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)