Some photographs from that time of contending for the Gospel
The protest took place at the installation of Richard Hanson as Bishop of Clogher, on March 17th, 1970.
The protest brought about the ejecting of us from of a local Orange Hall, Andrews Wood hall, where I was conducting a Gospel mission. The mission continued however, and by the end of April a Free Presbyterian hall had been erected and some months later that year, Clogher valley Free Presbyterian Church was constituted in the hall.
Despite the efforts of local ecumenists and their roping in of some Tyrone County Council officials to aid them, their demand that the hall be taken down and removed, failed.
It can be seen that a hall had been erected and was in use for regular services by June. Many years ago, the hall was replaced by a beautiful permanent building.
The Gospel outreach in the Spring of 1970 in Clogher Valley was the first of a number of missions undertaken by Lisbellaw Free Presbyterian Church that resulted in a permanent Gospel witness in the area.
AN ANSWER TO FOUR LECTURES DELIVERED IN ENNISKILLEN CATHEDRAL BY THE BISHOP OF CLOGHER RICHARD HANSON
by
REV. IVAN FOSTER
Minister of Lisbellaw Free Presbyterian Church
Published as a booklet in 1970
The rage of the Bishop against the rock of Holy Scripture
Chapter III
The Authenticity of the Books of the Bible
Like all enemies of truth before him the Bishop of Clogher first of all sets the sights of his scholastic pea-shooter against the Word of God. The Word of God is the great barrier to all such as Dr. Hanson who wish to abolish fundamental Christianity.
Here is what he says concerning Paul’s pastoral epistles, i.e., epistles to Timothy and Titus: “… the pastoral epistles (which I assume to be written not by Paul but by somebody living early in the second century)”. (Lecture 2, paragraph 3.) He also attacks the authenticity of John’s Gospel. “St. John’s Gospel, which was certainly not written by John the Apostle, though it may have originated from a place where traditions about John were treasured.” (Lecture 2, paragraph 4.) Referring to the Second Epistle of Peter, he pontificates with great audacity: “Which is not, of course, by St. Peter.” (Lecture 2, paragraph 3.) Thus the Bishop has left us with a New Testament containing at least five forgeries. If the Bishop can substantiate his assertions he has of course very good reasons for changing doctrines based upon forged epistles. BUT HE DOES NOT AND CANNOT SUBSTANTIATE HIS CLAIMS.
Before we refute the errors of Dr. Hanson perhaps we would consider the supposition: “What if the Bishop is right and these epistles are forgeries?” (more…)
I recently heard, what I consider a very astute and accurate statement which had been made by an elder of many years standing as his summary of the change that has taken place within the Presbytery of the Free Presbyterian Church.
“And I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvellous, seven angels having the seven last plagues; for in them is filled up the wrath of God. And I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire: and them that had gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name, stand on the sea of glass, having the harps of God. And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvellous are thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints. Who shall not fear thee, O Lord, and glorify thy name? for thou only art holy: for all nations shall come and worship before thee; for thy judgments are made manifest,” Revelation 15:1-4.