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

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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

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

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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


[3]
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] 
The Religion of Peace

-- U.S. Department of Homeland Security Whistleblower Says Muslims Waging “Settlement Jihad” on the U.S. to Abolish Existing Government and to Implement Sharia Law

--
French President Francois Hollande Calls for France to ‘Embrace Islam’ after Devastating Islamic Terror Attacks

--
New ISIS Military Commander Gulmurod Khalimov Was Trained by Obama State Department Back in 2014


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WND, 2020 Pennsylvania Avenue Northwest, #351, Washington DC 20006, Contact Page

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Now the End Begins, Contact Page



Wednesday, September 7, 2016

7 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] RE: Erskine College and Theological Seminary President and Chairman of the Board Resignations – “Don’t Waste a Good Crisis!”

[2]
Outgoing Presbyterian Church of Ghana Moderator the Rev. Prof. Emmanuel Martey Accused of Accepting Bribes from Opposition Political Party including US$100,000 Equivalent and Motor Vehicle

[3] First Presbyterian Church (PCUSA) of Clarksville, Tennessee Former Bookkeeper Sued by Church for Theft of More Than US$600,000

---

[1]
RE: Erskine College and Theological Seminary President and Chairman of the Board Resignations – “Don’t Waste a Good Crisis!”

By Chuck Wilson

The August 25th [2016] board meeting was contentious, exposing divisions over the president, finances, and direction regarding the seminary. Everyone drove away from Due West discouraged. However, from Thursday afternoon to Monday afternoon, new events cascaded in the wake of the board meeting, eclipsing the pedestrian and wishy-washy news from the board meeting and propelling Erskine into a wonderful and exciting state of crisis — a God-given crisis which may open the door for a new beginning.

Supposedly, reporting the goings-on at the board meeting, the cryptic press release on the afternoon of August 25th to the ARPNews (
https://arpnews.org/author/arpmagazine/) from the Erskine office of communications was shamelessly misleading, revealed little more than bandages covering bleeding wounds, but also whispered a soupçon of change-coming-quickly.

Most certainly, the weekend of August 26th through the 28th was filled with long, passionate, and confusing phone calls among Kooistra, Vigus, and others as they sought a way forward off a one-way street leading to a dead end and an empty lot. The announcement of the resignations of both the president (Paul Kooistra) and the board chairman (Ron Vigus) on Monday afternoon brings an end to a tragic story of what-might-have-been-but-is-lost.

Paradoxically, the end result for Erskine is wonderful. Erskine is in a full-blown crisis. Both Erskine College and Erskine Seminary are in good places. Like a hundred-acre field of good fescue at summer’s end and ripe for harvesting, opportunities for change and a bright future cover the landscape of Due West in rich shades of green. Let us pray the folks on the board are ready to make hay and fill the barn. Let us hope the folks in charge are crisis-lovers like Winston Churchill who said, “Never let a good crisis go to waste” (
http://www.goodreads.com/quotes/717228-never-let-a-good-crisis-go-to-waste).

Fiduciary Responsibility

Now is the time to re-assess how fiduciary responsibility is presented to board members. Before I was elected to the board, fiduciary responsibility was presented to board members in terms of Erskine only, as though General Synod did not exist. When I was on the board, fiduciary responsibly was presented in terms of Erskine only by the institutional attorney (and without the presence of a voice for Synod), and this is how fiduciary responsibility continues to be presented to board members in their orientation by the institutional attorney. That is, there is intentional disregard for Synod. This needs changing. Remember, the institutional attorney represents Erskine only — not General Synod.

The fundamental question is this: how many board members are chosen by Erskine? Obviously, the answer is none. Board members are chosen by General Synod. Who presents the interests of General Synod? No one!

The primary responsibility of a board member is to General Synod which appoints all board members. No board member serves on the Erskine board apart from the pleasure of General Synod. Board members do not serve at the pleasure of the Erskine board or administration or Alumni Association (which exists only in the netherworld of Belk Hall). According to the Erskine bylaws, General Synod is the sole owner of Erskine, and any discussion of other stakeholders is irrelevant. As the owner, General Synod appoints board members to oversee the interest of General Synod in the operation of its educational AGENCY. Therefore, the first and primary fiduciary responsibility of a board member is to honor and advance the vision General Synod defines for Erskine. This is obvious and primary. How have so many missed it?

If board members understand and embrace their fiduciary responsibility to General Synod as primary and directive, Erskine is safe. If, as has been taught and practiced for at least forty years, fiduciary responsibility is viewed as primary to Erskine in contradistinction to and conflict with General Synod, General Synod is portrayed as a hindrance and a threat, and the inevitable result is bitter and unrelenting conflicts — as the past clearly demonstrates.

Of course, a board member has fiduciary responsibility to Erskine, but it is not primary or determinative. That is, the fiduciary responsibility to General Synod defines and sets the boundaries for the board member’s fiduciary responsibility to Erskine.

Thankfully, the present crisis highlights the matter of fiduciary responsibilities; hopefully, the folks in charge are wise enough to attend to this and make hay and fill the barn for the future.

Transparency

Now is the time to revisit issues of transparency — again!

The wonderful crisis which presently engulfs Erskine College, Erskine Seminary, and the Erskine administration and board is a grand opportunity to remind ourselves of the words of Erskine’s Biblical motto, Psalm 136. 9, “In Thy light shall we see light.” Certainly, the metaphor “light” has multiple usages, and one of those usages is the transparency of truth.

Light reveals actions by individuals. In the past, the modus operandi of Erskine boards and administrations was “manage the light,” or “What happens in Due West stays in Due West.” That is, “Thank God for darkness which covers the embarrassing, the sinful, and the stupid.” In the days of five cent stamps, fountain pens, envelops, and the U.S. Mail, information was slow; however, information nowadays moves at the speed of light. It is almost like Luke 12:2 is being lived out in front of us: “For there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed.” Hence, transparency and full-disclosure are not just Christian virtues, they are paramount to building trust and confidence with constituencies who are information savvy.

From the perspective of more than forty years, confidentiality on the board has been an irritant to board and administrative leaders as they attempted to control and curtail information coming out of Due West. Why? Well, what does one expect when the board is run like a Privy Council or a Star Chamber. Board meetings are closed. Executive sessions are simply closed meetings on steroids. The answer: open the board meetings, and only use the executive session to deal with serious matters of personnel.

Well, the eyes of the elite educrats and powerbroker are rolling. They usually resist openness. Transparency demands accountability. Well, what is wrong with accountability? Well, transparency might be embarrassing. GOOD! Transparency and accountability are preventatives for dishonesty, corruption, and deception.

Permit me to use a bit of humor. One, how do you keep a secret between two Associate Reformed Presbyterians? Answer: one dies and the other is mute and cannot write. Two, what is confidentially between two Associate Reformed Presbyterians? Answer: it means each tells only one person at a time.

City and county councils are open to the public. I serve on a state board and our proceedings are open to the public we serve. Openness clears the air. It is impertinence to all constituencies to operate in secrecy. Secrecy destroys trust and confidence. If anything, the present crisis teaches us one incontrovertible thing: secrecy does not work.

All of us who love Erskine are passionate in our concerns. Trust and confidence are not achieved when communications are managed and distorted.

For example, trust and confidence are not built when news releases are tools of misrepresentation. An example is the latest press release detailing events at the August board meeting to the ARPNews (
https://arpnews.org/author/arpmagazine/).

Specifically, the news release reads, “Seminary classes began Wednesday as an ad hoc committee of the board formed in May met to consider a request from the ARP General Synod and some seminary faculty [emphasis added] to evaluate dividing the college and seminary into two separate institutions.” Why does the author attempt to deceive and/or confuse? A copy of the unanimous petition is easily obtained. It was presented to General Synod, and, since March 15, it has been posted on ARPTalk at
http://www.arptalk.org/2016/03/15/three-amigos-of-due-west-part-one/
(paragraph 18). This press release does not reflect transparency or build trust or confidence. Actually, a press release such as this is an act of a dumb lie!

Now, read the email from Mark Ross to Bill Evans which has been circulated and is posted below. Does the email give the impression the unanimously signed petition is from “some seminary faculty”?

“Bill [Evans],

“Attached is a draft of our motion, incorporated into a letter. Our motion needs to be sent somewhere, and in addition to the president should either go to the chairman of the seminary committee or to the chairman of the board of trustees. If it goes to the board it will be referred to the seminary committee, but it is a request for the board to act so I though perhaps it should be addressed to the chairman. Since the motion is likely to show up elsewhere, we ought to make sure its proper context is identified.

“I sent R J [Gore] a copy of what I had sent to you, and he has suggested that we include mention of the Greenville area as the target location. So I have put that in.

“I have not included a closing to the letter. Terry has been our spokesman at the seminary committee, so perhaps his signature and a statement about the unanimous support of the faculty [emphasis added] be added at the end.

“Mark [Ross]”

As was pointed out above, we live in the day of information moving at the speed of light.

Why did the author of the Erskine news release misrepresent the action of the seminary faculty? Reading the news release is painful. It is easier to tell the truth than strangle the truth.

Well, hopefully, now in the midst of a wonderful, God-given crisis, a conversation on disclosure and transparency can be engaged amongst the Erskine luminaries. On this matter, it is time to make hay and fill the barn.

Conjoined Twins in Conflict

Overdue for years and now in the midst of this wonderful crisis, is the time for the separation of the conjoined twins of Erskine College and Erskine Seminary before the end comes for both.

Chang and Eng Bunker were the original “Siamese Twins.” Conjoined at the chest, they were determined to live a normal life as North Carolina farmers who married sisters, fathered children, and lived productive lives. Suffering from heart disease, Chang died in his sleep on the morning of January 17, 1874. Eng, who was healthy, died three hours later from an undetermined cause — perhaps shock.

Erskine College and Erskine Seminary are also conjoined twins — joined at the board of trustees. As Chang and Eng were in crisis just before their deaths, Erskine College and Erskine Seminary are locked together in a sickbed. Both are and have been suffering from their conjoined relationship — sucking the life out of each other. Existing in a perpetual state of conflict, the death of one kills the other. If surgery to separate them from one board is not performed, their future is bleak.

An item not reported in the Erskine press release is the motion for the immediate separation of the seminary from the college. The vote was 12 to 12, then Vigus cast the deciding vote not to separate. A number of trustees who voted not to separate did so based on (1) timing and (2) the fact the ad hoc committee on separation, after ninety days, has no report. Well, maybe the task of the ad hoc committee can be completed in the next thirty days now that Kooistra and Vigus are gone and are not obfuscating and road-blocking.

Similarly, (2) they were also concerned about the distribution of assets. CFO Haselden asserts the assets are not divided between the college and seminary — not distinguishable. That is, all assets belong to Erskine, Inc. and cannot be separated. Really? Really? Well, the distrust level on the board for the CFO’s pronouncements is high. An outside hand is needed to unravel this knot.

Well, I have sympathy for the concerns of those who voted against separation at this time, but, like many of you, I am ready to see something done for a new start to save our seminary. Conjoined with the college, the future portents ill for the seminary.

The present crisis spotlights the need to address the issue of separation instead of doing business by KICKING THE CAN DOWN THE ROAD. That is, the Miss Scarlett O’Hara School of Business: “I’ll think about that tomorrow.” Over the years, it seems most trustees are honor graduates of Miss Scarlett’s school.

Since 1996 (my first year on the board), I can tell you the members of the board have been doing a Miss Scarlett dance and kicking the thorny can of the seminary down the road for another day. This tactic does not ameliorate the issue but compounds it to the level of high crisis at the end of the road. When one finally gets down the road to the can, instead of a can, there is a mountain of trash impeding the roadway. There is a full-blown crisis — an existential threat to the existence of the institution. A bulldozer is needed to open the way and create a new road.

Returning to the matter of the distribution of assets, if (God forbid!) a division of assets resulted in the seminary losing what is thought to be “seminary assets,” would it not be a wonderful crisis — a glorious challenge? Can you imagine Associate Reformed Presbyterians doing something Biblical? Can you imagine Associate Reformed Presbyterians answering the challenge to walk by faith and trust the God who owns the cattle on a thousand hills? Listen, if God is not in the seminary, the seminary is not going to happen. Have we forgotten that the laborers build in vain if God is not in it? (Psalm 127.1)

Some were concerned there is no business plan for a new seminary. Well, there is no business plan for the present seminary, and there has been no business plan for some time (
https://www.arptalk.org/2012/07/09/erskine-theological-seminary-r-i-p/). The seminary is and has been drifting, drifting, drifting, drifting! The members of the faculty are disillusioned. They have been treated dreadfully. They have been denied wages they earned when colleagues at the college are paid. No one speaks for them on either the administrative team or the board. There is no institutional leadership at the seminary.

It is simple. Concerns for future plans will come to light and be addressed when a motion is passed and intent for separation is embraced. Then, and then only, will the appropriate mechanisms become apparent. Until then, the only thing taking place is a protracted discussion on the treatment of the ailment which just may kill the patient. A motion to separate brings to light the additional motions needed for a business plan. That is, a vote to separate brings into play other motions. A motion to separate also demonstrates the board takes the will of General Synod and the seminary faculty seriously.

If the last forty years has demonstrated anything conclusively, it has revealed the configuration of the Erskine board is not adequate to properly care for both a college program and a seminary program. Inevitably, one is neglected over the other — and the seminary is the neglected child. The programs are too diverse. The result is neither the college nor the seminary is healthy.

As a matter of fact, the seminary has been the neglected child for as long as I can remember. In the mid-1970s, Stan Bell was the president. In a conversation which left an indelible memory, he said his work as president would be made easier if he could send in a crane-with-a-wrecking-ball to deal with the seminary. Thankfully, his tenure was short.

The present crisis is wonderful — a God-given crisis. I have mentioned three items which need remediation. There are, of course, others, and in the second part of my article I will address the college.

In the past, so many opportunities have been missed. I pray we do not waste this good crisis. As I began this article, I close it: like a hundred-acre field of good fescue at summer’s end and ripe for harvesting, opportunities for change and a bright future cover the landscape of Due West in rich shades of green. Let us pray the folks on the board are ready to make hay and fill the barn.


+
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]
Outgoing Presbyterian Church of Ghana Moderator the Rev. Prof. Emmanuel Martey Accused of Accepting Bribes from Opposition Political Party including US$100,000 Equivalent and Motor Vehicle

A 31 August 2016
MyJoyOnline.com article titled “Prof. Martey Lied, He Took $100K, Vehicle Bribe – Former Presbytery [Public Relations Officer] Alleges” reports that former Presbyterian Church of Ghana (PCG) Public Relations Officer Dr. Emmanuel Osei Acheampong says that outgoing PCG moderator the Rev. Prof. Emmanuel Martey received bribes of US$100,000 equivalent and a motor vehicle from an unnamed person from an opposition political party. Dr. Acheampong said that the bribes were meant to influence PCG sermons and to have the PCG champion the agenda of the relevant opposition party.

Prof. Martey denies the allegations.


+
MyJoyOnline.com, 3rd Floor Trust Towers, Farrar Avenue, Accra, Ghana, 233-21-226151, Fax: 233-21-233697, info@myjoyonline.com

+
Presbyterian Church of Ghana, Post Office Box GP 1800, Accra, Ghana, 233-21-662511, Fax: 233-21-665594, pcghg@yahoo.com


[3]
First Presbyterian Church (PCUSA) of Clarksville, Tennessee Former Bookkeeper Sued by Church for Theft of More Than US$600,000

A 2 September 2016
The Leaf-Chronicle article by Stephanie Ingersoll titled “Suit Claims Former Bookkeeper Stole $600K from First Presbyterian” reports that Connie Parker, former bookkeeper for First Presbyterian Church of Clarksville, Tennessee, has been sued by the church for between 2007 and July 2016 for stealing more than US$600,000, mostly by using the church’s credit card.


+
The Leaf-Chronicle, Post Office Box 31029, Clarksville, Tennessee 37040, 931-552-1808

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


Tuesday, September 6, 2016

31 August 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 President Paul Koostra and Board of Trustees Chairman Ron Vigus Resign

[2] Former Presbyterian Church of Ghana Moderator Emmanuel Martey Receives Flak for Supporting New Patriotic Party Presidential Candidate

[3]
E-Book by R.C. Sproul Distributed at the 2016 Summer Olympics “The Race of Faith” Available for Free Download

[4] News from the Deepest Recesses of Hell

[5] Raging Heathen and Vain Imagining

[6] The Religion of Peace

---

[1]
Erskine College and Theological Seminary President Paul Koostra and Board of Trustees Chairman Ron Vigus Resign

In a 25 August 2016 ARP News article titled “Erskine Trustees Future Plans,” it was reported:

“The Erskine Board of Trustees today adopted a motion proposed by Chairman Ron Vigus to establish a presidential search committee that will begin the process of seeking a successor to Dr. Paul Kooistra.

“Kooistra, who began his tenure in August 2014, will continue serving as president until the transition is complete. The process may take anywhere from six to eighteen months, according to Vigus.

“We gave Dr. Kooistra the daunting task of stabilizing Erskine’s financial situation, and he has done a great job with that,” Vigus said. He also reminded trustees that from the beginning Kooistra had declared his intent to serve a term of three to five years. “He has often lightheartedly reminded us that he thought he was retiring before we called him to be president.”

“In presenting the formal proposal to the board, Vigus said, “Dr. Kooistra is beginning his third year. Following discussions with him, due to the time it may take to recruit a president, it is time to begin the search process. Dr. Kooistra will continue until we find the individual God has for our next president and will make this transition whenever we find this individual.”

“Vigus later expanded on his reasons for proposing this action. “There is still a lot of work to do, and Dr. Kooistra’s continued leadership will be key. Starting this process now, however, allows us to orchestrate a smooth transition and avoid a leadership gap that would adversely affect the progress Erskine has made with Dr. Kooistra as president.”

“The search committee members are: Clint Davis, Jill Gazzaway, Tom Hellams (chair), Jamie Hunt, Sam James, Gordon Query, and Ron Vigus.

“In addition to hosting the first meeting of the trustees for the 2016-17 fiscal and academic year this week, Erskine also welcomed the largest incoming college class in forty-one years as classes began Monday.

“Seminary classes began Wednesday as an ad hoc committee of the board formed in May met to consider a request from the ARP General Synod and some seminary faculty to evaluate dividing the college and seminary into two separate institutions. The board passed a motion that instructed the ad hoc committee to bring its recommendations to the October meeting of the board and to include in those recommendations a best-case scenario for creating a separated seminary.

“The college and seminary have been governed as one institution with one board since 1925.

“Joining the board for its first 2016-17 meeting were eight new trustees, several serving out unexpired terms.

“The new trustees are: Dr. A.J. Broyles, Rock Hill, S.C. (Trustee Class of 2017); R.L. Casterline, Irmo, S.C. (Trustee Class of 2019); Dr. J.R. Augustine, Columbia, S.C., C.L. Bethea, Myrtle Beach, S.C., the Rev. C.H. Davis, Chester, S.C., the Rev. J.A. Hunt, Flat Rock, N.C., and P.W. Malphrus, Woodruff, S.C. (Trustee Class of 2021); and Phil Williams, Moderator of ARP Synod, Lexington, N.C. (Ex Officio).”

On 30 August 2016, Vice Chairman of the Erskine Board of Trustees Mr. Tom Hellams sent the following
email message to members of the Erskine Board of Trustees:

“I write to you today to make you aware of two significant decisions that have been made since we last were together in Due West.  First of all, Dr. Kooistra has communicated his plan to move into retirement as soon as possible and no later than October 31.  The Presidential Search Committee must now change directions and move immediately to seek candidates to serve as interim president as directed in the bylaws.  Our first meeting will take place prior to the end of the week.

“Second of all, Ron Vigus has submitted his resignation effective today as chairman of the board.  The bylaws direct the vice chair to fulfill the responsibilities of the chair during the chair’s absence or incapacity.  I will function in that capacity while we work through the process of electing a new chairman.

“Please feel free to contact me regarding these matters and others as we seek to serve together as trustees of Erskine College and Theological Seminary.”


+
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

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


[2]
Former Presbyterian Church of Ghana Moderator Emmanuel Martey Receives Flak for Supporting New Patriotic Party Presidential Candidate

A 29 August 2016
Peace FM article titled “Remove Prof. Emmanuel Marty from National Peace Council – Twum Buafo” reports that Executive Secretary of the Ghana Free Zones Board Kwadwo Twum Buafo is calling for the removal of former Presbyterian Church of Ghana (PCG) moderator the Rev. Prof Emmanuel Marty from the National Peace Council for “polar[izing] the society and deepen[ing] the problems in Ghana’s politics” for Marty’s assurances to New Patriotic Party (NPP) presidential candidate Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo that the PCG “stands ready with [the NPP] to build Ghana.”

Buafo said that he hopes the current PCG moderator does not follow in the same direction of former moderator Marty and “be a Judas and sell the Presby Church to the NPP for a few shekels of silver.”


+
Peace FM, Post Office Box 17470, Mile 7 Junction, Achimota – Accra, Ghana, 00233-21-406677, Contact Page

+
Presbyterian Church of Ghana, Post Office Box GP 1800, Accra, Ghana, 233-21-662511, Fax: 233-21-665594, pcghg@yahoo.com


[3]
E-Book by R.C. Sproul Distributed at the 2016 Summer Olympics “The Race of Faith” Available for Free Download

Thanks to the support of Ligonier Ministries partners and the generous gifts received during the #TruthAtTheGames campaign, local church teams on the ground in Rio De Janeiro distributed hundreds of thousands of copies of Dr. R.C. Sproul’s new book, The Race of Faith. This title, produced just in time for the Summer Olympics, is available in eleven languages and provides a clear and concise gospel presentation. Download your English copy from our international partner in Brazil, Editora Fiel at the following address:

         
http://ministeriofiel.com.br/vidasemjogo/en/


+
Ligonier Ministries, 400 Technology Park, Lake Mary, Florida 32746, 407-333-4244, Fax: 407-333-4233

+ Fiel Editora, 12-3207-7683,
atendimento@editorafiel.com.br


[4]
News from the Deepest Recesses of Hell

-- Obama Admin Wants to Fund Scientists to Make Human-Animal Hybrids

-- HBO Program Televises Assisted Suicide: Woman Dies On Camera In Emmy-Nominated Series

-- Texas Christian University Offers School Credit for Internship at Planned Parenthood Abortion Business

-- Abortions on Babies with Cleft Palates Have Tripled in England

-- Bill Clinton Snared in Pedophile Ring

-- Shock as CERN Scientists Stage Human Sacrifice to Hindu God Shiva at Their Geneva, Switzerland Headquarters

-- MOON GOD: ISIS Says Jesus Is the ‘Slave of Allah’ Who Will ‘Wage Jihad’ at His Return


+
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

+ Truthfeed, truthfeednews@gmail.com

+
Now the End Begins, Contact Page


[5] Raging Heathen and Vain Imagining

-- San Antonio Texas Prosecutor Video: "Vaccines Cause Autism"


+
Nomorefakenews.com, 800-743-6179, qjrpress@gmail.com


[6] 
The Religion of Peace

-- #AllahuAkbarSyndrome - When Terror Attacks Have 'No Motive’

-- Survey Reveals Seventy-Two ISIS Mass Graves Across Syria, Iraq


+ Clarion Project, Inc., 255 West 36th Street #800,
New York, New York 10018, 646-308-1230, info@ClarionProject.org

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