Wednesday, May 25, 2016

25 May 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


A 21 May 2016 Christian Today article by Ruth Gledhill titled “Church of Scotland Votes in Favour of Ministers in Gay Marriages” reports that the 2016 General Assembly of the Church of Scotland meeting in Edinburgh voted 339 to 215 to allow Kirk ministers to enter into homosexual marriages.

The Kirk’s principal clerk the Very Rev. John Chalmers commented:

"We had a debate which made very clear that we were not interfering with our theological definition of marriage and were not going to the place where ministers or deacons could themselves conducting same sex marriages.

"It is an entirely different discussion….”


+ Christian Today, 200 Great Dover Street, London SE1 4YB, England, 020-7378-5705

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




Wednesday, May 18, 2016

18 May 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] Who Actually Runs Erskine College and Theological Seminary?

[2]
Redeemer Presbyterian Church NYC (PCA) Staffer Casey Fulgenzi Says Sodomy Not Sinful

[3]
Moravian Church and PCUSA to Establish Covenant/Full Communion Agreement

[4] Christian Reformed Church Seeking Volunteer Database Analyst for World Renew in Phnom Phen, Cambodia or via the Internet

[5]
Online Baptism to be Considered by Church of Scotland

[6]
News from the Deepest Recesses of Hell

[7] Raging Heathen and Vain Imagining

[8] The Religion of Peace
 

---

[1]
Who Actually Runs Erskine College and Theological Seminary?

By the Rev. Dr. Chuck Wilson

Presently, the situation at Erskine is a Turkish bazaar of the kooky. In the words of Patrick McManus, it is “a fine and pleasant misery.”

As readers of ARPTalk are aware, I have not been restrained in criticism of President Paul Kooistra’s leadership. How he has managed to mangle Erskine College & Seminary in the short span of eighteen months is a jaw-dropping wonder. Without a running start, it is simply not possible to accomplish the level of mayhem due to Kooistra’s gauche oversight. Someone prepared the way. There is a guiding hand in the background.

Who Actually Runs Erskine?

Greg-Haselden, The Lord Chancellor of the Exchequer in Due West[, South Carolina] is Greg Haselden. He is the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of Erskine College and Seminary. He is the one constant on the Erskine administration for the last fifteen years. Presidents have come and gone, but Haselden remains. Four presidents and two acting presidents have now served under him. Ensconced in his office in Belk Hall, he is protected by the bylaws of the board. He serves not at the pleasure of the board but at the discretion of the president.

Interestingly, as I have researched the career of President Kooistra, this actually explains the course of Kooistra’s tortured tenure at Erskine.

When Kooistra came on board as president, he clearly stated to the board he was not a visionary. He said he was a manager.

Nothing could be clearer. What is Kooistra’s vision for Erskine? He has not brought a vision forward. Rather, he has attempted to implement a rejected plan (
http://www.arptalk.org/cabinet-meeting-with-trustee-leadership-2014-04-22/), attempted to maintain a trajectory of athletics over academics, and attempted to increase the Annual Fund (while watching total giving decline). However, to be fair, we must acknowledge he was able to arrange for SACS to rescind its sanction of “probation.”

In the past, Kooistra had good people with whom to work — people like himself. Particularly, as his CFO, he had Roger Kooistra, his brother.

When he arrived in Due West, Kooistra made a fatal mistake. He chose to trust longtime Erskine CFO Greg Haselden as he did his brother.

Haselden, however, is not like Roger Kooistra. Haselden is a Roman Catholic who says he is an “evangelical.” Yes, most of us who understand a little theology realize Roman Catholicism and Protestant evangelicalism are as compatible as water and fire. Changing the metaphor, it is akin to calling oneself a bird-fish hybrid. The creature cannot fly or swim.

From many Erskine sources, Kooistra has made it clear he trusts CFO Haselden as he trusts his brother. That is, Kooistra trusts a man (1) whose theological perspective is incompatible with Reformed and evangelical faith and the evangelical vision of the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church for Erskine, (2) whose answer for the ills of Erskine is football, (3) who promotes the separation of the college and seminary (if not the closing of the seminary in order to seize the seminary’s assets to launch a football program), (4) whose accounting of funds and expenses (whether to the college side of the ledger or the seminary side of the ledger) is questioned by many on the board and in Due West as prejudiced against the seminary, (5) whose disdain for the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church is near legend (and as one Due Wester puts it, “Haselden chortles at the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church as a bunch of semi-retarded and inbred ignoramuses who do not need a college or seminary and who are too pious and ignorant to protect their property from a determined squatter”), and (6) whose monetary leadership has seen the near financial collapse of Erskine in the last fifteen years.

A manager maneuvers and coordinates people and things in response to directives; a leader dreams and envisions, and then builds a team to manage the accomplishment of his vision. Unfortunately, Kooistra is a manager.

Football Again

As I describe it, Haselden has given Kooistra an insatiable case of “football itch.” No physician has a balm powerful enough to relieve his itch.

At the last meeting of the board’s executive committee, board members refused to scratch Kooistra’s itch. Kooistra announced he and Athletic Director Mark Peeler had found a candidate for “Head Football Coach” who exceeded all expectations. According to Kooistra, God dropped this opportunity out of heaven on Erskine. Well, in spite of the heavenly manna, members of the board were offended. They asked Kooistra by what authority he was interviewing candidates for the position of “Head Football Coach.” They stated, the board had not approved a football program, and they make it clear the president did not dictate policy to the board.

I have also been told the candidate has no experience in college football. I can only say such a scheme is crazy! If Kooistra and his athletic brain trust are going to launch a football program, why would they not do everything possible to maximize the success of the program? Why has there been no survey of the stakeholders? Has the faculty been asked if they are on board with the idea? Have the alumni been asked if they want a football program? Has a study been done? Where are the results of a study? And why on earth would Kooistra interview a candidate for Head Coach who has no college football coaching experience?

The Chairman of the board recently sent out a survey. On the survey there is a list of alternatives to football (for example, a return to academic excellence in Liberal Arts). The members of the board were asked to rank various items — including football. I do not know anyone on the board who ranked football as a top priority — perhaps, with the exception of the alumni representative.

The same day of the executive meeting, the following came out from WYFF: “Clemson University students may have to pay fee for athletics” (
http://www.wyff4.com/news/clemson-university-students-may-have-to-pay-fee-for-athletics/29708694). That is, with a 72-million-dollar athletic budget, the number two football program in the nation last year, did not earn enough revenue to break even on Clemson’s athletic program. Well, what makes Kooistra, Haselden, and Peeler think little Erskine can achieve what Clemson is not achieving? Are they not aware the cost of an Erskine education is already astronomical?

I am reminded of the story in Aesop’s Fables of the frog who wanted to be an ox. The frog sucked in air until he became so large he achieved the size of an ox; alas, he also ruptured his skin and exploded out of existence. Kooistra should be careful lest he go bang!

Here is a maxim for Kooistra, Haselden, and Peeler: EVERY DAY SPENT ON FOOTBALL IS A WASTED DAY!

Throwing the Board Under the Bus

During the long discussion on football in the executive committee, Kooistra was silent. When the discussion was over, Chairman Ron Vigas asked Kooistra if he had anything further to add to the meeting. After a long silence (and some of the members thought he had hung up), he responded that he did not. The participants of the meeting were surprised. There were a number of items left on the agenda, and they were not discussed. I wonder why Kooistra had nothing to say. Was he pouting, again?

That weekend was the meeting of the Alumni Board. As I listen to a recording of Kooistra’s talk, I was struck with his continued instance on football, even after his rebuff by the board’s executive committee. He said he wanted football; however, he also stated the board may not approve football.

The impression I got was this: Kooistra believes football is the answer to all of Erskine’s financial and recruitment ills, and he believes the board (as it is dominated by the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church) is the obstacle to success.

A College with Integrity: Not Erskine!

The following praises Covenant College. There is no room to praise Erskine College!

Whether one defines himself as broadly evangelical, strictly Reformed and Presbyterian, or non-religious, Covenant College is to be admired. The folks at Covenant College have the integrity to put into practice what they say on paper they believe: they forfeited the possibility of a tennis championship because the match was played on Sunday. Erskine, however, sends out an e-mail from the athletic department embracing and celebrating a tennis championship won on Sunday. Interestingly, both institutions say they believe about the same things in their documents. Well, as a committed Christian parent who is looking for a Christian college for your child, do you send your child to Covenant or Erskine?

One, read this carefully:
http://erskinesports.com/news/2016/5/2/womens-tennis-champions-fleet-win-12th-title.aspx/.

Two, contrast the above with this:
http://www.chattanoogan.com/2016/4/16/322299/Covenant-Forfeiting-Women-s-Tennis.aspx.

Three, read this:
https://blogs.thegospelcoalition.org/ryanreeves/2016/04/17/covenant-college-womens-tennis-and-the-sabbath/.

Four, lastly, read this from World Magazine:
http://www.worldmag.com/2016/04/sabbath_keeping_scots.

Once upon a time, we Associate Reformed Presbyterians were called “Sabbath-keeping Scots.”

This is for sure: the reporter at World Magazine is not writing about Erskine’s championship. The author is writing about Covenant College’s forfeited match and shining integrity. I am also willing to bet Covenant College is now experiencing an enrollment boost and donor increase because of their faithfulness!

By the way, I bet most of the readers of ARPTalk know who “the flying Scotsman” was, what Eric Liddell did, and why he is remembered and so honored by evangelical Christians of all stripes (
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eric_Liddell). Now, let me ask another question: who won on Sunday (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harold_Abrahams)? Not many remember the name of Harold Abrahams. He only set a world record.

Perhaps the following will fit as a new motto for Erskine: CHRISTIAN IN NAME ONLY.

It’s Bob

In the evangelical world, for years now, John Maxwell is the guru who authors the books on Christian leadership in the church (and the workplace) (
https://books.google.com/books?id=yQxy0Csqg9IC&pg=PA142&lpg=PA142&dq=John+maxwell,+the+bob+principle&source=bl&ots=WP74qj6z73&sig=LGATC5riI6EE-5MSXuAv75Ln408&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiOvNvS1tDMAhVC34MKHV58CaUQ6AEIOTAE#v=onepage&q=John%20maxwell%2C%20the%20bob%20principle&f=false).

His “Bob Principle” is stated in this manner: “when Bob has a problem with everyone, Bob is usually the problem.” In other words, when Bob has a problem with John and Bob has a problem with Bill and Bob has a problem with Jane, it is Bob. Bob is the problem. “The Bob Principle” seems to shed light on the situation at Erskine.

As the President of Erskine College and Seminary, it is no secret Kooistra has problems with just about everyone. At the seminary, if Paul has a problem with Chris Wisdom and Paul has a problem with Rob Gustafson and Paul has a problem with Peter Waid and Paul has a problem with RJ Gore and Paul has a problem with Terry, Bill, George, Toney, Loyd, Max, Mark, Dale and Leslie, who is the problem? It’s Paul! Paul is the problem!

Today (May 10), the lead article in The Aquila Report was on Erskine Seminary (
http://theaquilareport.com/erskine-seminary-faculty-asks-board-to-separate-the-college-and-the-seminary/. The article spotlights the breach between Kooistra and the seminary. The folks at Erskine Seminary attempt to flee Kooistra’s tyrannical leadership. That is, Kooistra broke the relationship, and, sadly, I do not think this rupture can be repaired. Regrettably, I think Kooistra has trusted and followed the advice of CFO Haselden, and this has led both of them off a cliff. The only question left is this: what else will fall with them?

Truly, the situation at Erskine is critical. This is not going to have a happy ending. President Kooistra, CFO Greg Haselden, and their athletic brain trust have lost control of Erskine College & Seminary. The May board meeting portends to be “a fine and pleasant misery.”


+
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]
Redeemer Presbyterian Church NYC (PCA) Staffer Casey Fulgenzi Says Sodomy Not Sinful

A 17 May 2016 Constitution article by Michael Ware titled “Staffer of Well-Known New York Presbyterian Church Says Homosexuality Isn’t a Sin” reports that Casey Fulgenzi, a staffer for Redeemer Presbyterian Church in New York, New York identifies as a progressive who doesn’t believe homosexuality is sinful, and is part of a Redeemer “church plant” whose leader recently made recommendations to do away with male/female-separated restrooms nationwide. Fulgenzi additionally volunteers for groups that openly support LGBT “ministries.”

Redeemer leader Tim Keller is quoted as saying at the
Veritas Forum at Columbia University:

“[H]eterosexuality does not get you to Heaven, I happen to know this, so how in the world can homosexuality send you to Hell?”

“[W]hat sends to Hell is self-righteousness, thinking you can be your own savior and lord. What sends you to Heaven is getting a connection with Christ because you realize that you are a sinner and you need intervention from outside.”

[Editor’s Note: Tim Keller’s Veritas Forum question “how in the world can homosexuality send you to Hell?” is answered in detail in Romans 1:18-32:

18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;

19 Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.

20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:

21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.

22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,

23 And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.

24 Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves:

25 Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.

26 For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature:

27 And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet.

28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;

29 Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers,

30 Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,

31 Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful:

32 Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.


+
Constitution, 147 Ponderosa Trail, Dallas, Georgia 30132, 678-772-6588, Contact Page

+
Veritas Forum, One Broadway, 14th Floor, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02141, Contact Page

+
Colombia University, 116th and Broadway, New York, New York 10027,
212-854-1754


[3]
Moravian Church and PCUSA to Establish Covenant/Full Communion Agreement

A national service of worship to celebrate the Covenant/Full Communion Agreement between the Moravian Church, Northern and Southern Provinces and the Presbyterian Church (PCUSA) will be held at 3 p.m. CDT on Sunday, June 5, 2016 at Covenant Presbyterian Church, 326 South Segoe Road, Madison, Wisconsin 53705.

+
Moravian Church in North America, 1021 Center Street, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania 18016, 610-867-7566, pubs@mcnp.org

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


[4]
Christian Reformed Church Seeking Volunteer Database Analyst for World Renew in Phnom Phen, Cambodia or via the Internet

World Renew ministry of the Christian Reformed Church in North America is seeking beginning June 2016 a volunteer Database Analyst for a four to six-week project in Phnom Phen, Cambodia or via the Internet to review the World Renew field reporting database and to help improve the ministry’s understanding and use of the ministry’s Google Site and Google Drive resources.

Please see the following web page for details:

https://www.crcna.org/servicelink/opportunity/database-analyst-cambodia-world-renew


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


[5]
Online Baptism to be Considered by Church of Scotland

A 17 May 2016 The Scotsman article titled “Online baptism to be considered by Church of Scotland” reports that the Church of Scotland plans to discuss online baptism at the Kirk’s upcoming General Assembly meeting the week of 23 May 2016 at The Mound in Edinburgh, Scotland.

An additional proposal being considered is “access to the sacraments while not being physically present in the congregation”.


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

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


[6]
News from the Deepest Recesses of Hell

-- Pope Francis Said 17 May 2016 That Christians Spreading the Gospel Much the Same as Muslims Waging Jihad

--
Obama Administration Forces Doctors and Hospitals Getting Federal Funds to Do Abortions

--
Obamacare Death Panels Now a Reality

--
Church of England Canon Chancellor Urged to Resign over Zen Buddhism Classes at York Minster Cathedral

--
Obama Gives Planned Parenthood Abortion Biz US$5 Million Grant to Target Kids as Young as Five

--
Facebook Censored Videos in Trending Topics Exposing Planned Parenthood Sales of Body Parts

-- Global Report Finds One in Four Pregnancies End in Abortion


+
Now the End Begins, Contact Page

+
Joe Walsh, Contact Page

+
Renew America, Contact Page

+
Premier Christian News, 22 Chapter Street, London SW1P 4NP, England, Contact Page

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


[7] Raging Heathen and Vain Imagining

--
U.S. President Barack Obama Marks ‘Homophobia and Transphobia Day’ as Bathroom Bill Furor Builds

--
Norway to Launch Bill Allowing Six-Year-Olds to Change Gender

--
Obama Opens Border to Let 4,000 Cubans In, Takes Only Sixty Minutes for Security Screening

--
Chicago Schools Now Allow Boys to Undress in Girls’ Locker Rooms

-- Chicago Students Now Required to Use ‘Transgender Speak’ or Face Consequences


+ Now the End Begins, Contact Page

+
Truth Revolt, tips@truthrevolt.org

+
Dennis Michael Lynch, DMLreport@newsmax.com

+ Patriot Tribune, Contact Page


[8] 
The Religion of Peace

--
Islamic State Murders at Least Fifty-Eight People with Blasts in Shia Areas of Baghdad

--
Islamic State Training Child Assassins to Fire Weapons and Recite the Qur’an

--
Huffington Post Calls for a Merging Between Christianity and Islam

--
‘Islamophobia Studies’ Are Coming to a College Near You, and There Won’t Be any Debate about It

--
Mass Grave Discovered Containing Thousands of Civilians Slaughtered by ISIS

--
Al-Qaeda Calls for Jihad Murder of U.S. Business Leaders

--
Congo Death Toll Nears Fifty after Second Attack

-- Yemen: Islamic State Murders Thirty-Seven Policemen in Former Al-Qaeda Bastion

-- Islamic State Slaughters Fourteen Real Madrid Fans: Soccer Is “Anti-Muslim”


+
Jihad Watch and Dhimmi Watch

+
Now the End Begins, Contact Page

+
Independent Journal Review, Contact Page

+
Assyrian International News Agency (Nineveh Software Corporation, 2317 West Farwell, Chicago, Illinois 60645, 773-575-5863, Fax: 773-761-8534)

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




Wednesday, May 11, 2016

11 May 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] Letter to the Editor

[2]
Free Church of Scotland Minister Characterizes Scottish National Party (SNP) as “Satanic”

[3] News from the Deepest Recesses of Hell

[4]
The Thinning Blue Line

[5]
Raging Heathen and Vain Imagining

[6] The Religion of Peace

---

[1]
Letter to the Editor

Dear Editor,

Reference is made to the following respectful submission:

The DOJ [U.S. Department of Justice] violates the civil rights of North Carolinians, unconstitutionally, illegally, and fraudulently. Title IX [of the U.S. Government’s Education Amendments of 1972] references actual biological gender, not delusional, anti-scientific, anti-genetic, anti-biological illusions, mental illness, or myths/dreams. Under the 10th Amendment [of the U.S. Constitution], the state of North Carolina has authority to declare the error of the DOJ as unconstitutional, unscientific, heterophobic, and fraudulent, and accordingly, null and void, and of no validity (even to the mentally ill).

With every kind regard, I remain,

Cordially,


+
Dr. George J. Gatgounis, Esq., GATGOUNIS LAW & CONSULTING FIRM, LLC, 39 Broad Street, Suite 201, Charleston, South Carolina 29401, (843) 364-8529, Fax: (843) 408-4469, GeorgeTheLawyer@post.harvard.edu



[2] Free Church of Scotland Minister Characterizes Scottish National Party (SNP) as “Satanic”

A 29 April 2016
The Telegraph article by Simon Johnson titled “Church Minister Warns Congregation against Voting for 'Satanic' SNP” reports that Free Church of Scotland minister the Rev. Paul Gibson of Knox Church in Perth, Scotland, said that the SNP’s proposal allowing to allow adults and children to change their gender to be something other than male or female is one of the worst “attacks on Christianity” ever seen in Scotland. Gibson additionally said that the SNP’s proposal to assign every child a state guardian is a usurpation of God-given parental rights. Because of these actions and others like them, Gibson says that the SNP is “foolish and …Satanic,” and questions whether or not true Christians can vote for SNP candidates in the upcoming elections “in good conscience before our creator.”


+
The Telegraph, Victory House, Meeting House Lane, Chatham, Kent, ME4 4TT, England, 0800-316-6977, telegraphenquiries@telegraph.co.uk

+
Free Church of Scotland, 15 North Bank Street, The Mound, Edinburgh, Scotland EH1 2LS, 0131-226-5286, Fax: 0131-220-0597, catherine@freechurchofscotland.org.uk


[3]
News from the Deepest Recesses of Hell

-- Russia to Test ‘Satan II” RS-28 Sarmat Nuclear Missile Capable of Destroying an Entire Nation at Once

--
Pagan Pop Star Adele Says That Beyonce Is ‘Jesus Christ’ and That She Enjoys Worshipping Her

--
Harvard Law Professor Says Pro-Life Christians Should Be Treated Like Nazis

--
Obama’s Attorney General Loretta Lynch Sues North Carolina, Likens Bathroom Privacy Law to Segregation

--
Alabama Chief Justice Roy Moore Suspended for Upholding Natural Marriage

--
The Irish Republic President’s Wife Has Abused Her Office by Promoting Abortion

--
Planned Parenthood Uses Mother’s Day to Celebrate Abortion, ‘Gender Fluidity’

--
The HPV Vaccine Death Toll Among Young Teenage Girls Continues Its Global Rise

--
Prince George, British Columbia Court Orders Dad to Start Treating His Eleven-Year-Old Daughter as a Boy

-- Planned Parenthood Fighting in Court to be Able to Abort Babies with Down Syndrome

-- ‘Sick and Twisted’: Scientists Keep Embryos Alive Outside Womb Up to Thirteen Days for Experimentation

- Oxford, Alabama Withdraws Bathroom Privacy Ordinance after LGBT Pressure

-- Dutch Euthanasia Deaths Up Again in 2015: Jumped Fifty Percent in Five Years


+
Now the End Begins, Contact Page

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

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


[4]
The Thinning Blue Line

-- Horrifying Dashcam Video Shows Two Chicago Policemen Laugh As They Pepper Spray a Baby and Beat the Innocent Mother


+
The Free Thought Project, contact@thefreethoughtproject.com


[5]
Raging Heathen and Vain Imagining

-- Obama-McConnell 2015 Budget Deal Raised National Debt over US$1 Trillion in Just Six Months

--
Facebook Workers Admit Suppressing Conservative News Stories in Favor of Liberal Media

--
Obama Prepared to Name Homosexual Bar a National Monument

--
U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry Tells Grads at Northeastern University to Prepare for the Coming ‘Borderless World’

--
United Methodist Church Leaders Meeting to Discuss Acceptance of Openly Homosexual Pastors

--
Bathrooms Are Just the Beginning: A Scary Look into the Trans Movement’s End Goals

--
Christian Churches ‘Must Be Made’ to Affirm Homosexuality, Says New York Times Columnist

-- Gospel Preaching in Great Britain Could Be Hit by New Extremism Bill

-- Pope Francis Tells Sovereign European Nations to ‘Tear Down Their Borders’ for Muslim Migrants

-- Divorce is Killing Our Children, But We’re Too Drowned in PC Nonsense to Talk about It

-- GLAAD Calls Out Disney for Lack of Featured Homosexual Characters in Films


+
Now the End Begins, Contact Page

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

+
GOPUSA, Contact Page

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

+ The Christian Institute, Wilberforce House, 4 Park Road, Gosforth Business Park, Newcastle upon Tyne NE12 8DG, England, 44-0-191-281-5664, Fax: 44-0-191-281-4272, info@christian.org.uk


[6] 
The Religion of Peace

-- Iran Military Commander Says White House Is ISIL Headquarters

--
In German Refugee Centers: Muslims Threaten Christian Refugees for Not Taking Part in Islamic Prayers

--
Buses in Many British Cities to Carry Posters Praising Allah

--
Italy May Be the Next Target on List as Muslim Migrants Continue to Invade Europe

--
‘The French Must Die by the Thousands’: ISIS Cell in France Threatens Rocket Attacks on Passenger Jets and New Charlie Hebdo-Style Massacre

--
Muslim Anti-Semite Elected London Mayor - Jihad Khan Defended 9/11 Terrorists

--
More Than Fifty Islamic State Mass Graves Found in Iraq

--
Population Demographics Now Show That the Islamization of England Cannot Be Stopped

--
Christians at Risk of Being Wiped Out in Iraq and Syria Amid Intense Persecution from ISIS

--
Congo: Muslims Slit Christians’ Throats, Thousands Flee Ongoing Jihad Violence

--
Islamic Opening Prayer to Allah in the U.S. House of Representatives

-- DR Congo – Christians Killed, As Thousands Flee Continuing Islamist Violence

-- ISIS Sends Parents Body Parts of Daughters, Video Showing Their Brutal Rape and Torture


+
Jews News, Contact Page

+
Jihad Watch and Dhimmi Watch

+
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Now the End Begins, Contact Page

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Wednesday, May 4, 2016

4 May 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 May 2016 include:

-- “Salvation and the Sacred Writings” by Christian Observer Contributing Editor David Brand – God’s salvation vs. man-made salvation;

-- School Discipline Has Gone to The Dogs – by Christian Observer Contributing Editor Dr. Joe Renfro – The decline of discipline in the public schools as a direct result of removing God from education;

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




By the Rev. Dr. Chuck Wilson

Although I grew up in Central Florida, all my roots are in South Georgia. The phrase, “Let’s go home,” meant a trip in a 1954 Ford to South Georgia. To this day, when I think of “home,” I think of two locations: one in Central Florida where I actually grew up and one in South Georgia where I spent my summers and where both my paternal and maternal roots grow deep in the sandy, gray soil of cotton and tobacco fields.

I grew up listening to fantastic stories about both sides of my family. All the stories were true, and those stories not true, well, they should have been.

One of the stories was about a great-great-grandfather and mother who just before they died decided to come clean with their 14 children. So, they called the tribe together and confessed they never married, thus informing the children they were illegitimate. Loving mama and daddy, the children forgave their parents immediately. Then the old man said, “Well, there’s more. The reason we didn’t get married is because we’re brother and sister.”

The story was told for the truth — a part of our family lore. To this day, I do not know whether the story is true or false. I fear it is true. We have a goodly number of first cousins who married each other!

Institutional Incestuousness

Below is a copy of the most recent communication to come out of King Kooistra’s office.

“Faculty and Staff,

“As you are keenly aware, Erskine faces a number of critical issues as we seek to stimulate growth and establish lasting financial stability. Over the course of the past year, I came to the conclusion that in order to devote the necessary time and attention to these issues, I needed additional help. I have had to change my original approach to meeting this need.

“I am pleased to tell you that I have asked Cliff Smith to help me by adjusting his duties to serve as Vice President for Communications and Strategic Initiatives. Cliff’s primary role will now be to assist me with a variety of administrative and executive priorities, special projects, and initiatives, as well as serving as liaison with internal and external constituencies, including trustees, faculty, and administrative offices.

“While he will remain strategically involved in the work of the Communications office, Cliff will be reassigning many of his daily tasks to others in that office.

“Please give Cliff your full support and cooperation as he assists me in this capacity.

“Paul Kooistra

“President”

Well, is King Kooistra now in the throes of desperation?

In January, King Kooistra hired Rob Gustafson to be his VP for Administration. That is, he found an outsider who could bring new eyes and ears to the goings on in Due West. However, once Gustafson found out what was actually taking place and informed Kooistra, the king was not pleased. Gustafson’s findings did not coincide with the king’s narrative. Gustafson, realizing he was persona non grata, turned in his keys. Obviously, the financial spider’s web woven by CFO and insider Greg Haselden is more palatable to King Kooistra than the narrative of outsider Rob Gustafson who brought new eyes and ears to the little Kingdom of Due West.

Not to have roots in Erskine and Due West, it has not taken long for King Kooistra to co-opt the infamous ways of Due West. One of the Erskine ways is to make sure leadership is maintained in a small circle. It is called “institutional incest.” Institutional incest often occurs in times of desperation. It is a defense mechanism.

Cliff Smith is safe. He is a part of the dysfunctional, institutional family. He is one of the signers of the April 22, 2014 document which came out of the “Cabinet Meeting with Trustee Leadership” (http://www.arptalk.org/cabinet-meeting-with-trustee-leadership-2014-04-22/). Remember this document proposes a plan to “steal” Erskine from the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church. The geniuses behind this plan are former board Chairman David Conner and former Acting President Brad Christie. Remember also the unwieldiness of the board to even bring up and discuss this plan (and the rejection of a number of other miscalculations by Conner and Christie) brought about Conner’s sudden resignation from both his chairmanship and the board at the May 28, 2014 board meeting (http://www.arptalk.org/2014/06/03/hooray-for-bill-cain/).

What is a Vice President for Communications and Strategic Initiatives? Is this King Kooistra attempting to replace outsider Rob Gustafson with a compliant insider? Indeed, the choice of Cliff Smith brings nothing new to the table — no new eyes or ears to put on the Erskine mess and suggest new directions. If this is not institutional incest, what is it? Also, is it not an act of desperation to close the leadership circle?

Certainly, this is as messed up as one of my South Georgia family reunions! Smith becomes a toady for King Kooistra to control. Does Smith realize he is being used? Does Smith realize the king has little regard for him?

I know King Kooistra’s feelings about Smith. When I asked Kooistra to unblock ARPTalk from the Erskine server, he told me he did not know how to do it. When I suggested he walk down the hall from his Belk Hall office to the office of his communications officer Cliff Smith and direct him to unblock ARPTalk, Kooistra said, “He doesn’t know how to do that! That’s beyond his competency. You know more about computers than he does.”

Good grief! I was shocked by such poppycock! I was amazed King Kooistra was willing to lie to my face! I was amazed at the manner he was willing to nay-say a member of his leadership team! I was amazed at the ease with which he threw one of his VPs under the bus!

There are many such stories coming out of Due West of Kooistra speaking ill of Smith — and others. I think it is referred to as “being Kooistranized.”

Well, if Smith is so incompetent, why did King Kooistra put him in charge of so much? Is he desperate? Has the Rob Gustafson experience made Kooistra so xenophobic he is unwilling to consider the findings of an objective outsider? Incestuous organizations are wary of an outsider’s perspective. Incestuous organizations delight in sheeple; they do not embrace an outsider with a differing viewpoint or a new direction. Incestuous organizations thrive on sycophants.

Good heavens, this is worse than one of my South Georgia family reunions. Administrative incestuousness at Erskine is celebrated and has brought forth the conjoined quadruplets of Kooistra, Haselden, Christie, and Smith. If this were more incestuous it would be a sandwich at my family reunion. It is a monster of one body and four heads speaking in different directions, shouting the same lines: “It’s all the fault of the General Synod of the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church! Only football will save us!”

Don’t Know What Else to Do

The ineptness King Kooistra brings to the presidency of Erskine College is astounding. He came to us with such promise, and has been such a disappointment.

We thought he was an evangelical. Instead, King Kooistra brings to his office mumbling and bungling piffle about grace. We thought he would make his primary task the return of Erskine to her evangelical roots in the bosom of the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church. Instead, King Kooistra turned to the embrace of the secular alums who work to “steal” Erskine from the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church. He declares his most trusted colleague is Greg Haselden, his Roman Catholic CFO who, in the last fifteen years, directed and oversaw the financial disaster that is Erskine today. (And many in Due West ask, “Is Haselden in charge, or is Kooistra in charge?) A so-called PCA evangelical, King Kooistra has dismantled the Bible Department of a Christian college, he has transferred the responsibilities for teaching Bible courses to Erskine Seminary, and now he proposes getting rid of the seminary by separating the seminary from the college. Watching Kooistra at work in Due West is akin to watching a train wreck and not being able to stop it! We are watching a man who is floundering about in desperation as he drowns — and drowns the institution he leads.

Having yet to raise enough money to balance the budget without transferring monies from Peter to pay Paul or without drawing down the endowment again (and thereby continuing the impoverishment of Erskine), King Kooistra comes up with an expensive plan for football to the glory of God. He even admits to board members he is not sure football will work in Due West. Nevertheless, he presses ahead like a mule with blinders and mutters in desperation, saying, “I don’t know what else to do! What do you suggest?”

Well, Dr. Kooistra, may I be so bold as to make a number of suggestions?

One, football is no messiah. Football is an act of desperation. Football will not save Erskine financially. All the research I have seen indicates football is a drain financially and a distraction academically for a small, private college like Erskine. Indeed, football may be the financial dagger in the heart which bring an end to Erskine.

As I have said, counting on football for Erskine is an act of desperation. Without blushing, King Kooistra admits he has no other plan. It is like he is in a poker game and desperately trying to save the family farm by going for broke. He is drawing to an inside straight flush. Good luck! The odds for success are “about 1.4 thousandth of a per cent” (http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=122515). Yes, football is an act of desperation.

Two, why not get smaller? Does the reader remember Winn-Dixie? Once, Winn-Dixie was everywhere in the South. When Winn-Dixie ran into financial difficulties, the folks at Winn-Dixie retreated in order to get healthy again. Today, Winn-Dixie is doing well. Winn-Dixie stores are found in Florida, South Georgia, and South Alabama — and Winn-Dixie is growing again. However, Winn-Dixie had to get smaller first.

Three, why not return to Liberal Arts education? Once, Erskine College offered a real Liberal Arts education and commanded a reputation for academic excellence. Why not attempt to recapture a reputation for academic excellence?

Four, why not return to “Christian?” I am embarrassed to mention the obvious to a PCA minister who once was president of Covenant Seminary and the director of MTW, the agency for foreign missions in the PCA. What is wrong with King Kooistra? It seems he thinks only in terms of money. He trusts football for revenue. What happened to trusting in God? How has a former RTS/Jackson seminary professor missed the obvious? Does he not remember what he taught his students 40 years ago? I do. I sat in one of his classes.

Five, why not listen to the members of the board? Here is a recent list of suggestions from board members:
1. Renew the vigor of Erskine’s Liberal Arts and Christian education
2. Expand with programs compatible with Liberal Arts purpose, ie. Nursing, Law (paralegal), Business specialties
3. Re-figure recruitment strategy; Recruit at Bonclarken, Appalachia, ARP Churches in places where there is a presence of ARPs, etc.
4. Reaffirm and implement, with training of faculty, the Christian Philosophy, purpose, and community
5. Settle the issue of the Seminary for a long-term success
6. Consider a work-study program reducing tuition charged
7. Reduce the published tuition rate
8. Embrace the ARP Church in a real and humble way to unleash money and students being held back because of perceived uncertainty of educational commitments
9. International students
10. Focused Recruitment: Christian schools; home schools; music
11. Joint Bachelor’s/Associate Degree programs.

…from a list sent to Kooistra by board members.

Why is King Kooistra not listening to his trustees? As far as I know (and I am aware of the lay of the land in Due West), no one on the board is particularly zealous for football. King Kooistra asks, “Does anyone have a different plan?” Well, yes, but Paul is not listening! Nor will he! There are blinders on the mule! King Kooistra is in the throes of desperation and listens to no one. He is actually a danger to the well being of Erskine.

By the way, I have one more suggestion: at 74, this task is beyond Kooistra’s reach. He needs to resign and go home to Atlanta.

How about a Comprehensive Presidential Evaluation?

I am aware the board has done an in-house evaluation of King Kooistra (that is, write, “The evaluation was a whitewash!”). However, as far as I know, a comprehensive presidential evaluation has not been done. A comprehensive presidential evaluation is often done with SurveyMonkey. Students, faculty members, subordinates, staff, and board members are surveyed. Then, the survey is followed up with a review by the board. Before launching into the expensive and desperate endeavor of a football program, is it not wise to find out how many are lining up to march in a football parade?

Now, as many of you know, I have identified the petition by the seminary faculty as a vote of no-confidence. Of course, I made an inference. Nevertheless, is there any confidence in King Kooistra’s leadership and his leadership team? And was there not also an issue at the college over no-confidence sometime back? Not many outside of Due West are aware of this. As I understand it, much effort went into squishing the effort and effacing the memory. However, it took place. If a comprehensive evaluation is launched, I suspect it will be interesting to see how few are willing to follow in King Kooistra’s football parade.

At this point, we witness leadership by desperation. King Kooistra surrounds himself with Yes-men, he effervesces xenophobic, he has only one plan to play, and he is unwilling to entertain differing opinions and options.

Someone has made the following observation: you know you have leadership ability when you go out for a walk and a crowd follows. If you go out for a walk and no one follows, well, you are simply out for a walk. I do not think many are willing to follow King Kooistra and his leadership team apart from the heavy hand of compulsion.



+ 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



A 27 April 2016 Christian Today article by Harry Farley titled “Organist told to 'keep quiet' after finding pornographic images on church computer, tribunal hears” reports that Andrew McGarva, organist for St Columba's Church in Largs, Scotland, reported homosexual and possibly child pornography he found on a church official’s, and was told that his job was in danger if the “word got out.”

Mr. McGarva found the questionable on a computer he had been asked to fix.

A Church of Scotland spokesman responded:

"During the course of the grievance process, a number of unsubstantiated allegations were made which have been consistently refuted and remain unproven despite repeated investigation."


+ Christian Today, 200 Great Dover Street, London SE1 4YB, England, 020-7378-5705

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