Throws Urine on Church in Indonesia

-- Christian Women ‘Tortured by Police’ in Pakistani Traffic Stop

-- Nigeria: Muslims Murder Fifteen Christians in Jihad/Martyrdom Attack on Church

-- Obama's 'Peace' Partners, the Taliban, Poison another Girls School,
400 School Girls Poisoned this Past Month


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

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

+ Atlas Shrugs, writeatlas@aol.com


[10] Thirty-Six Fatalities in May: Deadliest 2012 Month For U.S. Forces in Afghanistan War


A 1 June 2012 CNSNews.com article by Edwin Mora titled “Thirty-Six Fatalities in May: Deadliest 2012 Month For U.S. Forces in Afghanistan War” reports that U.S. forces in Afghanistan suffered thirty-six casualties during May 2012, the most for any month in 2012.

1,881 U.S. troops have died in Afghanistan since the war began in October 2001, seventy percent of the deaths occurring since U.S. President Barack Hussein Obama was inaugurated in January 2009.

The deadliest month in the Afghanistan war was August 2011 when seventy-one U.S. military forces were killed.


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