Paisley destroys the Principles of his own Church
When Rev Ian Paisley entered into the office of First Minister in the power sharing executive, his decision took the breath from his political supporters; they never imagined for one moment that their trusted leader could do such a thing. The political consequence of this momentous event was evidenced in the establishment of the TUV under the leadership of Mr Alister.
Secular leaders often make such mistakes as this, but often face tough times when the electorate question their political somersaults and u-turns at the poles. However, what Rev Paisley did in his political capacity is also born out in his church ministry.
The Free Presbyterian church declares itself to be ‘separatist in practice’ and teaches that believers should not enter into partnership of any kind with unbelievers. This doctrine of separation is pivotal to Free Presbyterian outlook and principle. Rev Paisley presented this principle from his pulpits for decades, and then destroyed it, by personally going into partnership with Sinn Fein. By occupying the office of teaching elder in his Martyrs Memorial church, he is enjoying the approval of Presbytery for his breach of church principle; this brings the entire church government into question on this issue.
To destroy one great principle is bad enough, but to destroy a second is beyond belief. Recently, in an interview on Radio4, Rev Paisley said that he forgave Sinn Fein, because in his opinion, they had repented of their sinful past; yet he would refuse to shake their hand. Rev Stephen Hamilton, a ministerial colleague in the Free Presbyterian church, questions this type of behaviour, and rightly so, because he cannot find any evidence of Sinn Fein repentance. This type of behaviour does not hold well in a church which professes to be ‘Sanctified in behaviour’.
Now if Rev Ian Paisley does not personally adhere to these principles, and still occupies a pulpit in the Free Presbyterian church, he is found as not being ‘subject unto his brethren’, a charge worthy to be examined by church presbytery. On the other hand, if the Free Presbyterian church no longer holds to these principles, an explanation is urgently required.
Rev Mervyn Cotton (Heb13:6)
Saturday 10 April 2010
Thursday 8 April 2010
Sinn Fein leaves the Paisley Confessional
Sinn Fein leaves the Paisley Confessional
The recent Paisley interview with John Humphreys on BBC Radio 4, where he considered that Sinn Fein had repented and that he was honour bound to forgive them, has certainly provoked surprise and dismay among evangelical Protestants.
This whole business could well be represented by Sinn Fein entering into the Paisley Confessional, confessing their sins and alleging repentance, before receiving forgiveness from father Paisley.
After the confessional, Sinn Fein goes out to attend their Easter rallies as usual, where their language shows no evidence of repentance or contrition whatever. Clearly the Paisley confessional is of no value at all, as for the forgiveness offered; well it appears to be of little consequence, as evidently it was never really sought in the first place.
The only conclusion to be drawn from this is that God was certainly neither sought nor involved in such a political stunt. Sadly this is exactly how Biblical Christianity is discredited and frequently how many ordinary people are greatly deceived.
Rev Mervyn Cotton (Heb13:6)
The recent Paisley interview with John Humphreys on BBC Radio 4, where he considered that Sinn Fein had repented and that he was honour bound to forgive them, has certainly provoked surprise and dismay among evangelical Protestants.
This whole business could well be represented by Sinn Fein entering into the Paisley Confessional, confessing their sins and alleging repentance, before receiving forgiveness from father Paisley.
After the confessional, Sinn Fein goes out to attend their Easter rallies as usual, where their language shows no evidence of repentance or contrition whatever. Clearly the Paisley confessional is of no value at all, as for the forgiveness offered; well it appears to be of little consequence, as evidently it was never really sought in the first place.
The only conclusion to be drawn from this is that God was certainly neither sought nor involved in such a political stunt. Sadly this is exactly how Biblical Christianity is discredited and frequently how many ordinary people are greatly deceived.
Rev Mervyn Cotton (Heb13:6)
Saturday 3 April 2010
No 'Hand Shake' for the TUV
No ’hand shake’ for the TUV
I was interested to read the opinion of Rev Stephen Hamilton in the Belfast Telegraph, under the heading of ‘ no repentance from republicans’ Evidently he disagrees with his ministerial colleague Rev Ian Paisley’s view that Sinn Fein have repented of their past terrorist involvement.
Rev Hamilton points out correctly that, his former moderator could not shake hands with Martin McGuinness but that he could forgive Sinn Fein on the grounds of their repentance; if Ian Paisley could forgive Sinn Fein why then could he not shake the hand of Adams and McGuinness?
This poses a greater question; if Free Presbyterianism, which is cut loose from the doctrine of separation, cannot agree on the doctrine of repentance and faith, then, what can they agree on? For years they disagreed with every other denomination which aspired to the Reformed Faith, now they cannot agree among themselves.
This disagreement in the Free Presbyterian Church is amplified by the fact that DUP members and office bearers will not extend the ‘right hand of fellowship’ to TUV members; there is no shaking of hands here as well. So, if Paisleyism is reconciled to non repentant republicans, then why can it not be reconciled to those of the TUV which are in membership of the same church?
Rev Mervyn Cotton (Heb13:6)
I was interested to read the opinion of Rev Stephen Hamilton in the Belfast Telegraph, under the heading of ‘ no repentance from republicans’ Evidently he disagrees with his ministerial colleague Rev Ian Paisley’s view that Sinn Fein have repented of their past terrorist involvement.
Rev Hamilton points out correctly that, his former moderator could not shake hands with Martin McGuinness but that he could forgive Sinn Fein on the grounds of their repentance; if Ian Paisley could forgive Sinn Fein why then could he not shake the hand of Adams and McGuinness?
This poses a greater question; if Free Presbyterianism, which is cut loose from the doctrine of separation, cannot agree on the doctrine of repentance and faith, then, what can they agree on? For years they disagreed with every other denomination which aspired to the Reformed Faith, now they cannot agree among themselves.
This disagreement in the Free Presbyterian Church is amplified by the fact that DUP members and office bearers will not extend the ‘right hand of fellowship’ to TUV members; there is no shaking of hands here as well. So, if Paisleyism is reconciled to non repentant republicans, then why can it not be reconciled to those of the TUV which are in membership of the same church?
Rev Mervyn Cotton (Heb13:6)
Friday 2 April 2010
Free Presbyterianism finally embraced the Spirit of Ecumenism
Free Presbyterianism finally embraced the Spirit of Ecumenism
With the doctrine of separation abandoned, Paisleyism entered into government, against all its former principles and pledges, with people that have never unequivocally repudiated their terrorist links in the past. There is a moral question here that Free Presbyterians have to address; if terrorism and murder is wrong then how can a minister of their church sit down and laugh together with those that have not renounced the evil of past atrocities associated with their political party?
Now that Rev Ian Paisley is no longer in political high office, this does not remove the former moral question from Free Presbyterians, it still hangs unanswered. Compromise from a former scriptural position of separation can never be acceptable; this is nothing more than wicked apostasy.
Rev Ian Paisley appears to be convinced that Sinn Fein have repented from their former ways; where is the evidence to support this notion in the absence of Sinn Fein’s repudiation of former IRA terrorism? It appears that Rev Paisley has embraced the kind of ecumenical parlance that he once condemned.
Rev Mervyn Cotton (Heb13:6)
With the doctrine of separation abandoned, Paisleyism entered into government, against all its former principles and pledges, with people that have never unequivocally repudiated their terrorist links in the past. There is a moral question here that Free Presbyterians have to address; if terrorism and murder is wrong then how can a minister of their church sit down and laugh together with those that have not renounced the evil of past atrocities associated with their political party?
Now that Rev Ian Paisley is no longer in political high office, this does not remove the former moral question from Free Presbyterians, it still hangs unanswered. Compromise from a former scriptural position of separation can never be acceptable; this is nothing more than wicked apostasy.
Rev Ian Paisley appears to be convinced that Sinn Fein have repented from their former ways; where is the evidence to support this notion in the absence of Sinn Fein’s repudiation of former IRA terrorism? It appears that Rev Paisley has embraced the kind of ecumenical parlance that he once condemned.
Rev Mervyn Cotton (Heb13:6)
Paisleyism lowers the banner of Morality
Paisleyism lowers the banner of Morality
The lowering of a national flag is generally in token of national tragedy or loss; it is always a sombre occasion marked by gravity and dignity. Perhaps what is even more spectacularly moving is the way, in recent times that the banner of morality and decency has been lowered in Ulster.
In the past, Paisleyism claimed to be the sole upholder of morality in Ulster and farther a field; while Free Presbyterianism sought to uphold the morality banner as it preached separation from ecumenical apostasy, the DUP attempted to lift social and political morals.
In recent times, Paisleyism’s Samson like strength has been showing signs of weakness; after the shaving off the locks of separation, Paisleyism sat down in government with those that never repudiated the paramilitary violence of the past. When the expenses scandal broke, Paisleyism had been legally claiming the maximum allowance, while at the same time preaching high moral values to others.
Once the DUP claimed the moral high ground; now this has been washed away by a torrent of scandals. The Free Presbyterian church now honours those that have a mere appearance of repentance, while in reality they have never renounced past wrongs.
It is a very tragic situation in Ulster, to witness the lowering of the banner of morality, by those that claimed in the past to have known better.
Rev Mervyn Cotton (Heb13:6)
The lowering of a national flag is generally in token of national tragedy or loss; it is always a sombre occasion marked by gravity and dignity. Perhaps what is even more spectacularly moving is the way, in recent times that the banner of morality and decency has been lowered in Ulster.
In the past, Paisleyism claimed to be the sole upholder of morality in Ulster and farther a field; while Free Presbyterianism sought to uphold the morality banner as it preached separation from ecumenical apostasy, the DUP attempted to lift social and political morals.
In recent times, Paisleyism’s Samson like strength has been showing signs of weakness; after the shaving off the locks of separation, Paisleyism sat down in government with those that never repudiated the paramilitary violence of the past. When the expenses scandal broke, Paisleyism had been legally claiming the maximum allowance, while at the same time preaching high moral values to others.
Once the DUP claimed the moral high ground; now this has been washed away by a torrent of scandals. The Free Presbyterian church now honours those that have a mere appearance of repentance, while in reality they have never renounced past wrongs.
It is a very tragic situation in Ulster, to witness the lowering of the banner of morality, by those that claimed in the past to have known better.
Rev Mervyn Cotton (Heb13:6)
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