A book has been recently published in the USA entitled:

The Scandal of Schism

The author is Chris Anderson, who has been a pastor, church planter, and a missions catalyst around the world. He is the president of Church Works Media, an author, and a hymn-writer of well over 50 hymns.

The publishers’ ‘blurb’ on this book reads:

A Journey from Sinful Division to Biblical Fidelity

‘Is Christian unity a lost cause in today’s polarized world?

What if the greatest threat to Christianity comes from within?

The Scandal of Schism addresses these questions head-on, providing a balanced view of when separation is necessary and when it is sinful. In this book, Chris Anderson guides readers through the delicate task of maintaining church unity without compromising on truth. This book emphasizes the importance of separating from those who promote error, cooperating with those who uphold the truth, and avoiding schisms that distort the gospel. Anderson’s narrative is both a memoir and a theological exploration, making a compelling case for a renewed commitment to biblical fidelity and loving unity. With personal insights and biblical wisdom, Anderson lays out a roadmap for Christians seeking to respond to division or difference with humility. Readers will find guidance and hope for fostering harmony in their own hearts as well as in their local churches.’

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Now what does this quote taken from the above statement mean?

‘This book emphasizes the importance of separating from those who promote error, cooperating with those who uphold the truth, and avoiding schisms that distort the gospel.’

Well, we get an answer to that question from one whose name heads the list of endorsements — Dr Mike Barrett.

Here is his endorsement.

“This book is long overdue. I wholeheartedly recommend it—as an encouragement to recovering sectarians and an exhortation to those who will likely disagree. Anderson exposes his heart as he chronicles his journey from rigid separatism to a more balanced interpretation and application of biblical separation. Happily, there are many—myself included—that have taken the same journey. I have never considered myself to be a radical sectarian, but in the providence of God, I was born, raised, educated, and involved in ministering within extreme fundamentalist environments. Ironically and thankfully, it was in those places that I became thoroughly convinced of Calvinism and covenant/reformed theology. Consequently, I was suspect to some in fundamentalism and a token novelty to others. I serve now in a wider, yet conservative, evangelical environment without a guilty conscience and still believe in biblical separation. This book is not about my journey, but I so resonated with its message. In reading this book, you may find yourself either agreeing with Anderson or perhaps beginning a similar journey for yourself.”

—Michael Barrett, Senior Research Professor, Biblical Studies, Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary

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Please note this statement in Dr Barrett’s endorsement :—

‘Anderson exposes his heart as he chronicles his journey from rigid separatism to a more balanced interpretation and application of biblical separation. Happily, there are many —myself included—that have taken the same journey.’

The ‘rigid separatism’ from which Chris Anderson and Dr Barrett have journeyed, to take up a position of a ‘more balanced interpretation and application of biblical separation’, is that separation taught in the Word of God and which the Free Presbyterian Church here in Ulster has sought to adhere to since our founding in 1951. (more…)

“Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people,” Proverbs 14:34.

I read this verse in my daily reading on Thursday of last week and I greeted it as an old and well-loved friend. I learned it from hearing it repeated in prayer meetings some sixty one years ago, when I was just converted to Christ.

Would I be right in thinking that if I were starting out on the pilgrimage of life today, this verse would not be as familiar to me because of not hearing it quoted in today’s prayer meetings,  in the manner in which it was quoted back then?

I think that, sadly, it would be as I fear!

I. IT SEEMS THAT BACK THEN, THIS VERSE WAS ON THE LIPS OF VERY MANY IN THE PRAYER MEETINGS.

It was quoted as a means of comfort, as there was an earnest seeking to see our province turn back to the Lord.

It was quoted in defiance of the ‘pundits’ who advocated the adoption of liberal and modernistic theological notions of what it was would benefit society. In general, such ‘moral think tank theorists’ favoured the abandoning of “the old paths, where is the good way,” (Jeremiah 6:16) in order that a ‘Bibleless” society be formed! (more…)