Extracts from a ‘Belfast Telegraph’ article on the deposing of Rev David DiCanio, Saturday 28th December.
The sacking of a Free Presbyterian minister has unsettled a church which is changing faster than some of its clerics would like
Tiny Protestant denomination has had a disproportionate political and societal influence – but after years protesting against others, now some of its ministers are protesting against it
The Free Presbyterian Church — Northern Ireland’s most hardline Protestant denomination — has just ejected a minister for being too hardline.
It’s an episode which in other circumstances might mean little, but which relates to a far deeper shift within the church founded by Ian Paisley in 1951.
Even that might be of little relevance beyond the few thousand members of this institution. Yet Free Presbyterianism has never simply been about God; it’s always been closely linked to developments in secular power.
Once that was about denouncing the powerful; these days, there’s a good chance that the powerful are in a Free Presbyterian pew on a Sunday morning.
Free Presbyterianism has never been a mass movement akin to the Presbyterian Church or the Anglican Church, let alone the Catholic Church. It’s smaller than the Baptist or Pentecostal churches, yet far better known because of the high profile of many of its members and its outspoken public protests which often attract media coverage. (more…)
There is a more substantial link between heaven and earth than we Christians can perceive. There is much of heaven’s activity on earth of which we are not aware. The Bible clearly indicates that. For instance, the Saviour said on one occasion: “Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven,” Matthew 18:10. Again, we are told by Paul of the angels, “Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?” Hebrews 1:14.