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)
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Rev. Cotton,
ReplyDeleteYour analysis of the controversy that ensued in the Free Presbyterian Church over Ian Paisley's personal decision to enter into a power-sharing alliance with SF / IRA in May 2007 is most scriptural and is an encouragement to bible believing Christians both near and afar off, but as you have shown in previous commentary, Mr. Paisley breached the 'separatist stand' of their church sometime ago when he entered the political arena. Most notably his election to the European Parliament, which as you say in your post entitled 'Paisleyism and the Papacy' he . . "branded the European Union as the Kingdom of the beast, (antichrist); interestingly Rev Ian Paisley took his MEP seat there, it was strange that his church did not discipline him for such defiant duplicity and grievous compromise of original principles."
I have read at the V4D website in a post entitled 'Humiliation' here: http://voice4democracyni.blogspot.com/2007/05/humiliation.html
that that decision was vigorously denounced by Rev. John Wiley at the time.
I have noted that in more recent days, other ministers are coming out, though it seems one by one, to rebuke Ian Paisley for his compromise, i.e. Pastor David Carson, of Zion Tabernacle, Chester, England, and chairman of the United Protestant Council.of Zion Tabernacle wrote a commentary in March 2009, entitled 'How Are The Mighty Fallen?' which can be accessed here: http://www.protestantoldpaths.org/2009/03/how-are-mighty-fallen.html
I just wanted to take a few minutes to thank you for raising your voice in protest to these things which have so dishonoured our Lord & Saviour and so greatly undermined the Cause of Christ.
In Christian solidarity,
June / Ask Dr. Paisley
Rev. Cotton,
ReplyDeleteBy way of a postscript:
While I was never a member per se of the FPC, my husband and I forged a link with Rev. John Greer of the Ballymena Free Presbyterian Church via Sermon Audio. (I must add at that time, we had no knowledge of the admixture of politics introduced by Ian Paisley, et al) That was never in view in Rev. John Greer's ministry. We contacted him a number of years prior to 2007 by letter to ask if we might be considered remote members of his congregation, so impressed were we with his Spirit-filled teaching / preaching ministry. We received a response from one of the elders at the time who subsequently forwarded to us two of their hymnals. We forwarded our offerings for the work of the Lord there and participated in their worship services and bible studies vis a vis the Sermon Audio webcast service. We maintained our relationship with Ballymena for approx. 2 years. In the fall of 2006 we watched a BBC television newscast which reported the now historical meeting that took place between Archbishop Brady and Ian Paisley. As former Roman Catholics, we were stunned by what we perceived to be an ecumenical dialogue, so we conveyed our concerns to Pastor Greer. He responded cautiously and sought to separate Mr. Paisley's role as politician from that of Gospel Minister. We were both dismayed and troubled by what we perceived to be his attempt to justify the behaviour of Ian Paisley. Indeed we were struck by what for the most past was a "collective silence" on the part of the ministers of the FPC. Though we remained for a short time thereafter, as events unfolded we were brought under strong conviction by the Holy Spirit to separate, as we believed strongly in the biblical teaching of "guilt by association", one coincidentally which Rev. Greer had recently preached on in his sermon entitled:
'Unmasking the False Gospel'. We severed our ties with Rev. Greer & Ballymena FPC in June of 2007.
Rev. Cotton:
ReplyDeleteP.S.
In that timeframe as well, we learned of Rev. Ivan Foster's protest, again by way of an interview on the BBC. God laid it upon our heart at that time to raise a Christian witness as well, so with Rev. Foster's technical assistance, Ask Dr. Paisley was conceived. We kept in e-mail contact almost daily with Rev. Foster over the summer of 2007, but after the FPC Presbytery Meeting of Sept., we never heard from him again. We learned later that as part of a "deal" that the Presbytery struck with Ian Paisley, he had agreed to step aside as Moderator, and those who had raised their voices within the FPC in protest against him, would cease and desist. Paisley was in effect exonerated of any wrongdoing. Included amongst the voices of dissent were Ivan Foster of the Burning Bush website; Sam Morrison of 'What Need of Further Lies?', FPC Minister Ian Hall of the 'Protestant Gazette' and Ivor McConnell, (deacon I believe of Bethany FPC) of 'Concerned Free Presbyterians'. I did note though, after a short reprieve, Ivan Foster resumed his critical analysis and open rebuke of Ian Paisley's ungodly alliance with the very enemies of God. He has since retired.
By the way, yesterday I posted excerpts from articles written by three gospel ministers, yourself included, who have dared to denounce Paisley's hypocrisy, treachery and new-found ecumenical spirit, in connection with a news item entitled: 'Ian Paisley to be offered a seat in House of Lords' at Sermon Audio, the FPC website here: http://www.sermonaudio.com/new_details.asp?ID=29475 Those three men of God being,
- Rev. Ivan Foster, retired Minister of Kilskeery Free Presbyterian Church
- Rev. David Carson, Pastor of Zion Tabernacle, Chester, England, and chairman of the United Protestant Council; and
- yourself!
But because Ian Paisley is a protected species and his “reputation” is paramount, they were soon deleted and the thread was closed. My last comment was an excerpt from your post 'Paisleyism and the Papacy', along with a link to your website, so I can only assume you struck a chord. I thought you would want to know.
In Christian solidarity,
June / Ask Dr. Paisley