Wednesday, December 7, 2016

7 December 2016





“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 December 2016

New Christian Observer articles for December 2016 include:

-- “Self-Evident Truths” and “Inalienable Rights” – by Christian Observer Contributing Editor David Brand – “Can it be that homosexual unions (incapable of producing life), government sponsored  “healthcare” (lacking regard for the sanctity of life), and elective abortion (the intentional destruction of human life), have now become the twenty-first century’s version of “self-evident truths” and “inalienable rights” bestowed upon “all men” by their Creator?”;

-- Educating for Revolution or Revolution in Education – by Christian Observer Contributing Editor Dr. Joe Renfro - “Our schools are educating for revolution rather than really seeking a revolution in education.”;

Plus links to ReVision devotionals on the Fellowship of Ailbe website by Christian Observer Contributing Editor T.M. Moore.


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





Wednesday, November 30, 2016

30 November 2016



D.V., Presbyterians Week will return on December 7, 2016


Wednesday, November 23, 2016

23 November 2016




“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] Christ Is the Ruler of Nations Published Online

[2] Great Britain Denies Visit of Pakistani Christians to Twin Church in Scotland Citing Pakistani’s “Poverty”

[3] Evangelical Church in Germany Abandons Mission to Jews


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[1] Christ Is the Ruler of Nations Published Online

R. Andrew Myers who attends Grace & Truth Reformed Presbyterian Church (Reformed Presbyterian Church of North America) in Harrisonburg, Virginia, has published online “Christ Is the Ruler of Nations,” a book that is a compilation of the broad witness of the church on the Mediatorial Kingship of Christ from the times of Calvin to the present day. The book is available for reading at no cost at the following link:

          www.MediatorialKingship.com


+ Christ's Mediatorial Kingship, Contact Page

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


[2] Great Britain Denies Visit of Pakistani Christians to Twin Church in Scotland Citing Pakistani’s “Poverty”

A 23 November 2016 Pakistan Christian Post article titled “U.K. Denies Entry in Church Conference Reasoning Poverty of Two Pakistani Christian Delegates” reports that Great Britain has denied entry visas to two Pakistani Christians who had planned to visit their twin church in Scotland as part of a long standing exchange program in the Church of Scotland with churches in the developing world, blaming the Pakistani’s “poverty” for the rejection.

Wilson Chowdhry of the British Pakistani Christian Association commented:

"We are appalled that peaceful and legitimate Christian leaders and clerics are not being allowed into the country for a meeting with a well-established church that has long experience of handling such matters, particularly when the Home Office recently let in two Pakistani Muslim clerics, Muhammad Naqib ur Rehman and his son Haseeb Ur Rehman, with a long record of inciting hatred against Christians and other objectionable behaviour for an extensive speaking tour of the nation, and meetings with prominent individuals including the Archbishop of Canterbury.

“The Church of Scotland has had an exemplary record for a long time in such matters, with many people coming over on such programs from very poor countries, and not a single one absconding to stay here, apparently. Why specifically Pakistani Christian clerics have been denied entry is a worrying question. Of course, Home Office officials say they were only applying the rules, but in the limited material released, it seems to imply that the clerics produced bank evidence that they met the criteria and that this has been dismissed as somehow fraudulent or inaccurate, imputing dishonesty to these clerics, and, we are informed, naturally has left them shocked and depressed.”


+ Pakistan Christian Post, pakistanchristianpost@yahoo.com

+
British Pakistani Christian Association, 57 Green Lane, Ilford, Essex IG1 1XG, England, 020-8514-0861, info@britishpakistanichristians.co.uk

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


[3] Evangelical Church in Germany Abandons Mission to Jews


A 22 November 2016 The Gospel Herald article by Suzette Gutierrez-Cachila titled “German Protestants Pass Resolution to Stop Converting Jews to Christianity: 'We Leave Up to God'” reports that the Evangelical Church in Germany (EKD) has abandoned their “Mission to the Jews,” and will no longer “…show Israel the path to God and his salvation.”

An EKD resolution states:

“All efforts to convert Jews contradict our commitment to the faithfulness of God and the election of Israel,”

And, says that Christians seeing Jesus as their Savior and the Jews not sharing the same perspective is “a fact we leave up to God.”



+ The Gospel Herald, 1250 Oakmead Parkway, Suite 210, Sunnyvale, California 94085, 650-336-7086, Contact Page

+
Evangelical Church in Germany (EKD), Church Office, Herrenhäuser Straße 12, D-30419 Hanover, Germany, 49-511-2796-0, Fax: 49-511-2796-707, info@ekd.de




Wednesday, November 16, 2016

16 November 2016





“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

[1] Death of the Rev. Zeb Carson Williams

Retired Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church (ARP) minister the Rev. Zeb Carson Williams died 14 November 2016 after suffering a massive stroke several weeks earlier. During his fifty-five years as an ordained minister, Pastor Williams served several churches in the Carolinas and Virginia, and served as editor of the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church’s magazine The ARP from 1975 to 1980. His last two pastoral calls brought him to Lexington, Virginia, where he first served Lauderdale ARP Church in downtown Lexington. After retiring from the Lauderdale church, he began supplying the pulpit of the now 226-year-old Ebenezer ARP Church located three miles west of Lexington, and served there several years until health problems forced him to retire “for real” at the end of 2007.

Pastor Zeb Williams was a dear friend of the Christian Observer editor, and as the editor’s pastor at Ebenezer greatly encouraged the editor on the long road to his 2013 ordination. The editor traveled with Zeb on several occasions, once to an ARP Synod meeting near Zeb’s boyhood home in western North Carolina where he took the editor to the cemetery west of Hendersonville where the marble angel memorialized in Thomas Wolfe’s Look Homeward Angel now resides.

On another occasion, the editor drove Zeb over the Blue Ridge mountains to Lynchburg to the original Thomas Road Baptist Church to see Ergun Caner installed as the president of Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary, the editor’s seminary alma mater. While there, the editor had the enjoyable opportunity to introduce Zeb to Dr. Elmer Towns, one of the editor’s seminary professor’s and the minister credited with developing the original Sunday School bus ministries of the 1960’s.

Zeb was known for his wonderful yarn-spinning abilities. One of the editor’s favorites was Zeb describing his presbytery examination when he first was called to pastor an ARP church. Zeb described an overly-serious ruling elder who asked him question after question. When Zeb was asked if there was anything in the Bible with which he did not agree, he answered, “yes.” The overly-serious elder looked at him in shock and asked Zeb what it was with which he didn’t agree. Zeb replied that he disagreed with the Apostle Paul calling himself the “Chief of Sinners,” saying that in fact he, Zeb Carson Williams, was the chief of sinners. He then looked straight in the eye of the questioning elder and said, “And you ain’t far behind.” Zeb said that after some nervous laughter a motion to sustain the examination was made and voted upon in the affirmative, and Zeb thus became an ARP minister.

On another occasion, the editor fondly remembers a session meeting at Ebenezer when Zeb was sitting at the head of a rectangular table and began telling the session in detail about his visit to the audiologist where he was told that he had lost hearing in the frequency range of his wife’s voice. The editor then leaned forward, looked Zeb straight in the eye, and said to him, “And the problem is…?”

Zeb was an accomplished musician as an organist, pianist, and vocalist. Zeb could easily sing all four parts in the hymnal, and often switched parts on each verse. One of the editor’s favorite musical memories of Zeb was during one December as his health was fading when the editor invited Zeb to sing tenor in an impromptu quartet and piano rendition of Silent Night.

Zeb several years ago asked the editor’s church-pianist wife to keep a list of the music he wanted played and sang at his funeral. D.V., all his selections will be played and sang at Zeb’s funeral service on Saturday 19 November 2016 at 3:00 p.m. eastern standard time at Ebenezer ARP Church. The editor is sad to lose such a dear friend this side of eternity, but rejoices that Zeb is now out of pain, no longer bedridden, and is in the arms of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.


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

+ Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church, 918 South Pleasantburg Drive, Suite 127, Greenville, South Carolina, 29601, 864-232-8297, Fax: 864-271-3729




Wednesday, November 9, 2016

9 November 2016





“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 November 2017

[2] The Real Significance of the Ashers Ruling


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[1] New Christian Observer Articles for November 2017


New Christian Observer articles for November 2016 include:

-- How Should a Christian Vote on 8 November 2016? – by Christian Observer Managing Editor Bob Williams – What the Bible teaches about voting;

-- Hopocan of Ohio and Saul of Tarsus – by Christian Observer Contributing Editor David Brand – A tale of colonial Ohio Indian chief Hopocan in contrast to Saul of Tarsus;

-- Educating to Discern Between the Lesser of Two Evils - by Christian Observer Contributing Editor Dr. Joe Renfro – Another perspective on what the Bible teaches about exercising one’s franchise;

Plus links to ReVision devotionals on the Fellowship of Ailbe website by Christian Observer Contributing Editor T.M. Moore.


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



[2] The Real Significance of the Ashers Ruling

[Editor’s Note: The Christian owners of Ashers Bakery in Belfast, Northern Ireland, when asked to ice a cake with a pro-homosexual message, refused to do so. After a complaint was lodged against the Ashers for their refusal to ice the cake, the bakery was prosecuted and fined for what the court deemed to be discrimination against homosexuals. The Ashers appealed the decision which was ultimately upheld by an appeals court. The following article by Free Church of Scotland (Continuing) minister the Rev. E. Trevor Kirkland addresses the significance of this ruling.]

(Originally published at: http://www.freechurchcontinuing.org/)

How have we arrived at a point in our nation when Christians engaged in commerce are found guilty of having broken the law because they refused to fulfil an order promoting a specific form of sexual activity?

Reason

First, the real reason for the ruling. The Lee-v-Ashers Baking Co judgment runs to a lengthy 106 sections of legal analysis and argumentation, as one expects. However, in section 18 there is a rather curious argument made that few have paid attention to. Regarding the ruling against Ashers, it is stated: “To do otherwise would be to allow a religious belief to dictate what the law is”.

Readers must pause and study that statement carefully. Here surely is the nub of the issue. Religion, at least as far as these judges so define it, cannot be allowed to ‘dictate’.

Ironically, that is precisely what is happening. Substitute ‘religion’ by its equivalent term ‘belief’, and what we see is that one form of belief, namely secularism, must have precedence over another, namely Christianity. Hiding behind the word ‘religion’, judges have given the appearance of fairness. In reality they have announced that the belief of secularism will override the belief of Christians.

Voluntaryism

How has it happened that Christians are now the law-breakers? In 1836, during a debate with Voluntaryists, Henry Cooke, in defending the Establishment principle, stated that should rulers adopt Voluntaryism the consequences would be radical. In general the moral code of Christ would be abolished as an infringement of civil liberty. Cooke warned of the following consequences should this happen:

First, laws respecting the Lord’s Day would be amended.

Second, laws respecting marriage would be changed.

Third, laws respecting commerce would be altered.

Over the past generation Cooke’s warnings have come to pass:

Under John Major, laws regarding the Lord’s Day were changed.

Under David Cameron marriage was redefined.

Now it is unlawful for Christians to trade in the public square following their Christian principles.

We are witnessing the full fruit of atheism.

Choice

Astonishingly, Michael Wardlow, chairman of the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland, pontificated that Christians will have to choose between beliefs and profits. This is not something new, but why should it be so? Why should Christians be forced to choose between the two? Why should Christians be criminalised for following their beliefs in the commercial world? After all, that is exactly what every atheist does! He follows his beliefs, and all without any criminal office being committed.

As Henry Cooke warned, you may disestablish Christianity, but you do not thereby disestablish belief; you merely substitute another belief. But few Christians in the 20th century paid any heed. James Begg saw the same danger when the Church of Ireland was disestablished. Not that he was defending an Anglican Establishment; rather he was for defending a truly Christian Establishment, because the alternative was either papist or atheist. As it turned out, the atheist has thus far triumphed.

The true significance of the Ashers ruling is more serious than many Christians have grasped. One observant letter writer to the Daily Telegraph noted: “if religion cannot be allowed to dictate the law why do we have halal meet in shops?” We could also ask, what about Hindu funeral pyres, and a host of other practices? In other words, religion does dictate the law. It is why we have the constitution we have. It is why there are daily prayers in parliament. It is why we have the Bible in schools. And on it goes.

Abolition

The judges’ ruling is for the wholesale abolition of Christian belief from society. Ultimately their ruling means that even lawmakers must be free of ‘religious belief’: if not, why should they be excluded?

What we have here is the fruit of the tree of Voluntaryism, where atheistic belief governs the legal profession, demanding that Christians comply or face the consequences.

And that is the real significance of the Ashers ruling for any who care to pay attention.


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


Wednesday, November 2, 2016

2 November 2016




“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] Christ Orthodox Presbyterian Church of Salt Lake City Utah Makes Available Two Videos

[2]
“Hello, Goodbye, Wait, and Hello” – Erskine College and Theological Seminary Gets a New Interim President and a New Board Chairman

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[ Editor’s Note: Please forgive the editor for the lack of a 27 October 2016 issue of Presbyterians Week. He fell asleep in an easy chair and his computer fell on the floor, crashing the hard disk, then he was out-of-town a few days before being able to repair and rebuild said computer. One would think that someone who has made his living with computers for the better part of thirty-seven years…]


[1]
Christ Orthodox Presbyterian Church of Salt Lake City Utah Makes Available Two Videos

Christ OPC of Salt Lake City, Utah has made available two videos:

1)
The Truth Will Make You Free: An Earnest Plea to Gay Christians at URL: http://www.gaychristian.video/, and;

2)
The Truth Will Make You Free: An Earnest Plea to Latter-Day Saints at URL: http://www.lds.video/.


+
Christ Orthodox Presbyterian Church, 3824 Claudia Street, Salt Lake City, Utah 84120, 801-969-7948, jasonopc@aol.com

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


[2]
“Hello, Goodbye, Wait, and Hello” – Erskine College and Theological Seminary Gets a New Interim President and a New Board Chairman

By Chuck Wilson

Because there were two meetings of the Erskine board in October, [this edition of] ARPTalk (138) has been slow in appearing. The meeting on October 6 was pro forma and segued into the October 21 meeting for the nomination and election an Interim President. Nevertheless, a couple of big things came out of the October 6 meeting.

Hello, Sam James!
First, following the resignations of Ron Vigus from both the board and the chairmanship of the board in August, Sam James was nominated and elected the chairman of the board. An ’07 graduate of Erskine College, James is the owner and president of the James Funeral Home in Huntersville, North Carolina. He is also a member of the Huntersville Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church.

For the first time in more than 40 years, the chairman of the Erskine board is unashamedly an evangelical, a man who is a member of and loves the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church, and a man who is committed to seeing Erskine College and Seminary aligned with the theological commitments of the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church.

Goodbye, Paul Kooistra!

Second, the October 6 meeting of the board is Paul Kooistra’s last meeting of the board. His tenure as the President of Erskine ended ignominiously. At his first meeting of the board, Kooistra made it clear the board did not meet without his presence — even when the board was in executive session and he was the topic of discussion. He made it clear if the board met without him, he would resign immediately. Well, on October 6, after giving his report (which was a statement of “I have nothing to report!”), the chairman asked him to retire from the board meeting. Graciously, he continues in a caretaker role until November 1; however, I see a van is parked in front of the President’s residence in Due West!

Wait Till February!

Third, the most controversial item on the agenda at the October 6 meeting was the report of the ad hoc committee on the seminary. The ad hoc committee reported its recommendation (a recommendation passed and brought to the board by a whopping majority of two votes to one vote) is to move the seminary to the Columbia campus. There is, however, a “minority report.”

When the ad hoc committee met to do its work, the meeting lasted so long one of the members of the committee had to leave the meeting to attend to other business before the vote was taken. The person who voted in the negative and the person who left to attend to pressing business have joined in a “minority report.”

The idea of closing the Due West campus, dismissing the Due West faculty, and moving Erskine Seminary to Columbia is the brainchild and the last hurrah of Kooistra. The plan presented by the ad hoc committee is Kooistra’s plan.

In the last issues of ARPTalk, I reported Kooistra was saying there is division on the seminary faculty. In spite of documents from the seminary faculty which indicate unanimity in purpose, it is now evident there is division. According to the “minority report,” when Kooistra asked Mark Ross (Columbia campus) if “any of the faculty in Due West” should be retained for service in Columbia, Ross’ reply was “he did not want any of the drama of the Due West faculty.” Indeed, Kooistra worked hard in dividing the seminary faculty to the point Ross is willing to throw his colleagues under the bus. This is simply a loathsome thing. It is a cruel thing to create division among brothers (Proverbs 6:19).

The matter of the ad hoc committee was referred to the February meeting of the board in order for a second look to to take place and for the new President to give his input on the matter.

Hello, Rob Gustafson!

On October 21, the Erskine board met to elect Dr. Robert E. Gustafson, Jr. Interim President of Erskine College & Seminary. Gustafson has an undergraduate degree from the University of Virginia, where he played football. He has MA degrees from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary/Massachusetts and Columbia University. Gustafson is also an Erskine alum, holding a DMin from the seminary.

Gustafson is a lifelong learner. While a student at RTS/Orlando in 1997, an article about him was posted in the The Reformed Quarterly: “Rob Gustafson: Lifelong Learner.” He says, “I love learning because that’s what life is all about.” With regard to Christian education, he says,

When you separate education from Christianity you end up in a world which has no ultimate meaning. . . The minute you separate them you have something less than what education was meant to be, which is an understanding of the world God has created and an assurance that some order and structure exist. It also brings understanding to the pain and suffering with which we live. Without a Christian perspective, one can quickly become very cynical, skeptical, and disillusioned. . . In many ways, I think this is where we are in our country’s educational system. . . We see it indirectly in the way people treat each other, the way human life is devalued, and how people use their leisure time. All of these trends are products of an educational system which has as its end goal simply to do a good job and make a little money.” (http://rq.rts.edu/fall97/gustafson.html)

Gustafson’s background in education (and education as Christian ministry) is extensive. He has taught at the prestigious Stony Brook School, Long Island, New York; the Westminster School, Atlanta, Georgia; and the Trinity Christian Academy, Dallas, Texas. He has also served as the Headmaster of the Dunham School, Baton Rouge, Louisiana; the Jackson Preparatory School, Jackson, Mississippi; and the Stony Brook School, Long Island, New York.

When addressing the Erskine board, Gustafson said he did not have a vision for Erskine. He said he did not need one. Rather, the vision for Erskine was “The Philosophy of Higher Christian Education” which he held in his hands. He also said Erskine’s main problem is a problem of alignment. Erskine is not in alignment with the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church which owns Erskine. Furthermore, he also said anyone at Erskine who is not on board with the desires and vision of the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church needs to find a new avenue of service.

I have learned the lesson of Ronald Wilson Reagan: “Trust but verify!” However, I can say this: in forty-two years, I have not seen both a Chairman of the board and a President of Erskine who openly speak of commitment to evangelical Christianity, faithfulness to the Philosophy of Higher Christian Education, and alignment with the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church as the vision for Erskine.

The secular alums view Gustafson’s election with alarm and dread. Their Facebook page begins with these words: “I do not have a great feeling about this.” Indeed, God be praised, this may be the tolling of the death knell for what the liberal alums refer to as “Ol’ Erskine.” I pray so!!

The following is a list of some of the secular alum’s comments:

“He [Gustafson] seems underqualified. . . .” I wonder if this very qualified and educated person has been informed “underqualified” is not a word?
“Just another stupid fundie.” A man who is so “stupid” he is an Erskine alum and holds four degrees — one from the prestigious University of Virginia and one from the prestigious Columbia University. Not bad for a “stupid fundie” who cannot read or write!

“I don’t see how a preacher as president will advance the ball.” Perhaps it is not “the stupid fundie” who is ignorant. For this ignorant person, Dr. Gustafson is not ordained as a minister. For this ignorant person, Erskine was founded by Associate Reformed Presbyterian ministers and led exclusively by Associate Reformed Presbyterian minsters for more than 130 years. In other words, the education which was greatly subsidized for this person at Erskine is predicated on the faithful work and sacrifice of Associate Reformed Presbyterian ministers who were not ignorant and who “advanced the ball.”

“It would appear that Erskine’s downward spiral is doomed to continue.”

Presently, I see the spiral as upward and give praise to God.
Ward Logan is the son of Lee Logan who was Erskine’s man for development for years.

Ward Logan writes: “EC has been deliberately and systematically diminished by the [ARP] synod and a arrogant empowered group of the [BOT]. In addition, it seems that they have reduced the influence and reputation of the [ARP] denomination. Once respected, the denomination has become almost irrelevant. I continue to mourn my alma mater. I continue to worry about the great folks that still work at the college. The denomination has done it to itself. I would imagine that the denominations finances are probably in shambles as well.” Well, Ward Logan needs to pull his head out of the sand. If Erskine was systematically plundered, one of the plunderers was his father, Lee Logan. Some of Lee Logan’s actions were exceedingly unwise and costly for Erskine. Ward Logan mourns the removal of the incompetent and the plunderers. May God deliver Erskine from matriculating students like Ward Logan.

Steve Southwell, an Associate Reformed Presbyterian and a former board member (who rarely spoke a word at board meetings when he was on the board), writes, “As I’ve stated before, Erskine doesn’t have a BOT. Erskine is run by a committee of the church.” Well, during his time at Erskine, Southwell was a baseball player and not noted for his academic prowess. Of course, the Erskine board is set up like a committee or agency of the General Synod for that is what it is. After all these years, is Southwell so dense he is just now discovering the obvious!??

Bill Crenshaw writes, “Erskine, as we knew it, no longer exists.” Bill, finally, we are now in agreement. I pray you are correct!!

As far as these secular alums who despise evangelical Christianity and hate the Associate Reformed Presbytery Church are concerned, I have a recommendation for President Gustafson: FORGET THEM! They are the equivalent of the “mixed multitude” which brought on the judgement of God for Israel. I would tell them to take their money and go to perdition with it!

In conclusion, I weep and rejoice. I weep for so much lost. I weep for all those who have been broken by a faithless Erskine and do not know they are cripples and the Christianity they embrace is a “false gospel.” I weep for the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church which has been too nice and feckless to forcefully and faithfully address the sins and false teaching which have paraded in bold defiance at Erskine the last 40 years.

But today is a new day! Today, I think I can see God doing a new thing at Erskine. Today, I can see a small rain cloud of blessing forming over Due West. Today, I think I have cause to rejoice and dance and sing number 26 in the back of the Bible Songs, “Hallelujah, Praise Jehovah.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g4_i-6QPjZ0


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

+
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, 918 South Pleasantburg Drive, Suite 127, Greenville, South Carolina, 29601, 864-232-8297, Fax: 864-271-3729


Thursday, October 20, 2016

19 October 2016



“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] Good Samaritan Fund

[2]
Church of Scotland Lauds Scotland’s Political Leaders for Committing to Fight Climate Change

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[1]
Good Samaritan Fund

A Good Samaritan Fund has been set up to receive support for Hurricane Matthew victims. The Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church will be channeling funds to Samaritan’s Purse which is already at work. Contributions to our Good Samaritan Offering can be made through this link:

        https://secure.accessacs.com/access/oglogin.aspx?sn=96075&f=300

Or by mailing a check to:

       General Synod, ARPC
       Good Samaritan Fund
       918 South Pleasantburg Drive, Suite 127
       Greenville SC 29607

The deadline is 15 November 2016.


+
Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church, 918 South Pleasantburg Drive, Suite 127, Greenville, South Carolina, 29607, 864-232-8297, Fax: 864-271-3729


[2]
Church of Scotland Lauds Scotland’s Political Leaders for Committing to Fight Climate Change

The Church of Scotland has welcomed a new pact signed by political party leaders which commits them to do all that they can to tackle climate change.

Adrian Shaw, the Kirk's climate change officer, said he was "delighted" that Nicola Sturgeon (SNP) Kez Dugdale (Labour), Ruth Davidson (Conservative) Patrick Harvie (Greens) and Willie Rennie (Liberal Democrat) teamed up on 30 September 2016 to pose with a large model of planet Earth at the Scottish Parliament.

Mr. Shaw said:

"I am delighted that party leaders have reconfirmed a commitment to tackle climate change and very pleased that the Church has been part of the process.

"We were part of the drafting of the Climate Change Bill, we had it amended and have been working with Eco Congregations Scotland and Kirk congregations across the country and international partners.

"I was particularly pleased that a large number of people who attended the lobby in the Scottish Parliament were from churches.

"This shows how committed people are to help the Scottish Government [put] into affect its commitments of climate change."


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


Wednesday, October 12, 2016

12 October 2016



“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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New Christian Observer articles for October 2016 include:

-- How Should a Christian Vote on 8 November 2016? – by Christian Observer Managing Editor Bob Williams – Scriptural considerations for the upcoming election day;

-- The Shocking News: Righteousness the Key – by Christian Observer Contributing Editor David Brand – Christ’s righteousness juxtaposed with universal human moral bankruptcy;

-- Education and Patriotism - by Christian Observer Contributing Editor Dr. Joe Renfro – How the decline of patriotism parallels the decline of government schools;

Plus, links to ReVision devotionals on the Fellowship of Ailbe website by Christian Observer Contributing Editor T.M. Moore.





The Trustees of Erskine College and Theological Seminary met earlier this week to address several transitional issues facing the institution. Dr. Tom Hellams, who became acting chairman in August upon the resignation of the previous chair, presided over the meeting.

Erskine President Dr. Paul Kooistra, who retires at the end of October, briefly addressed the trustees to lead off the meeting. “As we prepare to leave Erskine, Sandi and I are thankful for some small things and some big things,” he said. Among “the small things” Kooistra listed were improved financial stability, reaffirmation of accreditation, and exceeding the Erskine Annual Fund goal twice thanks to increased giving from alumni and friends.

“Those really are small things in my mind,” he said. “The big things are much more important.” These he listed as the faculty and their level of interest in integrating their faith in their teaching, the spiritual growth and boldness of Christian students on campus, and stories of students who had come to faith in Christ during their time at Erskine. “These really are the most important things to me. Sandi and I have prayed every day for students to come to know Christ and will keep praying for them.”

Hellams expressed appreciation to Dr. Kooistra on behalf of the board. “Paul Kooistra has served Erskine well and we celebrate the victories he’s won. Beginning in the first few days of his tenure, his leadership in addressing significant accreditation challenges and in fund-raising are most commendable. Students have been encouraged, mentored, and introduced to Christ by Paul and Sandi. We are grateful for their tenure in Due West, and wish them only the best as they move into the next chapter of their lives.”

To fill the role of chairman for the remainder of the 2016-17 year, the board elected Sam James ’07 (Huntersville, North Carolina), who is serving his fourth year as a trustee.

Asked about his perspective on the meeting, James said, “This meeting presented many reasons to rejoice in the goodness of God. We had the opportunity to thank Dr. Kooistra for his faithful service to Erskine and the many victories that he had during his tenure. We approved a balanced budget for our current operating year and heard an overall positive report from the auditors.

“I am thankful for the sweet and gentle spirit that we saw on display at this board meeting today,” James said. “We thank God for the work that He is doing at Erskine College and Seminary. We trust that the future of Erskine is even brighter than any of us can imagine.”

The trustees approved revisions to the budget originally approved in May which were needed to address lower than anticipated retention in the college from spring to fall.

The presidential search committee, which was established in August, reported that the committee is diligently working on a candidate to act as interim president beginning Nov. 1. The board has set a date for a meeting later this month where that process will be finalized.

At the request of the Rev. Jamie Hunt, who chairs the board’s Seminary Committee, the trustees voted to postpone discussion of the report on college-seminary separation to the February meeting so the Seminary Committee could further examine the Ad Hoc Committee’s report.


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

+ Erskine College and Theological Seminary, 2 Washington Street, Due West, South Carolina 29639, 864-379-2131, Fax: 864-379-2167, jguyette@erskine.edu



The Trinity Foundation has posted an online-only special issue of The Trinity Review. Dr. Mark W. Karlberg has written his assessment of the Orthodox Presbyterian Church's Report on Republication in "Troubler of Israel: Report on Republication by the Orthodox Presbyterian Church Assessing the Teaching of Professor Meredith G. Kline."


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

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




Wednesday, October 5, 2016

5 October 2016




D.V., Presbyterians Week will return on 12 October 2016.

Thursday, September 29, 2016

28 September 2016



“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]



The Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church (ARPC)’s Virginia Presbytery on Sunday evening 25 September 2016 for the second year in a row held a psalm/hymn sing, this year at Edgemont ARP Church in Covington, Virginia. There were about 135 in attendance including choirs from six churches in the presbytery.

The ARPC Virginia Presbytery had a tradition of holding annual psalm/hymn sings until around 1990, then stopped until the tradition began again in 2015.

Pictured is the Edgemont ARP Church Choir who closed the program.


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

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


[2]
Evangelical Covenant Order of Presbyterians Reaches 300th Member Congregation

A 21 September 2016
The Christian Post article by Michael Gryboski titled “Conservative Presbyterian Denomination Reaches Milestone of 300th Member Church After Break From PCUSA” reports that the Covenant Order of Evangelical Presbyterians on 20 September 2016 announced that they had reached 300 member congregations of formerly Presbyterian Church (PCUSA) congregations.

The
Covenant Order of Evangelical Presbyterians was begun in reaction to the PCUSA’s growing acceptance of homosexuality.


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

+
Covenant Order of Evangelical Presbyterians, 8134 New LaGrange Road, Suite 227, Louisville, Kentucky 40222, 502-425-4630, email@fellowship-pres.org

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


[3]
Five Zimbabwean Church Leaders Send Letter to Robert Mugabe Asking for Dialog on Civil Unrest and Asking for Cessation of Government Terror against Dissidents

A 23 September 2016
The Zimbabwean article titled “Zimbabwe church leaders: letter to President Mugabe” reports that five Harare, Zimbabwe church leaders have written a letter to Zimbabwe dictator Robert Mugabe expressing concern about the danger of escalating civil unrest, and asking Mugabe to:

- Open up national dialogue to resolve the crisis, and

- Stop unleashing terror on citizens for expressing genuine grievances.

A church service will be held Saturday 1 October 2016 at the Dutch Reformed Church on Samora Machel Avenue in Harare, where Christians will be called to speak out against current evils including mass starvation and bloody political violence.


+
The Zimbabwean, editor@thezimbabwean.co.uk

+ Dutch Reformed Church - Synod of Central Africa, 35 Samora, Machel Avenue,
Harare, Zimbabwe 236-4-774-748, Fax: 263-4-774-739, mas@zol.co.zw

Wednesday, September 21, 2016

21 September 2016





“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] Erskine College and Theological Seminary – “Don’t Waste a Good Crisis Part 2”

[2]
Reformed Church in Hungary Leader Characterizes Germany’s Migrant Policies as “Delayed Suicide”

[3]
A Psalm for the Secular Age


[4] 
The Religion of Peace

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[1]
Erskine College and Theological Seminary – “Don’t Waste a Good Crisis Part 2”

[Editor’s Note: George Orwell once said: “In a time of universal deceit - telling the truth is a revolutionary act.” For more than forty years, “universal deceit” can be used to describe much of what has gone on between Erskine College and Theological Seminary (ECTS) and with the often-pretended synod oversight of the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church (ARPC). ARPC pastor the Rev. Chuck Wilson continues to be a virtually lone voice calling for the ARPC and ECTS to return to the biblical roots upon which the denomination and the school were both founded, and Wilson’s “revolutionary” efforts to tell the truth about the ECTS-ARPC debacle have been met with derision, contempt, smear, and efforts to prosecute (persecute?) Wilson in the courts of the ARPC by those who should know and do better.

The petulant whine of those pledged to the greatest temporal commandment “thou shalt be nice” continue their efforts to silence Wilson so they may continue to follow the likewise second part of the greatest temporal commandment “go along to get along,” keep enabling ECTS to head toward the shoals of irrelevancy, and spiritual and material bankruptcy. The same “holy boldness” with which Wilson continues to pursue this righteous cause is sorely lacking in the ARPC and in the visible church as a whole.

May God send sackcloth, ashes, and true repentance to ECTS, the ARPC, and to his visible church, lest he do as we all deserve and “spue thee out of [his] mouth.” Rev. 3:16]

By Chuck Wilson

The resignations of President Paul Kooistra and Chairman Ron Vigus the Monday after the August board meeting has thrown the Erskine community in Due West into the midst of a wonderful and God-given crisis. On a number of levels, this is something new. For example, can anyone remember when both the president and chairman announced their resignations simultaneously? And, in spite of Kooistra’s talk of a second retirement, his announcement was a resignation — and, yes, he was pressed! On another level, can anyone remember a president sticking around in the manner Kooistra is doing? Why has he chosen to remain a caretaker until Halloween? It is well known he is crafty. Is he playing a game of “trick-or-treat” for a Halloween surprise? At this point, he is not needed. The bylaws make it clear the senior VP and Academic Dean of the college acts as president in the absence of a president. Brad Christie could easily care-take Erskine until the October board meeting — a role he has performed. A sixty-day-lame-duck-stay makes no sense, unless Samson is planning to pull down the pillars of the seminary.

Though Kooistra spoke in favor of separation of the seminary from the college at General Synod, it is well known he recants his words now. He now says keep the college and seminary under one board and move the seminary to Columbia. Well, is Kooistra sticking around in order to carry water for Gordon Query and some others who want the seminary in Columbia? Well, as they say, time will tell.

The seminary faculty voted unanimously to request separation from the college. The petition was presented to the board and General Synod. As was pointed out in the first installment of this article, Kooistra now denies the creditability of the petition, claiming it was not a unanimous vote, in spite of the fact every single full-time faculty member supported the petition. The words he and VP for Communications Cliff Smith use are “some seminary faculty” [emphasis added], suggesting the majority of the seminary faculty opposed the petition for separation. Such a twisted statement reflects the cunning of a wounded mind firing a parting broadside at those who refused to kowtow. Well, the document bears the names of all full-time faculty members. It sounds like Kooistra has taken lessons from Hillary Clinton in mendacity. Clinton says she did not know the “C” on classified documents meant “Classified”; Kooistra does not know the presence of the names of all the full-time faculty on their petition means all of them voted in favor of the petition. Yes, and did he not support their petition at General Synod by speaking in favor of separation?

Now, there is a new story. This story claims “some” of those who signed the petition have recanted their signatures. Well, okay, who are they? Why did they recant? Did he pressure them to recant? Where are the documents of recantation? Has the seminary faculty been informed? Well, it is the story of “Trust me about this!” Well, I do not trust Kooistra to tell the truth. I know what being played looks like!

So, why does Kooistra remain in Due West? What is he planning? Why does he continue to interject himself in the workings of the board and promoting the move of the seminary to Columbia? He has nothing to contribute. He is a has-been; at best, a caretaker with no portfolio for leadership. As is now his custom when asked to report at meetings, he says, “I have nothing to report.” So, why does he remain? Does he expect to have something to report?

Well, as has been noted, the twin resignations leave Erskine in the midst of a wonderful crisis. Let us hope Churchill’s maxim, “Never let a good crisis go to waste,” is known to board members, and they are wise enough to follow it. However, the lessons of the past teach us wisdom often escapes the grasp of board members.

Another Look at the Conjoined Twins

Once again, as we turn to the college, it is obvious the conjoined nature of the college and seminary as they are connected at the board serves neither well. One is reminded of the nursery rhyme, “There Once Were Two Cats of Kilkenny.” Do you know it? It goes like this:


There once were two cats of Kilkenny,
Each thought there was one cat too many,
So they fought and they fit,
And they scratched and they bit,
Till, excepting their nails
And the tips of their tails,
Instead of two cats, there weren’t any.

Perhaps, in the midst of the Great Depression in the 1930s, the conjoined relationship of the college and seminary under one board worked, but the evidence since the 1960s indicates the relationship has prospered neither the college nor the seminary. Consider the following regarding the college: (1) the college has plateaued at about 600 students; (2) the reputation of the college as “academically elite” has disappeared into memory; (3) an endowment which should be somewhere around 100 million dollars (and, at one time, was at 48 million dollars just before I arrived on the board in 1996 and just before the big spend) is barely north of 30 million dollars; (4) the history of presidential leadership is lackluster (and some would say inept); (5) conflicts with General Synod have been continuous, as presidents and key leaders have stubbornly refused to embrace and implement General Synod’s “Philosophy of Christian Higher Education” for the college; and (6) one board after another board has demonstrated utter futility in dealing with internal issues and conflicts. The only word to describe the story is feckless.

Turning to the seminary, the story is no better: (1) since the 1960s, a state of conflict has existed between the seminary and General Synod (and the peaceful relationship existing now is a recent development); (2) it is fair to say successive boards have not provided focused oversight and visionary direction for the seminary; (3) in the 1970s, while RTS (Jackson, Charlotte, and Orlando) was becoming the seminary of choice for most ministerial candidates in the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church, Erskine Seminary, the official seminary of the Associated Reformed Presbyterian Church turned, first, to the United Methodist Church, and, recently, to the African Methodist Episcopal Church (AMEC) — and gained the indifference of most Associate Reformed Presbyterian clergymen who view the seminary as inconsequential. Amazingly, Gordon Query and some others champion moving the seminary to Columbia; however, before his departure, former VP of the Seminary Chris Wisdom pointed out Columbia, with two ATS accredited seminaries and the Columbia extension with a “Low Country” draw from the AMEC is not a viable location for a healthy seminary serving the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church (and, by the way, he still maintains the only logical central location for Erskine Seminary is Greenville where there is no ATS accredited seminary presently). Too often, the present board configuration which is not seminary-oriented has either ignored or made terrible decisions for the seminary at every turn! Good grief, a Steinbeck could not makeup this story of missteps!

Our experience reveals the following: the missional differences, the administrative needs, the educational aims, the financial balancing, the emotional loyalties and investments, and the constant conflict management of governing both a college and seminary are beyond the reach of a single board and president. Of course, some will point out the model has worked elsewhere. However, Erskine is not elsewhere, and the current model has not and is not working for Erskine. Going forward, what indicators are there to suppose the current model works in the future? As Einstein says, “Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.” It is time to do something different — to separate the college and seminary. Under the present structure, all indicators point to decline and death. If now is not the time, when is the time? Some on the board say “Stay the course!” Well, take a good look at the course. The next stop is the maelstrom and rocks at the bottom of Niagara Falls.

The College: Getting Smaller, Not Larger

What a wonderful crisis God has given Erskine College: (1) a chance to begin again with a new president (and, hopefully, a totally new administration), (2) a separate, new board which is college-oriented only, (3) an opportunity to renew and redefine, and (3) a second chance to embrace our “Philosophy of Christian Higher Education.”

Is now not the time to rethink what we are doing at Erskine College? Presently, what is the college doing? Is Erskine about Christian higher education which integrates faith and learning to the glory of God? NO! Is academic achievement a primary focus? NO! Without a doubt, this fall’s freshman class is the largest in forty years, but at what cost (and why is the discount rate a state secret)? It is generally known the average SAT score for freshmen the last few years is a little above 1000. This means a goodly number of entering students have a SAT score under 1000 — and some well under 900. These under-1000-students are generally one semester or one year students. Without considerable academic remediation, they do not have the tools to make it academically in the college/university setting of Erskine. Furthermore, it is not a mercy to matriculate students who have such heavy remedial needs; rather, it is taking advantage of the bright-eyed hope of youth by piling on marginal students the burden of large student loans (and a debt which will hound them for years) in order for a Christian college to make enough money to justify and pay for its existence. Such a practice is abominable and effaces the name of Christ at Erskine!

As noted above, a policy of matriculating marginal students means a low retention rate. A low retention rate often wrecks a budget. As I understand it, the retention rate this year is lower than anticipated. The result is budget-massaging again; that is, the financial hemorrhaging continues.

So, what is being done at Erskine? Well, the “Philosophy of Higher Christian Education” is not implemented; rather, it is ignored and rejected for a proliferation of athletic programs. No doubt, Erskine has become the Beast of Conference Carolina. However, what do championships in tennis, volleyball, and other minor sports profit? Not even enough to buy a cup of coffee at McDonalds! Also, how does being the Beast of Conference Carolina advance the mission of Erskine as defined in our “Philosophy of Higher Christian Education”? IT DOESN’T!

Overall, John Carson’s tenure as president left much to be desired. However, Carson did two things spectacularly well. One, he hired Don Weatherman as VP of the College and Academic Dean. Weatherman’s watchword was “Embrace the Mission!” and he is remembered with praise.

Two, embracing the mission, Carson, with Weatherman’s enthusiastic support, attempted to recruit evangelical students from Christian schools and home schools who were a mission and academic fit. The fly-in-the-ointment was the secular orientation of the faculty in the late 1990s and the early 2000s. The students from Christian high schools and home schools were an excellent mission fit and academically capable; however, many of them felt betrayed by a “bait and switch” tactic when they arrived in Due West and discovered professors who despised and rejected the mission as defined by the “Philosophy of Higher Christian Education.” Rightly, many spoke out. Conflict ensued which ended in the 2009 General Synod with scores of students standing in line at microphones to voice their protests to the members of Synod. The Synod voted to form a Moderator’s Investigatory Commission, and, subsequently, the “Snow Synod” occurred.

With the narrow election of Randy Ruble as president and his bruising at the 2009 Synod and the “Snow Synod,” the recruitment focus on Christian high school and home school students was abandoned. Ruble changed the focus to athletics and the lowest common denominator academically in order to find students (but students who did not call him to task). The Christian high school and home school students attended Erskine to “Embrace the Mission”; Ruble’s boys and girls attended Erskine to play ball. Obviously, there is a monumental difference. Now, with the board’s rejection of a football program, the athletic focus is in shambles.

Thankfully, Erskine College is now in a wonderful, God-given crisis. With the athletic focus in disarray, the challenge is formulating and implementing a new direction. Now is the time for Erskine to reclaim “the old paths” (“. . . where is the good way, and walk therein. . . [Jer. 6.16]) by re-embracing the “Philosophy of Higher Christian Education” which conjoins Christian faith and academic excellence. The end of Jeremiah 6.16 reads, “But they said, We will not walk therein.” Let us hope we are learning to walk in “the good way” wherein is God’s blessing.

Erskine’s next captain must be a sold-out-to-God man, a bold and courageous vision-driven entrepreneur willing to go “Back to the Future” from whence the fearful and unbelieving have recoiled in compromise and a lack of faith, (1) in order to recapture the glorious, Christian vision of those who went before counting sacrifice and the challenges of hope as gain, (2) in order to seek out a new day of faithfulness, obedience, fruitfulness to the glory of Christ’s crown and church, and (3) in order “to boldly go” were there is no chance of success unless God is in it. The next captain of the “Flying Fleet” must be like good king Jehoshaphat, who, when he saw the assembled masses of Judah’s enemies, cried to the Lord, saying, “O Lord, God of our fathers, are you not God in heaven?” The next president must eschew all faithlessness and compromise, and, as Jehoshaphat put singers in front of the army, declaring, “Give thanks to the Lord, for his steadfast love endures forever” (2 Chron. 20), the next president must act resolutely and courageously in Jesus’ name.

If Erskine is to survive, Erskine must become smaller in order to get larger. The next president must be a man who is willing to see Erskine small. He must “Embrace the Mission” and remove everything which does not clearly “Embrace the Mission.”

At this point, Erskine is like the double-minded man in James 1:8. Clearly, Erskine is unstable in all her ways. The present leadership wants Erskine to be athletically driven and, in order to achieve the goal, has forsaken Erskine’s academic legacy for warm bodies to fill dorms. (As one coach put it to the academic faculty not too long ago, “If it weren’t for us coaches, you people wouldn’t have students to teach!”) The present administration wants Erskine to be sort-of-Christian but not so Christian as to offend anyone who is not a Christian. In other words, the administrators are so impoverished financially they will do anything to get federal scholarship and grant dollars from students. They trust in the idol of Federal dollars and wonder why God’s people walk away, why the God of the Bible is not impressed with their pious God-talk, and why He does not hear from heaven and bless. The Christianity at Erskine College is lukewarm, and lukewarm is nauseous to Jesus and only worthy of being spit out (Rev. 3:16).

In a recent conversation with a Clemson professor about Erskine’s future, he asked me if Associate Reformed Presbyterians have finally found enough sense to get over our inferiority complex wherein we attempted to gain the praise of secular-oriented colleges which were once Christian but have sold their birthright for the pottage of the godless. He said, “Why don’t you try glorifying God with your educational institution?” He also noted, if Erskine survives, the leadership must flee from the wicked practices taking place on the secular campus. He said, “Don’t mimic us! The secular campus is not a friend to the Christian faith.” As a matter of fact, the secular campus is not even neutral to Christian faith. The secular campus embraces LGBTQism, it’s subsequent atheism, and views Bible-believing Christians as sexist, homophobic, intolerant, misogynistic, hopelessly ignorant and stupid, and the enemies of liberty, progress, and learning. And with regard to LGBTQism, why is Erskine College NOT listed on the “Shame List” with Anderson University, Asbury University, North Greenville University, Belmont Abby College, Charleston Southern University, Bob Jones University, Covenant College, Southern Wesleyan University, Toccoa Falls College, and many others (
https://www.campuspride.org/ShameList/)? Why has Kooistra not asked for Title IX exemption? As a matter of fact, the Erskine administration advertises Erskine College as in compliance with Title IX (http://www.erskine.edu/erskine/non-discrimination-policy/). Once again, why has Erskine not filed for exemption? Well, SHAME on Paul Kooistra! And thank God and his Toyota Kooistra is gone!

Indeed, Erskine College needs a new beginning with a new president and a new administration. This means the new president begins with an administrative and faculty housecleaning. The next president must be willing to see Erskine become smaller and more strictly focused on our mission for Christian higher education in order for Erskine to renew and ultimately grow and regain the word “Christian.” The focus constituency for Erskine must be the evangelical Christian community. Any other focus is toxic to Erskine — as the last forty years demonstrate.

As has been said, in a new beginning, everything is put on the table for evaluation. Presently, the attempt to combine the missional and covenantal approaches to Christian higher education has collapsed ingloriously. Originally, the missional idea for a college was developed on the mission field. A college was set up with decidedly Christian administrators and faculty members for the purpose of evangelism. Of course, the academic was important — it was the carrot; however, the primary emphasis was on evangelism to a pagan society through the conversion of students who would then be influence-makers for Christ to their culture.

The covenantal approach is different. The covenantal approach is aimed at Christian students. This approach attempts to conjoin Christian faith in academics in order to produce the next generation of Christian leaders and thinkers. The OT precedent for this model is explicitly stated in the shema of Deuteronomy 6:4-9, and Proverbs 1:8-9, 22.6, Ephesians 6:4, 2 Timothy 3:14-17 join hands in agreement. The focus of the covenantal approach is not evangelism of the non-believing world. The focus is on nurturing and equipping Christian students so that they “may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil” (Eph. 6:11) as agents of redemption. Obviously, such a focus does not forsake challenging students to faith in Christ Jesus; however, the overall focus is not evangelism. As has been said, the focus is on nurturing and equipping Christian students to be Christian agents of transformation in a post-Christian world.

In response to those who are critical of the covenantal approach, this is not fear of the non-Christian world, it is not fear of differing ideas, nor is it fear of new ways of thinking, but it is nurturing apart from the conflicts of bitter attacks disguised in the name of freedom of speech and academic freedom from professors who claim to be Christian academics but are imposters. The covenantal approach recognizes the incompatibility of the Christian world and life view founded on Biblical principles with the secular world and life view founded on autonomous man who despises Christ, the Bible as ultimate truth, and the day of Jesus’ coming. The covenantal approach also keeps faith with Christian parents who desire a Christ-centered education for their children and pay the many dollars for their children’s education. Such an approach is never “bait-and-switch” which has been practiced so adroitly at Erskine over the last forty years.

One final observation: the covenantal approach challenges Christian students to the counter-culturalism of Hebrews 13:13 which leads them outside the camp to bear Jesus’ reproach. The author of Hebrews did not give his challenge to a mixed multitude; he challenged Christians who were struggling against an anti-Christian culture.

Some are terrified of separating Erskine College from Erskine Seminary. They are paralyzed by fear! They are of the tribe who say “We have never done it like this before, and this may kill Erskine College.” And it may! However, this is for certain: to continue in the direction Erskine College is going is certain death. Obviously, Erskine is not currently basking in the midst of God’s blessing. Some say a new start has no certainty of success. Well, are we called to certainty, or are we called to faith and obedience? Listen, if God cannot save Erskine College, Erskine College does not need to be saved. As a good friend and seminary professor is fond of saying, “Why don’t we try a new thing, obedience and faith, and see what the Holy Spirit will do through us to the glory of God?”

Others are fearful of the secular alumni. This is what the Bible calls the “fear of man” (Ps. 56:11; Prov. 29:25; Heb. 13:6). They say, if we separate the college and seminary, the secular alumni will attempt legal action to seize the college. Well, what part do the secular alumni and the EC Foundation have in the heritage of God’s people? What is there to fear?

They envision Erskine as another secular college with a secularized religious chapel service once a month where no one needs the grace of God in Christ alone for salvation and the message proclaimed is “I’m okay, you’re okay, and whatever god you have is okay.” Such paganism is not to be feared. The thing to fear is our unwillingness to oppose their unbelief. Our unwillingness to stand against unbelief is more frightening than their unbelief. Yes, they may attempt legal action. So, let them! The charter and bylaws are very clear: The Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church owns Erskine. Does anyone see the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church relinquishing ownership of Erskine College? In the words of Steve Brown in a sermon preached at Bowie Chapel Twenty-Five years ago, “Fear knocked; faith answered; no one was there!”

For years, Bill Crenshaw was protected by Erskine presidents who said, “Yes, we know Crenshaw is a problem, but, if we deal with him, he will sue us, and it will cost us a lot of money.” Finally, Crenshaw was removed. Yes, he launched legal action. However, there is a reason Erskine has insurance to deal with such an eventuality. Yes, Crenshaw may even win his court action. However, it is not Erskine which bears the financial loss; the insurance company is responsible.

Finally, do we not believe in a God who says “Trust me, try me, and see if I will do a new thing for you.” We have tried compromise, and the result has been a closing of heaven with God withholding His blessing. Let us try and trust God with a new beginning at Erskine and see what God will do when His people trust and obey Him! Let us not waste this good crisis as we have wasted so many before!


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

+
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, 864-232-8297, Fax: 864-271-3729


[2]
Reformed Church in Hungary Leader Characterizes Germany’s Migrant Policies as “Delayed Suicide”

A 19 September 2016
Hungary Today article titled “Reformed Church Leader Criticises German Migrant Policies as “Delayed Suicide” reports that Bishop István Bogárdi Szabó, leader of the Reformed Church in Hungary, characterizes Germany’s immigration policies as a “false calculation” and “delayed suicide,” because of the burgeoning costs of maintaining refugee families with government benefits vs. the significantly lesser amount of tax revenues generated by native Germans.

This article though ignores the “elephant in the room” aspects of German immigration policies that endanger Germany and the rest of western European countries, Canada, and the U.S. following similar policies.
Former East German Communist official and current German Chancellor Angela Merkel has for several years pursued a policy of allowing large numbers of unvetted Muslim immigrants from Syria and elsewhere in the middle-east to enter Germany, bringing in many lawless persons that are endangering German citizens by criminal activities including assault gangs and rape gangs. Following her recent electoral defeats, Merkel admited that the recent flood of Muslim immigrants to Germany is a disaster, and that this type of multiculturalism is not working.

Merkel says though that Muslim immigration to Germany will continue. Merkel says that the Muslim immigrants have not brought terrorism into Germany, but it is unknown how many of the Muslim immigrants are “sleeper” terrorists such as the ones in the U.S. that recently planted and detonated bombs in New York City, and one that went on a stabbing spree at a Minnesota shopping mall before being gunned down by an off-duty policeman.


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Hungary Today, Magyarország Barátai Alapítvány (Friends of Hungary Foundation), Gábor Dénes street 2., Infopark D, H-1117 Budapest, Hungary, info@hungarytoday.hu

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Reformed Church in Hungary, MRE Zsinata1146 Budapest, Abonyi u. 21., Hungary, 30-3361-666, info@reformatus.hu


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A Psalm for the Secular Age

By the Rev. Dr. Michael Milton

“But let all who take refuge in you rejoice; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them, so that those who love your name may exult in you. For you bless the righteous, O LORD” (Psalm 5:11-12).

Philosophers like Canadian Charles Taylor (1931-) tell us that Western culture has passed into the new age: “A Secular Age.” Other philosophers, like Jürgen Habermas (1929-) believe that, because of the image of God in Mankind, Secularism is unsustainable, and that we will be passing through yet another phase: “Post Secularism.” But we can all agree on what we plainly see: God’s Word rejected, prayer neglected, and that which is evil called good, while good is called evil.

The soul of the believer can be overwhelmed by these ominous signs, in the first case, and persecuted for standing with Biblical truth, in the inevitable extreme.

Psalm 5 is a refuge for Christians in these days. We need not be molded into the morose sadness of our age. In God’s covenant in Jesus Christ, we have a refuge from the storms. The protection of this celestial covering is so beautiful that we are moved to sing for joy over the love and grace of Jesus our Lord. Indeed, the lower our debased culture may sink, the higher our voices’ praise—not because of some dispassionate gloating over the debasing of humankind, which we deplore, and to whom we reach out and offer the wisdom of God in the life of Christ for salvation. No, we sing because we have blessing in the midst of the ruins: a blessing that large enough for all the world.

How are you, personally, responding to the cultural collapse? God invites you to enter the Ark of protection. Safely under His loving wings of cover, you can’t help but sing.

Faith for Living is the 501c3 North Carolina nonprofit ministry of the Rev. Michael A. Milton, PhD that exists to advance the Gospel of Jesus Christ to as many people as possible, through every means available, so that there will be a multitude caught up to be with Jesus Christ when he comes again. Faith for Living reaches out to support individuals, the church, and other nonprofits through communication, discipleship, and education.


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Faith for Living, 3122 Fincher Farm Road, Suite 100, Box 552, Matthews, North Carolina 28105


[4] 
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