Wednesday, September 25, 2013

25 September 2013



Presbyterians Week Headlines




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The only Ten Commandments monument visible on Capitol Hill has been toppled face-down to the ground by vandals (photo). The 850-pound steel reinforced sculpture sits in the front garden of the Honorable William J. Ostrowksi House on Capitol Hill, the headquarters for Faith and Action, a Christian outreach ministry to top-level government officials in Washington DC. The three-foot by three-foot granite monolith was installed in 2006 after a five-year legal battle with numerous government agencies. The damage occurred sometime between Friday night, 20 September 2013 and Saturday night 21 September 2013. A stolen "For Rent" sign was also stuck in front of the area.

"After all we went through to place this beautiful tribute to God's Law in full view of the Supreme Court and U.S. Capitol buildings, it's heartbreaking to see it in this condition," said the Rev. Rob Schenck, president and lead missionary of Faith and Action. "But we're as determined to repair and re-install it now as we were seven years ago when we did it the first time. The Great Words of Sinai will be seen again here on Capitol Hill."

Reformed Presbyterian minister and Christian Defense Coalition director the Rev. Patrick J. Mahoney, who collaborated with Schenck and with the Rev. Dr. Kenneth Johnson, pastor of Seaman United Methodist Church in Adams County, Ohio and representative of the Adams County Ten Commandments Committee to bring the monument to Washington DC, said of the vandalism, "Any time a symbol of faith is attacked it must be deemed a hate crime. This is the same as defacing a synagogue or mosque. It's outrageous and must be condemned by all people of conscience."

A 24 September 2013 news conference held by Faith and Action reviewed the discovery of the vandalism and its report to the police, the history of the Ten Commandments Display, and pastor Johnson reported the following facts about the monument vandalism:

-- An eight-man crew, a hydraulic lift, and a truck were required to place the monument.

-- The tablets were installed with a steel reinforcement bar as well as special concrete paste to adhere them to the concrete base.

-- To topple the monument, it would take at least eight men pushing with all their might or someone might have thrown a strap or rope around the display and used a truck to pull it over.

-- The fact that this could happen in the most secure neighborhood in Washington, DC—within ten paces of the Supreme Court police kiosk that guards the justices’ private entrance to the Court—even adds to the mystery.

Pastor Schenk reported that the crime is being taken seriously, and that Faith and Action will use all available means to discover the perpetrators, including a formal request to the Supreme Court for the video from the cameras that line the street. Schenk appealed to those who committed the terrible act to voluntarily identify themselves and told the press that Faith and Action will not press charges against the perpetrators if they will agree to come to a private lunch in the Faith and Action facility and tell the organization what it is about the Ten Commandments they find so offensive that would cause them to commit this crime. They must, however, also allow the organization to tell them why the Ten Commandments are so important.

[Editor’s Note: The editor, who is a friend of both pastors Schenk and Mahoney, and a fellow presbytery member with Pastor Mahoney, commends Faith and Action for their willingness to pursue reconciliation with the perpetrators of this vandalism, and hopes that if the perpetrators identify themselves that Faith and Action will additionally seek to have the perpetrators make restitution for the costs to repair the damage to the Ten Commandments monument, thus following the biblical model for addressing this type of crime (http://americanvision.org/2480/the-biblical-doctrine-of-restitution/#sthash.PqnHb0QR.PVB9uqp5.dpbs).

The editor additionally and respectfully suggests that the term “hate crime” not be used, as it is a synonym for the Marxist concept of a “thought crime”, i.e. a perpetrator should be punished with an additional criminal charge if the judicial authorities deem that the perpetrator’s motivation for a crime involved what authorities determine to be improper thoughts. A “hate crime” or a “thought crime” is but one aspect of political correctness, which the late Paul Weyrich termed “Cultural Marxism”, and is a philosophy completely antithetical to Christianity. All crime and all sin -- all violations of God’s Law demonstrate hatred towards God and/or one’s fellow man.]


+ 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

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

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



Reformed Presbyterian and Director of the Christian Defense Coalition the Rev. Patrick J. Mahoney will leave for Turkey on Sunday, 29 September 2013 in an attempt to secure the release of Pastor Saeed, the U.S. citizen and former Iranian citizen who has been jailed for one year in Iran.

While in Turkey, Pastor Mahoney will meet with Iranian officials in attempt to secure a meeting in Tehran with President Rouhani and Iranian government leaders to discuss Pastor Saeed.

Pastor Mahoney commented:

"Around the world, every person should be afforded the right to express their faith traditions free from government persecution, harassment and intimidation. No one should have to suffer violence or brutality because of what they believe.

"I am flying to Turkey/Iran in hopes of securing the release of Pastor Saeed who is serving an eight year prison sentence because of his Christian beliefs.

"I will be appealing to the new Iranian leadership which has expressed a desire to have a more open and moderate attitude toward human rights and personal freedoms and work toward building better relationships with their global neighbors.

"On this historic mission, I will not be going as a 'representative of the United States government,' but rather as a faith leader sharing the heart of Christ and calling upon Iran's leaders to show compassion and mercy and allow Saeed to return to his family in America.

"The power of faith transcends governments and leaders and can transform nations and societies. If I have the opportunity to meet with President Rouhani, I will not be speaking to him on a political level but rather as one faith leader to another."

The Christian Defense Coalition is additionally working with the American Center for Law and Justice and Naghmeh Abedini (Pastor Saeed's wife) on a prayer vigil and public witness scheduled in front of the White House on Thursday, 26 September 2013 at 2:00 p.m. The prayer vigil will be on the closed portion of Pennsylvania Ave. NW in front of the White House across from Lafayette Park.

26 September marks the one year anniversary of Pastor Saeed's imprisonment, and over seventy-five prayer vigils are being held in America and around the world calling for his release and praying for religious freedom.


+ 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



Internet Evangelist and the founder of Liveprayer.com the Rev. Bill Keller says that Pope Francis, the leader of the world's 1.2 billion Roman Catholics, along with FOX News Host Bill O'Reilly, are both an embarrassment to Jesus and Christianity.

Pope Francis recently stated in an interview, "The church has grown obsessed with abortion, gay marriage and contraception," adding that, "I have chosen not to talk about those issues." His rationale for not dealing with these critical spiritual issues the Bible clearly calls sin is that he wants the church to be more inclusive.

On his TV program, Keller stated, "There is nothing wrong with the church reaching out to those who are not followers of Jesus Christ. That is one of the churches greatest missions. However, you don't do that by being silent on sins that are not only destroying the nation, but individual lives." Keller went on, "The only reason the sins of homosexuality and abortion are spoken of more than other sins is because those who deny Christ and the Truth of the Bible by supporting these sins have forced society to accept these choices as normal and acceptable behavior. Have you ever been to a thieves pride parade?"

Keller, who over the years has publicly debated homosexual and gay rights advocates as well as those who support the legalized murder of innocent babies, says that it has been the silence of Christians which has allowed the sin of homosexuality and the murder of approximately 4,000 babies every twenty-four hours to become an acceptable part of our culture.

Keller also stated that there is no such thing as an "LGBT community," since nobody is born a lesbian, gay, bi-sexual, or someone other than the sex God created them as. Keller says, "Just because someone has CHOSEN to engage in unnatural, unhealthy, perverted sexual acts with people of the same sex, both sexes, or have tried to change the gender God created them as, only makes them people in bondage to sin like those who choose to abuse alcohol, drugs, or any other addictive and destructive behavior people choose to engage in."

Keller has publicly lambasted MSNBC and their on-air talent, especially the one he calls "the faux Reverend" Al Sharpton and CINO (Catholic In Name Only) Chris Matthews, for supporting, glorifying, and cheerleading for special rights for people who choose to engage in sexual perversion, the attempt to re-define God's Holy Institution of Marriage and the family, as well as those who advocate for the legal murder of innocent babies under the guise of "women's health issues."

Keller said in a recent interview, "You can't go on mainstream TV and share with people the love of Jesus or the Gospel, but you can applaud and support people who choose to engage in perverted sexual acts and those who choose to kill their baby. During the Sandy Hook tragedy there was endless talk by President Obama, those in his administration and his media minions about the poor children. What about the approximately 4,000 'poor children' who are slaughtered every twenty-four hours in this nation?"

Keller, who has appeared numerous times over the years on the FOX News program "The O'Reilly Factor," recently lambasted host Bill O'Reilly for calling Christians who believe the Bible to be God's inspired, inerrant Word "Bible thumpers," a common pejorative used to demean Bible-believing Christians. O'Reilly ignored Keller's US$10,000 offer to debate the issue with the FOX audience deciding who the winner would be, hiding under his desk as he mocks those who refuse to come on his program O'Reilly has stated often he does NOT believe the Bible to be literally true, but a book of allegories and good moral stories.

Keller has warned that O'Reilly's upcoming book, "Killing Jesus" will be full of his perverted theology which Keller describes as a mix of liberal Catholicism and New Age mysticism. Keller went on to state that nothing demonstrates O'Reilly's theological ignorance more than the premise of his new book on why Jesus was killed. On his FOX News program in March O'Reilly stated, "I'm researching killing Jesus. Do you know why Jesus was killed by the Romans? You don't know and you shouldn't know because it was about taxes, taxes!"

Keller replied, "Jesus was not killed because of taxes or for inciting some sort of tax revolt. Quite the opposite. He clearly taught the people to render unto Caesar what is Caesar's. It was the Jewish religious leaders who plotted to kill Jesus since he was interfering with their 'business,' much like most of the church world today is little more than a business. They allowed Jesus to admit He was God, which according to Jewish Law was a blasphemous statement, and than used the Roman occupiers as their instrument to kill Jesus."

Keller concluded, "Theologically, the Bible clearly teaches that Jesus was born ultimately to die on the cross as the one-time perfect sacrifice for the sins of all mankind.” Pope O'Reilly's' flawed theology will only help lead the masses astray, since the better percentage of the last two generations have never been to church and less than ten percent of those who do go to church have ever read the entire Bible cover to cover. It will also give the enemies of Christ, especially those in the Godless media and people like Christ-hater Bill Maher, ammunition to justify their rejection of Biblical Truth and that faith in Jesus is the only plan of salvation."

Keller ended by saying, "O'Reilly in his arrogance and theological ignorance doesn't understand that the killing of Jesus was ultimately about one thing, God's one and only plan to redeem fallen man in order that His creation could have an eternal relationship with their Creator!"


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

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

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

+ Fox News, 1211 Avenue of the Americas, New York, New York 10036, 888-369-4762, Fax: 212-462-6127, yourquestions@foxnews.com

+ NBC News, 30 Rockefeller Plaza, New York, New York 10112, mediainquiries@msnbc.com



Wednesday, September 18, 2013

18 September 2013



Presbyterians Week Headlines

[1] For-Profit Corporation Is Not A Person With Ability To Exercise Religious Freedom Rights, Federal Court Says

[2] Reformed Church in the United States 267th Annual Synod Meets at Salem Ebenezer Reformed Church in Manitowic, Wisconsin 20-23 May 2013

[3] Orthodox Presbyterian Church 80th General Assembly Held 5-11 June 2013 at St. Mary’s College in Moraga, California

[4] New Trinity Review Posted - “The Gospel Coalition: The 'New Calvinism's' Attack on the Bible and Its Epistemology" by Stephen M. Cope

[5] Glenn Beck’s Covenant America is a Mormon Hijacking of Christian Truth

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[1] For-Profit Corporation Is Not A Person With Ability To Exercise Religious Freedom Rights, Federal Court Says


[Editor’s Note:
Americans United for Separation of Church and State Executive Director the Rev. Barry W. Lynn is an ordained minister in the United Church of Christ.]

A Michigan-based for-profit business that manufactures fuel systems, power-steering systems, and medical devices does not have the right to an exemption from the Obama administration’s birth control mandate, a federal appeals court ruled today.

In a unanimous opinion, the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals found that Autocam Corporation is not entitled to an exemption from the contraceptive mandate, which requires most businesses to provide workers with health insurance that includes no-cost birth control. The court said a secular, for-profit company is not a person that can exercise religion under the Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA).

Americans United Executive Director the Rev. Barry W. Lynn said the court made the right call. Secular corporations are not people with religious liberty rights, Lynn said.

“Religious liberty is for people, not Big Business,” Lynn asserted. “No corporation should ever be able to tell its employees that they can’t have access to contraceptive coverage simply because it offends the boss’ religious views.”

RFRA’s legislative history, the court said, “makes no mention of for-profit corporations. This is a sufficient indication that Congress did not intend the term ‘person’ to cover entities like Autocam when it enacted RFRA.”

The court added that Autocam’s Roman Catholic owners, John Kennedy and his family, do not have standing to bring claims on behalf of the company.


+ Americans United for Separation of Church and State, 518 C Street Northeast, Washington DC 20002, 202-466-3234, Fax: 202-466-2587, americansunited@au.org

+ United Church of Christ, 700 Prospect Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio 44115, 216-736-2100, ogm@ucc.org


[2] Reformed Church in the United States 267th Annual Synod Meets at Salem Ebenezer Reformed Church in Manitowic, Wisconsin 20-23 May 2013


Delegates from the forty-eight congregations organized into four classes of the
Reformed Church in the United States (RCUS) held their 267th Synod 20-23 May 2013 at Salem Ebenezer Reformed Church in Manitowic, Wisconsin. The RCUS traces its beginnings to the 1746 meeting of the Amsterdam Classis of the Dutch Reformed Church who sent the Rev. Michael Schlatter back to Pennsylvania to organize the ministers and congregations into a ‘coetus’, later called ‘classis’, that was to meet annually. The Rev. Sam Powell, reporting on the 267th RCUS Synod, wrote, “We have carried out the instructions of our Dutch brethren now for 267 years.”

Among the many items of business conducted at the 267th Synod, the Publications Committee presented an edited and improved edition of “Promoting a Biblical Sexual Morality” that was approved by the delegates. The book is available on Amazon.com in Kindle electronic format for US$0.99 and in paperback for US$3.86 plus shipping. Other RCUS books available on Amazon.com include “Three Forms of Unity, 2011 Edition”; “The Constitution of the Reformed Churches in the United States”; and “Study Helps on the Heidelberg Catechism” by the late Rev. Norm Jones.


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


[3] Orthodox Presbyterian Church 80th General Assembly Held 5-11 June 2013 at St. Mary’s College in Moraga, California

The 80th General Assembly (GA) of
The Orthodox Presbyterian Church (OPC) was held 5-11 June 2013 at St. Mary’s College in Moraga, California.

The assembly witnessed the reconciliation of the Presbytery of New Jersey (PNJ) with several OPC members that had been members of a church for whom the OPC in its 77th GA established a visitation committee to work for reconciliation between the church’s pastors and the now-former church members. The pastors refused to cooperate with the committee; the PNJ began the process to bring charges against the pastors; then the pastors declared the church independent of the OPC and later joined another denomination. The PNJ acknowledged their shortcomings in properly dealing with this matter, and the former church members forgave the PNJ of their offenses. The 80th GA gave praise to the Lord for the response of the PNJ and for the church members’ forgiveness and for their perseverance over several years.

The 80th GA received fraternal greetings from several other Reformed denominations including Adam Kaloostian,
United Reformed Churches in North America (URCNA); Takanori Kobayashi, Presbyterian Church in Japan (PCJ); Jonathan Merica, Reformed Church in the United States (RCUS); F. Solano Portela, Presbyterian Church of Brazil (PCB); David J. Reese, Reformed Presbyterian Church of North America (RPCNA); Lee A. Shelnutt, Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church (ARP); L. Roy Taylor, Presbyterian Church in America (PCA); and Kurt Vetterli, Evangelical Reformed Church, Westminster Confession (ERCWC).

The 80th GA additionally arranged for the OPC GA’s gratitude to the Lord to be communicated to the
Bible Presbyterian Church (BPC) for his faithfulness to them upon the 75th anniversary of their founding, and to assure the BPC that the OPC looks forward to ever deepening fellowship with the BPC in Christ.


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

+
Bible Presbyterian Church, statedclerk@bpc.org

+
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

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

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

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

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


[4] New Trinity Review Posted - “The Gospel Coalition: The 'New Calvinism's' Attack on the Bible and Its Epistemology" by Stephen M. Cope

The Trinity Foundation has posted the latest Trinity Review to their website.

"The Gospel Coalition: The 'New Calvinism's' Attack on the Bible and Its Epistemology" by Stephen M. Cope takes the leaders of The Gospel Coalition to task for their attack on the Bible through their faulty epistemology, as evidenced in their foundation documents - the Confessional Statement and the Theological Vision for Ministry - primarily authored by Drs. D. A. Carson and Timothy Keller.

The author, Stephen M. Cope holds a B.A. in History, an M.A. in Church History, and has completed most of his course work for a Ph.D in Church History and Theology from Bob Jones University and Seminary, Greenville, South Carolina.


+ The Trinity Foundation, Post Office Box 68, Unicoi, Tennessee 37692, 423-743-0199, Fax: 423-743-2005, tjtrinityfound@aol.com


[5] Glenn Beck’s Covenant America is a Mormon Hijacking of Christian Truth

Why is Glenn Beck’s Covenant America being criticized? It isn’t for the attendees desiring the good of liberty and patriotism in covenant but for Beck’s non-Christian solution. “Instead of finding Christian truth and God’s liberty, the Covenant America attendees are unknowingly participating in a Mormon hijacking of the USA’s covenant with God,” says Pastor Steven Andrew, president of USA Christian Ministries.

The pastor continued, “Americans want liberty, especially after the news of the NSA spying on Americans, schools refusing children to write about God, inferior healthcare with Obamacare and Barack Obama persecuting Christians in the military. The problem is that Covenant America twists our Christian nation’s covenant with the Lord to promote Beck’s Mormonism.”

“Freedom comes by re-affirming covenant with the one true God, not the Mormon cult. Beck is trying to get Americans to break covenant by switching to a foreign god. This is a very dangerous scheme from Satan. Without following the Lord, there is no freedom,” he says.

“What many don’t know is Mormons think that Jesus is the spirit brother of Lucifer, men become “Gods” and Christians are inferior. George Washington, John Adams and our Founding Fathers would avoid Beck,” the pastor continued.

He says, “God will give liberty to the USA if Americans turn away from foreign gods, such as the Mormon cult, welcome God to government, be pro-life and have God’s Marriage only of one man and one woman.”

The pastor has studied American history intimately. His book, “Making a Strong Christian Nation,” teaches “The USA’s Covenant with God” based on Scripture and history.

He continues, “Beck and speaker Timothy Ballard have shared their Mormon beliefs. Doesn’t Jesus tell us that Beck and Ballard are wolves in sheep’s clothing with another Jesus?”

“If you want God to replace Obama with a Christian Government with liberty and lower taxes, then put Jesus first by calling for a Christian government. Obeying God gives Americans hope,” he said.


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



Wednesday, September 11, 2013

11 September 2013



Presbyterians Week Headlines

[1] Faith Groups Host Prayer Vigil for Peace in Syria in Front of the Syrian Embassy in Washington DC as Congress Prepares to Vote on Military Intervention

[2] I Am Kirk Moderator, Hear Me Roar


[3] Korean Presbyterian Church of Auckland [New Zealand] Pastor Deposed for Sexual Misconduct Vows to Remain in Church Pulpit

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[1] Faith Groups Host Prayer Vigil for Peace in Syria in Front of the Syrian Embassy in Washington DC as Congress Prepares to Vote on Military Intervention

Reformed Presbyterian minister and director of the
Christian Defense Coalition the Rev. Pat Mahoney and representatives from Hillside Missions on 9 September 2013 held a prayer vigil in front of the Syrian Embassy in Washington DC as the U.S. Congress prepared to vote whether or not to approve U.S. President Obama’s announced intention to conduct air strikes in Syria.

Director of the Christian Defense Coalition the Rev. Patrick J. Mahoney stated:

"As President Obama and Congress consider a vote to use military force in Syria this week, we will gather as the people of faith and ask God to bring peace and healing to that country. Especially for Syria's children.

"As Christians we have been called to be 'peacemakers' and we will be asking for God's wisdom and guidance for the leaders of Syria as well as the United States.

"There has already been so much pain in that country that the global community must come together for a humanitarian and just solution that does not involve more violence, war and killing."

Kris Keating, Director of Hillside Missions, added:

"Regardless of our political views, Christians can be unified in a prayer for peace in Syria. We love our neighbors in Syria because Christ loves us. I am happy to participate in a prayer event to publicly demonstrate that love."


+ 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

+ Hillside Missions, 8A East Broad Street,
Richmond, Virginia 23219, 804-381-6750, hillside@reachthenations.org


[2] I Am Kirk Moderator, Hear Me Roar


Only the third female moderator in the history of the
Church of Scotland, the Rt. Rev. Lorna Hood is embracing feminism as the major theme of her Kirk leadership.

A 9 September 2013 The Courier article titled “Kirk Discrimination Warning” reports that Ms. Hood says that women in the Kirk are facing “real discrimination”, explaining:

“There are parts of the country where women are still denied a place on Kirk Sessions; elders who, having moved from one part of the country to another, find their ordination is called into question. We talk of the great advances made since women were ordained in 1966, but in some areas that is still a huge issue.

“They continue to serve as best they can and in the areas where they can make a difference but the pain is real and the hurt runs deep. In such areas if it were not for the Guild, they would be quite isolated.”

Another 9 September 2013 article by Kathleen Nuttin in The Herald titled “Kirk Moderator Asks Women to Report Sexism” reports that the Kirk moderator is urging women in the Kirk who feel they have experienced discrimination to come forward.

A 7 September 2013 BBC article titled “Church of Scotland Sexism 'Hindering Women' in Office, Moderator Warns” reports the Kirk moderator thinks that sexism in some parts of the Kirk is preventing women from progressing in office, saying:

''I have become aware just very recently that there are a number of women in different pockets, areas of Scotland, who are just not allowed to fulfill their potential. Particularly in regard to the eldership.

"Women who will never be allowed on a Kirk Session in their area or their church simply because they are women.

"Some women who were ordained in different parts of the country, having moved, haven't been allowed onto the Kirk Session just because they are women.

"And I've really been touched by that and I've experienced their tears and their pain and it's never been part of my background, it's never been part of my ministry and I've never really been so aware of that as I have been recently.''

A 10 September 2013 The Scotsman article by Emma Cowing titled “Church of Scotland sexist, says Kirk Moderator” provided some perspective to the issue, reporting:

“Figures published by the Church of Scotland show in 2012 there were more female elders than male in the Kirk, with a total of 17,202 women compared with 16,936 men. However, in some presbyteries the numbers are markedly lower. In Gordon, for example, there are 533 male elders compared with 427 female. In Uist there are just thirteen women compared with forty-three men, while in Lochcarron-Skye presbytery, there are twelve female elders and thirty male elders.”


+ The Courier, 80 Kingsway East,
Dundee DD4 8SL, Scotland, 01382 223131, courier@dcthomson.co.uk

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

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

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

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


[3] Korean Presbyterian Church of Auckland [New Zealand] Pastor Deposed for Sexual Misconduct Vows to Remain in Church Pulpit

A 9 September 2013 The New Zealand Herald article by Lincoln Tan titled “Pastor Defiant in Face of Ban” reports that after the Sunday 8 September 2013 service at the Korean Presbyterian Church of Auckland in Henderson, Auckland, New Zealand, officials from the Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand attempted to address the congregation to make the official announcement that the pastor, the Rev. David Ock-Youn Jang, had been struck from the ministerial roll on Friday 6 September 2013 after a church investigation found him guilty of sexual misconduct and abuse.

A summary of the complaints in the hearing committee's decision was circulated before the announcement, containing sexually explicit details, including the nature of the acts, where they happened and how often the deeds of misconduct were said to have occurred. Most of the church members including Mr. Jang walked out of the church before the announcement could be made.

Mr. Jang defied his earlier deposition from the ministry by leading the 8 September 2013 service, and by saying that he will continue to do so with the backing of the parish council and congregation at his church.


+ The New Zealand Herald, Post Office Box 32, Auckland, New Zealand, 09-379-5050, Fax: 09-373-6421, 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



Wednesday, September 4, 2013

4 September 2013



Christian Observer Bicentennial Edition

----------------------------------------

Presbyterians Week Headlines

[1] Christian Observer Celebrates 200th Anniversary

[2] Christian Observer Highlights for September 2013

[3] Norwich (England) Reformed Church Pastor Under Investigation after Calling Homosexual Pride Fest ‘Carnival of Perverted Carnality’

[4]
Headlines from Christian Concern

[5]
Headlines from The Christian Institute

[6]
Articles from LifesiteNews.com

[7] 
The Religion of Peace

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[1] Christian Observer Celebrates 200th Anniversary

Today marks the 200th anniversary of publisher John W. Scott’s September 4, 1813 initial issue of The Religious Remembrancer in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the oldest publication in the Christian Observer family of periodicals. The Religious Remembrancer was later renamed the Philadelphia Observer.

In Richmond, Virginia, in 1827, Dr. Amasa Converse became editor of the Visitor and Telegraph, later renamed the Southern Religious Telegraph, which in 1839 was merged with the Philadelphia Observer in Philadelphia. Dr. Converse in 1840 renamed the merged publication the Christian Observer.

Dr. Converse moved the Christian Observer to Richmond, Virginia, in 1861 where it remained until 1869 when it moved to Louisville, Kentucky. The Christian Observer continued publication in Louisville under succeeding generations of the Converse family until the 1970’s, when it ceased publication and placed into the hands of a nonprofit Kentucky corporation that held it in trust for later revival.

In 1987, the Christian Observer moved to Manassas, Virginia, where it was revived under Managing Editor and later Publisher the Rev. Dr. Edwin P. Elliott Jr. The Christian Observer continued publication in Manassas for almost twenty years before ceasing printed publication in mid-2007 due to the rising costs of printing and postage. The Christian Observer publication Presbyterians Week continued to be published by email as it had been since it was begun by Dr. Elliott in the early 1990’s.

In 2008, Dr. Elliott, Managing Editor Bob Williams, and Associate Editors the Rev. Chuck Huckaby and Eric Pastorek began the process to revive the Christian Observer on the World Wide Web, and this new version was launched on Reformation Day, October 31, 2008. The Christian Observer completed its move to Lexington, Virginia after Dr. Elliott’s death in October 2009.

The purpose of the Christian Observer continues to be the same as was that of Dr. Amasa Converse: To advance the cause of Christ in the world and promote the work of the church. The Christian Observer continues as the journal of record for the worldwide Presbyterian and Reformed community. The mission of the Christian Observer is defined by the masthead Scripture of Matthew 28:20a “Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you:”


+ Christian Observer, Post Office Box 1371, Lexington, Virginia 24450, christianobserver@christianobserver.org


[2] Christian Observer Highlights for September 2013

New articles in the Christian Observer for July 2013 include:

-- Death of the Rev. Dr. Amasa Converse - 9 December 1872 -Obituaries for publisher the Rev. Dr. Amasa Converse from the 11 and 18 December 1872 issues of the Christian Observer, which provide a detailed history of the publisher and much about the Presbyterian church and the culture of 19th century America. Many thanks to Wayne Sparkman, Th.M., C.A., Director, PCA Historical Center, for providing this information.]

-- The Syrophoenician Analogy “Shall their unbelief make the faith of God without effect?” – Romans 3:3 Geneva Bible – by Christian Observer Contributing Editor David Brand – Part 19 in a continuing series 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;

-- We Need Discrimination in Education - – by Christian Observer Contributing Editor Dr. Joe Renfro – how the word “discrimination” has been twisted and narrowed in meaning by the educational establishment to the point where constructive discrimination – a key to real education and wisdom – has been cast aside;

-- God’s Law, Church Government in Spotlight as Pro-Gay Family Judged - – by Christian Observer Contributing Editor David Tulis – the culture’s reaction to the Ridgedale Church of Christ in Chattanooga, Tennessee exercising church discipline towards a family with two homosexual women who had been “married” in Maryland;

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 24450, christianobserver@christianobserver.org


[3] Norwich (England) Reformed Church Pastor Under Investigation after Calling Homosexual Pride Fest ‘Carnival of Perverted Carnality’

A 31 August 2013 Christian News Network article by Heather Clark titled “UK Pastor Under Investigation after Calling Homosexual Pride Fest ‘Carnival of Perverted Carnality’” reports that the Rev. Alan Clifford of Norwich Reformed Church in Norwich, England received a visit by police at his home and is now under criminal investigation for sending an email to organizers of a homosexual pride event expressing his concern over what he called an “unashamed carnival of perverted carnality.”


+ Christian News Network, Post Office Box 30000, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103, Contact Page


[4]
Headlines from Christian Concern

Headlines of the past week from
Christian Concern:

-- U.K. Prime Minister David Cameron Backs Largest gay Festival in Wales

-- U.S. Judge Orders Christian Photographers to Shoot Same Sex Ceremonies

-- Christian Girl Guide Leaders Agree to Use Non-Religious Oath amid Pressure from Secularists


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


[5]
Headlines from The Christian Institute

Headlines of the past week from
The Christian Institute:

-- Two Men and One Woman Sign ‘Marriage’ Contract in Kenya

-- Police Scotland Investigate Edinburgh Security Guard for Hate Crime for Barring Transsexual Man from Female Toilets


+
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


[6]
Articles from LifesiteNews.com

Articles from the past week from
LifesiteNews.com:

-- Troy, Ohio Police Threaten To Arrest Pro-Lifers for Writing Chalk Messages in Front of Their Own Property

-- Pub Owner to Be Charged for Assaulting Young Woman over Pro-Life Sidewalk Chalk Messages

-- Clear Channel Bows to Pressure to Air Ads for Former Tiller Abortion Facility

-- Nigerian Imo State Legalizes Abortion in ‘Anti-Violence’ Bill

-- University of Alberta Creates ‘All-Gender’ Restrooms For Transgender Students

-- ‘A Lawless State’: Gay ‘Marriage’ Comes to Some New Mexico Counties by Judicial Fiat

-- California on Brink of Allowing Non-Physicians to Perform Abortions

-- Fun with Infanticide! Videogame Has Players Overcome Obstacles to Abort Their Babies in Texas

-- Belgian Doctors Looking For Disabled Patients to Be Euthanized, Donate Organs


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


[7] 
The Religion of Peace

Articles from the past week about the religion of peace:

-- "Egyptian Media Says Obama Is a Muslim Brotherhood Member"

-- Obama Armed and Funded Syrian Rebel Savages Behead Twenty-Four Bus Passengers, including Mother and Baby

-- Did the U.S. Help Coordinate Gas Attacks in Syria as a Pretext for War?

-- Bombshell: Britain Sold Chemicals to Syria to Produce Sarin Gas

-- Obama Planning To Bring Thousands of Islamic Muslim Refugees to America

-- All New U.S. Air Force Recruits Forced to Attend Muselmanic Da’awa Sessions on Lackland Air Force Base

-- Reports: Saudi Prince Bandar Using US to Topple Syria's Assad

-- Obama's Brother, Malik Obama, Directly Tied to Muslim Brotherhood and Lois Lerner Helped Provide Him Tax Exempt Status

-- Growing Evidence Supports Syrian Rebels Launched Chemical Attacks


+
Atlas Shrugs, writeatlas@aol.com

+ Freedom Outpost, 1116 North Market Street, Paris, Tennessee 38242, 73-644-2220, Contact Page

+
Last Resistance, Contact Page

+ Now the End Begins, Contact Page

+ Winds of Jihad