February 2014

A prayer that England should pray in the midst of its present distresses.

O MOST powerful and glorious Lord God, at Whose command the winds blow, and lift up the waves of the sea, and Who stillest the rage thereof; we thy creatures, but miserable sinners, do in this our great distress cry unto Thee for help: Save, Lord, or else we perish. We confess, when we have been safe, and seen all things quiet about us, we have forgot Thee our God, and refused to hearken to the still voice of Thy Word, and to obey Thy commandments: But now we see, how terrible Thou art in all Thy works of wonder; the great God to be feared above all: And therefore we adore Thy Divine Majesty, acknowledging Thy power, and imploring Thy goodness. Help, Lord, and save us for Thy mercy’s sake in Jesus Christ Thy Son, our Lord. Amen.

The Book of Common Prayer (1662)

A vital question

Can a gospel minister be considered faithful to Christ and His Word who promotes the sale of books by those who proclaim error and associate with the enemies of Christ?

That is the question which must be asked about Dr Joel Beeke’s activities as Editorial Director of “Reformation Heritage Books”. In this transcript of a sermon by Pastor Ralph Ovadal, Pilgrims Covenant Church, that question is asked and details of the character of the books Dr Beeke sells clearly detailed. The answer ought to be all too clear! Read more…

Use the link below to play or download the messages in this series.

Week of prophetic studies by Rev. Ivan Foster at Coragarry FPC, February 2014

Consequences for our children of the influence of the world’s education programme

Text: Nehemiah 13:23-27.

A synopsis of a sermon preached by Rev Ivan Foster at the morning session of the day of prayer for Christian Education held in Bethany Free Presbyterian Church, Portadown, on Saturday 1st February 2014.

After 35 years of involvement in and observation of the Christian Education scene, I am more than ever convinced that it is the will of God that God’s people support a Bible-based system of education. If anything, were I starting out again I would be more radical in my practices, for I have seen the consequences of failure and defiance of God in this matter. Read more…

Or listen to the message using the player below:

Attack by Congregational minister upon our articles on Dr Joel Beeke

It has been drawn to my attention that Rev Paul Dowling, of Whiteabbey Congregational Church, has attacked me in a sermon he preached on January 19th this year.

He was highly critical of me because of the articles I have written about Dr Joel Beeke and his fellowship with certain individuals whose theology and associations are questionable, to say the least, his promoting of unscriptural writings through his book ministry and his links with highly unorthodox organisations in very recent days. Read more…

Free Presbyterians Protest outside theatre hosting blasphemous mockery of the Bible

A protest led by Rev Brian McClung and the elders of Newtownabbey Free Presbyterian church took place outside the ‘Theatre at the Mill’ in Newtownabbey, County Antrim on Thursday evening, 30th January.

About 75 people supported the protest with many FP ministers and elders in attendance. The Moderator, Dr John Greer along with Rev McClung handed in a letter of protest to the theatre.

Recent revelations have exposed the chicanery of some of the Council’s Artistic Board in their actions in cancelling the play. It turns out that it was a cynical manoeuvre to make sure that the full Newtownabbey Council could not outrightly ban the play.

We quote from an article by Rev Brian McClung which appears on his blog

“A letter sent out yesterday on behalf of the chair, Councillor Billy Webb, of the Artistic Board, which oversees the Theatre at the Mill in Newtownabbey, makes it abundantly clear that the first vote to cancel this offensive play, on Wednesday 22nd January, was purely a ‘tactical’ move by those determined to press ahead with this offensive production.

In explaining why events took the turn they did, Councillor Webb writes:

On Wednesday 22nd January, the artistic board voted tactically [emphasis mine] to withdraw the play from the programme. They had been shown a letter from a Councillor and member of the artistic board, which had been sent to the Chairman, appealing to him to stop the production. They were also made aware that, if they voted to keep the play in the programme, the likely outcome would be that, at a scheduled meeting of the council on Monday 27th January, the lay [sic] would be pulled.

Had this happened, a media furore would have ensued, similar to what we have witnessed since our original decision to withdraw the production. However, the artistic board would not have been able to reverse the council decision and as a consequence, the performance would not have been staged.

The Chair of the artistic board called a special meeting of the Board on Monday 27th January, prior to the council meeting. At this meeting a proposal was tabled to vote again on the decision made by the artistic board, the previous Wednesday. The vote was carried to reinstate the play by a majority of 9 to 2.

The artistic board have been criticised by some parts of the media, but it should be noted that through their actions, they have ensured that the programme of events for the Theatre at the Mill will go ahead as scheduled and in accordance with their original artistic judgement.

The Board remains committed to providing an artistic programme which aims to offer a diverse range of shows by leading arts performers at a venue we are all very proud of.”

By stopping the play and then rescinding that decision the Council’s Artistic Board hindered the full Council from cancelling the play outright because Council Standing Orders requires a full weeks’ notice of any motion overturning a recommendation by a Council Committee, which the Artistic Board is.

Such underhanded manipulations exposed the true nature of the play, its sponsors and those who connived to have it staged.

A letter of protest was handed in by the ministers who led the protest. Read it here.

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