I am posting these comments in response to some ‘Facebook’ criticisms, mounted in reply to my recent Burning Bush article: “What to do when a crisis overtakes the people of God”.
The basis of the criticism was that if what I said in my article was correct then our forefathers were wrong in leaving the Presbyterian Church in Ireland back in 1951, for that church was, it is claimed; ‘still a majority evangelical denomination at that time.’
I have never read a more untrue and stupid statement than that!
For some reason, neither myself nor my article was named in the Facebook criticisms, so I will observe the same measure of anonymity when dealing with this matter, and not name the author.
This morning, as part of my daily reading of God’s Word, I read these words in Job 27:3-4.
“All the while my breath is in me, and the spirit of God is in my nostrils; my lips shall not speak wickedness, nor my tongue utter deceit”.
I believe I can humbly say that such has been my desire throughout my 61 years of preaching and writing. There have been times when something I have said or written has been challenged and, as the Lord is my witness, I can say that my heart trembled lest I had indeed set forth in the Lord’s name that which was wrong. It was only when I carefully checked my statements and found them in keeping with God’s truth, that the fear was lifted.
I have likewise reacted to the reported comments on FaceBook, which criticise my article. However, I do not find in them any reason for my changing what I said, however it may appear.
The teaching on apostasy is that which was followed by the founders of the Free Presbyterian Church back in 1951.
The denomination from which our founding fathers separated had embraced heresy back in 1927 when the General Assembly voted by 89% to back the man who had denied, among other cardinal truths, the atoning blood of Christ and His deity, as well as mocking the idea of the inerrant inspiration of God’s Word.
But it was not until 1951 that the Lord raised up an effective separated witness in Crossgar. In the intervening 24 years mercy was extended to the Presbyterian Church in Ireland. That the PCI had finally crossed the line and was rejected by the Lord was not just indicated by His raising up the Free Presbyterian Church but also by the actions of the PCI two years later, in 1953, when it elected the author of the 1927 rebellion, Prof. James E. Davey, as moderator.
I believe that that act by the PCI confirmed both its rejection and the justification for the formation of the Free Presbyterian Church. The point being, the Lord gave that rebellious denomination a quarter of a century to repent.
The sins of Davey and the PCI outstripped those of our denomination today by far and yet mercy delayed judgment!
Paul the apostle continued as a spiritual guide and leader over the church in Corinth, calling it: ‘the church of God which is at Corinth’, despite gross sins openly practised to the shame of the gospel.
It would be very wrong to classify the Free Presbyterian Church as being worse than Corinth! Yes, there are many sins and issues of backsliding and carelessness stretching back quite some time, but I do not believe it to be true to compare the sins of the Free Presbyterian Church with those of Corinth.
That being so, we have no grounds for acting contrary to Paul and leaving the Free Presbyterian Church.
Encouragement to go on in sin!
What I have written will give no encouragement to those bent on further departure from God’s Word within the Free Presbyterian Church. There may be some who will see my article as giving such encouragement and some who will even take encouragement to go on in their backsliding, but that folly is addressed in Ecclesiastes 8:11.
“Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil.”
Is the Lord then to be blamed for withholding judgment and giving the backslider an opportunity to repent?
Nowhere in my articles have I in anyway offered comfort to those engaged in compromise and disobedience. Rather, I have plainly rebuked them and called upon them to repent and return unto the Lord.
I repeat that I am saddened at the criticisms of my article. However, I believe the Lord will indicate just which position is in accord with His mind and will, and that in mercy in due time.
Sincerely in Christ’s name,
Ivan Foster
26th February 2025