Wednesday, July 29, 2015
Wednesday, July 22, 2015
Wednesday, July 15, 2015
15 July 2015
“But if the watchman see the sword come, and blow not the trumpet, and the people be not warned; if the sword come, and take any person from among them, he is taken away in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at the watchman’s hand.” [Ezekiel 33:6]
“For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” [Ephesians 6:12]
Presbyterians Week Headlines
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ARPTalk Email Number 28 dated 9 July 2015 titled “Crenshaw Hasn’t Won!!!” reported that the favorable verdict rendered in favor of former Erskine College English professor Bill Crenshaw in his lawsuit against Erskine College was thrown out by Judge Eugene C. “Bubba” Griffith who additionally ordered a new trial. Crenshaw’s attorney is reported to have said that Judge Griffith’s decision will be appealed.
+ Erskine College and Theological Seminary, 2 Washington Street, Due West, South Carolina 29639, 864-379-2131, Fax: 864-379-2167, jguyette@erskine.edu
+ Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church, 1 Cleveland Street Suite 110 , Greenville, South Carolina, 29601
A 13 July 2015 THEBLAZE article by Billy Hallowell titled “Two Christian Colleges Extend Employment Benefits to Gay Married Couples” reports that Reformed Church in America affiliated Hope College of Holland, Michigan has extended employment benefits to homosexual couples following the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision on homosexual marriage.
The article further reported that nondenominational Christian college Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee is offering benefits to homosexual couples on its staff after in 2011 adding sexual orientation to its nondiscrimination policy, and already offering benefits to homosexual couples who are legally married.
+ THEBLAZE.COM LLC, 1270 Avenue of the Americas, 9th Floor, New York, New York 10036, contact@theblaze.com
+ Reformed Church in America, 4500 60th Street Southeast , Grand Rapids, Michigan 49512
+ LifeSiteNews.com, Incorporated, 4 Family Life Lane 22630 , 888-678-6008, Contact Page
Articles from the past week regarding kings and rulers setting themselves against the LORD and against his anointed:
+ Blacklisted News, Post Office Box 8526, Round Rock, Texas 78683, 512-222-3067, admin@blacklistednews.com
+ THEBLAZE.COM LLC, 1270 Avenue of the Americas, 9th Floor, New York, New York 10036, contact@theblaze.com
Articles from the past week about the religion of peace:
+ Middle East Forum, 1500 Walnut Street, Suite 1050 , Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19102
+ The Daily Mail, Northcliffe House, 2 Derry Street, London W8 5TT , England , 020-7938-6000, news@dailymail.co.uk
+ Assyrian International News Agency (Nineveh Software Corporation, 2317 West Farwell, Chicago, Illinois 60645 , 773-575-5863, Fax: 773-761-8534)
+ THEBLAZE.COM LLC, 1270 Avenue of the Americas , 9th Floor, New York, New York 10036 , contact@theblaze.com
Wednesday, July 8, 2015
8 July 2015
“But if the watchman see the sword come, and blow not the trumpet, and the people be not warned; if the sword come, and take any person from among them, he is taken away in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at the watchman’s hand.” [Ezekiel 33:6]
“For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” [Ephesians 6:12]
Presbyterians Week Headlines
[1] New Christian Observer Articles for July 2015
[2] ARP Moderator Schedules Called Meeting of ARP Synod Executive Board to Hear Legal Counsel Regarding a Response to the U.S. Supreme Court’s Homosexual Marriage Ruling
[3] Presbyterian Church of Australia in the State of New South Wales Threatens to Stop Performing Government-Sanctioned Marriages if Homosexual Marriage is Legalized
[4] South African Dutch Reformed Church Moderator Calls for Allowing Homosexual Clergy to Enter Civil Unions
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[1] New Christian Observer Articles for July 2015
New Christian Observer articles for July 2015 include:
-- Revisiting the Family Context of the Gospel Covenant - by Christian Observer Contributing Editor David Brand - “Militant efforts to redefine nature itself in terms of marriage and family relationships are engulfing America. It is critically important for Christians to revisit the major recorded apostolic presentations of the gospel, carefully noting the scope of the gospel promise itself and of the baptism which followed….”;
-- The Fearful Face of Failure -by Christian Observer Contributing Editor Dr. Joe Renfro - Charleston, South Carolina mass murderer Dylann Storm Roof’s life of failure that led to his only “success” which was to do something dastardly wrong;
-- The Life and Times of Jan Hus - by John Goris –originally published in the Volume 42/6 July 2015 issue of Faith in Focus, magazine of the Reformed Churches of New Zealand
+ Christian Observer, Post Office Box 1371, Lexington, Virginia 24450, christianobserver@christianobserver.org
+ Reformed Churches of New Zealand, stated-clerk@rcnz.org.nz
[2] ARP Moderator Schedules Called Meeting of ARP Synod Executive Board to Hear Legal Counsel Regarding a Response to the U.S. Supreme Court’s Homosexual Marriage Ruling
Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church Moderator Jamie Hunt has called a meeting of the ARP Synod’s Executive Board for Monday, 13 July 2015 at 9:00 a.m. EDT for the purpose of hearing from Synod’s legal counsel regarding a response to the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling on same sex marriage. The meeting will be conducted by conference call, and information is being sent to members of the board.
Moderator Hunt requests that you pray for this meeting and ask God’s wisdom for the members of the Executive Board as they consider this matter.
+ Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church, 1 Cleveland Street Suite 110, Greenville, South Carolina, 29601, 864-232-8297, Fax: 864-271-3729
[3] Presbyterian Church of Australia in the State of New South Wales Threatens to Stop Performing Government-Sanctioned Marriages if Homosexual Marriage is Legalized
A 6 July 2015 commentary by Dr. John McClean, convenor of the Presbyterian Church of Australia in the State of New South Wales (PCANSW)’s Gospel, Society, and Culture Committee and vice-principal of Christ College, in the Sydney Morning Herald, stated that if homosexual marriage is made legal in Australia, PCANSW ministers may stop performing state-sanctioned marriages.
Dr. McClean stated:
“Jesus' view was that sex is for marriage, marriage is for life and marriage is for a man and a woman. When he was asked about marriage, he quoted from the beginning of the Bible which says that God made marriage for a man and a woman to share a life and sexual union. From that he came to his famous conclusion: "what God has joined together, let no one separate". Jesus' account of marriage is reinforced by many parts of the Bible….”
“Many people don't share any of the three key elements in Jesus' definition. Most people do not think that sex is only for marriage and the vast majority of couples in Australia who marry live together first. Many Australians are not convinced that marriage should be for life. Often wedding vows don't have the "till we are parted by death" kind of words. Now a significant section of the Australian population also want marriage redefined to include same-sex couples….”
“If we decide to separate from the Marriage Act, we hope there will be a way in which we can continue to celebrate marriages, though our services won't be recognised by Australian law. We don't want to divorce marriage, just the Marriage Act. We're still looking at how this could be possible.”
+ Sydney Morning Herald, Level 2, 1 Darling Island Road, Pyrmont, New South Wales 2009, Australia, 13-2535 Contact Page
+ Presbyterian Church of Australia in the State of New South Wales, Post Office Box 2196, Strawberry Hills, New South Wales 2012, Australia, 02-9690-9333, Fax: 02-9310-2148, general@pcnsw.org.au
[4] South African Dutch Reformed Church Moderator Calls for Allowing Homosexual Clergy to Enter Civil Unions
An 8 July 2015 Eyewitness News article by Monique Mortlock titled “Dutch Reformed Moderator Calls for Equal Rights for Gay Pastors” reports that Moderator Nelus Niemandt of the Dutch Reformed Church says that he wants equal rights for homosexual ministers in the denomination, including the right to enter a civil union with a member of the same sex.
Niemandt stated:
“There isn’t a clear prohibition in the bible on what we see as a life-long union between two people of the same sex who live according to Christian values.”
+ Eyewitness News, Primedia House, 2nd Floor 5 Gwen Lane , Sandown, Johannesburg, South Africa, 27-011-506-3702, news@ewn.co.za
+ Dutch Reformed Church, Posbus 13528, Hatfield 0028, Pretoria, South Africa, 27-0-12-342-0092, Fax: 27-0-12-342-0380, algemenesinode@ngkerk.org.za
[1] New Christian Observer Articles for July 2015
[2] ARP Moderator Schedules Called Meeting of ARP Synod Executive Board to Hear Legal Counsel Regarding a Response to the U.S. Supreme Court’s Homosexual Marriage Ruling
[3] Presbyterian Church of Australia in the State of New South Wales Threatens to Stop Performing Government-Sanctioned Marriages if Homosexual Marriage is Legalized
[4] South African Dutch Reformed Church Moderator Calls for Allowing Homosexual Clergy to Enter Civil Unions
---
[1] New Christian Observer Articles for July 2015
New Christian Observer articles for July 2015 include:
-- Revisiting the Family Context of the Gospel Covenant - by Christian Observer Contributing Editor David Brand - “Militant efforts to redefine nature itself in terms of marriage and family relationships are engulfing America. It is critically important for Christians to revisit the major recorded apostolic presentations of the gospel, carefully noting the scope of the gospel promise itself and of the baptism which followed….”;
-- The Fearful Face of Failure -by Christian Observer Contributing Editor Dr. Joe Renfro - Charleston, South Carolina mass murderer Dylann Storm Roof’s life of failure that led to his only “success” which was to do something dastardly wrong;
-- The Life and Times of Jan Hus - by John Goris –originally published in the Volume 42/6 July 2015 issue of Faith in Focus, magazine of the Reformed Churches of New Zealand
Plus, Daily Devotionals by
Christian Observer Contributing Editor 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
+ Reformed Churches of New Zealand, stated-clerk@rcnz.org.nz
[2] ARP Moderator Schedules Called Meeting of ARP Synod Executive Board to Hear Legal Counsel Regarding a Response to the U.S. Supreme Court’s Homosexual Marriage Ruling
Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church Moderator Jamie Hunt has called a meeting of the ARP Synod’s Executive Board for Monday, 13 July 2015 at 9:00 a.m. EDT for the purpose of hearing from Synod’s legal counsel regarding a response to the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling on same sex marriage. The meeting will be conducted by conference call, and information is being sent to members of the board.
Moderator Hunt requests that you pray for this meeting and ask God’s wisdom for the members of the Executive Board as they consider this matter.
+ Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church, 1 Cleveland Street Suite 110, Greenville, South Carolina, 29601, 864-232-8297, Fax: 864-271-3729
[3] Presbyterian Church of Australia in the State of New South Wales Threatens to Stop Performing Government-Sanctioned Marriages if Homosexual Marriage is Legalized
A 6 July 2015 commentary by Dr. John McClean, convenor of the Presbyterian Church of Australia in the State of New South Wales (PCANSW)’s Gospel, Society, and Culture Committee and vice-principal of Christ College, in the Sydney Morning Herald, stated that if homosexual marriage is made legal in Australia, PCANSW ministers may stop performing state-sanctioned marriages.
Dr. McClean stated:
“Jesus' view was that sex is for marriage, marriage is for life and marriage is for a man and a woman. When he was asked about marriage, he quoted from the beginning of the Bible which says that God made marriage for a man and a woman to share a life and sexual union. From that he came to his famous conclusion: "what God has joined together, let no one separate". Jesus' account of marriage is reinforced by many parts of the Bible….”
“Many people don't share any of the three key elements in Jesus' definition. Most people do not think that sex is only for marriage and the vast majority of couples in Australia who marry live together first. Many Australians are not convinced that marriage should be for life. Often wedding vows don't have the "till we are parted by death" kind of words. Now a significant section of the Australian population also want marriage redefined to include same-sex couples….”
“If we decide to separate from the Marriage Act, we hope there will be a way in which we can continue to celebrate marriages, though our services won't be recognised by Australian law. We don't want to divorce marriage, just the Marriage Act. We're still looking at how this could be possible.”
+ Sydney Morning Herald, Level 2, 1 Darling Island Road, Pyrmont, New South Wales 2009, Australia, 13-2535 Contact Page
+ Presbyterian Church of Australia in the State of New South Wales, Post Office Box 2196, Strawberry Hills, New South Wales 2012, Australia, 02-9690-9333, Fax: 02-9310-2148, general@pcnsw.org.au
[4] South African Dutch Reformed Church Moderator Calls for Allowing Homosexual Clergy to Enter Civil Unions
An 8 July 2015 Eyewitness News article by Monique Mortlock titled “Dutch Reformed Moderator Calls for Equal Rights for Gay Pastors” reports that Moderator Nelus Niemandt of the Dutch Reformed Church says that he wants equal rights for homosexual ministers in the denomination, including the right to enter a civil union with a member of the same sex.
Niemandt stated:
“There isn’t a clear prohibition in the bible on what we see as a life-long union between two people of the same sex who live according to Christian values.”
+ Eyewitness News, Primedia House, 2nd Floor 5 Gwen Lane , Sandown, Johannesburg, South Africa, 27-011-506-3702, news@ewn.co.za
+ Dutch Reformed Church, Posbus 13528, Hatfield 0028, Pretoria, South Africa, 27-0-12-342-0092, Fax: 27-0-12-342-0380, algemenesinode@ngkerk.org.za
Wednesday, July 1, 2015
1 July 2015
Presbyterians Week Headlines
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Today, 1 July 2015, is Canada Day 2015, and marks the 148th anniversary of the creation of the Dominion of Canada on 1 July 1867 under the auspices of the British North Americas Act, which was preceded by three confederation conferences which were the Charlottetown (Prince Edward Island) Conference in 1864, the Quebec Conference also in 1864, and the London (England) Conference in 1866.
The staff of the Christian Observer wish our brothers and sisters in Christ to the north a very Happy Canada Day!
+ Christian Observer, Post Office Box 1371, Lexington, Virginia 24450, christianobserver@christianobserver.org
A 22 June 2015 Reuters article by Philip Pullella titled “Pope Asks Pardon from Waldensian Protestants for Past Persecution” reports that Roman Pontiff Francis, as a part of his efforts to promote the unity of Christian churches with the Roman Catholic Church, has asked the Waldesians, a small Protestant denomination of around 30,000 members in Italy and Latin America, for their forgiveness for the persecution carried out against them by the Catholics, including a 15th century attempt to exterminate them. Additionally, in 1655, Roman Catholic forces under command of the Duke of Savoy murdered 1700 Waldesians.
The Waldesians were an early manifestation of the Protestant Reformation, and today are a member of the World Communion of Reformed Churches.
+ Thomson Reuters, 3 Times Square New York, New York 10036, 646-223-4000, general.info@thomsonreuters.com
+ The Vatican, Città del Vaticano, Rome, Italy, 39-6-69-88-35-11, Fax: 39-6-69-88-54-47, Contact Page
+ World Communion of Reformed Churches, 150 route de Ferney, Post Office Box 2100, 1211 Geneva 2, Switzerland, 41-22-791-6240, Fax: 41-22-791-6505, info@reformedchurches.org
The Evangelical Presbyterian Church grieves today’s [26 June 2015] ruling of the [U.S.] Supreme Court, which illustrates the continued disregard for the biblical, traditional, Judeo-Christian values upon which the foundation of our nation was established. As a church, we continue to rest our faith in the sovereign God and the authority of His Holy Word. We pray faithfully for our nation and our leaders as so commanded by Scripture.
We bear no malice toward those with a same-sex attraction; in fact, we love them with the love of Christ. However, as a church we must adhere to the biblical definition of marriage, rather than a cultural one.
We recognize that civil governments adopt policies that do not align with biblical values. However, those policies must never require that people of faith abandon the clear teaching of Scripture forfeit the right to proclaim those truths, or change their beliefs or practices.
+ Evangelical Presbyterian Church, 17197 North Laurel Park Drive Suite 567, Livonia, Michigan 48152, 734-742-2020, Fax: 734-742-2033, webmaster@epc.org
The Evangelical Church Alliance (ECA), one of America's oldest associations of independent Evangelical ministers, missionaries, and military and institutional chaplains, reaffirms the biblical, natural, and millennial-old nature of the definition of marriage as exclusively between one man and one woman.
The Supreme Court of the United States does not possess the authority, or the expertise, to speak to the nature of Holy Matrimony, which is exclusively within God's provenance. Jesus explicitly spoke to the divine origin and purpose of marriage when he said, "[A]t the beginning the Creator 'made them male and female,' and said, 'For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh?' So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate." (Matthew 19:4-6)
The ECA takes seriously the assurance of Associate Justice Kennedy and the four other justices when they write in today's opinion, "[I]t must be emphasized that religions, and those who adhere to religious doctrines, may continue to advocate with utmost, sincere conviction that, by divine precepts, same-sex marriage should not be condoned. The First Amendment ensures that religious organizations and persons are given proper protection as they seek to teach the principles that are so fulfilling and so central to their lives and faiths, and to their own deep aspirations to continue the family structure they have long revered."
Notwithstanding this most recent abrogation of divine and natural law, the ECA encourages its member clergy, churches, and organizations, as well as all Christians everywhere, to remain, "steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain." (I Corinthians 15:58)
At the same time, the ECA is committed to sharing the Gospel with all persons, regardless of their sexual orientation or the configuration of their relationships or families, in keeping with the timeless declaration of Christ in John 3:16, "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life."
Finally, marriage will always be a loving gift from God to a man and a woman for the fulfillment of His will for humanity, whether or not it is recognized as such by the judicial branch of the United States Federal Government.
+ Christian News Wire, 2020 Pennsylvania Avenue Northwest, Washington DC 20006, 202-546-0054, newsdesk@christiannewswire.com
+ Evangelical Church Alliance International, 205 West Broadway Street, Bradley, Illinois 60915, 815-937-0720, Fax: 815-937-0001, info@ecainternational.org
A 30 June 2015 The Herald article titled “Minister Suspended as Police Investigate Alleged Financial Irregularities at His Inverclyde Church” reports that Church of Scotland minister the Rev. Douglas Cranston of the St. Columba Church in the village Kilmacolm in the Inverclyde council area of Scotland has been suspended as police have launched an investigation into allegations of financial irregularities.
+ The Herald, 200 Renfield Street, Glasgow, Scotland G2 3QB, 0141- 302-7000, Fax: 0141-302-7117, On-lineEditor@theherald.co.uk
+ The Sons of Liberty, P.O. Box 1126, Annandale, Minnesota 55302, 866-233-0747, info@sonsoflibertyradio.com
+ LifeSiteNews.com, Incorporated, 4 Family Life Lane, Front Royal, Virginia 22630, 888-678-6008, Contact Page
Articles from the past week regarding kings and rulers setting themselves against the LORD and against his anointed:
Articles from the past week about the religion of peace:
Courtesy of Dom the Conservative
-- “Deranged Lone Assassin” Mows Down, Stabs Thirty-Seven Austrians, Answering ISIS’ Call to Balkan Muslims: “Either Join, or Kill Over There”
+ Middle East Forum, 1500 Walnut Street, Suite 1050, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19102, info@meforum.org
+ Assyrian International News Agency (Nineveh Software Corporation, 2317 West Farwell, Chicago, Illinois 60645, 773-575-5863, Fax: 773-761-8534)
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