“That this is a rebellious people, lying children, children that will not hear the law of the LORD: Which say to the seers, See not; and to the prophets, Prophesy not unto us right things, speak unto us smooth things, prophesy deceits: Get you out of the way, turn aside out of the path, cause the Holy One of Israel to cease from before us,” Isaiah 30:9-11.
The new moderator of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland, Dr Trevor Gribben, was reported on 9th June in the ‘Belfast Newsletter, as taking as his theme, “inspiration from the Old Testament prophet Jeremiah.”
He says of Jeremiah that he “gave a message of hope to God’s people, Israel – despite the fact that they have been taken captive to the “strange” land of Babylon.”
He noted the “prophet Jeremiah told Israel in exile” — he then quoted from what I presume was a perverted translation of the Scriptures: “For I know the plans I have for you . . . plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.”
The proper translation of the portion he refers is found thus in the Authorised Version of the Holy Scriptures: “For thus saith the LORD, That after seventy years be accomplished at Babylon I will visit you, and perform my good word toward you, in causing you to return to this place. For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you. And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart,” Jeremiah 29:10-13.
I have labelled Dr Gribben as a ‘shallow evangelical’ and that for a number of good reasons.
First of all, like those before him who feel it necessary to conform to those who wish to ‘modernise’ the message of God, irrespective of the integrity of the translation, he adopts one of the modern versions, which as the Trinitarian Bible Society has repeatedly shown, do not compare with the Authorised Version for accuracy of translation from the Hebrew and Greek of the originals or for beauty and elegance of style of the English language at its purest.
Furthermore, he says, “the prophet Jeremiah told Israel in exile”. In this he shows his shallow knowledge of Holy Scripture.
In the first chapter of the prophecy of Jeremiah, we read: “For, behold, I have made thee this day a defenced city, and an iron pillar, and brasen walls against the whole land, against the kings of Judah, against the princes thereof, against the priests thereof, and against the people of the land. And they shall fight against thee; but they shall not prevail against thee; for I am with thee, saith the LORD, to deliver thee,” Jeremiah 1:18-19.
Jeremiah was a prophet to ‘Judah’, the two-tribe kingdom that remained loyal to the house of David while the northern kingdom of Israel, was made up of the ten tribes which had rebelled against the house of David. 1 Kings 12 records the rebellion and division of the twelve tribes into two kingdoms, that of Israel and Judah.
In the days of Jeremiah, there was really no constituted kingdom of Israel for the beginnings of its captivity is recorded in 2 Kings 15:29. “In the days of Pekah king of Israel came Tiglathpileser king of Assyria, and took Ijon, and Abelbethmaachah, and Janoah, and Kedesh, and Hazor, and Gilead, and Galilee, all the land of Naphtali, and carried them captive to Assyria,” 2 Kings 15:29. And also in 1 Chronicles 5:26. “And the God of Israel stirred up the spirit of Pul king of Assyria, and the spirit of Tilgathpilneser king of Assyria, and he carried them away, even the Reubenites, and the Gadites, and the half tribe of Manasseh, and brought them unto Halah, and Habor, and Hara, and to the river Gozan, unto this day.”
CAUSE?
The reason for Israel’s captivity was because of their persistent defiance of the Lord and the prophets He sent to them to warn them of the consequences of their rejection of His Word. “the God of Israel stirred up the spirit of Pul king of Assyria, and the spirit of Tilgathpilneser king of Assyria” to act as His punishment for their apostasy. “And they transgressed against the God of their fathers, and went a whoring after the gods of the people of the land, whom God destroyed before them,” 1 Chronicles 5:25.
Jeremiah began his ministry around about the year 629 BC, some 200 years after the final fall of the kingdom of Israel.
So for a so-called ‘scholar’ to imply that Jeremiah ministered to the tribes of the Northern kingdom is an error indicating a shallow understanding of the Bible!
Then again, he says Jeremiah “gave a message of hope to God’s people, Israel”. I have already commented on his error regarding ‘Israel’ but I wish to deal with the idea that Jeremiah had a message of hope for those to whom he ministered.
NO HOPE!
I feel that is seriously misleading with regards the message of Jeremiah. In actual fact Jeremiah said to the people to whom he preached that there was ‘NO HOPE for them’!
This was because of their persistent rejection of God’s call for repentance and a forsaking of their idolatry.
Consider these solemn words delivered to Judah by Jeremiah.
“Then the LORD said unto me, Proclaim all these words in the cities of Judah, and in the streets of Jerusalem, saying, Hear ye the words of this covenant, and do them. For I earnestly protested unto your fathers in the day that I brought them up out of the land of Egypt, even unto this day, rising early and protesting, saying, Obey my voice. Yet they obeyed not, nor inclined their ear, but walked every one in the imagination of their evil heart: therefore I will bring upon them all the words of this covenant, which I commanded them to do; but they did them not. And the LORD said unto me, A conspiracy is found among the men of Judah, and among the inhabitants of Jerusalem. They are turned back to the iniquities of their forefathers, which refused to hear my words; and they went after other gods to serve them: the house of Israel and the house of Judah have broken my covenant which I made with their fathers. Therefore thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will bring evil upon them, which they shall not be able to escape; and though they shall cry unto me, I will not hearken unto them. Then shall the cities of Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem go, and cry unto the gods unto whom they offer incense: but they shall not save them at all in the time of their trouble. For according to the number of thy cities were thy gods, O Judah; and according to the number of the streets of Jerusalem have ye set up altars to that shameful thing, even altars to burn incense unto Baal. Therefore pray not thou for this people, neither lift up a cry or prayer for them: for I will not hear them in the time that they cry unto me for their trouble,” Jeremiah 11:6-14.
It is not surprising that Dr Gribben would attempt to conceal the true character of Jeremiah’s message for he has become the Moderator of a denomination that like Judah in the days of Jeremiah, has long defied the Lord and His Word and gone down a path of their own devising.
In 1927, the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland exonerated the heretic Professor J E Davey when it was clear that he denied virtually every cardinal doctrine of the Christian faith. Rev James Hunter, supported by some others, laid charges against Davey. ‘A summary by the General Assembly identified alleged defective views of the basis of God’s pardon of sinners; the perfection of Christ’s character; the inspiration, infallibility and authority of Scripture; the doctrine of sin; and the doctrine of the trinity – serious issues indeed!” (Free Presbyterian Vision).
It not only exonerated Davey and thus refuted the charges laid by Rev James Hunter and some forty others, but the Presbyterian Church in Ireland went on, some quarter of a century later, to elect him as Moderator in 1953.
This was the Presbyterian Church in Ireland indicating to all, that they embraced the heresies of Davey and especially defied the stand and challenge of the Free Presbyterian Church, which had been brought into existence just two years earlier.
Judah ’s sin – a parallel with the Presbyterian Church in Ireland
I have no hesitation in saying that 1927, 1953 and the years of compromise and abandoning of the truth of God’s Word right up to the present day, places the Presbyterian Church in Ireland in the same place of condemnation as that of Judah in the days Jeremiah.
It has apostatised and there is no hope for it! It has within its ranks those who openly acknowledge their sodomite perversion. They have ordained women as elders and minister in complete defiance of God’s Word.
The office of an elder or bishop or presbyter, “they who labour in the word and doctrine,” (1 Tim 5:17), are all terms referring to the same office and that it is one to be filled ONLY by a man is made clear in these words and in other passages.
“This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work. A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach; Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous; One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?) Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil. Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil,” 1 Timothy 3:1-7.
CONCERN
Undoubtedly there are those within the ranks of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland who are unhappy with the state of their denomination. However, their making known their ‘unhappiness’ is of the most timid and ineffectual kind!
It is as if they seek only to ease their own conscience by uttering a puny protest but taking the matter no further.
Evidence of this was seen in a recent article on the BBC new site.
Church raises concerns with charity over ‘LGBT position’
The article states: ‘The Presbyterian Church in Ireland has raised concerns with Christian Aid over its position on “LGBT issues”.
Donations from the church to the charity could be reduced as a result.
Former Presbyterian moderator Rev John Dunlop criticiseD the move, saying the Church was getting into a public row with one of the premier and respected aid organisations in Ireland and in the UK’.
Dunlop is a rank ecumenical apostate with whom I have crossed swords back when he was Moderator.
The article goes on: ‘The Presbyterian Church raised concerns with Christian Aid about a document called Queering the Women, Peace and Security Agenda.
Christian Aid had helped develop the document, which was published by Queen’s University of Belfast (QUB) in 2023.
It aimed to help those working with lesbian, bisexual, transgender and queer women in the aftermath of conflict.
But in a letter to Christian Aid the incoming PCI moderator, Rev Dr Trevor Gribben, said the document had “caused a great deal of concern among leaders and members of PCI”.
“The document promoted a theological position that is very significantly at odds with the stated position of PCI,” the letter continued.
In 2018, the PCI adopted a policy that meant anyone in a same-sex relationship could not be a full member of the Church.
Rev Dr Gribben said the document “had caused significant and potentially lasting damage to the relationship PCI has with Christian Aid”.
He said the Presbyterian Church’s council had also expressed “deep concern and regret” that the document was published by Christian Aid.
He said that had led to “a loss of confidence both in the judgement of some staff in Christian Aid and in the governance/management systems of the organisation as a whole”.
WIMPISH
That is a pathetic and wimpish ‘protest’, if we can even call it a protest in the Biblical sense of the word!
Please note that the article states that ‘anyone in a same-sex relationship could not be a full member of the Church.’ They hold membership of a sort which is a measure of embracing their perverted lifestyle!
It is but a picture of the apostasy of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland in a fashion like that of Judah in the days of Jeremiah.
With regard the words of ‘hope’ that Dr Gribben refers to from the book of Jeremiah, it must be noted that they come from a letter the prophet sent to those exiled because of their rebellion against God.
Will Dr Gribben mention that fact? Not likely, for it would imply that, since he uses it to encourage his church, that it is in the same place as the guilty, exiled Jews!
Here is what we read in Jeremiah chapter 29.
“Now these are the words of the letter that Jeremiah the prophet sent from Jerusalem unto the residue of the elders which were carried away captives, and to the priests, and to the prophets, and to all the people whom Nebuchadnezzar had carried away captive from Jerusalem to Babylon . . Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, unto all that are carried away captives, whom I have caused to be carried away from Jerusalem unto Babylon,” verses 1, 4.
JUDGMENT!
Their exile was a judgment sent of God. He indicates that they are to accept it for there would be no release from it until the seventy years of exile be fulfilled, After that, the Lord in mercy would visit them and bring them back, verse 10.
Again, is Dr Gribben going to teach his church that it is under God’s judgment?
It is to be noted that the blessings that the Lord offers to exiled Judah when the seventy years are up, are CONDITIONAL!
“And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart,” verse 13. Please observe the phrase, “when ye shall search for me with all your heart.”
When such a repentant and believing spirit was manifested, the Lord promised to restore them to their land, verse 14.
The Lord reminds them why they were in captivity, verses 15-19.
Again I ask, is Dr Gribben going to apply these words to his church? It would be very proper of him were he to do so!
DEFIANT STILL
It is clear that the exiles were still in a God-defiant mood. Note the words of verses 21-29. From amongst the exiles there were sent defiant letters back to Jerusalem, repudiating the warnings of Jeremiah and calling for him to be put “in prison, and in the stocks,” verse 26.
Jeremiah’s reply was a stern rebuke from the Lord to the author of these lies.
“Then came the word of the LORD unto Jeremiah, saying, Send to all them of the captivity, saying, Thus saith the LORD concerning Shemaiah the Nehelamite; Because that Shemaiah hath prophesied unto you, and I sent him not, and he caused you to trust in a lie: Therefore thus saith the LORD; Behold, I will punish Shemaiah the Nehelamite, and his seed: he shall not have a man to dwell among this people; neither shall he behold the good that I will do for my people, saith the LORD; because he hath taught rebellion against the LORD,” Jeremiah 29:30-32.
CONTEXT
I do not think for one moment Dr Gribben will explain the context of the words of Jeremiah that he refers to for, were he to do so, he would place his church under the judgment of God for its present rebellion and apostasy.
In truth, there never was a whole-hearted seeking of the Lord following the seventy years of exile. Yes, men like Ezra and Nehemiah gave godly leadership and saw a measure of reformation and revival but the last of the Old Testament prophetic writers, the minor prophets, Haggai, Zechariah and Malachi, issued stern warnings against the ongoing rebelliousness of the people.
Haggai contended against the spirit of self-interest that delayed any efforts to rebuild the house of God.
“Thus speaketh the LORD of hosts, saying, This people say, The time is not come, the time that the LORD’S house should be built. Then came the word of the LORD by Haggai the prophet, saying, Is it time for you, O ye, to dwell in your cieled houses, and this house lie waste?” Haggai 1:2-4.
Zechariah had to contend with a persistent spirit of defiance and stiff-necked attitude toward the Lord.
“In the eighth month, in the second year of Darius, came the word of the LORD unto Zechariah, the son of Berechiah, the son of Iddo the prophet, saying, The LORD hath been sore displeased with your fathers. Therefore say thou unto them, Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Turn ye unto me, saith the LORD of hosts, and I will turn unto you, saith the LORD of hosts. Be ye not as your fathers, unto whom the former prophets have cried, saying, Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Turn ye now from your evil ways, and from your evil doings: but they did not hear, nor hearken unto me, saith the LORD,” Zechariah 1:1-4.
Malachi, in the year 397 BC, wrote these stern words of denunciation of the despicable and contemptuous attitudes amongst them toward the Lord and His service.
“A son honoureth his father, and a servant his master: if then I be a father, where is mine honour? and if I be a master, where is my fear? saith the LORD of hosts unto you, O priests, that despise my name. And ye say, Wherein have we despised thy name? Ye offer polluted bread upon mine altar; and ye say, Wherein have we polluted thee? In that ye say, The table of the LORD is contemptible. And if ye offer the blind for sacrifice, is it not evil? and if ye offer the lame and sick, is it not evil? offer it now unto thy governor; will he be pleased with thee, or accept thy person? saith the LORD of hosts. And now, I pray you, beseech God that he will be gracious unto us: this hath been by your means: will he regard your persons? saith the LORD of hosts. Who is there even among you that would shut the doors for nought? neither do ye kindle fire on mine altar for nought. I have no pleasure in you, saith the LORD of hosts, neither will I accept an offering at your hand. For from the rising of the sun even unto the going down of the same my name shall be great among the Gentiles; and in every place incense shall be offered unto my name, and a pure offering: for my name shall be great among the heathen, saith the LORD of hosts. But ye have profaned it, in that ye say, The table of the LORD is polluted; and the fruit thereof, even his meat, is contemptible. Ye said also, Behold, what a weariness is it! and ye have snuffed at it, saith the LORD of hosts; and ye brought that which was torn, and the lame, and the sick; thus ye brought an offering: should I accept this of your hand? saith the LORD,” Malachi 1:6-13.
Zechariah indicates that the spirit of rebellion seen in the days of Jeremiah and which continued on with little respite following the return of the exiles of Judah to their own land and which reached its zenith some 500 years later at Calvary, with the rejection and crucifixion of their Messiah, will be maintained by the Jewish people until the end of this present age.
That in turn brought about the ensuing scattering of the Jews amongst the nations. In 1948, Israel was constituted once more as a nation. That was the first stage of the fulfilling of the promise of God to gather them again.
However, they are still spiritually far away from the Lord.
“And say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I will take the children of Israel from among the heathen, whither they be gone, and will gather them on every side, and bring them into their own land: and I will make them one nation in the land upon the mountains of Israel; and one king shall be king to them all: and they shall be no more two nations, neither shall they be divided into two kingdoms any more at all: neither shall they defile themselves any more with their idols, nor with their detestable things, nor with any of their transgressions: but I will save them out of all their dwellingplaces, wherein they have sinned, and will cleanse them: so shall they be my people, and I will be their God. And David my servant shall be king over them; and they all shall have one shepherd: they shall also walk in my judgments, and observe my statutes, and do them. And they shall dwell in the land that I have given unto Jacob my servant, wherein your fathers have dwelt; and they shall dwell therein, even they, and their children, and their children’s children for ever: and my servant David shall be their prince for ever,” Ezekiel 37:21-25.
FIRST STAGE
Gathering them to their land was the first stage but the final stage is the delivering of them from their sins and their looking upon Jehovah once again as “ their God” and Christ ruling over them “for ever’.
Significantly, 1948 also marked the gathering together of rebellious ‘Christendom’ into the infamous ‘World Council of Churches’! Both events told the observant believer of God’s Word that “the coming of the Lord draweth nigh”!
The end of this age will see still rebellious Jewry brought to its knees in repentance under the chastening hand of the Lord through the instrumentality of the nations allied to the Antichrist. This is what the Saviour called the ‘great tribulation,’ (Matthew 24:21).
Of that final humbling by the Lord of His ancient people we read: “The burden of the word of the LORD for Israel, saith the LORD, which stretcheth forth the heavens, and layeth the foundation of the earth, and formeth the spirit of man within him. Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of trembling unto all the people round about, when they shall be in the siege both against Judah and against Jerusalem. And in that day will I make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for all people: all that burden themselves with it shall be cut in pieces, though all the people of the earth be gathered together against it,” Zechariah 12:1-3.
The word ‘earth’ refers to ‘the prophetic earth’, the ancient territory of the ten kingdoms of the revived Roman Empire, ruled over by Antichrist.
Thus, Dr Gribben misuses, misapplies and misleads his people by seeking to give them hope. It is a false hope he offers for his church is in an ongoing state of rebellion against the Lord. There may have been what may appear as occasional flickers of awareness of the errors of its ways, but the church continued downhill.
PAST VOICES
Rev. Donald Gillies, Rev John Girvan and others raised something of a protest against the advancing apostasy back some 50 years ago, but failed to obey God’s Word and “come out from . . and be ye separate” from the wicked disobedience of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland and thus give godly leadership. Failing as they did their generation, their church has gone on in its rebellion and now the likes of Dr Gribben would seek to white-wash and disguise their true condition before God.
It will all fail, even as did the efforts of the deceivers in the days of Jeremiah and the day of the reaping of the harvest of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland’s rebellion draws on!
Rev Ivan Foster (Rtd)
14th June 2025