From Separation to Sharing 2

Judges14:7 'And he went down and talked with the woman;'

Samson was a Nazarite unto God; his life was one of separation from worldly association and a life of uncompromising loyalty unto the LORD. In the last blog I made the connection between Samson and the Free Presbyterian Church of Ulster with respect to their falling away from the doctrine of separation.

Chapter fourteen of Judges plots Samson's departure from the path of separation to one of sharing with the Philistines. He turned away from his once cherished principles and values of separation unto the LORD and took the downward path to Timnath. This was to fulfill a longing that had arisen in his wayward heart; soon the longing changed to looking; 'And Samson went down to Timnath, and saw a woman in Timanth of the daughters of the Philistines.'

Samson's longing and looking suddenly turned into lusting; nothing would do but he must enter into marriage with the Philistines. Despite the objections of his parents, Samson was determined to have his way; being the big man, the strong man, Samson led the way and his family followed. 'Then went Samson down, and his father and mother, to Timnath, and came to the vineyards of Timnath: and a young lion roared against him.'

In order for the development of a healthy, sharing and lasting relationship, Samson entered into talks with the Philistines. 'And he went down, and talked with the woman; and she pleased him well.' Not even a lion could turn the strong man from his departure from the LORD; he was determined to have his own way and was intent on taking the family with him.

Samson's departure from his position of separation to one of sharing with the Philistines depicts perfectly the departure of the Free Presbyterian Church of Ulster from its separatist principles to one of support for the aspirations of the political power sharing executive at Stormont. It was the 'big man' that longed for political power; it was the 'big man' that looked upon the potential partnership with Sinn Fein; it was the 'big man' that lusted after the unequal yoke with unbelievers; it was the 'big man' that engaged in talks with unrepentant terrorists; it was the 'big man' that led the Free Presbyterian Church family down the path from separation to sharing.

Just as Samson was intent on a shared future with the Philistines where cohesion, sharing and integration would be his desired goal; so the Free Presbyterian Church has departed from the principles of evangelical Protestantism and is intent on pursuing a shared future where secularism is the objective.

In the next blog we will consider the deception that prevailed as Samson pushed forward the agenda for a shared future.

Rev Mervyn Cotton (Heb13:6)