Presbyterians Weekly News

25 January 2012

2012-01-25T00:00:00.001-05:00

Presbyterians Week Headlines

[1] USA Christian Ministries President Pastor Steven Andrew Says “Voting for Mormon Romney is Betraying Jesus Christ”

[2] Evangelical Covenant Order of Presbyterians Introduced in Orlando, Florida, Conference with Representatives from 500 PCUSA Congregations

[3] Occupy Wall Street Protesters Hosted by New York City Churches Steal Baptismal Font Lid from Manhattan PCUSA Church and Urinate on Cross at Brooklyn United Methodist Church

[4] Boko Harem Muslim Terrorists in Nigeria Explode Car Bombs Killing 256

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[1] USA Christian Ministries President Pastor Steven Andrew Says “Voting for Mormon Romney is Betraying Jesus Christ”

USA Christian Ministries President Pastor Steven Andrew believes that Christians who vote for Mitt Romney betray Jesus Christ, saying:

“Obviously Mitt Romney is deceived. Do you want someone deceived by the Mormon cult in the White House?... Many people know that Mormons teach heresies like Jesus is the spirit brother of Lucifer. But do people know voting for Romney will bring God's judgment (2 Chronicles 19:2)?... Voting for Romney or Obama who do not follow God causes the economy to decline and removes Christian freedoms (Deuteronomy 28, Leviticus 26)…. If you love Jesus Christ, you won't vote for Mormon Romney.”

Pastor Andrew writes about Mormonism:

1) Mormons Deny God - Jesus Christ is the second Person of the Godhead. Mormons teach Jesus Christ is the spirit brother of Lucifer, a created being. The Holy Bible is the inerrant Word of God. Mormons use non-Biblical books. God alone is God. Mormons teach men become Gods and God was once a man.

2) Mormons Preach a Different Gospel - Paul, the apostle, warns, “But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached, let him be accursed” (Galatians 1:9). The book of Mormon was given by an angel.

3) Mormons Hide the Cross - The Holy Bible says, “The message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing” (1 Corinthians 1:18). Mormons do not display the cross.

4) Mormons Have Occult Practice - Christians trust in Jesus Christ to protect them, and God’s Word gives Christians power over sin. Mormons think “magic” underwear with markings helps them.

5) Mormons are Anti-Christian - Jesus Christ said, whoever believes in Him will be saved (John 3:16). Mormons deny the real Jesus Christ. They are exclusive and teach that Christians are apostate.

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

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

+ Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 50 East North Temple Street, Salt Lake City, Utah 84150, 801-240-2640, Contact Page

[2] Evangelical Covenant Order of Presbyterians Introduced in Orlando, Florida, Conference with Representatives from 500 PCUSA Congregations

A 20 January 2012 Gant Daily article by Kris Alingod titled “Group Leaves Presbyterian Church to Form ‘Reformed’ Denomination” reports that representatives of 500 Presbyterian Church (PCUSA) churches met the week of 16 January 2012 in Orlando, Florida, for the introduction of the Evangelical Covenant Order of Presbyterians (ECO), a breakaway denomination from the PCUSA for congregations disaffected with the PCUSA bureaucracy and the decision in 2011 to drop the Fidelity and Chastity Amendment from the PCUSA Constitution, thus allowing the ordination of homosexuals.

PCUSA congregations desiring membership in the ECO will need to be formally dismissed from the PCUSA, and congregations that remain in the PCUSA can choose from several forms of associate membership.

+ Gant Media LLC, 219 South 2nd Street, Post Office Box 746, Clearfield, Pennsylvania 16830, 814-765-5256, Fax: 814-765-5631, Contact Page

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

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

[3] Occupy Wall Street Protesters Hosted by New York City Churches Steal Baptismal Font Lid from Manhattan PCUSA Church and Urinate on Cross at Brooklyn United Methodist Church

A 22 January 2012 New York Post article by Candice M. Giove titled “‘God’-Awful OWS Mob Steals Sacred Item from Church” reports that Occupy Wall Street protesters camping in New York City churches stole a brass baptismal font lid from the West-Park Presbyterian Church Presbyterian Church (PCUSA) in Manhattan, and urinated on a cross at the Park Slope United Methodist Church in Brooklyn. The baptismal font’s brass bowl insert, which had contained “Holy water — straight from the River Jordan” had been poured into the 800 lb. baptismal font base’s bowl, and was later recovered in another part of the church building.

West-Park pastor the Rev. Robert Brashear announced to the protestors that they had two weeks to vacate the church, and said of the protestor’s actions: “It was like [urinating] on the ninety-nine percent.” Brashear’s US$2400 Apple MacBook went missing from his office three weeks prior to the baptismal font lid theft. Brashear recalled how no such problems occurred in the 1980’s when the church extended help to drug addicts saying: “Not even crackheads messed with [the baptismal font]”.

+ New York Post, 1211 Avenue of the Americas, New York, New York 10036, 800-552-7678, aaquilina@nypost.com

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

[4] Boko Harem Muslim Terrorists in Nigeria Explode Car Bombs Killing 256

Mission Network News reported 24 January 2012 that Boko Haram Muslim terrorists in Kano State, Nigeria, set off numerous car bombs on 21 January 2012 that killed 256 people.

Voice of the Martyrs USA spokesman Todd Nettleton said that although the group has mainly confined their activities to northeastern Nigeria, many fear extremist elements within the sect may try to escalate the crisis throughout the country – “not only government of Nigeria targets, but international targets, as well. They have basically declared war on law and order in Nigeria, and anybody who represents law and order, they are willing to attack as they continue these calls that Nigeria should be an Islamic nation and should follow Sharia law.”

+ Mission Network News, 1159 East Beltline Avenue Northeast, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49525, 616-942-1500, Fax: 616-942-7328, Contact Page

+ Voice of the Martyrs USA, Post Office Box 443, Bartlesville, Oklahoma 74005, 877-337-0302, Contact Page

18 January 2012

2012-01-18T22:40:00.005-05:00

Presbyterians Week Headlines

[1] Ligon Duncan Elected To Regular Faculty of Reformed Theological Seminary

[2] Indiana Issues Specialty Automobile License Plate for Homosexual, Bi-Sexual, and Transgender Teen Recruitment and Support Center

[3] Kuwaiti Prince Professes Faith in Jesus Christ

[4] Blogger Reports that the Design for the King Abdullah International Gardens in Saudi Arabia Bears an Uncanny Resemblance to the Flight 93 – 9 September 2001 Memorial in Shanksville, Pennsylvania

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[1] Ligon Duncan Elected To Regular Faculty of Reformed Theological Seminary

Reformed Theological Seminary announced 13 January 2012 that the Rev. Dr. J. Ligon Duncan, III, has been elected as a regular member of the faculty and appointed as the John E. Richards Professor of Systematic and Historical Theology at Reformed Theological Seminary in Jackson, Mississippi, beginning 1 January 2012.

Dr. Duncan will continue as the senior minister of First Presbyterian Church (Presbyterian Church in America) of Jackson, Mississippi, a position he has held since 1996, and will reduce his national speaking engagements as he assumes a larger teaching load at the seminary.

+ Reformed Theological Seminary, 2101 Carmel Road, Charlotte, North Carolina 28226, 704-366-5066, Fax: 704-366-9295

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

[2] Indiana Issues Specialty Automobile License Plate for Homosexual, Bi-Sexual, and Transgender Teen Recruitment and Support Center

Indiana has become the first state to issue a pro-homosexual specialty automobile license plate, raising funds to help the Indiana Youth Group, a homosexual, bi-sexual, and transgender teen recruitment and support center.

Micah Clark, Executive Director of the American Family Association of Indiana, stated:

“You have to question what the BMV [Bureau of Motor Vehicles] was thinking when they approved a license plate for a group which recruits teens into the homosexual lifestyle. Since health risks do not seem to matter, what is to prevent a cigar club from now getting a license plate from the BMV?

“State agencies should be neutral in the politically charged culture war especially the promotion of homosexuality among minors. It is very disappointing that Indiana is the first state in the nation to have a license plate celebrating youth involved in homosexual behaviors.”

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

+ American Family Association of Indiana, Post Office Box 40307, Indianapolis, Indiana 46240, 317-257-7221

+ Indiana Youth Group, Post Office Box 20716, Indianapolis, Indiana 46220, 317-541-8726, Fax: 317-545-8594, iyg@indianayouthgroup.org

[3] Kuwaiti Prince Professes Faith in Jesus Christ

The Christian Arabic television station Al-haqiqa recently broadcast an audio file attributed to Kuwaiti Prince Abdollah Al-sabah, a Kuwaiti royal family member, where the prince professed faith in Jesus Christ saying:

“First of all, I totally agree with the distribution of this audio file and I now declare that if they kill me because of this audio file, then I'll go into the presence of Jesus Christ and be with him for all eternity.

“I'm satisfied with whatever they do to me, because the truth in the Bible has guided me to the right way.”

Al-haqiqa also said that the prince recently denounced his Islamic faith and became a Christian.

+ Mohabit News, info@mohabatnews.com

[4] Blogger Reports that the Design for the King Abdullah International Gardens in Saudi Arabia Bears an Uncanny Resemblance to the Flight 93 – 9 September 2001 Memorial in Shanksville, Pennsylvania

The Urban Infidel blogger reported 17 January 2011 that the design for the planned King Abdullah International Gardens in Saudi Arabia Bears an uncanny resemblance to the Flight 93 – 9 September 2001 National Memorial in Shanksville, Pennsylvania, which purportedly honors the heroes of Flight 93 who forced the hijackers of the airplane to crash the airplane into a field in southwestern Pennsylvania before the plane could be crashed into a building such as the White House or the U.S. Capitol in Washington DC.

The Flight 93 National Memorial is in the shape of a Muslim crescent and star, a symbol of Muslim empire since the 12^th century, the central point of which points to the Islamic holy city of Mecca in Saudi Arabia.

+ Urban Infidel, nosubmission_nyc@yahoo.com

+ Atlas Shrugs, writeatlas@aol.com

11 January 2012

2012-01-11T00:00:00.002-05:00

Presbyterians Week Headlines

[1] Civilization Coming Unglued? - The Most Important Question Facing Us in 2012 is More Than an Election

[2] Sabbath-Breaking on Scotland’s Isle of Skye Decried by Free Church of Scotland (Continuing) Presbytery of Skye and Lochcarron

[3] Nigeria’s Boko Haram, a.k.a. Nigerian Taliban Threatens Christians

[4] al-Shabaab Terrorists in Somalia Publically Whip Christian Woman Taken into Custody in November 2011

[5] FBI Arrests Muslim Naturalized American Citizen for Planning Terrorist Attacks on Tampa, Florida

[6] Americans United for Separation of Church and State Hail Federal Court Decision Overturning Oklahoma Constitutional Amendment Approved by Seventy Percent of Voters Barring Islamic Sharia Law Being Used in Oklahoma Courts

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[1] Civilization Coming Unglued? - The Most Important Question Facing Us in 2012 is More Than an Election

Commentary by Dr. Michael A. Milton

The most important question of the coming year is not “who will be the next occupant of the White House?” The single most important matter before us all is a monumental question of value. It is a question that may be stated, “Will the Western world embrace the very thing that holds it together. Or will it continue the denial of the obvious and seal its inevitable decline?” Let me explain.

In historiography – the study of history – professional historians are often torn between what is called “lower history” and “higher history.” Higher history aims to chronicle the past through grand events such as “kings and queens” and wars and treaties. Lower history, however, traces the record of mankind through often unseen events, underlying popular philosophies and, often, obvious facts. Thinking about lower history, British historian, Dr. Niall Ferguson, has drawn our attention to a lower historical fact that, as he proposes in his latest and most exceptional (if not unsettling) work, Civilization: The West and the Rest (Penguin Press, 2011).

Ignoring political-correctness in favor of the obvious, Ferguson appeals to his readers to see that the remarkable civilization called the West is just so because of what he refers to as “six killer apps” (using a computer metaphor). These apps are fundamental common commitments—a worldview, if you will—which has brought about the greatest advances in human history and the greatest opportunities for men to live free, happy lives. These “killer apps,” according to Niall Ferguson, are “competition, science, property rights, medicine, the consumer society, and the work ethic” (p. 13)– specifically, the Protestant work ethic that came as a result of this reformation in the 16th century. Ferguson describes this sixth application of Western civilization as “the glue of the dynamic” (p. 13) that allows the other features to work. Yet Ferguson also observes that, “the Protestant ethic of thrift that one seemed so central to the Western project has all but vanished.” (p. 17)

Where did that Protestant work ethic come from? Niall Ferguson admits that before the Protestant Reformation (and the counter-reformation that influenced the Roman Catholic Church), freedom and that which we call Western Civilization were hardly free and barely civilized. The Greco-Roman democratic systems the West inherited were not enough. It took a surge of biblical truths dispersed into every area of life. Those truths were precisely what Martin Luther recovered and what John Calvin taught. The Protestant work ethic came out of their teachings, based on the Scriptures, and were galvanized in the popular conscience of their time and afterwards gave rise to the other five “apps” that Ferguson cites, and, indeed, “activated” them. The “activation code” that unlocked Western Civilization was nothing less than the Gospel of Jesus Christ applied from the Bible to every aspect of cultural life. In short, the gospel opened up a new world of opportunity for mankind. This was the “operating system,” according to Ferguson, that nations embraced and thereby became “Western civilization.”

The question is now, “will the Western world disavow the very worldview – the glue, the Protestant work ethic, the Reformation truth–that activated the 'software' that generated Western civilization, and that brought so much life, liberty, and happiness? Or will we foolishly ignore it in the name of a secular substitute that is powerless to re-boot the system?” No one will deny that (still using the computer metaphor) there is a giant “Error Message” on the screen of Western civilization. Something has malfunctioned and every other application is either no longer operational or running too sluggish to be productive.

Ferguson helps us to see what is going on is not the absence of a “higher historical” figure to fix us, but a “lower historical” faith to free us: the faith of the Bible and of the Redeemer it presents: Jesus Christ. Ferguson ends his excellent treatise by declaring, “today…the biggest threat to Western civilization is posed not by other civilizations, but by our own pusillanimity–and by the historical ignorance that feeds it.”(p. 325)

To ignore that one “killer app” called the Reformation is to sink deeper into debt, fall farther into moral calamity, and witness our great institutions slide faster into the abyss of history.

The greatest challenge before us in 2012 is not merely to choose an individual in America who will become president and expose this ignorance and lead us back to the truth, but to recover what Churchill called for, “a large majority of mankind united together to defend” the truth that got us where we are today. We have every hope that since it has been done before, it can be done again. Let’s pray so. Our civilization depends upon it.

-- Michael Anthony Milton (Ph.D., University of Wales) serves as the chancellor/CEO elect of Reformed Theological Seminary (one of the largest accredited seminaries in the country), a U.S. Army chaplain (instructing at the Armed Forces Chaplain School) and the James M. Baird Jr. chair of pastoral theology at RTS/Charlotte. He is an author, songwriter, singer, ordained minister, former pastor of First Presbyterian Church in Chattanooga, Tenn., and he previously served as the president of RTS/Charlotte. Dr. Milton also hosts a national Bible teaching television program, Faith For Living, reaching 70,000,000 potential households through DirecTV, Legacy TV network, YouTube and iTunes. It is also available as a free app in the Android and iPhone markets. The Faith For Living radio program is broadcast on several stations in the southeast. For 16 years he served in the business world and has also served as a top-secret Navy linguist.

+ Reformed Theological Seminary, 2101 Carmel Road, Charlotte, North Carolina 28226, 704-366-5066, Fax: 704-366-9295

[2] Sabbath-Breaking on Scotland’s Isle of Skye Decried by Free Church of Scotland (Continuing) Presbytery of Skye and Lochcarron

The 3 January 2012 Stornoway Gazette published a 29 December 2011 letter from Free Church of Scotland (Continuing) minister the Rev. Richard Ross on behalf of the Presbytery of Skye and Lochcarron concerning an advertisement for a dance scheduled for Sunday, 1 January 2012, at the Skye Gathering Hall in Portree, Isle of Skye, Scotland, expressing concern “…that the Christian Sabbath is being desecrated in such a cavalier way without regard to the religious convictions held by many in our community.”

Mr. Ross continues:

“The Presbytery in reaffirming its biblical opposition to this event taking place, adopted a motion stating its great disappointment that a dance was to be held in Skye Gathering Hall, Portree, on the Christian Sabbath, January 1, 2012.

“It was agreed that the Presbytery condemn this unwarranted and unbiblical practice of Sabbath desecration.

“It was further moved and agreed that it notes with immense disquiet the disregard for the Christian Sabbath day within its bounds.

“It recommends that all avenues be pursued to remind our fellow-man of their responsibilities relating to the observance of the Fourth Commandment and it encourages the Lord’s people to take a stand for His truth in these days.

“The Presbytery seeks the re-establishment of the Lord’s Day Observance Society within its bounds.

“The Presbytery further deplores Sabbath desecration within the visible church even in matters relating to the arrangement of pulpit supply for the Sabbath services.

“It further reminds all its own ministers and interim-moderators that the use of public transport (perceived as commercial transport) is not to be used on the Sabbath, even in the provision of Church services.”

+ Stornoway Gazette, 10 Francis Street, Stornoway, Isle of Lewis HS12XE, Scotland, 01851-702-687, newsdesk@stornowaygazette.co.uk

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

[3] Nigeria’s Boko Haram, a.k.a. Nigerian Taliban Threatens Christians

A 3 January 2012 ASSIST News article by Elizabeth Kendal titled “Nigeria: Boko Haram Threatens Christians: The Battle for Nigeria Heats Up” reports that in northern Nigeria where the population is half Christian and half Muslim, the terrorist group Boko Haram, also known as the 'Nigerian Taliban', is demanding the complete Islamisation of all Nigeria, and on 2 January 2012 issued a statement that southern Christians living in northern Nigeria, particularly those in the north-eastern states of Borno and Yobe, had three days to leave or face further violence.

On 25 December 2011, Christmas Day, Boko Haram bombed two churches, one on the outskirts of the federal capital Abuja and one in Jos. A car bomb that exploded in the car park of St. Theresa Catholic Church in Madalla, Niger State, Nigeria, killed at least forty-two , most incinerated by the massive fireball that consumed seventeen vehicles, and seriously wounded dozens of other people.

In June 2010, Boko Haram formalized ties with al-Qaeda, which has long sought strategic depth in sub-Saharan Africa and a foothold in Nigeria. Since then, Boko Haram has been sending militants to Somalia for military training under al-Shabaab and has been escalating its terror campaign.

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

[4] al-Shabaab Terrorists in Somalia Publically Whip Christian Woman Taken into Custody in November 2011

A 10 January 2012 Compass Direct News Service report titled “Somali Convert from Islam Whipped in Public” reports that on 22 December 2011, Sofia Osman, a Somali convert from Islam to Christianity, received a public whipping of forty lashes upon her release from custody after being taken into custody by al-Shabaab militants in November 2011.

After being whipped until she was bleeding and unconscious, Ms. Osman was taken away by her family. Hundreds of cheering spectators watched the whipping.

+ Compass Direct News Service, Post Office Box 27250, Santa Ana, California 92799, 949-862-0304, Fax: 949-752-6536, info@compassdirect.org

[5] FBI Arrests Muslim Naturalized American Citizen for Planning Terrorist Attacks on Tampa, Florida

A 10 January 2012 American Vision News article titled “FBI Stings Islamic Terrorist in FL Bomb Plot” reports that the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) on 9 January 2012 arrested Sami Osmakac, a Muslim naturalized U.S. citizen from the former Yugoslavia, for asking an undercover agent to help him obtain an AK-47 assault rifle, Uzi submachine guns, explosives for as many as three car bombs, and an explosive suicide bomber belt in order to carry terrorist attacks in Tampa, Florida.

+ American Vision, Post Office Box 220, Powder Springs, Georgia 30127, 770-222-7266, Fax: 770-222-7269, mail@AmericanVision.org

+ Federal Bureau of Investigation, J. Edgar Hoover Building, 935 Pennsylvania Avenue Northwest, Washington DC 20535, 202-324-3000

[6] Americans United for Separation of Church and State Hail Federal Court Decision Overturning Oklahoma Constitutional Amendment Approved by Seventy Percent of Voters Barring Islamic Sharia Law Being Used in Oklahoma Courts

Americans United for Separation of Church and State on 10 January 2012 hailed a 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruling against an Oklahoma constitutional amendment that bars Islamic Sharia law from being used in Oklahoma state courts.

United Church of Christ minister the Rev. Barry W. Lynn, executive director of Americans United for Separation of Church and State said: “This amendment is divisive, unnecessary and dangerous. I’m glad to see it go.”

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

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

4 January 2012

2012-01-05T21:55:00.006-05:00

Presbyterians Week

[1] Christian Observer Highlights for January 2012

New articles in the Christian Observer for January 2012 include:

-- Gunfire in the Bluff – by Penny Smith - Northminster Reformed Presbyterian Church (RPCNA) of Suwanee, Georgia, sends several people into downtown Atlanta, Georgia, on Sunday afternoons to minister to inner city residents. The 4 December 2011 Bible study came to a premature halt when bullets began flying…;

-- The Integrated Church and Vision Forum – by David Cloud – a critique of Vision Forum Ministries and aspects of Calvinist theology by a fundamentalist, dispensationalist, independent Baptist minister and publisher; and,

-- The Divisive Twists to Teach Perversion in the Classrooms – by Christian Observer Contributing Editor Dr. Joe Renfro – how the change in the public schools from teaching sound biblical principles to pagan, human-centered values where perversion is openly taught and encouraged has led students to inappropriate eating or sleeping habits, inabilities to concentrate, abrupt changes in their personalities, impulsiveness, inability to concentrate on academic work, decline in grades, absenteeism, loss or lack of positive friendships, abuse of alcohol and drugs, and increased involvement in homosexual behavior, on to increased cases of suicide in the school age population;

Plus, regular features including weekly ;Sabbath School Lessons and ;Westminster Shorter Catechism lessons by ;Christian Observer Assistant Editor Dr. Robert LaMay, and ;Daily Devotionals by T.M. Moore, dean of the ;Centurions Program of the Wilberforce Forum and principal of ;The Fellowship of Ailbe.

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

[Editor’s Note – The 4 January 2012 Presbyterians Week is a day late and several articles short due to the editor’s currently too-busy schedule.]

28 December 2011

2011-12-28T22:59:00.001-05:00

Presbyterians Week Headlines

[1] Death of Francis Nigel Lee

[2] Northern Presbytery of the Free Church of Scotland (Continuing) Issues 22 December 2011 Statement

[3] Vatican Calls for One-World Government

[4] Reformed Church in Hungary Asked by Fidesz Party Leader to Determine Global Religious Communities to be Recognized by Hungary

[5] The Christian Pundit Continues to Write on the Discussions about Creation and Hermeneutics

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[1] Death of Francis Nigel Lee

The Reverend Barrister Professor Doctor Francis Nigel Lee died 23 December 2011 after a long struggle with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease.

Dr. Lee’s daughter Johanna Lee wrote of her father’s passing:

“It is with great sadness, that I need to inform you all on behalf of my family, of the passing of my father, Francis Nigel Lee. Dad died peacefully on Friday morning after a prolonged struggle with Motor Neuron Disease. Although the disease gradually robbed him of his speech, mobility and ability to write, he conducted himself with dignity and grace to the end. When I took him to a neurology appointment in October, he was already wheelchair-bound. The panel of specialists sympathised with his condition and remarked that it would be natural for him to be angry or hope for a less devastating diagnosis. He calmly replied, “Whether I die in two years or two months, is in God’s hands. My hope is in the next life.” On December 5th, Dad celebrated his 77th Birthday. Two days later marked my parents’ 48th Wedding Anniversary. My mother, Nellie, who was his full-time career during his illness, was at his bedside when he died. Her resilience and selfless commitment to Dad’s needs were inspirational. Thank you to all who have expressed their concern for his health and well-being in recent months. His suffering is over now.”

Nordskog Publishing wrote of Dr Lee:

“The world has lost a giant of a Christian man with the death of the Reverend Barrister Professor Doctor Francis Nigel Lee. At 7:50 am, Friday, Anno Domini 23rd December 2011 (Australian Eastern Standard Time), his Lord took Nigel Lee peacefully in glory to His presence. The Christian world will dearly miss this husband, father, passionately Calvinistic Christian, ponderously accomplished theologian, eminent gentleman, and devoted friend. Francis Nigel Lee dearly loved His Triune Savior and Lord, always treating of theology in due relational terms upon the mystery of the Holy Trinity.”

“….In accomplishment, Dr. Lee was an Advocate or Barrister (alias a Trial Lawyer) of the Supreme Court of South Africa before becoming a Minister and pastor to congregations of the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA) in Mississippi and Florida. He served as Professor of Philosophy at Shelton College in New Jersey; Scholar in Residence at the Christian Studies Center in Memphis, Tennessee; and Academic Dean of Graham Bible College in Bristol, Tennessee. Then for twenty years, Dr. Lee served as Professor of Theology and Church History at the Queensland Presbyterian Theological College, Brisbane, Australia, lately emeritus. Dr. Lee was Ernest Oppenheimer Memorial Fellowship Scholar (1964-1966). His letters include Ph.D., Th.D., D.Phil., D.Min., D.Ed., LL.D., Dr. Sac. Th., D.Jur., D.Litt., D.C.L., D.Hum.”

A funeral for Dr. Lee will be held 30 December 2011 at 10:00 a.m. at the Pinnaroo Lawn Cemetery Chapel, Graham Road, Bridgeman Downs, Australia.

Dr. Lee is survived by his wife Nellie and his two daughters Johanna and Anna-Marie.

Matthew 25:23 - “His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.”

+ Nordskog Publishing, 4562 Westinghouse Street, Suite E, Ventura, California 93003, 805-642-2070, Fax: 805-642-1862, Contact Page

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

[2] Northern Presbytery of the Free Church of Scotland (Continuing) Issues 22 December 2011 Statement

“The Northern Presbytery of the Free Church of Scotland (Continuing) hold that any proposals to permit “marriage” of homosexuals and lesbians amount to a direct attack on the teaching of the Bible and a repudiation of Scotland's Christian heritage.

“Presbytery notes that a United Christian Witness took take place outside the Scottish Parliament on 8th December 2011 to oppose legalisation of homosexual and lesbian “marriage.” Presbytery further notes that Rev. James Gracie, Minister of the Edinburgh congregation of the Free Church of Scotland (Continuing), had been invited to take part in the Call Kaye programme on Radio Scotland earlier that day and that in his contributions on the programme Mr. Gracie gave a clear exposition of the Biblical teaching regarding marriage.

“Presbytery understands that complaints regarding some of what Mr. Gracie said on the radio have been made to the Police and to the BBC. The Northern Presbytery support the United Christian Witness as an appropriate means of witnessing to unequivocal Biblical teaching regarding marriage and fully support Rev. James Gracie in his clear exposition of Christian marriage as taught in the Bible.”

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

+ United Christian Witness & Protest Against Same-Sex Marriage

[3] Vatican Calls for One-World Government

(Friday Church News Notes, December 23, 2011, www.wayoflife.org bns@wayoflife.org, 866-295-4143) - The following is excerpted from “The Vatican and the New World Order,” Herescope, Nov. 17, 2011: “The Bible paints quite a clear picture of the major events that precede the return of the Lord Jesus Christ to the earth. While many of the smaller details may be difficult to interpret, the major events concerning the world’s religious, economic and political future are evident in Revelation, chapters 13, 17 and 18. ... Those informed regarding world affairs will recognize there exists an ever-increasing number of influential leaders who have begun to promote the idea of a global economy. The most significant of these is the G20 which in recent years has made several statements advocating such an economy. But the most startling statements were recently made in a 41 page ‘note’ by the Vatican’s Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace, published in several languages on October 24, 2011. Speaking for Pope Ratzinger, the Council’s document is filled with legal verbiage and complicated language, but is an amazing document to read. It is amazing because almost word-for-word, it bears upon the prophecies of Revelation 13, 17 and 18, and places Rome at the center of the prophetic drama! ... the second half of the note calls for a single world government (point 3) and for a single world financial system (point 4)! Had we not read and studied the document, we would not have believed the statements made in it. ... The document quotes several recent Popes to show how support for a single world ruler is very much part of the precedent and philosophy of Rome. For instance, John XXIII (1881-1963) ‘... also expressed the hope that one day a true world political authority would be created.’ ... The document continues to state that today this teaching (of a single world government) is ‘even more vital and worthy of urgent implementation.’ ... The document speaks about the need for all nations to be part of this system and that none should be excluded: ‘… the world Authority should consistently involve all peoples...’ Revelation 13:7 says: ‘And authority was given him over every tribe, tongue, and nation.’ The note says that policies must be binding on all and that the Authority should have ‘universal jurisdiction.’ ... In the fourth section that deals with a global economy they say there is a need for ‘... the commitment to create some form of global monetary management’ and ‘one can see an emerging requirement for a body that will carry out the functions of a kind of central world bank that regulates the flow and system of monetary exchanges...’ They then speak of the need for such a world economy to be under the control of the world government. ... In this document, the Vatican pledges its commitment for planetary financial control, calling for the fulfillment of Revelation 13 to the letter!”

+ Way of Life, Post Office Box 610368, Port Huron, Michigan 48061, 519-652-2619, fbns@wayoflife.org

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

[4] Reformed Church in Hungary Asked by Fidesz Party Leader to Determine Global Religious Communities to be Recognized by Hungary

A 22 December 2011 Politics.hu article titled “Leading Hungarian Protestant Churches Push for Official Recognition in Hungary of All “Global” Religions” reports that on 19 December 2011, Hungary’s constitutional court ruled that the recent law restricting what religious organizations are recognized by the government was unconstitutional. Fidesz parliamentary party leader Janos Lazar had announced on 16 December that the restrictive law would be repealed, revised, then reintroduced for a vote before the end of 2011.

Both the Reformed Church in Hungary (RCH) and the Hungarian Lutheran Church had asked Mr. Lazar to add more church organizations to the fourteen churches approved in the unconstitutional law. A 21 December 2011 RCH statement said that the revised law to be considered in 2012 should “recognise the church status of all global religions and religious communities that have demonstrated that their teachings promote values and their social services benefit the community both in a narrower and wider sense.”

The 14 December 2011 Presbyterians Week article “[3] Reformed Church in Hungary General Secretary Supports New Religious Repression Laws” reported that the RCH had previously enthusiastically supported the unconstitutional law.

+ Politics.hu, 36-30-370-3561, editors@politics.hu

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

[5] The Christian Pundit Continues to Write on the Discussions about Creation and Hermeneutics

The Christian Pundit has published two additional articles contributing to recent discussions about creation and hermeneutics:

-- Defining Adam and Eve on The Christian Pundit; and,

-- Polity, Power and Politics in The Aquila Report

+ The Christian Pundit, William.VanDoodewaard@puritanseminary.org

+ The Aquila Report, c/o Metokos Press, 211 Main Street, Suite 108, Narrows, Virginia 24124, 540-726-8223, operations@theaquilareport.com

+ Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary, 2965 Leonard Street Northeast, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49525, 616-977-0599, Fax: 616-285-3246, info@puritanseminary.org

21 December 2011

2011-12-21T21:26:00.002-05:00

Presbyterians Week Headlines

[1] Death of Denise Sproul, Wife of the Rev. Dr. R.C. Sproul Jr.

[2] Free Smart Phone App for Westminster Shorter Catechism Available from Reformed Theological Seminary

[3] U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton Says Religious Beliefs Should Not Be Allowed To Stand in the Way of Homosexual Rights

---

[1] Death of Denise Sproul, Wife of the Rev. Dr. R.C. Sproul Jr.

Denise Elizabeth Sproul, 46, wife of the Rev. Dr. R.C. Sproul Jr. and mother of their eight children, died 18 December 2011 from the effects of leukemia. A memorial service was held today at 11:00 a.m. at Saint Andrews Church (Presbyterian Church in America) in Sanford, Florida. The Sproul family requests that any donations be made to the Denise Sproul Memorial Scholarship Fund at Reformation Bible College in Sanford, Florida.

Dr. Sproul Jr. wrote of his departed spouse: “Denise, enjoying the blessed vision of our God and Father, is at home with the Lord. Cancer no longer afflicts her, and every tear has been dried away. The Queen of Orlando [Florida] casts her crown at her Savior’s feet, and together, they dance.”

Doug Phillips wrote the evening of 18 December: “And this is what I feel compelled to say: Tonight, stop and take a really good look at your spouse. Next, look at each of your children. Look really, really long and hard. Take a moment and thank God for every whisper of a moment that God has given you with them. Thank God for the little kisses offered, the stories told, the tickles dispensed, the games played, the readings shared, the silent moments cherished, the victories experienced, the losses endured, the kind words presented , the songs sung, the glances exchanged. These moments not only count for eternity, but they will be remembered for the next billion years after you leave this minuscule moment in time called “life.” Every moment with your loved one matters. Someday they or you will be gone. Every conversation matters. Every kind deed in the name of Christ matters. It all matters.”

Mrs. Tim Bayly wrote 18 December: “The path of the just is as the shining light, That shineth more and more unto the perfect day.” Proverbs 4:18 — “Tim and I rejoice that Denise Sproul, wife of R.C. Sproul Jr., has entered the full light of glory. But our spirits weep for our brother, R.C. Jr., in the loss of his beloved wife, and for Denise and RC's eight children whose mother lost her battle with leukemia in winning eternity this morning. May God gird them up in faith in the hours and days ahead.”

Douglas Wilson wrote 18 December:

“…the apostle Paul said, to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord (2 Cor. 5:8). The grief and sadness is all on this side of that divide, and most certainly not on the other side.

“Christians certainly grieve, but it is the kind of grief you see in airports, when someone you love is going to be separated from you . . . but only for a time. This is in stark contrast to what the apostle Paul describes as being “without God and without hope in the world” (Eph. 2:12). The phrase "without God" is rendered from just one word -- atheoi. Godlessness is hopelessness.

“So pray for the Sprouls, and thank God for the resurrection of the dead. It is no more unbelievable that we shall live again than that we were given the gift of life the first time. Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift.”

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

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

+ Baldwin-Fairchild Cemeteries and Funeral Homes, 301 Northeast Ivanhoe Boulevard, Orlando, Florida 32804, 407-898-8111, Contact Page

+ Vision Forum, 4719 Blanco Rd., San Antonio, Texas 78212, 866-440-0022, Fax: 210-340-8577, Contact Page

+ Bayly Blog

+ Blog and Ma Blog

[2] Free Smart Phone App for Westminster Shorter Catechism Available from Reformed Theological Seminary

Reformed Theological Seminary has made available a free iPhone app titled “Westminster Shorter Catechism in 90 Days”, available on the Apple Computer website.

The app is a flashcard application that coaches the student through a ninety day personalized memorization program.

+ Reformed Theological Seminary, 2101 Carmel Road, Charlotte, North Carolina 28226, 704-366-5066, Fax: 704-366-9295

+ Apple, 1 Infinite Loop, Cupertino, California 95014, 408-996-1010

[3] U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton Says Religious Beliefs Should Not Be Allowed To Stand in the Way of Homosexual Rights

(Friday Church News Notes, December 16, 2011, www.wayoflife.org fbns@wayoflife.org, 866-295-4143) - The following is excerpted from “Hillary Clinton,” CNSNews.com, Dec. 7, 2011: “Religious beliefs and cultural values do not justify the failure to uphold the human rights of homosexuals, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton told the United Nations in Geneva on Tuesday. ‘Now, raising this issue, I know, is sensitive for many people and that the obstacles standing in the way of protecting the human rights of LGBT people rest on deeply held personal, political, cultural, and religious beliefs,’ Clinton said. Her speech at the Geneva headquarters of the United Nations and its Human Rights Council (HRC) was delivered ahead of Human Rights Day on December 10, the anniversary of the U.N.’s adoption in 1948 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. ... President Obama [signed] earlier in the day of a memorandum which the White House called the ‘first-ever U.S. government strategy dedicated to combating human rights abuses against LGBT persons abroad.’ ... Republican presidential candidates Texas Gov. Rick Perry and former Sen. Rick Santorum both criticized the administration’s LGBT announcements. ‘Promoting special rights for gays in foreign countries is not in America’s interests and not worth a dime of taxpayers’ money,’ Perry said in a statement, adding that the policy was ‘just the most recent example of an administration at war with people of faith in this country.’ ‘Obviously the administration is promoting their particular agenda in this country, and now they feel its their obligation to promote those values not just in the military, not just in our society, but now around the world with taxpayer dollars,’ CNN quoted Santorum as telling reporters in Iowa.”

+ Way of Life, Post Office Box 610368, Port Huron, Michigan 48061, 519-652-2619, fbns@wayoflife.org

14 December 2011

2011-12-14T00:00:00.001-05:00

Presbyterians Week Headlines

[1] Inexpensive December Birthday Gift Ideas for Particular Presbyterians

[2] Catonsville [Maryland] Presbyterians Church (PCUSA) Provides Continuing Support for Hospital in the Congo

[3] Reformed Church in Hungary General Secretary Supports New Religious Repression Laws

---

[1] Inexpensive December Birthday Gift Ideas for Particular Presbyterians

Today is the 20^th anniversary of the 18^th anniversary of the 18^th birthday of the editor, and the indeterminate anniversary of the editor developing the Egyptian River Problem, i.e. duh-Nile. As there are several other birthdays celebrated in December, the editor wants to make Presbyterians Week readers aware of several items that have crossed the editor’s desk that might make the perfect inexpensive gift for that picky Presbyterian on your birthday gift list:

-- Refuge: Selections From The Book of Psalms for Worship CD – from Crown & Covenant Publications – Seventeen psalm selections from The Book of Psalms for Worship, recorded by a choir from the Syracuse Reformed Presbyterian Church. Includes Psalms 3B, 27A, 30B, 34B, 42D, 48A, 51C, 68A, 73B, 76B, 84C, 130B, 123A, 107C, 134A, 140A, and 149A.

The quality of the individual and ensemble singing, along with the musical arrangements and harmonization would justify one travelling to Syracuse, New York, just to hear the choir. Add to this the inspired texts of a selection of psalms that call upon God for refuge in times of trouble, and you have true worship music of the highest caliber.

US$15.00 plus shipping

+ Crown & Covenant Publications, 7408 Penn Avenue, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15208, 412-241-0436, info@crownandcovenant.com

-- Alleged – a new movie based on the Scopes Monkey Trail of 1925 – starring Brian Dennehy as Clarence Darrow and Fred Thompson as William Jennings Bryan – Alleged is an entertaining, educational, and family-friendly movie centered around the battle between the Genesis account of creation and Charles Darwin’s evolutionary theory, and the Dayton, Tennessee, show trial of 1925 that captured the world’s attention. Several subplots dealing with the eugenics movement in the 1920’s, worldly pressure to spin the truth for personal gain, and how these factors and the Scopes Trial influence the romance and courtship of two young newspaper reporters demonstrate some of the practical consequences of Darwinian theory and worldly compromise. There is much here for parents to use in teaching about early-twentieth-century history and the questions of ethics and morality explored in the film.

The editor’s one concern about the movie is that pre-air-conditioner Dayton, Tennessee, in the summer of 1925 probably did not have the pleasant temperatures and low humidity so apparent in the movie. Sweaty clothing, lots of insects, and copious quantities of paper fans with tongue depressor handles would have made the movie more climatically, ecologically, and culturally correct, but probably would have drawn attention away from much more important matters.

US$15.99 (DVD) US$16.99 (Blue Ray) plus tax and shipping

+ Alleged, www.allegedthemovie.com

-- The Confessional Presbyterian – The 7^th issue of this scholarly and always interesting journal for the discussion of Presbyterian doctrine and practice has been published for 2011, and issues one through six, published 2005-2010, are also available. Each issue provides hours of thought-provoking and informative reading for anyone interested in the history, doctrine, and practice of confessional Presbyterianism.

US$18.00 in 2011, US$25 in 2012 and beyond, US$25 Institutional and Foreign, post paid (Issue 7)

US$75, US$125 Institutional and Foreign, post paid (Issues 1-7)

+ The Confessional Presbyterian, Post Office Box 141084, Dallas, Texas 75214

[2] Catonsville [Maryland] Presbyterians Church (PCUSA) Provides Continuing Support for Hospital in the Congo

A 7 December 2011 article by Penny Riordan in CatonsvillePatch titled “Catonsville Presbyterian Church Has Impact in Congo” reports that the Catonsville Presbyterian Church (Presbyterian Church (PCUSA)) (CPC) in Catonsville, Maryland, began contributing to a hospital in the Congo through IMA World Health (IMAWH) by purchasing an electric generator. The hospital then needed fuel to run the generator, so CPC sent funds to buy fuel. Prior to these donations, the doctors had to work by flashlight after dark. CPC’s most recent donation to IMAWH will purchase medical equipment for a cervical cancer screening program in Tanzania.

CPC was attracted to IMAWH as a conduit for their donations due to IMAWH being named number five of Forbes magazine’s 2010 ten most efficient charities.

+ CatonsvillePatch, Contact Page

+ IMA World Health, 500 Main Street - Building Old Main, New Windsor, Maryland 21776, 410-635-8720, Fax: 410-635-8726, imainfo@imaworldhealth.org

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

[3] Reformed Church in Hungary General Secretary Supports New Religious Repression Laws

A 7 December 2011 Huffington Post article by Doug Bandow, Senior Fellow at the Cato Institute, titled “Hungary Threatens Religious Liberty” reports on the new “Law on the Right to Freedom of Conscience and Religion, and on Churches, Religions, and Religious Community” in Hungary that officially recognizes only fourteen of the 362 religious organizations registered under the prior law from 1990, and places onerous requirements on other organizations applying for official recognition.

The Reformed Church in Hungary (RCH) is one of the fourteen religious organizations that retained official recognition under the new law. RCH General Secretary Zoltan Tarr, is a strong proponent of the new law, and is quoted as saying: “We wanted a new law to make it more difficult to establish churches here -- and we're happy the present government has now done something. We're very much for freedom of worship and believe everyone should have the right to practice their religion. But this law represents a positive step, since it excludes quite a few communities which don't legitimately qualify as churches.”

Among the religious organizations dropped under the new law are the Methodists, Pentecostals, Adventists, Reform Jews, the Salvation Army, Jehovah's Witnesses, and Islamic, Buddhist, and Hindu congregations.

+ Huffington Post, 560 Broadway, New York, New York 10012, 212-245-7844, info@huffingtonpost.com

+ Cato Institute, 1000 Massachusetts Avenue, Northwest, Washington DC 20001, 202-842-0200, Fax: 202-842-3490, Contact Page

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

7 December 2011

2011-12-07T00:00:00.002-05:00

Presbyterians Week Headlines

[1] New Christian Observer Articles for December 2011

[2] Free Church of Scotland (Continuing) Says Scottish Government in Danger of Bringing Divine Judgement Upon Scotland

[3] Church of Scotland Rejects Homosexual Marriage Legalization – For Now

[4] U.S. Senate Approves Bill that Legalizes Sodomy and Bestiality in U.S. Military

---

[1] New Christian Observer Articles for December 2011

New articles in the Christian Observer for December 2011 include:

-- Should Cornerstone Ministries Investments Have Existed? – Part Three – by Bob Wildrick – conclusion of a three-part series exploring The role of the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA) Stated Clerk and Administrative Committee, 1993-1994, in the establishment of the Presbyterian Investors Fund (PIF) and Cornerstone Ministries Investments (CMI);

-- Book Review – Jesus of Nazareth: His Life, Times, and Teaching – by Rob Roy McGregor; and,

-- American Education for Anarchy – by Christian Observer Contributing Editor Dr. Joe Renfro – the American educational system’s fostering of “the wilderness of anarchy spreading across our land.”;

Plus, regular features including weekly Sabbath School Lessons and Westminster Shorter Catechism lessons by Christian Observer Assistant Editor Dr. Robert LaMay, and Daily Devotionals by T.M. Moore, dean of the Centurions Program of the Wilberforce Forum and principal of The Fellowship of Ailbe.
.

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

[2] Free Church of Scotland (Continuing) Says Scottish Government in Danger of Bringing Divine Judgement Upon Scotland

2 December 2011

“Statement on Same-Sex Marriage

“The Free Church of Scotland (Continuing), through its Public Questions, Religion & Morals Committee, has submitted a response to the Scottish Government’s Consultation on the Registration of Civil Partnerships and Same Sex Marriage. The Committee feel that this subject is of such importance that it warrants a further statement which in addition to being sent to the Government is being made public.

“We wish to state that in contributing to the consultation we do not condone it. To seek approval for legislation favouring a lifestyle clearly condemned in the Word of God is irresponsible; it indicates a Government which has forgotten its calling as the servant of God (Romans 13:4) and a nation which though in covenant with God has badly lost its way.

“The Government is proposing to redefine marriage to suit a vocal and aggressive minority. Yet marriage was not invented by man but appointed by God, who made us male and female. It is designed for one man and one woman (Genesis 2:24; Ephesians 5:31), providing mutual help, enabling procreation and preventing promiscuity. As a divine institution marriage is above legislation: no government has any business in attempting to re-write it. Instead the Government should protect and promote it as God gave it to us, recognising it to be at the very heart of a healthy society as has been the case in Scotland for centuries.

“We are of the view that what is being contemplated represents a further step in a scheme to ‘normalise’ homosexuality. First homosexual activity was legalised, then a law preventing local authorities from promoting homosexuality was repealed, next civil partnerships were introduced for same-sex couples and now the intention is to permit same-sex ‘marriages’. For some the process will not be complete until every trace of our traditional, God-given values has been removed.

“Behind the proposed change in the law is the Government’s commitment to ‘equality’. We submit that there can be no equality between heterosexual marriage based on a natural attraction and homosexual unions based on what the Bible terms “vile affections” (Romans 1:26). Moreover if ‘equality’is everything then why should the Government stop at same-sex marriage? What about incestuous and polygamous marriage? The logic being followed means that it will be difficult to withstand calls to legalise these too. This is the result when governments mistakenly adopt a secular or morally-neutral approach to such matters.

“We respectfully point out that moral matters are not to be decided by popular or parliamentary majorities but by the unchanging law of God. The Holy Scriptures are the only authoritative rule of faith and life and they declare all homosexual conduct to be sinful. “Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination.” (Leviticus 18:22) Making same-sex unions equivalent to marriage mocks the God who made marriage honourable and a symbol of the union between Christ and His bride the church (Hebrews 13:4; Ephesians 5:32). Such unions will not bring happiness to those involved but sorrow and shame. We do not say this out of hatred but in love to our fellow men and with a regard for the truth, which we should all have an interest in.

“Marriage ought to be about more than just the fulfilment of personal sexual desire. Same-sex marriage would result in unions where there is either no husband or no wife and where any children would have either no father or no mother. The complementary roles of loving headship and loving submission operating in traditional marriage for the mutual benefit of the couple and the good of the family would not be possible. To establish such a perverse arrangement in law could only destabilise our society and harm some of its most vulnerable members. The First Minister has pledged to do all that he can to make Scotland a better nation but the consequences for any country carrying out this experiment are frightening. Indeed history suggests that they could be fatal.

“We are concerned about the possible repercussions for our religious and civil liberties if same-sex marriages are made lawful. From recent precedent we believe that the Government will enforce the acceptance of these unions as normal through the education system and in public bodies generally and that those who in conscience disagree will be penalised. Any safeguards in the legislation will not prevent complaints against those who speak out. The police will investigate and the courts will be involved.

“If the Government attempts to coerce the church into accepting same-sex marriage in any way, shape or form then by the grace of God it will meet with strong resistance. The Free Church (Continuing) requires her officebearers to uphold the doctrine and discipline of God’s Word and expects her people to submit to the same. The Bible teaches unambiguously that sodomy is a sin worthy of divine punishment which needs to be repented of (Genesis 19:4-7, 12-14, 23-25; 1 Corinthians 6:9-11). This we are bound to preach, come what may. It also teaches that the Lord Jesus Christ is the only Head of the church and is to be obeyed before men (Colossians 1:18; 1 Corinthians 7:23; Acts 4:18-20). This we are bound to practice, come what may. Thus we will never solemnise, bless, celebrate, register or otherwise approve same-sex marriages or civil partnerships.

“We hereby call upon the Government to cease from a move which would further erode our nation’s Christian heritage, won for us at great cost by the Protestant Reformation and secured to us by the Treaty of Union.

“We hereby warn the Government that if it continues on its present course then the prospect is increasing moral disorder, family breakdown, disrespect for authority, conflict between church and state and divine judgment upon our land.

“We hereby request a meeting with representatives of the Government to take this matter further. Meanwhile we pray that the Lord in His mercy will so guide those who handle our nation’s affairs “that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty” (1 Timothy 2:2).”

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

[3] Church of Scotland Rejects Homosexual Marriage Legalization – For Now

The Church of Scotland (COS) in a 1 December 2011 response to the Scottish Government has come out against proposals to legalize homosexual marriage, saying: “The Government’s proposal fundamentally changes marriage as it is understood in our country and our culture - that it is a relationship between one man and one woman. In common with the historic position of the Christian Church, the Church of Scotland has always viewed marriage as being between one man and one woman. Scriptural references to marriage, whether literal or metaphorical, all operate under this understanding. To redefine marriage to include same-sex marriage may have significant and, as yet, inadequately considered repercussions for our country, for the well-being of families, communities and individuals.”

A 3 December 2011 article by Duncan Hamilton in The Scotsman reports that on 2 December 2011, the Rev. Ian Galloway, convener of the COS’s Church and Society Council, said the COS General Assembly might come to a different conclusion, saying: “We have a commission looking at some of these questions that will report in 2013. The one thing that I contend is that the government’s consultation process has come in the middle of a process that the Church of Scotland is already engaged in among its membership looking at these issues.”

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

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

[4] U.S. Senate Approves Bill that Legalizes Sodomy and Bestiality in U.S. Military

A 3 December 2011 CNSNews.com article by Pete Winn titled “U.S. Senate Approves Bill that Legalizes Sodomy and Bestiality in U.S. Military” reports that on 1 December 2011 the U.S. Senate voted 93-7 to approve a defense authorization bill that includes a provision repealing Article 125 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice, which makes it illegal to engage in both sodomy with humans and sex with animals.

[“And this is the writing that was written, MENE, MENE, TEKEL, UPHARSIN.” Daniel 5:25 - ed.]

+ CNSNews.com, 325 South Patrick Street, Alexandria, Virginia 22314, 877-267-6397, newsdesk@cnsnews.com

+ United States Senate, Washington DC 20510, 202-224-3121, ahazen@aoc.gov

30 November 2011

2011-11-30T22:30:00.000-05:00

Presbyterians Week Headlines

[1] ARP Pastor Charles W. Bradley Dies Thanksgiving Day 2011

[2] Preaching on the Plains: Reminiscences Published by Lulu.com

[3] The Christian Pundit on "Hermeneutics and Awkward Science"

---

[1] ARP Pastor Charles W. Bradley Dies Thanksgiving Day 2011

Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church (ARP) pastor Charles W. Bradley, 55, died on Thanksgiving Day, 24 November 2011, after suffering a heart attack at the manse of Hopewell ARP Church in Culleoka, Tennessee, where Mr. Bradley had pastored for the past twenty years. Mr. Bradley additionally pastored the Union Grove Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Colombia, Tennessee, for many years. Pastor Bradley was a member of the Tennessee-Alabama Presbytery of the ARP Church, and was presently serving as Stated Clerk of the presbytery and as a member of the ARP Church’s Executive Board of the General Synod.

A funeral service was conducted 28 November 2011 at the Hopewell ARP Church. Pastor Bradley is survived by his wife of thirty-six years, Sandra Fisher Bradley, daughter, Clair M. (Lance) Shroades of Fairbanks, Alaska; three sons, Brandon J. Bradley of Marietta, Georgia, Colin Matthew (Belinda) Bradley of Summertown, Tennessee, and Benjamin Clarence Bradley of Culleoka, Tennessee; nine grandchildren, one sister, a half-sister, and a half-brother.

Pastor Bradley’s obituary described him as “…a man who had a fervent desire to know God and know of God. As a result, he not only possessed a sincere love for God, he also lived his life with a deep love for his family and the family of God. He had a remarkable journey that resulted in Christian faith and that ultimately led him to a call into the ministry…. He loved theology, sought understanding of faith through the Reformed tradition and impacted many lives as he challenged those whose lives he touched to grow deeper into their faith in Christ Jesus.”

One of the speakers at Pastor Bradley’s funeral was a ruling elder who had interviewed the pastor twenty years ago before he was called to the Hopewell pulpit. The elder said that the Hopewell congregation had previously fallen to just a faithful few members, and that God used Pastor Bradley to preach biblical truth and gradually the Hopewell church grew to presently include about eighteen families including extended families, a few families with ten or more children, and some single adults.

The editor knew Pastor Bradley only as an Internet acquaintance and Facebook “friend”, and several years ago God providentially brought a great blessing to the Christian Observer when two members of Hopewell ARP Church agreed to became editors. Pastor Bradley’s deep faith has significantly influenced the lives of these two editors, and presumably the rest of the Hopewell congregation. The editor joins Pastor Bradley’s family and congregation in grieving the loss of their beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, and pastor, and in rejoicing that another good and faithful servant is in the presence of the Lord.

+ Oaks & Nichols Inc., Funeral Directors, 320 West Seventh Street, Colombia, Tennessee 38401, 931-388-4711, oakesandnichols@bellsouth.net

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

+ Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 8207 Traditional Place, Cordova, Tennessee 38016, 901-276-4572, Fax: 901-272-3913

[2] Preaching on the Plains: Reminiscences Published by Lulu.com

Preaching on the Plains: Reminiscences, by one of the founders of the Presbyterian Church of America in 1936 and the Bible Presbyterian Church (BPC) in 1938, the Rev. David K. Myers, has been published by Lulu.com and is available in paperback for US$10.82 plus shipping.

Myers’ son the Rev. David T. Myers writes:

“[F]or any who are interesting in the history of the early days of the BPC, especially up in the Plains states of Montana, South and North Dakota. Dad was a church planter, an evangelist complete with sawdust tent revivals, an Army chaplain from WW2 through the Korean War, a seminary professor (Faith from 1956 - 64 -- Any one who graduated from Faith in those years would remember him.) and a pastor. He was one of a handful of Presbyterian ministers who was censured by deposition in 1936 from the Presbyterian Church USA (Yellowstone Presbytery in Montana) for his support of the [Independent Board for Presbyterian Foreign Missions] in 1933.

“It features his experiences at Wheaton College in the 1920's and Princeton in 1927 - 29. He had sat under J. Gresham Machen, Robert Dick Wilson, Casper Wister Hodge (grandson of Charles H.), Geerhardus Vos, and the like “famous” names. He tells of his experiences of having to prepare his sermon while drunken cowboys still shot their pistols into the air on Saturday night. It tells of one of his "members" who had killed an entire farm family only to meet frontier justice and swing from the end of a rope over the railroad trestle! That happened just after Dad had led him to a profession of faith in the town jail. Probably not many of our present day pastors have had to experience that!!!

“Over all, it is a testament of divine grace, of the Holy Spirit's work in a man who was yielded completely to Him, doing His work in the Great Depression days of our country, and up to the mid to late 80's of the last century.”

Lulu.com provides a passage from the book:

“For some 32 years I have been absent from the northern Plains area which I call 'My Country.' I have had periods of great loneliness for it. I can fancy still the shouts and sounds of gunfire of riders, exuberant horsemen, rushing through the street on Saturday nights on 'Silk Stocking Avenue' in Fairview, Montana, firing into the air. I can feel the pressure of a quick crush with my car into the huge snow drifts in the wake of blizzard seasons; the warm hospitality of the Plains people. I remember the joyful shouts of little children in Vacation Bible Schools; the young lad who joyfully received Christ, then said just before he succumbed from tubercular meningitis, 'I go to dwell in the house of the Lord forever.' And I remember the exhausting nights after full days of preaching five or six times a Lord's Day, the many miles traversed; but all, all forgotten in the joy of seeing souls saved at points in a far flung parish. However, it is all ending in gladness!”

For more information, please see http://PreachingOnThePlains.wordpress.com, or http://Lulu.com.

+ Lulu, 10930 Raven Ridge Road #107, Raleigh, North Carolina 27614, 919-676-6222

+ Bible Presbyterian Church

[3] The Christian Pundit on "Hermeneutics and Awkward Science"

Associate Reformed Presbyterian pastor and Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary professor the Rev. Dr. William VanDoodewaard on 29 November 2011 published “Hermeneutics and Awkward Science” on his The Christian Pundit blog.

The article is a continuation of responses to discussions on hermeneutics and the creation/evolution debate in light of Peter Enns’ recent presentation to a group of New York area Presbyterian Church in America pastors. In “Hermeneutics and Awkward Science,” VanDoodewaard responds to the 16 November 2011 The Aquila Report article “ANE and Creation One More Time, with a Concluding Plea” by Erskine Theological Seminary professor Dr. William B. Evans.

VanDoodewaard responds to Evans’ article, in summary saying: “My issue is not with having “a place” for extra-biblical data in the interpretive process…. I would argue that in the specific case of the interpretation of Genesis 1 and 2, including the account of the origins of Adam and Eve, the issue encountered in alternative readings is a hermeneutically unwarranted accommodation of the text to the priority and primacy of extra-biblical data, rather than simply giving “a place”.

The article can be accessed at:

http://thechristianpundit.org/2011/11/29/hermeneutics-and-awkward-science/
.

+ The Christian Pundit, William.VanDoodewaard@puritanseminary.org

+ The Aquila Report, c/o Metokos Press, 211 Main Street, Suite 108, Narrows, Virginia 24124, 540-726-8223, operations@theaquilareport.com

+ Erskine Theological Seminary, Post Office Box 668, Due West, South Carolina 29639, 800-770-6936

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

+ Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary, 2965 Leonard Street Northeast, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49525, 616-977-0599, Fax: 616-285-3246, info@puritanseminary.org

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

23 November 2011

2011-11-23T22:36:00.002-05:00

Presbyterians Week Headlines

[1] Gaelic Watchnight Ecumenical Service in Stornaway, Isle of Lewis, Scotland, to be Led by Clergy from Church of Scotland, Free Church of Scotland, and Roman Catholic Church

[2] Trifecta of Syncretism Scheduled in Edinburgh, Scotland, 25-27 November 2011

[3] Free Church of Scotland Begins to Confiscate Free Church of Scotland (Continuing) Properties

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[1] Gaelic Watchnight Ecumenical Service in Stornaway, Isle of Lewis, Scotland, to be Led by Clergy from Church of Scotland, Free Church of Scotland, and Roman Catholic Church

A Gaelic Watchnight Service scheduled for 3 December 2011 at Martin’s Memorial Church (Church of Scotland (COS)) in Stornoway, Isle of Lewis, Scotland, will be led by clergy from the COS, the Free Church of Scotland (FCS), and the Roman Catholic Church (RCC). The overall service will be led by FCS former general assembly moderator the Rev. James MacIver, and assisted by COS minister the Rev. Angus Morrison and RCC priest Father Roddy Johnson.

The service is scheduled to be recorded by BBC ALBA, and will be available on Freeview (Channel 8), Sky (Channel 168), Freesat (Channel 110), Radio nan Gàidheal, and on BBC ALBA Christmas Eve 2011 at 11:00 p.m. and again on Christmas Day 2011. The service will additionally be available on the BBC iplayer following Christmas 2011.

An ecumenical service at the same church and with the same cast of denominations was held in October 2011, which is detailed in the 9 November 2011 Presbyterians Week article “[1] Church of Scotland Minister Joined by Free Church of Scotland Moderator and Roman Catholic Priest Lead Ecumenical Service at October 2011 Gaelic Music Festival.”

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

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

+ 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

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

[2] Trifecta of Syncretism Scheduled in Edinburgh, Scotland, 25-27 November 2011

A 23 November 2011 Ekklesia article titled “Three Faiths to Worship Together in Edinburgh Mosque” reports that the Rt. Rev. David Arnott, Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland (COS), Rabbi David Rose of the Edinburgh [Scotland] Hebrew Congregation, and [an] as-of-yet unidentified Muslim[s] will attend each others’ services in Edinburgh, Scotland’s Annandale Mosque on Friday 25 November, Edinburgh Hebrew Congregation on Saturday 26 November, and St. Andrew’s (COS) on Sunday 26 November, as “part of a unique three-day programme in Edinburgh of talks between the three main Abrahamic traditions.”

+ Ekklesia, 2nd Floor, 145-157 St. John Street, London EC1V 4PY, England, 0845 056 5445, press@ekklesia.co.uk

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

[3] Free Church of Scotland Begins to Confiscate Free Church of Scotland (Continuing) Properties

The following notice from the Free Church of Scotland (Continuing) (FCSC)’s Legal Advice & Property Committee was sent to all FCSC congregations on 19 November 2011:

“Notice To Congregations

“Please note that the (FCSC) Commission of Assembly will meet this Tuesday evening to discuss our position regarding the legal action taken by the Residual Body [Free Church of Scotland] to dispossess our congregation in Partick of all its assets. Please pray that the Lord will help the brethren as they meet.

“In the meantime, it is with great sadness that we must report that the Residual Body of the Free Church of Scotland has gained entry into and taken possession of the manse in Ardelve. We deplore this action as unwarranted and totally improper while legal action is in progress. It demonstrates, in our opinion, contempt for the civil magistrate who is the Minister of Christ for good (Romans 13:4) and who alone possesses the God-given authority to settle such disputes. Further, at a time when the Free Church (Continuing) congregation in Ardelve is contemplating the Call of a minister, the timing of this action constitutes utter disregard for the furtherance of the Gospel in the area.

“We pray for our congregation in Ardelve at this time, and encourage them in the Lord their God: "The LORD maketh poor, and maketh rich: he bringeth low, and lifteth up...He will keep the feet of his saints, and the wicked shall be silent in darkness; for by strength shall no man prevail." (1 Samuel 2:8,9)

“D S FRASER

“(Convener, LAPC)”

The 17 August 2011 Presbyterians Week article “[2] Court of Session in Edinburg, Scotland, Rules that Isle of Skye’s Broadford Church Belongs to the Free Church of Scotland” reported that:

“the Court of Session in Edinburg, Scotland,…upheld a 2009 lower court decision giving ownership of the Broadford Church on the Isle of Skye, Scotland, to the Free Church of Scotland, thus taking the church from the Free Church of Scotland (Continuing) congregation that has worshiped there since 2007.

“….

“Lord Drummond Young, one of three appeals court judges, concluded the court’s written opinion with a recommendation to both parties:

“May I, in conclusion, respectfully suggest that this is a case where such an arrangement might be reached? It is true that the right to the Broadford property belongs to the congregation who adhere to the structures of the pre-2000 Free Church, and that the minister and communicants of that congregation must be members of the Free Church as governed by those structures. Nevertheless, I can find nothing in the trust that prevents the congregation so determined from permitting the use of the church to other bodies of Christians who follow similar doctrines and forms of worship. The defenders appear to me to be such a body. In this respect, the exhortation to longsuffering, forbearance and unity of the spirit within a congregation may be as relevant to Broadford and other communities in Scotland in the twenty first century as it was to Ephesus in the first century.”

The Free Church of Scotland (Continuing) separated from the Free Church of Scotland in 2000 after the majority declined to pursue church discipline against Free Church College Professor Donald Macleod, who was alleged to have committed six charges of indecent assault involving five women between 1985 and 1992, and was acquitted of the charges after a trial in the Edinburgh Sheriff Court.

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

+ 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

16 November 2011

2011-11-16T22:47:00.000-05:00

Presbyterians Week Headlines

[1] Why Paterno Will Matter: A Theological Reflection on the Sad Case at Penn State

[2] John Calvin a Radical Socialist?

[3] Occupy Portland [Oregon] Demonstrators Arrested with Bombs Meant for Police

[4] Bill Keller of Liveprayer.com Says 2012 Presidential Election will be Satan vs. Satan

[5] Up to 150 Church of Scotland Ministers Ready to Leave Kirk over Homosexual Ordination

[6] The Christian Pundit on the Choice of Authority in Harmonizing the Historicity of Adam and Eve with Evolutionary Theory

[7] Inheritance Publications Offers Remembrance Day/Veteran’s Day Package for Remembering the Mighty Acts of God

[8] Full-Length English Edition of Wisdom and Wonder: Common Grace in Science & Art by Abraham Kuyper is Released

[9] 2011 Confessional Presbyterian Scheduled for Release

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[1] Why Paterno Will Matter: A Theological Reflection on the Sad Case at Penn State

by Dr. Michael A. Milton

Joe Paterno's career is over. It did not end well.

Writing in the midst of a cauldron of charges and investigations about child abuse, is not easy. Writing with certainty about anything in such times is not wise. I therefore make no pronouncements other than this: Paterno will matter.

By that, I mean to say, his legacy will matter. I don't just mean his legacy as a Brown educated coach, Brooklyn-accent, Easterner who preferred reading classics to hunting deer in a blue collar Western PA place called "Happy Valley." I don't mean his legacy as the man who not only impacted the football reputation of that college but, as Bill Pennington put it in the New York Times, "was Penn State."

His legacy will include his concern for players, his development work in raising the academic influence of Penn State, and his character; not the character in the sense of the Columbo-like figure (with thick glasses) that roamed the sidelines like just another professor on campus who just happens to rule over big time football in America, but the character of the man. That character which is so large and good that it shapes others' character. All of those things matter.

Now some may remember, years from now, this tragic incident. Maybe a lapse in judgement. Maybe things we don't know. Yes, surely things we don't know. Will that be his legacy as well?

Legacies are about the impact that people leave on other people. We do not know if this alleged crime against a child and the failure to report it -- surely the greatest tragedy of all in this sordid story -- that ended Paterno's career will loom so large that it overshadows the other facets of what was already a great legacy.

But we know this -- at least those who know Jesus Christ know this -- sin stains even God's greatest creations. That is what happened in the fall of Mankind. And if that were all of the truth we knew in our worldview lens, as we looked at this, and as we looked at life, then we would be of all men most pitiable.

But the gospel of Jesus Christ is that the legacy of shame was overcome at the cross, when God became Man to live the life we could not live and "For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God" (2 Cor. 5.:21 ESV). That is the gospel -- the Good News.

Embedded in every shameful story of our lives, our families, is the reality of that stain of sin. And that is why Christ came: to remove the stain with His own pure life and give that life to all who will turn from themselves and receive His life and His death for their sin. That is the gospel. And the gospel changes legacies. And for the children of abuse, the families in pain, and even one of the greatest coaches of our time, that is really all that matters now.

Michael Anthony Milton (Ph.D., University of Wales) serves as the chancellor/CEO elect of Reformed Theological Seminary (one of the largest accredited seminaries in the country), a U.S. Army chaplain and the James M. Baird Jr. chair of pastoral theology at RTS/Charlotte. He is an author, songwriter, singer, ordained minister, former pastor of First Presbyterian Church in Chattanooga, Tenn., and he previously served as the president of RTS/Charlotte. Dr. Milton also hosts a national Bible teaching television program, Faith for Living, broadcast on the NRB Television Network, and a radio program broadcast on several stations in the southeast. For 16 years he served in the business world and has also served as a top-secret Navy linguist.

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

+ Reformed Theological Seminary, 2101 Carmel Road, Charlotte, North Carolina 28226, 704-366-5066, Fax: 704-366-9295

[2] John Calvin a Radical Socialist?

Setri Nyomi, General Secretary of the World Communion of Reformed Churches , in a lecture on the role of the church in the 21st century delivered at Princeton Theological Seminary on 15 November 2011 said that 16^th Century theologian John Calvin would have supported the “Occupy Wall Street” protesters.

Nyomi said: “Calvin expressed opposition to all forms of social oppression resulting from money. Today, it is the global economic systems and practices that have more sophisticated forms of effects….The church of the 21st century needs to align itself with voices of justice…even if it means being out there in the streets.”

Nyomi additionally quoted the Accra Confession: “We believe the economy exists to serve the dignity and wellbeing of people….Therefore we reject the unregulated accumulation of wealth and limitless growth that has already cost the lives of millions and destroyed much of God’s creation.”

+ World Communion of Reformed Churches, 150 route de Ferney, Post Office Box 2100, 1211 Geneva 2, Switzerland, 41-22-791-6240, Fax: 41-22-791-6505, info@reformedchurches.org

+ Princeton Theological Seminary, 64 Mercer Street, Princeton, New Jersey 08542-0803, 609-921-8300

[3] Occupy Portland [Oregon] Demonstrators Arrested with Bombs Meant for Police

A 14 November 2011 KMTR.com article titled “I-5 Traffic Stop Yields Incendiary Devices and Gas Masks” reports that three Klamath Falls, Oregon, men stopped for speeding on I-5 by a traffic safety officer were found to have incendiary devices, gas masks, and fireworks in the car intended to be used against the Portland, Oregon, police when the officers confronted Occupy Portland protestors.

The materials included firecrackers and two commercially manufactured fireworks mortars encased in canning jars that were designed to spread glass shrapnel when exploded. Additionally, a small quantity of marijuana was seized from the car.

Charges against the three men include Unlawful Possession of Fireworks, Unlawful Possession of [a] Destructive Device, Unlawful Manufacture of [a] Destructive Device, and Possession of less than one ounce of marijuana.

+ KMTR, 3825 International Court, Springfield, Oregon 97477, 541-46-1600, newsdesk@kmtr.com

[4] Bill Keller of Liveprayer.com Says 2012 Presidential Election will be Satan vs. Satan

Bill Keller, Internet Evangelist and the founder of LivePrayer.com, says the 2012 Presidential election will be Satan vs. Satan, meaning God is finished with the United States!

Keller says that the most likely match-up in the 2012 Presidential election will be Mitt Romney vs. President Barack Obama, meaning it will be Satan vs. Satan. Keller states that many may call this characterization extreme, but that is exactly what it will come down to.

Keller said: “During President Obama's nearly three years in office, he has proven by his words and deeds to be a true enemy of God. He has been the most pro-death President in history through his support of the killing of innocent babies, he has been a staunch ally of the radical homosexual agenda, and a true friend to the enemies of Israel.”

Keller continued: “While Mitt Romney has been willing to change his core beliefs on critical spiritual issues like abortion and gay marriage, he has never denounced his beliefs of the satanic Mormon cult! As a ‘Temple Mormon,’ Romney not only wears the magical underwear bearing satanic markings, but has taken a blood oath to the Mormon cult over anything else, INCLUDING THE U.S. CONSTITUTION!”

Keller continued, "Romney, like fellow cult member Glenn Beck and all in their cult, truly believe they will die and become the god of their own planet and have sex with an endless supply of women to create millions of spirit babies, in addition to other ridiculous fantasies their cult teaches. Romney and Mormons also believe in the ‘White Horse Prophecy’ of their cult's founder Joseph Smith, claiming the U.S. will be in total chaos, a Mormon will become President, and to save the nation suspend the Constitution and enact a Mormon theocracy."

Keller concluded, “This is not about politics, it is about SOULS. Every person will die, and it is the goal of Satan to lead their eternal soul to hell.” Keller believes that if the election for our next President comes down to Romney and Obama, it means that God has finally had enough of our nation killing 4,000 innocent babies each day, embracing sexual perversion, the destruction of God's Holy Institution of Marriage and the family, and people worshipping every false god and idol man has created in his evil imagination, and [God thus] will take His hand of protection and blessing off our the United States.”

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

+ Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 50 East North Temple Street, Salt Lake City, Utah 84150, 801-240-2640, Contact Page

+ The White House, 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue Northwest, Washington DC 20500, 202-456-1414, Fax: 202-456-2461, Contact Page

[5] Up to 150 Church of Scotland Ministers Ready to Leave Kirk over Homosexual Ordination

A 14 November 2011 article Severin Carrell in The Guardian titled “Gay Clergy Row Threatens Mass Resignations from Church of Scotland” reports that up to 150 ministers from the Church of Scotland (COS) may leave the Kirk due to objections to the ordination of homosexuals. The disaffected clergy may eventually form a new denomination.

The schism is the largest in the COS since 1843 when 474 ministers left to form the Free Church of Scotland.

+ The Guardian, Kings Place, 90 York Way, London N1 9GU, England, 44-20-3-353-2000, reader@guardian.co.uk

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

+ 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

[6] The Christian Pundit on the Choice of Authority in Harmonizing the Historicity of Adam and Eve with Evolutionary Theory

Associate Reformed Presbyterian pastor and Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary professor the Rev. Dr. William VanDoodewaard on 10 November 2011 published “Enns’ Clarity and Consistency” on his The Christian Pundit blog. The article summarizes and comments upon discussions on hermeneutics and the creation/evolution debate in light of Peter Enns’ recent presentation to a group of New York area Presbyterian Church in America pastors.

The article can be accessed at:

http://thechristianpundit.org/2011/11/10/six-days/

+ The Christian Pundit, William.VanDoodewaard@puritanseminary.org

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

+ Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary, 2965 Leonard Street Northeast, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49525, 616-977-0599, Fax: 616-285-3246, info@puritanseminary.org

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

[7] Inheritance Publications Offers Remembrance Day/Veteran’s Day Package for Remembering the Mighty Acts of God

Inheritance Publications is offering a Remembrance Day/Veteran’s Day package of books and DVD’s so that in addition to remembering the World Wars and the soldiers fighting during those times to preserve or achieve freedom, the ultimate freedom that comes from God, freedom from sin and freedom to serve Him, can too be recalled - so to remember the mighty acts of God and to teach these to your children.

The package includes one copy each of :

-- League of Grateful Sons - The Second World War at Iwo Jima - CA$16.00

-- It Began with a Parachute – Children’s book - CA$7.90

-- In This Hour - Adult Historical Novel about World War II and the Floods of 1953 - $13.90

-- Theatre in Dachau – Adult eyewitness account - CA$12.90

Buy all four items and receive a fifteen percent discount:

http://www.telusplanet.net/public/inhpubl/webip/amazon.htm

+ Inheritance Publications, Box 154, Neerlandia, Alberta T0G 1R0, Canada, 780-674-3949, Fax: 775-890-9118

[8] Full-Length English Edition of Wisdom and Wonder: Common Grace in Science & Art by Abraham Kuyper is Released

The first full-length English-language publication of Abraham Kuyper's writings on common grace is slated to be released during the annual meeting of the Evangelical Theological Society (ETS) in San Francisco, California, 16-18 November 2011. Wisdom & Wonder: Common Grace in Science & Art explores the views of the Dutch theologian on the relationship between the Christian faith, culture, and God's preserving work in the world.

The book is available for pre-order now on the Christian's Library Press website at US$24.99 for hardcover and US$14.99 for paperback, and will be available for purchase in stores and online beginning 21 November 2011.

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

+ The Acton Institute, 161 Ottawa Avenue Northwest, Suite 301, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49503, 616-454-3080, Fax: 616-454-9454, info@acton.org

+ Evangelical Theological Society, 2825 Lexington Road, Box 927, Louisville, Kentucky 40280, 502-897-4387, Fax : 502-897-4386, Contact Page

[9] 2011 Confessional Presbyterian Scheduled for Release

The 2011 Confessional Presbyterian is scheduled to be released in late November 2011.

A list of the contents is available at:

http://www.cpjournal.com/2011/05/the-confessional-presbyterian-7-for-2011/

+ Naphtali Press, Post Office Box 141084, Dallas, Texas 75214, naphtali@naphtali.com

9 November 2011

2011-11-09T00:00:00.000-05:00

Presbyterians Week Headlines

[1] Church of Scotland Minister Joined by Free Church of Scotland Moderator and Roman Catholic Priest Lead Ecumenical Service at October 2011 Gaelic Music Festival

[2] PCUSA’s Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary to Go Tuition Free in 2015 for Master’s Degree Students

[3] November 2011 Reformation Voice Available for Download

[4] Children’s Book The Quest for Comfort: The Story of the Heidelberg Catechism by William Boekestein is Published by Reformation Heritage Books

[5] Trinity Foundation Announces 2011 Christian Worldview Essay Contest Winners

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[1] Church of Scotland Minister Joined by Free Church of Scotland Moderator and Roman Catholic Priest Lead Ecumenical Service at October 2011 Gaelic Music Festival

An October 2011 article in the Hebrides News titled “Main Mod Events” reports that the ecumenical church service for the 2011 Western Isles Royal National Mod, a Gaelic music festival, held Sunday 16 October 2011 at Martins Memorial Church (Church of Scotland) (COS) in Stornoway, Isle of Lewis, Scotland, was led by COS minister the Rev. Iain M. MacDonald of Cross Church of Scotland in Ness, Isle of Lewis, Scotland, and assisted by the current Free Church General Assembly moderator of the Free Church of Scotland the Rev. James MacIver and by Roman Catholic priest Father Calum MacLellan of Eriskay, Scotland.

+ Hebrides News, Box 100, Stornoway, Scotland HS1 2YZ, info@hebrides.biz

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

+ 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

[2] PCUSA’s Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary to Go Tuition Free in 2015 for Master’s Degree Students

Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary (LPTS) (Presbyterian Church (PCUSA)) announced 4 November 2011 that the school will not charge tuition for students in its master’s degree programs in divinity, marriage and family therapy, and religion beginning in 2015. LPTS’s yearly tuition is currently around US$10,200.

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

+ Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary, 1044 Alta Vista Road, Louisville, Kentucky 40205, 502-895-3411,Fax: 502-895-1096, lmarch@lpts.edu

[3] November 2011 Reformation Voice Available for Download

The November 2011 Reformation Voice is available for download at the Heidelberg Reformation Association website.

+ Heidelberg Reformation Association, Rev. Howard Sloan, Secretary, 5543 Business 220, Bedford, Pennsylvania 15522

[4] Children’s Book The Quest for Comfort: The Story of the Heidelberg Catechism by William Boekestein is Published by Reformation Heritage Books

The Heidelberg Catechism has been taught to children for hundreds of years, encouraging them to seek Christ as their true source of comfort. But how did this catechism get written? In The Quest for Comfort: The Story of the Heidelberg Catechism, William Boekestein and Evan Hughes combine history and art to retell the events that led to making the catechism. By sharing the stories of Caspar Olevianus, Zacharias Ursinus, and Frederick III and how they came to Heidelberg, children will gain a greater appreciation of the Christian faith as it is expressed in the Heidelberg Catechism.

The Quest for Comfort: The Story of the Heidelberg Catechism is available from Reformation Heritage Books for US$7.50 plus shipping charges.

+ Reformation Heritage Books, 2965 Leonard Street Northeast, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49525, 616-977-0599, orders@heritagebooks.org

[5] Trinity Foundation Announces 2011 Christian Worldview Essay Contest Winners

The Trinity Foundation has announced the winners of the 2011 Christian Worldview Essay Contest.

The First Prize of $3000 plus 15 books goes to Emmanuel Cumplido of Pawtucket, Rhode Island, for his essay “Hope in the Midst of Despair: An Essay on Gordon Clark’s 1966 Wheaton Lectures”.

The Second Prize of $2000 plus 10 books goes to Ryan Hedrich of Lawrenceville, Georgia, for his essay “The Good Work of Philosophy”.

The Third Prize of $1000 plus 5 books goes to Racheal Parker of Greentown, Indiana, for her essay “Philosophical Contrast: Revelation versus the Vain Imaginations of Men”.

All entrants had to read the book Introduction to Christian Philosophy / “The Wheaton Lectures” (contained in Christian Philosophy and Clark and His Critics) by Dr. Gordon H. Clark and write an essay about the book.

The topic for the 2012 Christian Worldview Essay Contest is Without a Prayer: Ayn Rand and the Close of Her System by John W. Robbins.

Additionally, The Trinity Foundation has published For the King: The Trinity Review, 1999-2008 edited by John W. Robbins and Thomas W. Juodaitis, available for US$39.95, and under the current sale flyer - buy one get two free. For the King is The Trinity Foundation’s biggest book yet, 624 pages in 8 1/2 x 11 oversized cloth bound hardback. For the King is the third ten-year compilation of The Trinity Review. Against the World and Against the Churches were the first two.

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

2 November 2011

2011-11-02T00:00:00.001-04:00

Presbyterians Week Headlines

[1] Christian Observer Highlights for November 2011

[2] Former Free Church of Scotland Minister Inducted 29 October 2011 into the Pastorate of a New Reformed Presbyterian Church of Scotland Congregation in Stornaway, Isle of Lewis, Scotland

[3] Church of Scotland Moderator Joins Syncretistic Group to Hear Pope Benedict XVI Speak in Assisi, Italy

[4] Presbyterian Church of Ghana Official Condemns British Prime Minister David Cameron’s Threat to Cut Aid to Countries that Do Not Accept Pro-Homosexual Legislation

[5] Burmese Army Targets Christian Civilians in War on Insurgents - Troops Attack Churches in Kachin State Conflict

[6] Influence of Muslim Brotherhood Within Obama Administration Exposed by Egyptian Writer Dr. Essam Abdallah

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[1] Christian Observer Highlights for November 2011

New articles in the Christian Observer for November 2011 include:

-- Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA) of Lexington, Virginia, Moves to New Building – by Christian Observer Managing Editor Bob Williams – Fifty-nine year-old Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA) of Lexington, Virginia, moves into their new church building after ten years of planning; and,

-- Sex Education and Homosexuality? – by Christian Observer Contributing Editor Dr. Joe Renfro – the Homosexual Agenda as it is being played out in the public schools, and the bullying being done by the homosexual lobby to anyone professing traditional Judeo-Christian tenets of human sexuality;

Plus, regular features including weekly Sabbath School Lessons and Westminster Shorter Catechism lessons by Christian Observer Assistant Editor Dr. Robert LaMay, and Daily Devotionals by T.M. Moore, dean of the Centurions Program of the Wilberforce Forum and principal of The Fellowship of Ailbe.

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

[2] Former Free Church of Scotland Minister Inducted 29 October 2011 into the Pastorate of a New Reformed Presbyterian Church of Scotland Congregation in Stornaway, Isle of Lewis, Scotland

A 31 October 2011 Stornoway Gazette article titled “Minister inducted to New Western Isles Church” reports that on 29 October 2011, former Free Church of Scotland (FCS) minister the Rev. David Karoon was inducted into the pastorate of a new Reformed Presbyterian Church of Scotland (RPCS) congregation in Stornoway, Isle of Lewis, Scotland - the first RPCS congregation in the Western Isles of Scotland – and the first RPCS congregation in the Scottish Highlands since 1876.

Mr. Karoon left the FCS after the denomination voted to add uninspired hymns and instrumental music to what had been until then exclusive a capella psalmody.

+ Stornoway Gazette, 10 Francis Street, Stornoway, Isle of Lewis HS12XE, Scotland, 01851-702-687, newsdesk@stornowaygazette.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

+ Reformed Presbyterian Church of Scotland, c/o the Rev. Andrew Quigley, RPCS Clerk, Linden House, Westermavisbank Avenue, Airdrie, ML6 0HD Scotland, 01236-753971, SAndrewQ@aol.com

[3] Church of Scotland Moderator Joins Syncretistic Group to Hear Pope Benedict XVI Speak in Assisi, Italy

Church of Scotland Moderator the Right Reverend David Arnott joined with 300 religious leaders including Buddhists, atheists, humanists, Lutherans, Methodists, and a plethora of other nominal Christians and non-Christians in Assisi, Italy, as Roman Catholic Pope Benedict XVI led a day-long prayer service for world peace.

Mr. Arnott said: “It was a much bigger event on a world scale that any of us thought or imagined it would be and was a wonderful occasion. Repeatedly voices were heard condemning the link between violence and religion.

“True religion is the way of peace. True religion is peace. Not only were there people present from every world church and faith, the Pope had invited indigenous religions from Africa and also non-believers and humanists to take part.

“This was a splendid example of cross cultural co-operation and a paradigm for our own church, where we too need to embrace our society much more fully. We need to learn to co-operate with everyone at every level to build the community and society we wish in Scotland.”

Arnott also visited Rome as a guest of the Pontifical Council for Christian Unity.

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

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

[4] Presbyterian Church of Ghana Official Condemns British Prime Minister David Cameron’s Threat to Cut Aid to Countries that Do Not Accept Pro-Homosexual Legislation

A 1 November 2011 Ghana Broadcasting Corporation article titled “Ghana: British PM Under Attack for Gay Rights Comments” reports that the Rev. Dr. Bugri Nagbo, Northern Regional Chairman of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana, has condemned recent comments of British Prime Minister David Cameron threatening to cut off aid to countries that do not accept pro-homosexual legislation.

Dr. Nagbo said that Ghana is a decent and well-behaved country, and that it is imperative that Ghana maintain its sovereignty and not kowtow to pressures to exchange legislation for money. He called for all political parties, religious organizations, and youth groups to stand against such ungodliness, as acquiescence to these pressures will doom the country of Ghana.

Dr. Nagbo additionally said that countries that offer aid to developing countries in exchange for discarding their cultural values, are engaging in racism and in bullying behavior. He too advised the government of Ghana to disregard the comments of the British Prime Minister, as the government would lose its popularity if they were to enact pro-homosexual legislation in exchange for foreign aid money.

+ Ghana Broadcasting Corporation, Post Office Box GP 1633, Accra, Ghana, 233-21-786567, Fax: 233-21-773247, dg@gbcghana.com

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

[5] Burmese Army Targets Christian Civilians in War on Insurgents - Troops Attack Churches in Kachin State Conflict

By Michael Ireland
Senior Correspondent, ASSIST News Service

NEW DELHI, INDIA (ANS) -- Compass Direct News (CDN) reports that a recent attack on Christians and church buildings by Burmese soldiers in Kachin state showed that Christian civilians are targeted in the military offensive against insurgents.

“Targeting of Christians is not unusual in Burma’s conflict zones,” Nawdin Lahpai, editor-in-chief of the Kachin News Group, told Compass by phone, referring to the Oct. 16 military firing at a church, detention of a priest and four parishioners, and burning of church property in Kachin state.

“The incident reflects the long-time policy of the Buddhist-Burman-majority Burmese government, which discriminates against the ethnic Christian minority,” Lahpai said.

CDN explains that about 90 percent of the roughly 56 million people in Burma (also known as Myanmar) are Buddhist, mostly from the Burman ethnic group.

CDN stated that armed and unarmed ethnic Kachins have struggled for independence or autonomy from successive military-led regimes for decades.

Compass also stated that in the Oct. 16 attack, about 150 soldiers stormed Nam San Yang village in the Daw Phung Yang area of Bhamo District in Kachin state, which borders China, according to Mizzima, a Delhi-based news organization run by Burmese journalists.

Compass added that members of a Catholic church who were preparing for Sunday mass heard gunfire and saw soldiers approaching them. They lay on the ground as the army men opened fire at them. No one was hurt.

The soldiers caught Catholic priest Jan Ma Aung Li and four other men. “They said that all males in the village were people’s militiamen and KIO staff,” Mizzima quoted Aung Li as saying.

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

+ Compass Direct News Service, Post Office Box 27250, Santa Ana, California 92799, 949-862-0304, Fax: 949-752-6536, info@compassdirect.org

[6] Influence of Muslim Brotherhood Within Obama Administration Exposed by Egyptian Writer Dr. Essam Abdallah

NEW YORK, Nov. 1, 2011 /Christian Newswire/ -- Dr. Essam Abdallah, an Egyptian liberal intellectual, today stated in his article published on FamilySecurityMatters.org's website, that the Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR), Hamas, Hezbollah, the Iranian regime and the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt, Syria, Tunisia, Libya and Jordan now comprise what is becoming the greatest Islamist radical lobby ever to penetrate and infiltrate the White House, Congress, the State Department and the main decision making centers of the US government.

Dr. Abdallah says that “all of this is happening at a time when the US government is going through its most strategically dangerous period in modern times because of its need to confront the Iranian Mullahs regime, which is expanding in the Middle East, as well as penetrating the United States, via powerful and influential allies.” He also points out that Islamist dominance is spreading throughout the Mediterranean, and then makes the explosive charge that “These developments wouldn't have happened without the approval of the United States.”

Dr. Abdallah also points out that, at the same time, the visit of Maronite Patriarch (the Maronites are an Eastern rite Catholic Church) Rahi to Washington was canceled while Coptic Christian churches are being destroyed in Egypt, and “Coptic demonstrators are massacred at Maspero in Cairo by the Egyptian military, demonstrating that the goal is to suppress Christians in the Middle East, who are...paying a high price for the revolts of the Arab Spring.” Millions of Iraqi and Middle Eastern Christians are fleeing their homelands as a result of events in Iraq, and some are even facing not only ethnic cleansing but a form of genocide.

In commenting on Dr. Abdallah's article, Carol Taber, President of FamilySecurityMatters.org, said this. “My question to this administration is "Who has orchestrated this mishandling of Middle Eastern policy in a manner that is so dangerous to the interests of the United States? Why do we seem to be siding with Islamist forces that are dedicated to the Islamization of the Middle East, and not to other elements and people who are dedicated to those values America holds dear? And why?”

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

+ Family Security Foundation, 2020 Pennsylvania Avenue, Northwest, #298, Washington DC 20006, Renee@FamilySecurityMatters.org

26 October 2011

2011-10-26T00:00:00.002-04:00

Presbyterians Week Headlines

[1] Bibles for Russia Founder Alfred McCroskey, 76, Dies 18 October 2011

[2] ARP Second Presbytery Fall 2011 Meeting Characterized as “a Garish Hudibrastic Burlesque of Presbyterianism”

[3] Canadian Reformed Theological Seminary 2012 Conference ‘Rejoicing in Growth: Church Planting & Evangelism’ Scheduled 13-14 January 2012

[4] Former Hindu and Physician Writes Book about Dying PCA Pastor’s Wife whose Witness God Used to Lead Him to Salvation in Jesus Christ

[5] Vatican Calls for World Economic Governance to Overcome “Idolatry of the Market”

---

[1] Bibles for Russia Founder Alfred McCroskey, 76, Dies 18 October 2011

Alfred McCroskey, who founded Bibles for Russia, Inc. (BFRI) in 1988, died 18 October 2011 at age 76.

BFRI is a Christian foreign missions board, specializing in taking short-term mission teams to "plant and grow churches" across the former Soviet Union. In January 2010, the goal set in 1988 by BFRI of planting 1000 new churches was reached. Along the way, and in cooperation with local churches, BFRI additionally ministers to orphans, street children, prisoners, school children and their teachers, hospital and mental institution patients, “unreached people groups,” unsaved young people, and students preparing for Christian ministry.

Mr. McCroskey’s funeral was held 22 October 2011 in Florence, Alabama. He is survived by his wife Jean, and sons Mark and David McCroskey.

+ Bibles for Russia, Inc., Post Office Box 69, Florence, Alabama 35631, 256-718-3660, Fax: 256-718-3662, info@biblesforrussia.org

[2] ARP Second Presbytery Fall 2011 Meeting Characterized as “a Garish Hudibrastic Burlesque of Presbyterianism”

ARPTalk(51.1), titled “An Open Letter to the “Star Wars’ Cantina Presbytery” (Second Presbytery),” was published by the Rev. Dr. Chuck Wilson on 20 October 2011as a review of the 11 October 2011 Fall 2011 Stated Meeting of the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church (ARP)’s Second Presbytery. After attending this meeting, Dr. Wilson concluded that an earlier characterization of Second Presbytery he had felt was “cutting sarcasm,” that being “The Star Wars’ Cantina Presbytery,” was in fact an accurate description of Second Presbytery because the 11 October meeting demonstrated that the presbytery is “a gallimaufry of various blends and shades of strangeness that makes Second Presbytery a caricature of a presbytery that is then a caricature of itself – a garish Hudibrastic burlesque of Presbyterianism!”

Dr. Wilson’s descriptive came about as a result of presbytery deliberations upon a memorial presented by three Second Presbytery churches asking for an investigation of four Second Presbytery Elders that are directors of the Erskine College Foundation (ECF), an organization formed after the March 2010 “Snow Synod” to support efforts by Erskine College partisans against the ARP General Synod, and whether or not the elders’ involvement in the ECF is in violation of their ordination vows as Elders in the ARP Church.

Dr. Wilson describes the emotions against the memorial as verging on “hysteria,” and the “performance by Mr. Neely Gaston, former Executive Vice President of ETS, [being] the most bizarre show of the day….[as with] a red face, neck veins bulging, and voice warbling, [Gaston] once again declared the actions of the “Snow Synod” illegal as he attempted to read page-after-page from South Carolina law.”

Dr. Wilson describes several other occurrences including an ARP pastor who read an e-mail from President David Norman and Erskine Board of Trustees Chairman Joe Patrick to the presbytery stating that the matter of the ECF was an Erskine matter and informing the presbytery that those at Erskine were dealing with it. No one seemed to notice that what the pastor did was a violation of presbytery’s protocol and “out of order.” Dr. Wilson writes “the audacity of the action was such that everyone was caught by surprise. Likewise, at the time, no one seemed to notice that Erskine matters took precedence over and trumped Second Presbytery in the oversight of its own house. In fact, Erskine (the tail of the dog) wagged the dog (the church).”

Dr. Wilson described three “extraordinarily distressing issues that arose from this debate that have been publicly demonstrated on the floor of Second Presbytery for all to see,” which included what he called “Erskinolatry,” summarized in Erskine partisans’scriptural addenda to the Ten Commandments: “(11) Thou shalt be nice”; and “(12) Thou shalt say no critical thing about Erskine no manner the depth of the evil, for in so doing our god is pushed over on his face.”” The second and third distressing issues were the presbytery’s obsession with “peacekeeping” to the exclusion of confessional integrity, and the level of ignorance of Presbyterian polity demonstrated by Elders from the two churches attended by the subject ECF directors.

Dr. Wilson concluded ARPTalk(51.1) with an illustrative story:

“When Raphael was painting his famous Vatican frescoes, a couple of cardinals stopped by to watch the master and criticize his work. “The face of the Apostle Paul is too red,” said one of the churchmen. Raphael retorted, “Paul blushes to see into whose hands the church has fallen.””

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

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

+ Erskine College, 2 Washington Street, Due West, South Carolina 29639, 864-379-2131, 864-379-2167, norman@erskine.edu

[3] Canadian Reformed Theological Seminary 2012 Conference ‘Rejoicing in Growth: Church Planting & Evangelism’ Scheduled 13-14 January 2012

The Second Annual Canadian Reformed Theological Seminary Lecture Series, ‘Rejoicing in Growth: Church Planting & Evangelism’ is scheduled for 13-14 January 2012 at the seminary in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.

The program includes:

SPEECHES - Friday, 13 January 2012 (8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.)

-- Rev. Henk Drost – “Spreading the seed of the Word: Reformed Foundations for Evangelism”

-- Rev. Ross W. Graham – “Reformed Church Planting in the 21st Century”

-- Rev. Henk Drost – “Developing Missionary-Minded Congregations”

-- Rev. Ted Van Raalte – “Motivating Reformed Churches to Multiply: The 2011 Metro Vancouver Church Planting Initiative”

SEMINAR SESSIONS - Saturday, 14 January 2012 (8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.)

-- Rev. Ross W. Graham – “Six Things to Remember about Planting a Reformed Church”

-- Rev. Ted Van Raalte – “Practical Steps for Church Planting in Urban Centers: Lessons from the Reformation”

-- Rev. Jim Witteveen – “The Prince George Canadian Reformed Mission Project”

-- Rev. John van Popta - Reaching your Neighbours: Evangelism and Video Programs

Further information and registration for the conference is available at:

http://www.canadianreformedseminary.ca/general/2012_conference.html

+ Canadian Reformed Theological Seminary, 110 West 27th Street, Hamilton, Ontario L9C 5A1, Canada, 905-575-3688, Fax: 905-575-0799

+ Canadian Reformed Churches, comments@canrc.org

[4] Former Hindu and Physician Writes Book about Dying PCA Pastor’s Wife whose Witness God Used to Lead Him to Salvation in Jesus Christ

Nationally renowned oncologist Dr. Kashyap Patel, MD, has treated thousands of patients over the years, but none quite like Anne Sanford. Despite having had a number of patients who fought cancer with grace and bravery, in Anne he found such a remarkable spirit that it affected his own outlook on medicine and his religious views.

Once a Hindu, a near death experience prompted Dr. Patel to investigate what gave some patients genuine acceptance of suffering. After delving into his meticulous patient journals, he found his answer in Anne, the wife of a church pastor in Rock Hill, South Carolina, whose astonishing faith during virulent leukemia awakened his own faith. “I found her story so touching that with the blessing of Anne’s family, I decided to share it with the entire world so that all could feel the wonder Anne inspired in those around her,” explains Dr. Patel.

Anne’s husband is the Rev. Dr. Shelton Sanford, pastor of Westminster Presbyterian Church (Presbyterian Church in America (PCA)) in Rock Hill, South Carolina, a position he’s held for twenty-five years. “In the providence of God, she was called to suffer with an aggressive form of leukemia,” says Dr. Sandford. “Upon Anne’s diagnosis, her greatest desire was to be a faithful witness to her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Anne’s witness has continued long after her death as is evident by the content of this book.”

According to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, more than 43,000 people developed leukemia in 2010 and, like Anne, it’s a battle many do not win.

Raindrops to an Ocean: The Amazing Last Days of Anne Sanford (Ambassador International; October 2011; US$12.99/softcover) explains the profound, eternal impact a pastor’s wife had on her doctor.

+ Ambassador International, 427 Wade Hampton Boulevard, Greenville, South Carolina 29609, 864-235-2434, Fax: 864-235-2491, info@emeraldhouse.com

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

[5] Vatican Calls for World Economic Governance to Overcome “Idolatry of the Market”

A 24 October 2011 update of a Reuters article by Philip Pullella titled “Vatican Calls for Global Authority on Economy, Raps “Idolatry of the Market”” reports that on 23 October 2011, the Vatican's Justice and Peace department issued an eighteen-page document titled “Towards Reforming the International Financial and Monetary Systems in the Context of a Global Public Authority,” which calls for global governance of the world’s economy and a “central world bank” to rule over the world’s financial institutions.

The document condemned what it calls “the idolatry of the market” and “neo-liberal thinking” which considers only technical solutions to economic problems, when “behaviours like selfishness, collective greed, and hoarding of goods on a great scale,” are the actual problem. The document additionally stated that global economics need an “ethic of solidarity” among rich and poor nations.

+ Reuters, 3 Times Square, New York, New York 10036, 646-223-4000, general.info@thomsonreuters.com

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

19 October 2011

2011-10-19T00:00:00.002-04:00

Presbyterians Week Headlines

[1] WWI Presbyterian Chaplain Awarded Commonwealth of Virginia’s Highest Decoration

[2] Bible Scholar Dr. Joel M. Hoffman Claims All English Bible Translations Are Flawed

[3] Crystal Cathedral Creditors Committee Sues Schuller Family Members and Other Insiders for Allegedly Questionable Financial Dealings

[4] Washington State Federal District Judge Orders Release of Names of 137,500 Petitioners for 2009 Repeal of Same-Sex Marriage Law

---

[1] WWI Presbyterian Chaplain Awarded Commonwealth of Virginia’s Highest Decoration

Ninety-Three years after Virginia National Guard (VNG) Chaplain 1^st Lieutenant Thomas McNeill Bulla died from combat wounds received while rescuing wounded soldiers in ‘no man’s land’ in WWI’s Meuse-Argonne Offensive in France, family members on behalf of the heroic chaplain received the Commonwealth of Virginia’s highest decoration, the Virginia Distinguished Service Medal, at a 17 October 2011 ceremony at the First Presbyterian Church (Presbyterian Church (PCUSA)) in Emporia, Virginia.

After attending Union Theological Seminary in Richmond, Virginia, Bulla in 1911 became the pastor of First Presbyterian Church until WWI when he volunteered to be a chaplain in the VNG. As a member of the VNG 29th “Blue and Gray” Division, 1^st Lt. Bulla sailed to France in June 1918. On 8 October 1918, the 29^th Division began participation in the Meuse-Argonne Offensive, where Chaplain Bulla began to repeatedly expose himself to enemy fire by entering ‘no man’s land’ to help wounded soldiers to safety. On 15 October 1918, Chaplain Bulla was struck by enemy fire while rescuing the wounded, and died from his wounds on 17 October 1918.

The VNG Public Affairs Office said of Chaplain Bulla’s actions: “This was duty neither required nor expected of an Army chaplain.” The U.S. Army has never recognized Chaplain Bulla for his sacrifice.

+ Defense Video & Imagery Distribution System, 3845 Pleasantdale Road, Atlanta, Georgia 30340, 877-384-3724, Fax: 678-421-6611, gbonaccorso@dvidshub.ne

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

+ Union Theological Seminary-Presbyterian School of Christian Education, 3401 Brook Road, Richmond, Virginia 23227, 804-355-0671, Fax: 804-355-3919

[2] Bible Scholar Dr. Joel M. Hoffman Claims All English Bible Translations Are Flawed

Bible scholar and translator Dr. Joel M. Hoffman on 14 October 2011 published “Five Ways Your Bible Translation Distorts the Original Meaning of the Text” in the Huffington Post where he claims:

“From the Ten Commandments to the Psalms to the Gospels, English translations of the Bible distort the original meaning of the text: The Ten Commandments don't forbid coveting. Psalm 23 is not primarily about sheep or a shepherd. And God didn't give his only begotten son because he loved the world so much.”

Hoffman identifies etymology, internal structure, and cognates as the “three pillars” of Bible translation, warning that they “don't work very well.” He adds that historical translations and misunderstood metaphors further “degrade all English Bibles.” As a result, he writes, English Bible translations “conceal what the Bible originally meant.”

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

+ Dr. Joel M. Hoffman, 718-834-1080, 815-642-4375, joel@lashon.net

[3] Crystal Cathedral Creditors Committee Sues Schuller Family Members and Other Insiders for Alleged Questionable Financial Dealings

A recent Los Angeles Times article by Nicole Santa Cruz titled “Crystal Cathedral Creditors Committee Sues Church Insiders” reports that the creditors committee for the Crystal Cathedral bankruptcy has filed suit against the Rev. Robert H. Schuller, members of his extended family, and other Crystal Cathedral insiders for allegedly questionable financial dealings that negatively affect the final settlement of the bankruptcy.

The creditors committee says that that Schuller family members borrowed US$10 million between 2002 and 2009 from an endowment fund, and continued receiving large salaries and benefits after the church began to struggle financially. Because of these actions, the creditors committee has proposed that Schuller family creditors be paid only after every other creditor is paid off in the bankruptcy settlement. Schuller family creditors want to be paid in the bankruptcy settlement at the same time as the other creditors.

+ Los Angeles Times, 202 West 1st Street, Los Angeles, California 90012, 213-237-5000, Fax: 213-237-7679, Contact Page

+ Reformed Church in America, 4500 60th Street Southeast, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49512, 800-968-6065, questions@rca.org

[4] Washington State Federal District Judge Orders Release of Names of 137,500 Petitioners for 2009 Repeal of Same-Sex Marriage Law

An 18 October 2011 article by Karla Dial of CitizenLink titled “Judge: Washington Group Must Release Petition Names” reports that on 17 October 2011, U.S. District Judge Benjamin Settle of Tacoma, Washington, ruled that the 137,500 names of the people that signed Protect Marriage Washington (PMW)’s 2009 petition for Referendum 71, repeal of the Washington State same-sex marriage law, can now be publicized.

Homosexual activist Brian Murphy had threatened to put all the names on two searchable websites, whosigned.org and knowthyneighbor.org, to make it easier for others to harass them, so PMW had sought an exception to the Washington State law making all petition signatures a matter of public record.

The judge said PMW failed to show “serious and widespread threats, harassment, or reprisals” would be likely. Marriage advocates who witnessed the wave of harassment and even violence in California after a marriage protection amendment passed in 2008 said Settle’s ruling was “naïve.”

Ron Prentice of ProtectMarriage.com said:

“For the court to dismiss the potential for harassment and intimidation is ridiculous. Prentice added that California Proposition 8 advocates received “threatening phone calls to their home at all hours of the day and night and vandalized homes and cars….Businesses were called to protest their employment of so-called bigots and haters and even realtors had their open houses picketed. Places of worship were vandalized and services were interrupted by protesters…. In Washington, the democratic process will be significantly hindered as many people will not feel safe to simply sign their name in agreement with a moral cause for fear of retaliation. One hundred thirty-seven thousand people are frankly at risk, and the opposition doesn’t forget.”

+ Focus on the Family, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80995, 800-232-6459

+ Protect Marriage Washington, Post Office Box 501, Arlington, Washington 98223, 360-631-1894, Contact Page

+ ProtectMarriage.com, 915 L Street, Suite C-259, Sacramento, California 95814, 916-446-2956, info@protectmarriage.com

+ U.S. District Judge Benjamin Settle, Union Station Courthouse, 1717 Pacific Avenue, Room 3100, Tacoma, Washington 98402, 253-882-3850, info@wawd.uscourts.gov

12 October 2011

2011-10-13T23:05:00.003-04:00

Presbyterians Week Headlines

[1] PCUSA Ordains First Openly Homosexual Minister

[2] Thousands of U.S. Military Chaplains Refuse to Perform Homosexual Weddings

[3] Orthodox Presbyterian Church Seeks to Begin a Church in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania

[4] PCA Pacific Northwest Presbytery Finds Teaching Elder Peter Leithart Not Guilty of Federal Vision Charges

[5] Ligonier Ministries Adds Three Series by R.C. Sproul, Sr., to Free Listening Selections

[6] GPTS to Present Lecture “The Religion of Radical Environmentalism: How to Overcome its Threats to You, Your Family, Your Church and Your Society” on 28 November 2011

[7] Liveprayer.com Founder Bill Keller Says Mormonism is a Cult and No More Christian Than Islam

[8] Secret U.S. Government Panel Places Americans on “Kill List”

---

[Editor’s Note: Presbyterians Week is late this week due to a deficit of thirty-hour days and ten-day weeks.]

[1] PCUSA Ordains First Openly Homosexual Minister

A 9 October 2011 Reuters article by Brendan O'Brien titled “Presbyterian Church Ordains First Gay Minister” reports that on Sunday, 9 October 2011, Scott Anderson was ordained as minister of the Covenant Presbyterian Church (Presbyterian Church (PCUSA)) in Madison, Wisconsin, becoming the first openly homosexual person to be ordained in the PCUSA.

+ Reuters, 3 Times Square, New York, New York 10036, 646-223-4000, general.info@thomsonreuters.com

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

[2] Thousands of U.S. Military Chaplains Refuse to Perform Homosexual Weddings

An 11 October 2011 article by Giacomo on Godfather Politics titled “Thousands of Chaplains Refusing Pentagon Directive” reports that in response to a 30 September 2011 Pentagon directive to all military chaplains to perform same-sex weddings and to make military chapels available for same-sex weddings, both the Catholic Archdiocese for Military Service and the Chaplain Alliance for Religious Liberty issued statements that the chaplains represented by the organizations would not perform or participate in same-sex weddings.

+ Godfather Politics, Contact Page

+ Catholic Archdiocese for Military Service, 1025 Michigan Avenue Northeast, Washington DC 20017, 202-719-3600, Fax: 202-269-9022, archbishop@milarch.org

+ Alliance Defense Fund, 15100 North 90th Street, Scottsdale, Arizona 85260, 800-835-5233, Fax: 480-444-0025

[3] Orthodox Presbyterian Church Seeks to Begin a Church in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania

A 6 October 2011 article by Iris Hersh in the Chambersburg Public Opinion titled “Orthodox Presbyterian seeks to Begin a Chambersburg Church” reports that Orthodox Presbyterian Church (OPC) minister the Rev. John Mallin held a 7 October 2011 meeting at the Comfort Inn in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, concerning the start of an OPC church in Chambersburg.

Mr. Hersh reported that: “The denomination's doctrinal standards are the Westminster confession of faith and cataclysms.” (emphasis ed.)

The editor, who enjoys a good malapropism far more than is prudent, discovered early in his Christian walk that the Westminster Catechisms actually were cataclysmic, as the catechisms completely demolished the false doctrines the editor had learned as a child.

Additionally, the editor believes that spell checkers will be the dearth of us all.

+ Chambersburg Public Opinion, 77 North 3rd Street, Chambersburg, Pennsylvania 17201, 717-264-6161, Contact Page

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

[4] PCA Pacific Northwest Presbytery Finds Teaching Elder Peter Leithart Not Guilty of Federal Vision Charges

A 7 October 2011 article by Don Clements in The Aquila Report titled “PCA’s Pacific Northwest Presbytery Finds TE Peter Leithart Not Guilty of Federal Vision Charges” reports that a 7 October 2011 trial by the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA)’s Pacific Northwest Presbytery found Teaching Elder Peter Leithart not guilty of five charges related to Leithart’s alleged promulgation of Federal Vision theology.

+ The Aquila Report, c/o Metokos Press, 211 Main Street, Suite 108, Narrows, Virginia 24124, 540-726-8223, operations@theaquilareport.com

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

[5] Ligonier Ministries Adds Three Series by R.C. Sproul, Sr., to Free Listening Selections

Ligonier Ministries has added three more of R.C. Sproul, Sr.’s teaching series to the Ligonier website’s free listening selections:

-- Pleasing God

-- The Mystery of the Trinity

-- The Last Days According to Jesus

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

[6] GPTS to Present Lecture “The Religion of Radical Environmentalism: How to Overcome its Threats to You, Your Family, Your Church and Your Society” on 28 November 2011

On 28 November 2011 at Greenville Presbyterian Theological Seminary in Taylors, South Carolina, Dr. E. Calvin Beisner, founder and national spokesman for the Cornwall Alliance for the Stewardship of Creation, will present a lecture on “The Religion of Radical Environmentalism: How to Overcome its Threats to You, Your Family, Your Church and Your Society” at 7 p.m. in Room 209 of the seminary. The Cornwall Alliance is a coalition of clergy, theologians, religious leaders, scientists, academics, and policy experts committed to bringing a balanced Biblical view of stewardship to the critical issues of environment and development.

Dr. Beisner is an author and speaker on the application of the Biblical world view to economics, government, and environmental policy. He has published more than ten books and hundreds of articles, contributed to or edited many other books, and been a guest on television and radio programs. A ruling elder in the Orthodox Presbyterian Church, he has spoken to churches, seminars, and other groups around the country for nearly twenty years. Dr. Beisner has testified before Congressional committees as an expert witness on environmental matters.

+ Greenville Presbyterian Theological Seminary, 200 East Main Street, Post Office Box 690, Taylors, South Carolina, 29687, 864-322-2717, Fax: 864-322-2719, info@gpts.edu

+ The Cornwall Alliance, 9302-C Old Keene Mill Road, Burke, Virginia 22015, 703-569-4653, Contact Form

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

[7] Liveprayer.com Founder Bill Keller Says Mormonism is a Cult and No More Christian Than Islam

Bill Keller, founder of 2.4 million-subscriber LivePrayer.com, is calling on Mormon cult member Mitt Romney to quit lying about being a Christian. Keller made national news in 2007 for saying, “a vote for Romney is a vote for Satan!” Keller has demanded that Mormon Presidential candidate Mitt Romney quit lying to people that he is a Christian.

Keller applauds First Baptist Dallas Pastor Robert Jeffress for caring enough about the eternal souls of men to publicly state the truth that Mormonism is a cult. Keller says, “The fact is, the beliefs and teachings of the satanically inspired Mormon cult are totally inconsistent with Biblical Christianity. Romney and Mormons use the words 'god' and 'jesus,' yet the god and jesus of the Mormon cult are NOT the God and Jesus of the Bible! They view the Bible as a flawed and incomplete book usurped by the writings of their cults founder, Joseph Smith, who history shows was a racist, pedophile, polygamist, and murder!”

Keller continues, “Mormon doctrine teaches their 'god' used to be a human who rose to god-like status, just like Romney and all Mormons believe they will too after their death. The 'jesus' of the Mormon cult is the natural offspring of their 'god' Elohim who had sex with Mary, meaning their 'jesus' is a created being and NOT a deity as the Bible teaches, and is the brother of Lucifer.”

Keller concludes, “I could care less what fantasies Romney and those in his cult choose to believe, but I do care that they lie to people saying they are a Christian, when a person who believes in the teachings of the Mormon cult are no more a Christian than a Muslim is. Most appalling are prominent Christians who have sold out the faith to help Romney and other Mormons perpetuate their lie that they are Christians, aiding that cult to lead ignorant souls to hell for eternity.”

Keller said that he is not worried about being politically correct since at stake are the eternal souls of men, saying “According to the Bible, not Bill Keller, those who believe in a false Gospel like the Mormon's teach, will die and be in hell for all eternity.”

Keller has challenged Romney and another high profile member of the Mormon cult, Glenn Beck, to a public debate about Mormon doctrine, but those challenges have gone unanswered since “they will never publicly debate a Christian theologian about what their cult teaches since it would stop their ability to lie to the public that they are a Christian.”

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

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

+ Mormon Temple, 50 East North Temple Street, Salt Lake City, Utah 84150, 801-240-2640, Fax: 801-240-1550, Contact Page

[8] Secret U.S. Government Panel Places Americans on “Kill List”

A 5 October 2011 Reuters article by Mark Hosenball titled “Secret Panel Can Put Americans on ‘Kill List’” reports that a secret panel of senior U.S. government officials determines what U.S. citizens should be put onto a kill or capture list; said list then being given to the U.S. President.

The panel is a subset of the White House’s National Security Council.

Kill List member and Islamic militant Anwar al-Awlaki was killed in late September 2011 in Yemen by a U.S. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) drone strike.

+ Reuters, 3 Times Square, New York, New York 10036, 646-223-4000, general.info@thomsonreuters.com

5 October 2011

2011-10-05T00:00:00.001-04:00

Presbyterians Week Headlines

[1] New Christian Observer Articles for October 2011

[2] Free Ebook “The Book of Revelation Made Easy” by Kenneth L. Gentry Offered by Nicene Council

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[1] New Christian Observer Articles for October 2011

New articles in the Christian Observer for October 2011 include:

-- Should Cornerstone Ministries Investments Have Existed? – Part Two – by Bob Wildrick – In Part Two of a three-part series, Cornerstone Ministries Investments, Inc. (CMI), creditor Bob Wildrick reviews the twenty-five year relationship between the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA) and the now Chapter 11 bankrupt CMI and its predecessors, by examining PCA, federal, state, and bankruptcy court documents, along with CMI publications and letters, to further illustrate how the PCA facilitated and still facilities CMI’s “[US]$142 million Ponzi Scheme” that defrauded 3500 investors;

-- The Masks of Pluralism in Public Education – by Christian Observer Contributing Editor Dr. Joe Renfro – examines how the secular humanists of the public education establishment use the mask of pluralism to seemingly promote Islam and other religions, with the actual goal of diluting and marginalizing Christianity and Judeo-Christian values;

Plus, regular features including weekly Sabbath School Lessons and Westminster Shorter Catechism lessons by Christian Observer Assistant Editor Dr. Robert LaMay, and Daily Devotionals by T.M. Moore, dean of the Centurions Program of the Wilberforce Forum and principal of The Fellowship of Ailbe.

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

[2] Free Ebook “The Book of Revelation Made Easy” by Kenneth L. Gentry Offered by Nicene Council

A free ebook, “The Book of Revelation Made Easy” by Kenneth L. Gentry, is being offered by the Nicene Council at the following URL:

http://puritanrising.com/

+ Nicene Council, Box 411, Draper, Virginia 24324, 866-735-9582,
admin@nicenecouncil.com

28 September 2011

2011-09-28T22:23:00.001-04:00

Presbyterians Week Headlines

[1] Is This What Winston Churchill Meant by “…So Much Owed by So Many to So Few”? - Part I

[2] Is This What Winston Churchill Meant by “…So Much Owed by So Many to So Few”? - Part II

[3] Is This What Nineteen GIs from Bedford, Virginia, Died for on D-Day at Omaha Beach? – Part I

[4] Is This What Nineteen GIs from Bedford, Virginia, Died for on D-Day at Omaha Beach? – Part II

[5] Is This What Nineteen GIs from Bedford, Virginia, Died for on D-Day at Omaha Beach? – Part III

[6] High Resolution Digitized Versions of the Dead Sea Scrolls Now Online

[7] Audio and Video of Dr. Carl Trueman at the “17th Century Spirituality in the 21st Century” Conference Available Online

[8] Music Ministry Position Available at Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Dyersburg, Tennessee

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[1] Is This What Winston Churchill Meant by “…So Much Owed by So Many to So Few”? - Part I

Christian Concern reported 23 September 2011 that Great Britain’s General Medical Council (GMC) Investigatory Committee decided 23 September 2011 to continue pursuing the case against Kent, England General Practitioner (GP) Dr. Richard Scott who was accused by a patient of sharing Kent’s Christian faith during a consultation. The complainant did not attend the hearing, and is described as “showing an ‘unconditional disinclination to attend’.”

Dr. Scott commented:

“As a member of the GMC, I look to my professional body to act with the same professional standards that any court in this land would. I am astounded that the GMC are continuing to pursue this allegation on the basis of hear-say evidence from a witness that will not turn up. This case should have been struck-out, but the GMC appears to be determined to pursue this.”

“I cannot imagine that any court in the land would act like this, and so on behalf of every GP I must insist that proper professional standards on cross examination be adopted in all disciplinary hearings. Without it, a fair ‘trial’ is impossible and every GP is left totally vulnerable to any accusation.”

Andrea Williams of the Christian Legal Centre commented:

“It appears that the GMC is determined to punish Dr. Scott despite there being no witness and the complaint only being made after encouragement from the complainant’s mother. An experienced GP has spent 48 hours in an aborted disciplinary hearing in Manchester when he could and should be helping his patients in Kent.

“The procedures of the GMC in this case are ones which every GP in the land should be concerned about as their future and reputation now seems to be able to be challenged by hearsay allegations with no opportunity to cross examine in order that a panel can make a just decision.”

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

+ General Medical Council, Regent's Place, 350 Euston Road, London NW1 3JN, England, 0161-923-6602, Fax: 44-20-7189-5401, gmc@gmc-uk.org

+ Christian Legal Centre Limited, Post Office Box 655, Hayward Heath, West Sussex RH16 9AT, England, 07712 591164, info@christianlegalcentre.com

[2] Is This What Winston Churchill Meant by “…So Much Owed by So Many to So Few”? - Part II

The Christian Institute reported 24 September 2011 that police in Blackpool, Lancashire, England, on 19 September 2011 ordered the owner of the Salt & Light Coffee House, a Christian café, to stop displaying Bible texts on a video screen because the café was in breach of Section 5 of the Public Order Act that forbids displaying offensive or insulting words. The police officers went to the café after receiving a complaint that the coffee house was displaying “insulting” and “homophobic” material.

The Bible texts are displayed on a television screen, and are from the DVD set called the Watchword Bible, which cycles verse by verse through the entire New Testament. The café owner said that the officers did not specify which Bible texts had offended the complainant.

The café owner stopped the Bible display long enough to consult with The Christian Institute, and are now again playing the Bible DVD’s in the café.

+ 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

[3] Is This What Nineteen GIs from Bedford, Virginia, Died for on D-Day at Omaha Beach? – Part I

A 20 September 2011 article by Katie Pavlich on Townhall.com titled “Attorney General in Mexico: 200 Murders Result of Operation Fast and Furious” reports that during a 20 September 2011 conference call with U.S. Congressman Darrell Issa, Chairman of the U.S. House of Representatives Oversight Committee, Issa said: “I would be remiss if I didn’t mention, as the Attorney General in Mexico is so concerned, she’s made the point that at least 200 Mexicans have been killed with these weapons and probably countless more.”

‘These weapons’ are the 2500 weapons the U.S. Justice Department allowed to be purchased in the U.S. and then be brought into Mexico in the operation known as “Fast and Furious”. Only 600 of the weapons have been recovered.

In addition to the growing number of Mexicans killed by these illegally trafficked weapons, U.S. Border Patrol Agent Brian Terry was killed by a ‘Fast and Furious’ weapon.

+ Townhall Magazine, 1901 North Moore Street, Suite 701, Arlington, Virginia 22209, 703-247-1230, Fax: 703-247-1257, Contact Form

[4] Is This What Nineteen GIs from Bedford, Virginia, Died for on D-Day at Omaha Beach? – Part II

U.S. President Barack Hussein Obama has established a new web site called “Attack Watch” in order for people to “Get the Facts” and to “Fight the Smears” against the actions of the Obama administration.

Readers are invited to “Report an Attack” by providing information from any TV interview, public statement, forwarded email, rumor, TV ad, video ad, radio ad, robocall, web site, or blog that disagrees with the Obama agenda, and to provide the offending URL or to upload supporting photos or videos.

Under the “Support the Truth” heading, the website solicits donations “to fight the attacks” because “[t]he smears didn't end with the 2008 election” and “President Obama's opponents are still using false claims against him and his record in an attempt to derail [the Obama administration] momentum.” Four different major credit cards can be used to contribute.

No specific information is provided about how the Obama administration will use the sent attack reports.

+ Obama for America, PO Box 803638, Chicago, Illinois 60680, 312-698-3670, info@barackobama.com

[5] Is This What Nineteen GIs from Bedford, Virginia, Died for on D-Day at Omaha Beach? – Part III

A 23 September 2011 article by Leigh Jones in World on Campus titled “Fighting for Autonomy, Free Exercise” reports that Vanderbilt University is threatening to withdraw official recognition of five Christian campus organizations which could lead to the groups being denied access to university facilities and equipment, and to lose funding from student fees, because the groups may be in violation of the school's nondiscrimination policy by requiring group leaders to share the group’s religious beliefs.

Vanderbilt administrators began reviewing all student organizations earlier this year after Christian fraternity Beta Upsilon Chi asked an openly homosexual member to resign. The homosexual student subsequently filed a discrimination complaint with the university.

+ World Magazine, 85 Tunnel Road, Suite 12, Asheville, North Carolina 28805, 828-232-5415, Fax: 828-253-1556, mailbag@worldmag.com

+ Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee 37240, 615-322-7311, Contact Form

+ Brothers Under Christ, 741 Kentucky Derby Lane, Fort Worth, Texas 76179, 877-250-4512, Contact Form

[6] High Resolution Digitized Versions of the Dead Sea Scrolls Now Online

High resolution digitized versions of the Dead Sea Scrolls are now available online at the following URL:

http://dss.collections.imj.org.il/

The Dead Sea Scrolls Digital Project is made possible by a partnership between The Israel Museum and Google.

+ The Israel Museum, Jerusalem, Israel, 972-2-6708811, info@imj.org.il

+ Google Inc., 1600 Amphitheatre Parkway, Mountain View, California 94043, 650-253-0000, Fax: 650-253-0001, press@google.com

[7] Audio and Video of Dr. Carl Trueman at the “17th Century Spirituality in the 21st Century” Conference Available Online

An audio recording from the 23 September 2011 weekend “17th Century Spirituality in the 21st Century” conference is available at the following URL:

http://www.sermonaudio.com/search.asp?sourceonly=true&currSection=sermonssource&keyword=oceansideurc&subsetcat=series&subsetitem=17th+Century+Spirituality

Part I of a video interview of conference speaker Dr. Carl Trueman is available at the following URL:

http://vimeo.com/29690327

+ Meet the Puritans, c/o 4318 Forest Ranch Way, Oceanside, California 92057, 760-803-0981, pastor@oceansideurc.org

[8] Music Ministry Position Available at Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Dyersburg, Tennessee

First Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Dyersburg, Tennessee has a position open in music ministry. This person is responsible for the music and arts ministry of the Dyersburg Church.

-- Directs the Chancel Choir for the Sunday morning worship service.

-- Directs the Praise Team/Praise Band for the Sunday evening service.

-- Directs the Youth Choir, Praise Band and Drama Team for seventh through twelfth grades, and oversees the annual Youth Choir Tour.

-- Directs/Coordinates music for special services (Cantatas, Christmas Eve, Holy Week, Good Friday, etc.)

-- Oversees all children’s choir ministries.

-- Oversees the handbell ministry of the church.

-- Minimum of a bachelor’s degree in music.

-- Intermediate level piano skill preferred.

-- Experience preferred but not required.

Resumes may be sent to: larry@cumberlandchurch.com

Resumes may be mailed to:

Search Committee
First Cumberland Presbyterian Church
2280 Parr Avenue
Dyersburg, TN 38024

+ Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 8207 Traditional Place, Cordova, Tennessee 38016, 901-276-4572, Fax: 901-272-3913

21 September 2011

2011-09-21T00:00:00.001-04:00

“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] Presbyterian Church (PCUSA) Investment Committee Recommends Divestment of Caterpillar, Motorola Solutions, and Hewlett-Packard for Violations of International Law

[2] Louisiana First Circuit Court of Appeal Rules State Trust Law Must Be Followed in The Presbytery of South Louisiana of the Presbyterian Church(USA) vs. Carrollton Presbyterian Church

[3] Illinois Christian Foster Care Group Loses State Contract

[4] California City Files Couple $300 for Holding Bible Study in Home

[5] Christians in Mexico Forced from Village

[6] Somali Christian Beheaded by Al-Shabaab Terrorist; Christian Family of Fourteen in Nigeria Murdered in Bed by Muslim Terrorists

[7] Council on American-Islamic Relations Condemns Orange, California, Councilman’s Tribute to 9 September 2001 Victims

[8] U.S. Congressman Mike Quigley of Illinois Apologizes to Muslim Conference for U.S. Discrimination against Muslim Faith

[9] Jihad Update from the Religion of Peace Website

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[1] Presbyterian Church (PCUSA) Investment Committee Recommends Divestment of Caterpillar, Motorola Solutions, and Hewlett-Packard for Violations of International Law

An 18 September 2011 article by Peter Smith in The Courier-Journal titled “Divestment Urged by Louisville-Based Presbyterian Church” reports that the investment committee of the Presbyterian Church (PCUSA) is recommending that the PCUSA divest itself of all investments in Caterpillar, Motorola Solutions, and Hewlett-Packard, because the PCUSA committee contends that the three corporations are in violation of international law because they do business with the Israeli military and thus facilitate Israel’s occupation of Palestinian lands.

+ The Courier-Journal, 525 West Broadway, Post Office Box 740031, Louisville, Kentucky, 40201-7431, 502-582-4011, publisher@courier-journal.com

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

[2] Louisiana First Circuit Court of Appeal Rules State Trust Law Must Be Followed in The Presbytery of South Louisiana of the Presbyterian Church(USA) vs. Carrollton Presbyterian Church

A15 September 2011 article in The Layman Online titled “Court Rules Trust Clause Negated and State Trust Laws Must Be Followed” reports that the Louisiana First Circuit Court of Appeal issued a 14 September 2011 opinion in The Presbytery of South Louisiana of the Presbyterian Church(USA) vs. Carrollton Presbyterian Church, ruling that Carrollton Presbyterian Church of New Orleans, Louisiana’s timely vote on the application of the PCUS 6-8 negates the Presbyterian Church in the United States (PCUS) and the Presbyterian Church (PCUSA) trust clauses, and that in a separate issue from PCUS 6-8, state trust law must be followed in order to create an enforceable trust.

Mary Koss, Carrollton's clerk of session, commented that, “Carrollton is very pleased with what we believe is the right decision in this case. We are anxious to have this case behind us and move forward with the business of being the church. This has preoccupied our time and talent and resources for far too long, but we recognized that staying the course was not only for us, but for lots of other churches for whom our case sets a precedent. We wanted to do whatever we could to help them.”

+ Presbyterian Lay Committee, Post Office Box 2210, Lenoir, North Carolina 28645, 828-758-8716, Fax: 828-758-0920, laymanletters@layman.org

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

[3] Illinois Christian Foster Care Group Loses State Contract

A 14 September 2011 article by Karla Dial of Focus on the Family titled “Illinois Christian Foster Care Group Loses State Contract” reports that during the week of 4 September 2011, the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services informed the Evangelical Child and Family Agency, a sixty-one-year-old group that has been contracting with the state to place foster children in homes since 1965, that its contract will not be renewed in the new fiscal year, since the agency won’t place kids with same-sex couples.

+ Focus on the Family, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80995, 800-232-6459

+ Evangelical Child and Family Agency, 1530 North Main Street, Wheaton, Illinois 60187, 630-653-6400, Fax: 630-653-6490, mail@evancfa.org

+ Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, 406 East Monroe Street, Springfield, Illinois 62701, 217-524-2029, CFS.Webmaster@illinois.gov

[4] California City Files Couple $300 for Holding Bible Study in Home

A 19 September 2011 article by Madeleine Morgenstern in The Blaze titled “California City Fines Couple for Holding Bible Study in Their Home” reports that the city of San Juan Capistrano, California, fined Mr. And Mrs. Chuck and Stephanie Fromm US$300 for holding Christian Bible study sessions in their home, and have threatened additional fines of US$500 for each additional gathering.

The Frommes hold a Wednesday Bible study for twenty people and a Sunday service for fifty people. All attendees park on the Frommes large property, and there is no noise generated by the gatherings.

The city of San Juan Capistrano requires that regular gatherings of three or more people require a conditional use permit, which can be costly and difficult to obtain.

Brad Dacus, president of the Pacific Justice Institute, commented: “Imposing a heavy-handed permit requirement on a home Bible study is outrageous. An informal gathering in a home cannot be treated with suspicion by the government, or worse than any other gathering of friends, just because it is religious. We cannot allow this to happen in America, and we will fight as long and as hard as it takes to restore this group’s religious freedom.”

+ The Blaze, 1270 Avenue of the Americas, 9th Floor, New York, New York 10036, contact@theblaze.com

+ Pacific Justice Institute, Post Office Box 276600, Sacramento, California 95827, 916-857-6900 Fax: 916-857-6902, pji@pacificjustice.org

[5] Christians in Mexico Forced from Village

MEXICO CITY, 16 September 2011 (Compass Direct News) – About seventy Protestant Christians lived in the village of San Rafael Tlanalapan, Puebla state, until Monday (12 September 2011), when they faced a frightening ultimatum – leave immediately or be “crucified or lynched.” Traditionalist Catholics in the village, near the municipality of San Martín Texmelucan about sixty miles from Mexico City, reportedly threatened to burn down or otherwise destroy their homes. The Protestants left. The traditionalist Catholics, who practice a blend of indigenous and Catholic rituals, reportedly asserted that twenty years ago an assistant village president had vowed that no temple of any non-Catholic faith would ever be permitted in San Rafael Tlanalapan. On 7 September 2011, the village assistant president, Antonio Garcia Ovalle, reportedly met with the Protestants. The evangelicals promised to leave, though the 200 traditionalist Catholics present sought to beat them and expel them right then. The evangelicals’ departure date was set for Monday (12 September 2011). In a newscast two days later on TV Azteca of Puebla, area traditionalist Catholic Irma Diaz Perez rejoiced, saying, “They will never return, because we have drawn up a document wherein they have no permission to come back now or ever.”

+ Compass Direct News Service, Post Office Box 27250, Santa Ana, California 92799, 949-862-0304, Fax: 949-752-6536, info@compassdirect.org

[6] Somali Christian Beheaded by Al-Shabaab Terrorist; Christian Family of Fourteen in Nigeria Murdered in Bed by Muslim Terrorists

Elizabeth Kendal of ASSIST News Service in a 14 September 2011 dispatch reports that on 2 September 2011, the decapitated body of Somali Christian Juma Nuradin Kamil was found on the outskirts of Hudur City in southwestern Somalia. Kamil had been kidnapped on 21 August 2011 by three Muslim terrorists thought to be members of Al-Shabaab, an Al Qaeda affiliated terrorist organization.

Kamil is at least the 25^th Somali Christian murdered by Al Shabaab terrorists since September 2008.

Al-Shabaab includes large numbers of veterans of the Afghan jihad, and wants to turn Somalia into the next Afghanistan: a base and training center for international jihad.

Ms. Kendal additionally reports that on 9 September 2011, all fourteen members of the Christian Mallam Danboyi family of Vwang Fwil Village in Jos South Local Government Area were massacred in their beds by a mob of Fulani Muslim herdsmen wearing military uniforms. The dead ranged in age from nine months to seventy years, and included a pregnant woman. Another twelve Christians were massacred in several other villages. Approximately 100 Nigerian Christians were murdered by Muslim terrorists in the month prior to the publishing date of the article.

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

[7] Council on American-Islamic Relations Condemns Orange, California, Councilman’s Tribute to 9 September 2001 Victims

During the days leading up to the tenth anniversary of the 11 September 201 Muslim terrorist attacks on the U.S., Orange, California, Councilman Jon Dumitru published his strong feelings about Islam on his own computer by displaying a picture of the burning Twin Towers on his official Facebook page, and writing underneath:

“It was 10 years ago today that most Americans learned first-hand of the teachings of Islam and the Koran being filled with messages of peace....as they killed thousands of our fellow Americans! Today I remember those lost, left behind, and those across the world searching for these pure evil terrorists and dispatching them from this world! WE WILL NEVER FORGET, WE WILL NEVER FORGIVE!”

Subsequently, the Los Angeles, California, chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), an organization with links to the terrorist Muslim Brotherhood, responded to Councilman Dumitru’s statement, saying:

"Your hateful statement in which you falsely insinuate that the teachings of Islam and the Quran would allow the terrorist attacks of 9/11 is deeply troubling to all Muslims, including many who live in your city. Muslims across the world, especially those here in the United States have unequivocally condemned the 9/11 attacks and all forms of terrorism. Using the tragedy of 9/11 as an opportunity to spread misinformed views about Islam and the Quran is a failure of leadership. At a time when our entire nation was mourning that tragic day and emphasizing unity among all Americans, you unfortunately decided to falsely blame an entire faith community. We have learned from history that such smears and stereotypes have only led to scapegoating of entire communities.”

Dr. Gary Cass of DefendChristians.Org commented:

“Councilman Jon Dumitru, one of our brave first responders, has every right to say what he wants. CAIR is an organization with known links to the vicious Muslim Brotherhood. They seem angry that Islamic propaganda and intimidation doesn't work on all Americans….Can anyone blame Dumitru for his feeling after seeing hundreds of his fellow first responders killed in the name of Allah? CAIR wants us to think Muslims were the victims. This is just another ploy to keep Americans off balance when confronting the threat of encroaching Islam….Poppycock and tommyrot. We know what Islam is all about and some Americans will not be silenced or intimidated.”

+ DefendChristians.org, Post Office Box 1115, Vista, California 92085, 866-508-2232, Fax: 760-630-2232, contact@christianadc.org

+ Council on American-Islamic Relations, 453 New Jersey Avenue Southeast, Washington DC 20003, 202-488-8787, Fax: 202-488-0833, info@cair.com

[8] U.S. Congressman Mike Quigley of Illinois Apologizes to Muslim Conference for U.S. Discrimination against Muslim Faith

Speaking before the American Islamic College Conference “Islam and Muslims in America” in Chicago, Illinois, on 17 September 2011, U.S. Congressman Mike Quigley of Illinois, on behalf of the U.S., apologized to the assembled Muslims for America’s discrimination against the Muslim faith.

+ Rebel Pundit Blog, Chicago, Illinois

+ YouTube, LLC, 901 Cherry Avenue, San Bruno, California 94066, 650-253-0000, Fax: 650-253-0001, press@youtube.com

[9] Jihad Update from the Religion of Peace Website

The Religion of Peace website as of 9:00 p.m. EDT 20 September 2011 records that Islamic terrorists, since 11 September 2001, have carried out 17,766 deadly terror attacks.

Occurring since 22 July 2011, the Religion of Peace website lists 333 separate Islamic terror attacks which killed 1381 persons and injured 2810.

+ Religion of Peace Website

14 September 2011

2011-09-14T00:00:00.000-04:00

Presbyterians Week Headlines

[1] New Christian Observer Articles for September 2011

[2] Reformed Church in Hungary Operating State-Owned Schools as Local Governments Suffer from Economic Recession

[3] Public Prayer Service Held at Ground Zero after New York City Mayor Bloomberg Bans Clergy from 9 September 2001 Anniversary Memorial

[4] 11 September 2001 American Airlines Flight 93 Memorial in Shanksville, Pennsylvania, is a Muslim Crescent Pointing to Mecca

[5] Free Ebook “Amazing Grace: The History & Theology of Calvinism” from the Nicene Council

[6] Full Transcript of “Fight the Good Fight of Faith” – J. Gresham Machen’s Last Princeton Sermon – Available from PCA Historical Center

---

[1] New Christian Observer Articles for September 2011

New articles in the Christian Observer for September 2011 include:

‘Where Was God Last Tuesday?’ – by the Rev. Frank Smith, Ph.D., D.D. – Frank Smith’s 16 September 2001 sermon updated for the tenth anniversary of the 11 September 2001 attacks on the U.S. by Muslim terrorists; and,

The Board of Education – by Christian Observer Contributing Editor Dr. Joe Renfro – the different outcomes of corporal punishment and positive behavior reinforcement in school discipline;

Plus, regular features including weekly Sabbath School Lessons and Westminster Shorter Catechism lessons by Christian Observer Assistant Editor Dr. Robert LaMay, and Daily Devotionals by T.M. Moore, dean of the Centurions Program of the Wilberforce Forum and principal of The Fellowship of Ailbe.

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

[2] Reformed Church in Hungary Operating State-Owned Schools as Local Governments Suffer from Economic Recession

An 8 September 2011 Ecumenical News International article by Jonathan Luxmoore titled “In Recession-Hit Hungary, Churches Take Over State Schools” reports that local governments in Hungary suffering from the economic recession and unable to afford upkeep of schools are turning the schools over to the Reformed Church in Hungary and twelve other denominations.

Reformed Church in Hungary ecumenical officer Balazs Odor explained: “Churches are entitled to run schools in Hungary as public service providers, receiving the same taxpayers' money as public sponsors.”

+ Ecumenical News International, Post Office Box 2100, CH – 1211, Geneva 2, Switzerland, 41-22-791-6111, Fax: 41-22-788-7244, eni@eni.ch

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

[3] Public Prayer Service Held at Ground Zero after New York City Mayor Bloomberg Bans Clergy from 9 September 2001 Anniversary Memorial

After New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg banned clergy from the official memorial service marking the tenth anniversary of the 9 September 2001 attacks by Muslim terrorists, New Your City clergy and national faith leaders received permission from the New York City Police to hold a prayer service at Ground Zero at 10:00 a.m. on 11 September 2011.

Reformed Presbyterian pastor and Director of the Christian Defense Coalition the Rev. Pat Mahoney stated:

“In the dark days after 9/11, millions of Americans turned to God in prayer for strength, comfort, guidance and assurance. This was especially true for those who lost loved ones.

“During the past 10 years, it has only been faith in God and prayer that has enabled so many to move forward and rebuild their lives and protected America from another major terrorist attack.

“Therefore, it is extremely troubling for Mayor Bloomberg to exclude public prayer and expressions of faith from the 9/11 Memorial Service.

“In response to this tragic decision by the Mayor, we felt it was imperative to have a public prayer service at Ground Zero during the 9/11 weekend.

“During our prayer time at Ground Zero, we will seek God for His continued protection, especially with new credible terrorist threats, pray for those who lost loved ones, pray for our leaders and elected officials and turn to God in repentance recognizing only He can bring healing and restoration to our nation.”

National Clergy Council President the Rev. Rob Schenck stated:

“On September 11, 2001, millions of Americans did the most important and natural thing in the face of such an enormous tragedy, they prayed. In the days following, they went to church to pray, to remember, to grieve to cry.

“Pastors around the nation spent countless hours comforting the bereaved, assuring their flocks, engaging in acts of compassion and speaking words of hope.

“The absence of both at this weeks 9/11 Memorial at Ground Zero may seem like a reasonable situation to some, but it will only compound the pain and loss for some many others.

“Our intention is to address that need in the hearts and minds of so many affected by the pain of that infamous day.”

Founder of Expectant Mother Care Chris Slattery stated:

“To exclude prayer and public expressions of faith from the 9/11 Memorial Service by Mayor Bloomberg, is to exclude one of the most important factors in helping millions of Americans get through the shock and grief of that brutal attack.

“Prayer and gracious acts of compassion and kindness by so many Priests, Ministers and churches played a critical role in helping our nation heal and rebuild after 9/11.

“We are going to pray at Ground Zero because it is essential that we honor God and continue to look to Him for strength and protection.”

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

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

+ National Clergy Council, 109 Second Street Northeast, Washington DC 20002, 202-546-8329, Fax: 202-546-6864, Info@FaithandAction.org

+ Expectant Mother Care, PO Box 134, Bronx, New York 10470, 718-884-9210, Fax: 718-504-4761, SlatteryNY@aol.com

[4] 11 September 2001 American Airlines Flight 93 Memorial in Shanksville, Pennsylvania, is a Muslim Crescent Pointing to Mecca

A paid ad dated 31 August 2011 run in the Somerset, Pennsylvania, Daily American during the tenth anniversary of the 11 September 2001 hijacking by Muslim terrorists and subsequent crash into a field in Shanksville, Pennsylvania, of American Airlines Flight 93 titled “Muslim Consultants LIED to Park Service” reports that the “Crescent of Embrace” memorial being built at the Flight 93 crash site is actually “a giant mihrab: the Mecca-direction indicator around which every mosque is built.”

The ad reports that three outside Muslim consultants hired by the U.S. National Park Service (NPS) to determine whether the memorial design was actually a mihrab, lied to the NPS in their conclusions that the memorial is not a mihrab, and the ad explains in detail the misleading information provided by the Muslim experts.

The ad was written by author and blogger Alec Rawls and by Tom Burnett Sr., father of Tom Burnett Jr., who was killed in the crash of Flight 93. Both men continue their work to expose the fact “that the Flight 93 memorial [is] going to be a terrorist memorial mosque.”

+ Crescent of Betrayal, alec@rawls.org

[5] Free Ebook “Amazing Grace: The History & Theology of Calvinism” from the Nicene Council

The Nicene Council is offering the free ebook “Amazing Grace: The History & Theology of Calvinism” on the council website:

http://store.nicenecouncil.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=112&products_id=1106

+ Nicene Council, Box 411, Draper, Virginia 24324, 866-735-9582,
admin@nicenecouncil.com

[6] Full Transcript of “Fight the Good Fight of Faith” – J. Gresham Machen’s Last Princeton Sermon – Available from PCA Historical Center

Wayne Sparkman, director of the PCA Historical Center has made available the full transcript of J. Gresham Machen’s last sermon at Princeton Seminary preached Sunday morning 10 March 1929 titled “The Good Fight of Faith”:

http://continuing.wordpress.com/2011/09/12/fight-the-good-fight-of-faith-machens-last-princeton-sermon/#more-1746

The sermon was originally published in The Presbyterian 99.13 (28 March 1929).

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

+ Princeton Theological Seminary, 64 Mercer Street, Princeton, New Jersey 08542-0803, 609-921-8300

7 September 2011

2011-09-07T00:13:00.001-04:00

Presbyterians Week Headlines

[1] Christian Observer Website Reappears 2 September 2011

[2] Erskine College Senior English Professor William Crenshaw, PhD, Suspended from Teaching

[3] Prepublication Sale on Sermons Preached before the English Houses of Parliament by the Scottish Commissioners to the Westminster Assembly of Divines, 1643-1645

[4] Reformed Churches of New Zealand Begin 27^th Synod Sunday Evening 4 September 2011

[5] Nine Percent of 1.8 million, or 162,000, American Muslims Approve of Suicide Bombings

[6] New York Times Editorial Counsels America Not to Fear Sharia Law

[7] U.S. Presidential Candidate Ron Paul Says U.S. Government Preparing for “Breakdown of Law and Order”

---

[1] Christian Observer Website Reappears 2 September 2011

Eleven days after the 21 August 2011 disappearance from the Internet of the Christian Observer website, a new domain registrar assumed responsibility and pointed the christianobserver.org domain to the appropriate address.

New Christian Observer articles for September 2011 will soon be posted, as will several weeks of archives of T.M. Moore’s Daily Devotionals that along with some already restored Christian Observer archives inexplicably disappeared while the Christian Observer website was unavailable.

To paraphrase a modern adage: “To err is human, to really foul up things you need Internet information technology.”

+ Christian Observer, Post Office Box 1371, Lexington, Virginia 20110, christianobserver@christianobserver.org

[2] Erskine College Senior English Professor William Crenshaw, PhD, Suspended from Teaching

In the 3 September 2011 ARPTalk Blog Extra # 18 titled “Crenshaw is GONE!”, the Rev. Dr. Charles W. Wilson reports that Erskine College senior professor of English William Crenshaw, PhD, has been suspended from teaching for the Fall 2011 semester by Erskine College president Dr. David Norman, and that Dr. Crenshaw has additionally had his Erskine College email account revoked.

Dr Wilson writes:

“A tip of the hat is due President David Norman of Erskine College and Seminary. The story coming out of Due West. SC, is scant and cryptic; however, the news is that Dr. Norman has done what four other Erskine Presidents were unable or unwilling to do: he has disciplined Dr. Bill Crenshaw and suspended him from his teaching position.

“A senior English professor, Crenshaw has made a career of using his classroom to ridicule both the mission of Erskine as a Christian college and the faith of Christian students. For years, Bill Crenshaw has been the bane of multiple Erskine administrations that were unwilling and seemingly unable to deal with his antics.”

Among the general term “antics” cited by Dr. Wilson includes the case of Christian Erskine student Zach Keuthan, who after defending a Christian position in the classroom reported that Erskine professor Dr. William Crenshaw told Keuthan that he was a liar and to enjoy his evangelical hell.

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

+ Erskine College, 2 Washington Street, Due West, South Carolina 29639, 864-379-2131, 864-379-2167, norman@erskine.edu

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

[3] Prepublication Sale on Sermons Preached before the English Houses of Parliament by the Scottish Commissioners to the Westminster Assembly of Divines, 1643-1645

Naphtali Press through 30 September 2011 is offering a pre-publication sale on Sermons Preached before the English Houses of Parliament by the Scottish Commissioners to the Westminster Assembly of Divines, 1643-1645 for US$19.95 plus US$4.00 postage to U.S. addresses.

The retail price increases to US$54.50 on 1 October 2011.

Pricing information for addresses outside the U.S. can be obtained by emailing Naphtali@naphtali.com.

+ Naphtali Press, Post Office Box 141084, Dallas, Texas 75214, naphtali@naphtali.com

[4] Reformed Churches of New Zealand Begin 27^th Synod Sunday Evening 4 September 2011

The Reformed Churches of New Zealand began their 27^th Synod on Sunday evening 4 September 2011 in Bucklands Beach, Auckland, New Zealand. The synod meeting was relocated from Christchurch, New Zealand, due to the devastating earthquake of February 2011.

Serving as the fraternal delegate to this synod on behalf of the United Reformed Churches in North America is the Rev. William Boekestein, pastor of Covenant Reformed Church of Carbondale, Pennsylvania. Boekestein is blogging about the synod meeting at http://boekblog.tumblr.com/post/9812321686/rcnz-synod-1.

+ United Reformed Churches in North America, c/o the Rev. Bradd Nymeyer, 227 1st Avenue Southeast, Sioux Center, Iowa 51250, 712-722-1965, statedclerk@urcna.org

+ Reformed Churches of New Zealand, stated-clerk@rcnz.org.nz

[5] Nine Percent of 1.8 million, or 162,000, American Muslims Approve of Suicide Bombings

A 2 September 2011 Godfather Politics article titled “American Muslims Still Approve of Suicide Bombings,” citing a new study by the Pew Research Center, reports that nine percent , or 162,000, of 1.8 million American Muslims approve of suicide bombings of civilians.

The article additionally cites Council on American-Islamic Relations figures claiming that there are 7 million American Muslims “that would give us at least 630,000 that are ok with murdering civilians for Islam!”

+ Godfather Politics, Contact Form

+ Pew Research Center, 1615 L Street Northwest, Suite 700, Washington DC 20036, 202-419-4300, Fax: 202-419-4349, info@people-press.org

+ Council on American-Islamic Relations, 453 New Jersey Avenue Southeast, Washington DC 20003, 202-488-8787, Fax: 202-488-0833, info@cair.com

[6] New York Times Editorial Counsels America Not to Fear Sharia Law

A 2 September 2011 New York Times editorial by assistant professor of religious studies and history at Yale University Eliyahu Stern titled “Don’t Fear Islamic Law in America” cites the fact that more than a dozen U.S. state legislatures are considering whether to forbid certain aspects of Muslim Sharia law, and counsels America that passing such laws “undermines American democracy, ignores our country’s successful history of religious tolerance and assimilation, and creates a dangerous divide between America and its fastest-growing religious minority.”

+ New York Times, 620 Eighth Avenue, New York, New York 10018, 212- 556-1234, executive-editor@nytimes.com

[7] U.S. Presidential Candidate Ron Paul Says U.S. Government Preparing for “Breakdown of Law and Order”

A 1 September 2011 PrisonPlanet.com article by Paul Joseph Watson titled “Ron Paul: Feds Preparing For “Breakdown Of Law And Order” reports that U.S. presidential candidate Ron Paul recently elaborated on how the federal government was preparing for a “breakdown in law and order”, and that the feds are “planning for any provision.”

Paul continued: “You can have a breakdown of law and order so the people will unfortunately be begging for stabilization, and they’ll be inviting the federal government to come in and destabilize things, so I think they’re making plans along those lines.”

Asked if such preparations were about a power grab on behalf of the federal government, Paul responded, “That’s their goal, it’s all about power”, and said the “they” were Federal Emergency Management Agency.

The article continues:

“Preparations for civil unrest in the United States have long been on the books, but those plans have recently been refreshed.

“Immediately following the riots in the [United Kingdom], the [New York Police Department] announced that it was training police to deal with disobedience, “should out-of-control riots break out here.”

“As [PrisonPlanet.com] reported three years ago, U.S. troops returning from Iraq were being re-allocated to occupy America, running checkpoints and training to deal with “civil unrest and crowd control” under the auspices of a Northcom program that revolved around deploying 20,000 active duty troops inside America to “help” state and local officials during times of emergency.

“The date set for the completion of this program was 2011.”

+ PrisonPlanet.com, Post Office Box 19549, Austin, Texas 78760, 512-291-5750, writers@infowars.com

+ U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Washington DC 20528, 202-282-8000, Contact Form

31 August 2011

2011-08-31T00:00:00.000-04:00

Presbyterians Week Headlines

[1] Christian Observer “Off the Air” Since 20 August 2011

[2] National Conservative Presbyterian Church of Mexico Severs Ties with PCUSA over May 2011 PCUSA Vote to Ease Fidelity and Chastity Requirements for Ordination of Homosexuals

[3] Church of Scotland Minister Admits Homosexual Relationship, Putting Congregation into Turmoil

[4] A New Presbyterian [PCUSA] Order?

[5] Military Chaplains Told Conform to DADT or Resign Commission

[6] Nigerian Army Said to Help in Slaughter of Christians

[7] Christian Convert Attacked with Boiling Water by Muslim Asylum Seekers in Norway

[8] New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg Excludes Clergy from Commemoration of the 11 September 2001 Muslim Jihad Attacks

[9] New Report Maps the Roots of “Islamophobia”

---

[1] Christian Observer “Off the Air” Since 20 August 2011

The Christian Observer has been “off the air” since 20 August 2011 due to a web server address change and the unannounced demise of the Internet service provider that managed the domain registration and domain name services of the christianobserver.org domain.

Deo volente (D.V.), the Christian Observer website, under new domain registration and domain name services management, will again become available sometime during the first few days of September 2011.

+ Christian Observer, Post Office Box 1371, Lexington, Virginia 20110, christianobserver@christianobserver.org

[2] National Conservative Presbyterian Church of Mexico Severs Ties with PCUSA over May 2011 PCUSA Vote to Ease Fidelity and Chastity Requirements for Ordination of Homosexuals

A 27 August 2011 BCNN1.com article titled “Presbyterians in Mexico Break with U.S. Presbyterian Church Over Homosexuality” reports that the National Conservative Presbyterian Church of Mexico (INPM) has voted to stop working with the Presbyterian Church (PCUSA) because of the May 2011 decision of the PCUSA to relax fidelity and chastity requirements for ordaining homosexuals.

The INPM and the PCUSA had previously worked together since 1873.

+ BCNN1.com, 8528 N. Davis Boulevard, Suite 134, Dallas, Texas 76180, Contact Form

+ National Conservative Presbyterian Church of Mexico, Calle del Parque no. 85, Del Parque, Mexico D.F., 52-5-523-6138

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

[3] Church of Scotland Minister Admits Homosexual Relationship, Putting Congregation into Turmoil

A 29 August 2011 article by Claire Gardner in The Scotsman titled “Female Minister Who Wants to Marry Her Girlfriend Goes AWOL” reports that the Rev. Lynn Brady, pastor of the Newburgh Parish Church (Church of Scotland (COS)), has told her congregation that she is in a homosexual relationship and that she wants to marry her girlfriend.

One Newburgh elder has resigned and the other elders are considering their church offices. An emergency session meeting has been called for the week of 4 September 2011.

+ 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

[4] A New Presbyterian [PCUSA] Order?

by Jerry L. Van Marter - Presbyterian News Service

Minneapolis, Minnesota - Presbyterians committed to theological orthodoxy should consider a special vow, akin to special vows taken by members of various Catholic orders, Fuller Theological Seminary President Richard Mouw told the Fellowship of Presbyterians at its Aug. 25-26 gathering here.

In a wide-ranging and free-wheeling address and question-and-answer session, Mouw said, “Historically, when Catholics felt the church had gone astray, they didn’t leave, they formed special orders who took special vows according to their commitments. The commitment to theological orthodoxy for many of us should take the form of a special vow, to witness to the essential tenets and the power of the Reformed faith.”

Mouw commended to the 2,000 Presbyterians gathered here the essential tenets and “Reformed distinctives” developed by San Diego Presbytery, but cautioned against “word-for-word subscriptionism.”

Some statements in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)’s Book of Confessions ― such as the declaration in the Westminster Confession that the pope is the anti-Christ ― “are historical statements we don’t want to subscribe to,” Mouw said, “but we don’t want holes big enough to drive a truck through. There are essentials.”

For instance, he continued, “We have to make a choice about the authority of Scripture, the inherent lostness of human beings and the need for the atoning salvation of Jesus Christ as our only savior.”

Also central, he said, “is our Reformed conviction that election [by God] is for both salvation and service ― to involvement in a covenant community that demonstrates the sovereign rule of God over all of human life … that covenant community is central ― gathering in (worship) and sending out (service).”

Essential tenets make us missional, Mouw said. “We’re elected to participate in the life of a community that seeks to perfect God’s plan here and now, bearing witness to God’s mission in the world.”

It’s not easy “to get a good grasp on what God is doing in the world and our place in it,” Mouw conceded. “We need a lot of dialogue, because it’s very hard to learn from each other when all of our speeches and conversations are geared to winning votes. It’s important for us to discern together what it means that we have received this Reformed tradition and what it means to apply it in our new context.”

Presbyterian officers, when they affirm that they will “be guided by the confessions,” often get caught up in a “Catch-22,” Mouw said. “We don’t want a line-by-line subscriptionism, but attention to whole body of confessions,” he said.

“We need guidelines on how to read the confessions ― we’ve slipped into a historical museum approach to the confessions,” Mouw said. “ What does it mean to be ‘guided by’ the confessions? Those who have developed essential tenets at presbytery levels are rightly concerned with putting flesh on the bones of [that question].”

Asked about seemingly intractable debates in the PC(USA) about what the authority of scripture means, Mouw responded: “If we can have honest conversations about the authority of Scripture rather than all the acrimony of debate and voting, our conversations would be much more productive.

“The Bible trumps everything else,” he said, “but we need solid agreed upon hermeneutical principles for interpreting Scripture.”

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

+ The Fellowship of Presbyterians, email@fellowship-pres.org

[5] Military Chaplains Told Conform to DADT or Resign Commission

A 24 August 2011 article by Chad Groening of OneNewsNow.com titled “Report: Military to Chaplains -- Resign or Conform” reports that Col. Ron Crews (U.S. Army - Retired), chaplain endorser for Grace Churches International, said that one of his chaplains reported that the he had attended a briefing by U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff chairman Admiral Mike Mullen, where the chaplain asked:

“Will those of us who hold biblical orthodox views concerning homosexuality be protected in this new environment to speak about those views?"

Mullen responded: “Chaplain, if you can't get in line with this policy, resign your commission.”

+ American Family Association, Post Office Drawer 2440, Tupelo, Mississippi 38803, 662-844-5036

+ Grace Churches International, 5117 Cliffdale Road, Fayetteville, North Carolina 28314, 910-867-6116, Contact Form

[6] Nigerian Army Said to Help in Slaughter of Christians

A 28 August 2011 report from Compass Direct News Service reports that Nigerian army personnel are alleged to have joined Muslim extremists in attacks on Christians between 11- 23 August 2011 in Nigeria’s Plateau State that left twenty-four Christians dead including a family of nine in Heipang village.

+ Compass Direct News Service, Post Office Box 27250, Santa Ana, California 92799, 949-862-0304, Fax: 949-752-6536, info@compassdirect.org

[7] Christian Convert Attacked with Boiling Water by Muslim Asylum Seekers in Norway

A 29 August 2011 article by Michael Ireland of Assist News Service reports that a former Muslim who converted to Christianity has been attacked with boiling water and acid by Muslims at an Asylum Reception Center in Jaeren, Norway, after the Christian declined to comply with Ramadan fasting rules.

The attackers told the Christian: “If you do not return to Islam, we will kill you.”

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

[8] New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg Excludes Clergy from Commemoration of the 11 September 2001 Muslim Jihad Attacks

A 24 August 2011 Conservative Action Alerts article titled “Bloomberg’s 9/11 Exclusion Spurs Outrage” reports that New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg has excluded clergy from the tenth anniversary commemoration of the 11 September 2001 Muslim Jihad attacks on the World Trade Center.

+ Conservative Action Alerts, 17388 Nature Walk Trail #301, Parker, Colorado 80134, 866-903-1747, Contact Form

[9] New Report Maps the Roots of “Islamophobia”

A 27 August 2011 Salon article by Justin Elliott reports that researchers at the Center for American Progress on 26 August 2011 released a 140-page report tracing the origins of what the report calls “rising Islamophobia in the United States.” The report describes those that originated the incitement of Islamophobia as a “small, tightly networked group of misinformation experts guiding an effort that reaches millions of Americans through effective advocates, media partners, and grassroots organizing,” specifically naming American Freedom Defense Initiative and Stop Islamization of America director Pamela Geller, and Center for Security Policy leader Frank Gaffney.

+ Salon Media Group, Inc., 101 Spear Street, Suite 203, San Francisco, California 94105, 415-645-9200, Fax: 415-645-9204, pr@salon.com

24 August 2011

2011-08-23T23:54:00.007-04:00

Presbyterians Week Headlines

[1] 17 August 2011 Death of Mrs. Ellen Lee Bridewell Elliott

[2] Fremont Presbyterian Church of Sacramento, California, Discusses Leaving PCUSA for the EPC

[3] United Reformed Church Minister Angry at Minority in Church of Scotland Opposed to Homosexual Ordination

[4] American Psychiatric Association Working to Legitimize Pedophilia

[5] Failed 21 August 2011 Bombing Attempt on Evangelical Presbyterian Church in Kirkuk, Iraq

[6] None Dare Call It Obamanation

[7] Jihadists Urged to Bomb Military Funerals as New Way to Bring Terror to America

[8] Religion Communicators Council Calls for Civil Discourse Regarding the Tenth Anniversary of the 11 September 2001 Attacks

[9] First Congregational Church of Webster Groves [Missouri] (UCC) to Host Muslim Speaker on Sunday 11 September 2011

[10] Reformed Family Worship Book Available for Free Download

[11] August 2011 Reformation Voice Available for Download

[12] Free Preview of July/August 2011 “The Outlook” Available Online

---

[1] 17 August 2011 Death of Mrs. Ellen Lee Bridewell Elliott

Mrs. Ellen Lee Bridewell Elliott went to be with the Lord on 17 August 2011. Mrs. Elliott was born in Beauregard, Mississippi, on 18 April 1917. Her father was Mr. Nathaniel Weeks Bridewell and her mother was Mrs. Bettie Duncan Bridewell.

Mrs. Elliott had six brothers and sisters. Her brothers are Lt. Francis Bridewell, killed in World War II; Nat Bridewell, deceased; Dr. Ross Bridewell; and Major Joseph Bridewell. Her sisters are Charlotte Swain and Clarissa Cordre.

Mrs. Elliott's education included an AA degree from Montreat Anderson College in Black Mountain, North Carolina; a BA from North Western State University in Louisiana; and a Masters in Religious Education from the Presbyterian School of Christian Education in Richmond, Virginia. Following that, she took extensive post-graduate work.

She was married to the Rev. Mr. Edwin Powers Elliott, Sr., in 1946 at Clifton Forge Presbyterian Church. Rev. Elliott, founding pastor of the Reformed Presbyterian Church in Manassas, died in 1998. Rev. and Mrs. Elliott moved to Manassas in 1962 when he was called to be pastor of the Manassas Presbyterian Church.

Mrs. Elliott was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution and the United Daughters of the Confederacy.

Mrs. Elliott's children are the Rev. Dr. Edwin Powers Elliott, Jr., died 11 October 2009, and Francis Moxom Elliott.

Mrs. Elliott worked in churches in four states along with her husband and taught in the public schools in Louisiana, Pennsylvania, and Virginia. She was Guidance Counselor at Parkside Junior High School for many years until her retirement.

Following her formal retirement, she worked as editor and circulation manager for the Christian Observer Magazine, founded 1813, until her second retirement in 2007.

Mrs. Elliott is survived by her second son, Francis; his wife, Grace D. Arnold Elliott; and their four sons: Benjamin Elliott and his wife, Lisa E. Elliott; Adam Elliott; James Elliott; and Lee Elliott. Also surviving are Edwin P. Elliott, Jr.’s widow, Anne B. Elliott, and their three daughters: Laura Elliott, Rebecca Zadell and her husband Jerome, and Dr. Elizabeth Elliott.

The funeral will be at Reformed Presbyterian Church on 27 August 2011 at 10 a.m. Donations may be made to the Reformed Presbyterian Church at 9400 Fairview Avenue, Manassas, VA 20110. The phone number is 703-361-2300.

+ Christian Observer, Post Office Box 1371, Lexington, Virginia 20110, christianobserver@christianobserver.org

[2] Fremont Presbyterian Church of Sacramento, California, Discusses Leaving PCUSA for the EPC

A 22 August 2011 article by Jennifer Garza in The Sacramento Bee titled “Fremont Presbyterian Members Begin Meetings on Possible Split from National Body” reports that the congregation of Fremont Presbyterian Church (Presbyterian Church (PCUSA)) met 21 August 2011 to begin discussions on whether the church should leave the PCUSA and join the Evangelical Presbyterian Church (EPC). Three additional congregational meetings will be held before a final vote is expected to be taken in October 2011.

In a July 2011 non-binding vote, the Fremont session unanimously voted to leave the PCUSA because of the denomination’s non-adherence to biblical standards including the 2010-2011 vote of PCUSA presbyteries to remove the Fidelity and Chastity Standards for ministers and elders.

If the Freemont church, which averages 1300 weekly worshipers, votes to leave the PCUSA , Freemont will be the sixth church in the PCUSA 's Presbytery of Sacramento to leave the PCUSA and join the EPC.

+ The Sacramento Bee, 2100 Q Street, Sacramento, California 95816, 916-321-1000, Contact Page

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

+ Presbytery of Sacramento, 9983 Folsom Boulevard, Sacramento, California 95827, 916-414-2080, jwilkins@sacpresby.org

+ Evangelical Presbyterian Church, 17197 North Laurel Park Drive Suite 567, Livonia, Michigan 48152, 734-742-2020, Fax: 734-742-2033, webmaster@epc.org

[3] United Reformed Church Minister Angry at Minority in Church of Scotland Opposed to Homosexual Ordination

A 12 August 2011 article by Lorraine Waddell in the Lennox Herald titled “Dumbarton Minister’s Anger in Gay Ordination Row” reports that United Reformed Church minister the Rev. Daniel Cheyne of Dumbarton, Scotland, is angry with what the minister terms a “minority” within the Church of Scotland who follow the Bible too closely in regard to the minority’s opposition to the ordination of homosexual ministers.

Cheyne attributes the minority opposition to a “misunderstanding of the word of God. They have used ancient texts in the Bible and have taken them out of context….You can’t use them in the 21st century.”

Cheyne cites several Old Testament texts including:

“Do not withhold discipline from a child; if you beat him with a rod he will not die.” (proverbs 23:13)

“Behold I have two daughters who have not known man; let me bring them out to you and do them as you please.” (genesis 19:8)

“Happy shall he be who takes your little ones and dashes them against the rock!” (Psalm 139)

Cheyne concludes: “We are citizens of the 21st century and we can no longer accept the words of ancient writings. If we are to accept the Biblical imperative we could easily find ourselves either in trouble with the local social work department or facing long prisons sentences….I think the church has got to be inclusive, not an exclusive club…The church must accept everyone, irrespective of their gender. I think everyone’s got gifts they can use for good. We should recognise that….It is a medical fact that people do not choose their sexuality. In the same way they are born with 10 fingers and toes they are born with their sexuality….There are many people who are gay and exercise a loving and pastoral ministry within the church. And we thank God for their gifts, dedication, care and commitment. Let’s move away from those ancient texts that cause nothing but misunderstanding and deeply rooted prejudice.”

+ Lennox Herald, 53 High Street, Dumbarton, G82 1LS Scotland, 01389-742-299, marcmclean@s-un.co.uk

+ United Reformed Church, Church House, 86 Tavistock Place, London WC1H 9RT, England, 020-7916-2020, Fax: 020-7916-2021, urc@urc.org.uk

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

[4] American Psychiatric Association Working to Legitimize Pedophilia

A 15 August 2011 article by John Rossomando in The Daily Caller titled “Conference Aims to Normalize Pedophilia” reports that a 17 August 2011 American Psychiatric Association (APA) meeting in Baltimore, Maryland, explored “ways in which minor-attracted persons [pedophiles] can be involved in the DSM 5 revision process” and how to change society’s view of pedophiles to one of tolerance.

The DSM is the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. The manual is scheduled to be updated in 2013, and is characterized by Rossomando as the APA’s “bible of mental illnesses”.

+ The Daily Caller, 1050 17th Street Northwest # 900, Washington DC 20036, 202-466-3004, media@dailycaller.com

+ American Psychiatric Association, 1000 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 1825, Arlington, Virginia 22209, 703-907-7300, apa@psych.org

[5] Failed 21 August 2011 Bombing Attempt on Evangelical Presbyterian Church in Kirkuk, Iraq

A 21 August 2011 article on Ankawa.com titled “Failed Attempt to Bombing the Evangelical Presbyterian Church in Kirkuk” reports that police in Kirkuk, Iraq, on 21 August 2011 disarmed a bomb placed against a wall of the Evangelical Presbyterian Church. The bomb contained petrol, Curtin explosive [possibly ammonium nitrate fertilizer – ed.], and detonators.

The article notes that attacks against churches in Kirkuk, Iraq, have increased in recent weeks, and have included two successful and two unsuccessful bombings.

The Banner of Truth Trust notes that the Evangelical Presbyterian Church in Iraq consists of five congregations in the cities of Baghdad, Kirkuk, and Mosul, the latter city having a church founded in 1840.

+ Ankawa.com, english@ankawa.com

+ The Banner of Truth Trust, P.O. Box 621, Carlisle, Pennsylvania 17013, 717-249-5747, info@banneroftruth.org

[6] None Dare Call It Obamanation

Pamela Geller, executive director of the American Freedom Defense Initiative and Stop Islamization of America, publishes a blog called Atlas Shrugs where in recent days she has featured several articles about the 2011 White House Ramadan “Iftar” Dinner hosted by U.S. President Barack Hussein Obama:

In ‘WH Ramadan Dinner: Obama Honored the Sacrifices that Muslim Americans Made on 911’ of 12 August 2011, Geller states:

“The idea of [Obama] talking only of the Muslim who died on 911 or the Muslim first responder that died on 911 (if there were more, you'd have heard about it) is classic Islamic supremacism. Every death was an incalculable loss, every death an attack on this country.”

“If Obama and the Islamic supremacist machine is so insistent on pointing that out, why not point out that, according to Islam, they died as martyrs in an act of jihad? Further, why is the motive behind these acts of war, jihad, prohibited from the national conversation or more specifically, this dinner?”

“This is sedition. This speech by the President of the United States in the wake of the single largest loss of life in one day by devout Muslims in the act of jihad is treason.”

In ‘Obama's Ramadan Dinner Guest List Hides Attendance of Stealth Jihadists Tied to Hamas and Muslim Brotherhood’:

Geller references the Jihad Watch article ‘Obama's Iftar guest list omitted attendees with links to Hamas and Muslim Brotherhood’, then quotes Neil Munro in The Daily Caller of 11 August 2011:

“The White House’s published guest list for this year’s Ramadan Iftar dinner…. excluded the names of several controversial advocates who have attended the event in the past, including some who…did attend...”

“…Haris Tarin, the Washington director of the Muslim Public Affairs Council, whose invitation was kept off the published list.

“Mohamed Magid also attended but did not appear on the White House’s publish list. Magid is imam of the All Dulles Area Muslim Society mosque in Northern Virginia and the current president of the Islamic Society of North America [ISNA].”

“…court records…show that the federal government designated ISNA an unindicted co-conspirator during the 2008 trial of Texas Muslims who smuggled money to the Hamas terror group....”

+ Atlas Shrugs, writeatlas@aol.com

+ Jihad Watch and Dhimmi Watch

+ The Daily Caller, 1050 17th Street Northwest # 900, Washington DC 20036, 202-466-3004, media@dailycaller.com

+ Muslim Public Affairs Council, 110 Maryland Avenue Northeast, Suite 210, Washington DC 20002, 202-547-7701, Fax: 202-547-7704, contact@mpac.org

[7] Jihadists Urged to Bomb Military Funerals as New Way to Bring Terror to America

A 19 August 2011 The Daily Mail article titled “Jihadists Urged to Bomb Military Funerals as New Way to Bring Terror to America” reports that the Ansar al-Mujahedeen web forum is hailing the 2009 Fort Hood massacre as a triumph, is urging jihadists using suicide vest bombs to strike America by bombing the funerals of U.S. service members killed in action, and to instructing prospective suicide bombers to hide the vest bombs under fake military uniforms to more easily get close to funeral dignitaries such as military officers and state officials.

+ The Daily Mail, Northcliffe House, 2 Derry Street, London W8 5TT, England, 020-7938-6000, news@dailymail.co.uk

[8] Religion Communicators Council Calls for Civil Discourse Regarding the Tenth Anniversary of the 11 September 2001 Attacks

In a 7 August 2011 statement, the Religion Communicators Council (RCC) urged journalists and bloggers to “pursue accuracy, respect and understanding of people of all faiths and faith communities…” in news coverage of the tenth anniversary of the 11 September 2011 attacks.

The RCC called “for responsible discussion of religion and of all faith groups, seeking the understanding and acceptance of religious communities…” because the anniversary of the 2001 attacks could “bring about painful recollections of terrorism and its effects," and that reports about the attacks “could become heated and distorted as it intermingles the religious identity of participants in those heinous acts.”

+ National Council of Churches, 475 Riverside Drive, Suite 880, New York, New York 10115

+ Religion Communicators Council, 475 Riverside Drive, Room 1355, New York, New York 10115, 212-870-2985, Fax: 212-870-2171, rccrprc@rcn.com

[9] First Congregational Church of Webster Groves [Missouri] (UCC) to Host Muslim Speaker on Sunday 11 September 2011

The First Congregational Church of Webster Groves [Missouri] (United Church of Christ) is commemorating the 10th anniversary of the 11 September 2001terrorist attacks on the United States by a Sunday 11 September 2011 program titled “Peace Be Upon You!”, described as “an interface exploration of common purpose and collaboration designed to move us from tolerance to empathy.”

The keynote speaker will be Khaled Abdul Hamid, creator of the blog
Khaled Hamid Forum: Just Some Thoughts of an American Muslim on
Politics, Religion, and Muslim Community Issues.

+ National Council of Churches, 475 Riverside Drive, Suite 880, New York, New York 10115

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

[10] Reformed Family Worship Book Available for Free Download

Christian Observer editor Ginny Youmans has updated her Reformed Family Worship Book to optionally include a planner section for the 2011-2012 school year, and is making PDF versions of both available for free download at:

http://thousandhillsfarm.com/rfwb/index.html

+ Christian Observer, Post Office Box 1371, Lexington, Virginia 20110, christianobserver@christianobserver.org

[11] August 2011 Reformation Voice Available for Download

The August 2011 Reformation Voice is available for download at the Heidelberg Reformation Association website.

+ Heidelberg Reformation Association, Rev. Howard Sloan, Secretary, 5543 Business 220, Bedford, Pennsylvania 15522

[12] Free Preview of July/August 2011 “The Outlook” Available Online

The July/August 2011 issue of The Outlook is available for free preview at:

http://issuu.com/reformedfellowship/docs/outlook_july_august_2011-6-200?viewMode=magazine&mode=embed

+ Reformed Fellowship, Inc., 3363 Hickory Ridge Court Southwest, Wyoming, Michigan 49418, 616-532-8510, editor@reformedfellowship.net

17 August 2011

2011-08-17T00:00:00.000-04:00

Presbyterians Week Headlines

[1] Christian Observer Article – “Did the Presbyterian Church in America Stated Clerk And Administrative Committee Have A Role in the Establishment of the Presbyterian Investors Fund /Cornerstone Ministries Investments and It’s Eventual Bankruptcy?”

[2] Court of Session in Edinburg, Scotland, Rules that Isle of Skye’s Broadford Church Belongs to the Free Church of Scotland

[3] Kolomna, Russia, Police Break Up Youth Worship Service

---

[1] Christian Observer Article – “Did the Presbyterian Church in America Stated Clerk And Administrative Committee Have A Role in the Establishment of the Presbyterian Investors Fund /Cornerstone Ministries Investments and It’s Eventual Bankruptcy?”

In a new Christian Observer article for August 2011, Bob Wildrick, a Presbyterian Church in America (PCA) member and one of 3500 investors who lost the majority of their savings in the US$142 million February 2008 Chapter 11 Bankruptcy of Cornerstone Ministries Investments (CMI), uses PCA General Assembly Minutes from 1985 to 1994 to review the founding of the Investors Fund for Building and Development, which later became the Presbyterian Investors Fund, then CMI, to answer the article title’s question.

+ Christian Observer, Post Office Box 1371, Lexington, Virginia 20110, christianobserver@christianobserver.org

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

[2] Court of Session in Edinburg, Scotland, Rules that Isle of Skye’s Broadford Church Belongs to the Free Church of Scotland

A 12 August 2011 BBC article titled “Judge Asks Free Church Groups to End Skye Dispute” reports that the Court of Session in Edinburg, Scotland, has upheld a 2009 lower court decision giving ownership of the Broadford Church on the Isle of Skye, Scotland, to the Free Church of Scotland, thus taking the church from the Free Church of Scotland (Continuing) congregation that has worshiped there since 2007.

The Free Church of Scotland (Continuing) separated from the Free Church of Scotland in 2000 after the majority declined to pursue church discipline against Free Church College Professor Donald Macleod, who was alleged to have committed six charges of indecent assault involving five women between 1985 and 1992, and was acquitted of the charges after a trial in the Edinburgh Sheriff Court.

Lord Drummond Young, one of three appeals court judges, concluded the court’s written opinion with a recommendation to both parties:

“May I, in conclusion, respectfully suggest that this is a case where such an arrangement might be reached? It is true that the right to the Broadford property belongs to the congregation who adhere to the structures of the pre-2000 Free Church, and that the minister and communicants of that congregation must be members of the Free Church as governed by those structures. Nevertheless, I can find nothing in the trust that prevents the congregation so determined from permitting the use of the church to other bodies of Christians who follow similar doctrines and forms of worship. The defenders appear to me to be such a body. In this respect, the exhortation to longsuffering, forbearance and unity of the spirit within a congregation may be as relevant to Broadford and other communities in Scotland in the twenty first century as it was to Ephesus in the first century.”

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

+ 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

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

[3] Kolomna, Russia, Police Break Up Youth Worship Service

Alfred McCroskey of Bibles for Russia, Inc. (BRI) reports that on 9 August 2011, police in Kolomna, Russia, located approx. sixty miles southeast of Moscow, came into a church during a youth service, broke up the service, and took the youth pastor conducting the service to a police station where the pastor was threatened and ordered to leave the town because the pastor was from Moscow.

Mr. McCroskey says that the police action did not reflect a national policy for Russia, but that there are increasing instances of this type of police harassment depending upon local leadership.

BRI is sending a team to Russia at the end of September 2011, and is looking for others who may be interested in being a part of the team. If so, please contact BRI immediately.

+ Bibles for Russia, Inc., Post Office Box 69, Florence, Alabama 35631, 256-718-3660, Fax: 256-718-3662, info@biblesforrussia.org