The Free Presbyterian Church has published a statement announcing its protest against the proposed Papal visit to England. It is duplicity for the Free Presbyterian Church to protest against the Papal visit, while its ministers and members support terrorist inclusive government at Stormont.
Some years ago the Papacy supported the IRA hunger strikers, now the FPC supports the power sharing executive which includes former IRA members and sympathisers. This is a position which Free Presbyterians need to consider before they seek to protest against the Papal visit, such a protest will serve only to highlight the Church's compromised position pertaining to evangelical protestantism and spiritual separation.
Retired Free Presbyterian minister Rev Ivan Foster said back in 2007, that Rev Ian Paisley's fellow-shipping with Sinn Fein was not a reflection of the position adopted by the FPC. Mr Foster pointed to the Presbytery statement of 1998 against the 'Good Friday Agreement, which condemned 'power sharing with murderers, as unscriptural, unethical and immoral'.
The situation now is that there are ministers that preach in Free Presbyterian pulpits who are subject to their presbytery, that have actively supported the very power sharing arrangements which they have already condemned as 'unscriptural, unethical and immoral'. These ministers enjoy presbytery support while at the same time ignoring presbyteries former statement on the matter.
So how can the FPC presbytery propose a protest against the unscriptural position of the Papacy while at the same time approving support of a terrorist inclusive government? I have emailed the current moderator of presbytery, Rev R Johnston, and requested a copy of presbyteries current position on terrorist inclusive government.
Sunday 13 June 2010
Friday 11 June 2010
Protest against Papal visit by Free Presbyterians
Protest against Papal visit by Free Presbyterians
I read this article in the Belfast Newsletter with interest and concern; interest as a former licensed minister in the Free Presbyterian Church and concern as a betrayed evangelical protestant. This intended protest from the Free Presbyterians would have been consistent with their separatist principles some years ago, but it is inconsistent with their perceived position at present.
The Free Presbyterian Church watched on as their former moderator, Rev Ian Paisley entered into a power sharing government, against his church’s principles on separation; they did not object when their ministers shared political power with associates of terrorism. The presbytery had no difficulty with one of their senior ministers’ fellowshipping with a former IRA commander and laughing together. The presbytery was silent when some of their ministers called on the Ulster people to support them in political coalition with people that they formerly described as the enemies of Protestantism.
Why does the presbytery of the Free Presbyterian Church come out now to protest against the Papal visit, when one of their ministers had visited Archbishop Brady a few years back? There was no protest then. Why do they claim to be so concerned now about the Pope’s visit when they watch the Martyr’s Memorial minister receive a standing ovation in the parliament of a Roman Catholic state? What a spectacle of shameful reconciliation. Their claim to support and cherish the principles of evangelical Protestantism sounds a bit hollow, even in the ears of their own members, who say that their former moderator sold Ulster down the river to Popery and a united Ireland.
In order for any church to make a protest against what the Bible calls error, then that church must be beyond reproach itself. Perhaps, before they seek to protest against the Pope’s visit, they would make a public statement regarding their position with respect to their own ministers supporting and participating in terrorist inclusive government. Evangelical protestants should not be deceived with this proposed protest from a church that once was separate from ecumenical apostasy but now can have its members and ministers found in the unequal yoke of political coalition.
Rev Mervyn Cotton
I read this article in the Belfast Newsletter with interest and concern; interest as a former licensed minister in the Free Presbyterian Church and concern as a betrayed evangelical protestant. This intended protest from the Free Presbyterians would have been consistent with their separatist principles some years ago, but it is inconsistent with their perceived position at present.
The Free Presbyterian Church watched on as their former moderator, Rev Ian Paisley entered into a power sharing government, against his church’s principles on separation; they did not object when their ministers shared political power with associates of terrorism. The presbytery had no difficulty with one of their senior ministers’ fellowshipping with a former IRA commander and laughing together. The presbytery was silent when some of their ministers called on the Ulster people to support them in political coalition with people that they formerly described as the enemies of Protestantism.
Why does the presbytery of the Free Presbyterian Church come out now to protest against the Papal visit, when one of their ministers had visited Archbishop Brady a few years back? There was no protest then. Why do they claim to be so concerned now about the Pope’s visit when they watch the Martyr’s Memorial minister receive a standing ovation in the parliament of a Roman Catholic state? What a spectacle of shameful reconciliation. Their claim to support and cherish the principles of evangelical Protestantism sounds a bit hollow, even in the ears of their own members, who say that their former moderator sold Ulster down the river to Popery and a united Ireland.
In order for any church to make a protest against what the Bible calls error, then that church must be beyond reproach itself. Perhaps, before they seek to protest against the Pope’s visit, they would make a public statement regarding their position with respect to their own ministers supporting and participating in terrorist inclusive government. Evangelical protestants should not be deceived with this proposed protest from a church that once was separate from ecumenical apostasy but now can have its members and ministers found in the unequal yoke of political coalition.
Rev Mervyn Cotton
Monday 7 June 2010
Free Presbyterian Pilgrimage to Dublin
Free Presbyterian Pilgrimage to Dublin
The ‘pilgrimage’ to Dublin was led by Rev Ian Paisley, minister of the Martyrs Memorial Free Presbyterian church. Mr Paisley sat in the visitor’s gallery of the Irish Parliament before touring the building; later he visited Government Buildings and was welcomed by the Sinn Fein Dail leader. Rev Paisley also met the Irish president and fellowshipped with Bertie Ahern.
As a former political leader, Mr Paisley is perfectly entitled to make such visits whereby he exhibits his complete political u-turn; but as a former moderator of the Free Presbyterian Church, the visit poses many questions. As a Free Presbyterian minister, Rev Paisley preached vehemently against ecumenical dialogue, constantly affirming that any association with Dublin Rule was flirtation with Rome and its teachings. As Rev Paisley, in the eyes of the press has changed his tune, it gives the impression that his church has changed its separatist position as well.
Such a ‘pilgrimage’ will be analysed by political reporters, analysts and politicians; they will undoubtedly see the change in Paisley the politician. On the other hand, Christians will view such a ‘pilgrimage’ with grave concern, dismay and bewilderment; they will be wondering, that if a man such as Rev Ian Paisley can change his political position so dramatically, then what compromises have taken place spiritually. Perhaps they will consider that such a visit would not have been made some years back and then reflect what has happened to a preacher that once supported the Reformed Faith. Will anyone ever notice the change in Paisley the preacher?
Rev Mervyn Cotton.
The ‘pilgrimage’ to Dublin was led by Rev Ian Paisley, minister of the Martyrs Memorial Free Presbyterian church. Mr Paisley sat in the visitor’s gallery of the Irish Parliament before touring the building; later he visited Government Buildings and was welcomed by the Sinn Fein Dail leader. Rev Paisley also met the Irish president and fellowshipped with Bertie Ahern.
As a former political leader, Mr Paisley is perfectly entitled to make such visits whereby he exhibits his complete political u-turn; but as a former moderator of the Free Presbyterian Church, the visit poses many questions. As a Free Presbyterian minister, Rev Paisley preached vehemently against ecumenical dialogue, constantly affirming that any association with Dublin Rule was flirtation with Rome and its teachings. As Rev Paisley, in the eyes of the press has changed his tune, it gives the impression that his church has changed its separatist position as well.
Such a ‘pilgrimage’ will be analysed by political reporters, analysts and politicians; they will undoubtedly see the change in Paisley the politician. On the other hand, Christians will view such a ‘pilgrimage’ with grave concern, dismay and bewilderment; they will be wondering, that if a man such as Rev Ian Paisley can change his political position so dramatically, then what compromises have taken place spiritually. Perhaps they will consider that such a visit would not have been made some years back and then reflect what has happened to a preacher that once supported the Reformed Faith. Will anyone ever notice the change in Paisley the preacher?
Rev Mervyn Cotton.
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