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Three headlines on Sabbath observance: a renewed controversy

Football for all… but not if you’re an evangelical Christian says former Irish league player and coach — (Belfast Newsletter, 3rd May 2023)

The Sunday marathon is a sober reminder that we live in days of increasing spiritual weakness and confusion — (Belfast Newsletter, 5th May 2023)

Irish Cup final: Former IFA boss says ‘Christians can still go to Sunday matches – it won’t matter in the afterlife’ — (Belfast Newsletter, 5th May 2023)

The first two headlines relate to concerns about the increasing desecration of the Lord’s Day and the third provides an explanation for the increase!

The third headline is taken from the comments of an attender at Greenisland Methodist Church. For him to go public in this manner surely indicates that his church minister and oversight are happy with his views and behaviour. If they are not then doubtless a public statement will be made disowning his behaviour!

The assertion of Jim Boyce is quite contrary to the traditional teaching of Methodism and more importantly, the Word of God.

We quote:

“The General Rules of the Methodist Church requires ‘attending upon all the ordinances of God’ including ‘the public worship of God’ , (he Oxford Handbook of Methodist Studies).

The founder of Methodism, John Wesley, stated ‘This ‘handwriting of ordinances’ our Lord did blot out, take away, and nail to His cross (Col. 2:14). But the moral law contained in the Ten Commandments, and enforced by the prophets, He did not take away …. The moral law stands on an entirely different foundation from the ceremonial or ritual law …. Every part of this law must remain in force upon all mankind and in all ages.’ (‘Sermons on Several Occasions,’ 2-Vol. Edition, Vol. I, pages 221, 222). (more…)

Report Whistle-Blowing Exposures . . . In the UK higher education sector

My attention was drawn to this article by Mr Jim Allister, KC, the leader of the Tradition Unionist Voice political party, 29th April.

I made it my business to contact the author of it, Dr Edward Cooke, Doctor of Philosophy, School of History, Anthropology, Philosophy and Politics at Queens University, Belfast.

In his initial reply to my email Dr Cooke said:

Dear Rev Foster

I have been trying for over a year to bring this matter to the attention of different political parties and media outlets within NI and the UK and in 2023 I have approached the mainstream UK churches who also appear ‘disinterested’ in these issues. I would be most grateful if you used any social media platform to bring these matters to the attention of your congregation and the wider public. I enclose for you two reports on how the university sector within NI and the UK has evolved and how Unionists within NI and Christians within the UK have been marginalised in a key employment sector.

Many thanks

Edward Cooke

Accordingly, I am publishing the article as a pdf file because of its size.However, please take the time to download the article and read carefully this document exposé of what I would call the the attempt to ‘secularise’ UK universities, to the exclusion of all religious influence, especially that of Bible Christianity.

Recent Demographic Changes in the NI university sector – Feb 2022

The sad fact is that Dr Cooke says that he has “ . . been trying for over a year to bring this matter to the attention of different political parties and media outlets within NI and the UK and in 2023 I have approached the mainstream UK churches who also appear ‘disinterested’ in these issues.”

We have but a further demonstration that the political ‘watch men’ and ‘watchdogs’ representing us in the two main Unionist parties are as those of whom Isaiah the prophet complained long ago: “His watchmen are blind: they are all ignorant, they are all dumb dogs, they cannot bark; sleeping, lying down, loving to slumber,” Isaiah 56:10.

We trust that by this effort to highlight Dr Cooke’s research we may do something to stir up those who are paid handsomely to represent the interests of the Unionist and Protestant people here in Ulster.

Sincerely in Christ’s name,

Ivan Foster

2nd May, 2023

Celebrate the coronation of an adulterer and adulteress?? . . . I think not!

The depth to which our nation is sinking is acutely set forth in the forthcoming coronation of ‘Charles and Camilla’ in Westminster Abbey, a place linked to the translation of the incomparable Authorised Version of the Holy Scriptures and the compilation of the Westminster Confession of Faith.

Of course the Abbey has long been the scene of desecration at the hand of the Romanising clerics of the Church of England.

Saturday, 6th May will see that desecration reach new depths.

Sincerely in Christ’s name,

Ivan Foster

CELEBRATE THE CORONATION OF AN ADULTERER AND AN ADULTERESS??  . . . . . I THINK NOT!

 “And all the king’s servants, that were in the king’s gate, bowed, and reverenced Haman: for the king had so commanded concerning him. But Mordecai bowed not, nor did him reverence,” Esther 3:2.

There is an honour that is due to “kings, and for all that are in authority”, (1 Timothy 2:2) but it does not entail such an honouring of sin by showing endorsement of their immorality.

Paul the apostle in speaking to Felix, showed due deference. “Then Paul, after that the governor had beckoned unto him to speak, answered, Forasmuch as I know that thou hast been of many years a judge unto this nation, I do the more cheerfully answer for myself,”  Acts 24:10.

Nevertheless, when opportunity was given him later to witness to Felix, Paul did not hesitate to deal with the very matters about which the wicked Felix needed to hear. “And after certain days, when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, which was a Jewess, he sent for Paul, and heard him concerning the faith in Christ. And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled, and answered, Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee,”  Acts 24:24-25. “Righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come” were the very subjects that Felix need to consider. He was in an adulterous marriage with a woman notorious for her libidinous ways.

Due honour does not mean turning a ‘blind eye’ to sin.

1. Mordecai would not bow and reverence Haman for he was a hater of the Jews and a Gentile who came from a very evil ancestry, being of the lineage of Agag, an Amalekite. “After these things did king Ahasuerus promote Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, and advanced him, and set his seat above all the princes that were with him,” Esther 3:1. He was of that nation which God had obliged the Israelites to abhor and oppose from generation to generation; and therefore he did not show outward respect to a man whom he did and ought inwardly to contemn. “Because the LORD hath sworn that the LORD will have war with Amalek from generation to generation,” Exodus 17:16.

There has come to the throne in our nation a couple who are united in an unholy marriage. The details of the adulterous lifestyle of Charles and Camilla have been publicly disclosed in the national press for years past for all who wished to read it! (more…)