10 October 2012
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Presbyterians Week Headlines
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[1] Christian Observer Highlights for October 2012
[5] Church of Scotland Moderator Warns Not to Force Church Upon Children
[7] October 2012 Reformation Voice Available for Downloa
[8] Dr. Michael J. Kruger Appointed President at Reformed Theological Seminary – Charlotte
[9] New World Financial System Needed to Curb Greed, Say Theologians and Economists
[10] Headlines from Christian Concern
[11] Headlines from The Christian Institute
[12] Articles from LifesiteNews.com
[13] Raging Heathen and Vain Imagining
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[1] Christian Observer Highlights for October 2012
New Christian Observer articles for September 2012 include:
— In Fairness to Abelard and Deference to Anselm (Part II): “Shall their unbelief make the faith of God without effect?” – Romans 3:3 Geneva Bible – by David Brand – Part Eight of a multipart article examining the effects upon the church of the change in meaning of the Greek word pistis from faith to faithfulness by the English Revised Version Committee that began meeting in February 1870;
— Education and the Three Books – by Christian Observer Contributing Editor Dr. Joe Renfro – The Bible, the Koran, and Darwin’s The Origin of the Species, and the books’ effects on American public education;
— As Meltdown Draws Nigh, Steward Wealth as You Increase Spiritual Assets – by Nooganomics.com blogger David Tulis – Christ’s parable of the unjust steward as applied to the present economic crisis;
Plus, regular features including weekly Sabbath School Lessons by Christian Observer Assistant Editor Dr. Robert LaMay, and Daily Devotionals by T.M. Moore, dean of the Centurions Program of the Wilberforce Forum and principal of The Fellowship of Ailbe
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+ Christian Observer, Post Office Box 1371, Lexington, Virginia 20110, christianobserver@christianobserver.org
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On 10 October 2012, Reformed Presbyterian minister and Director of the Christian Defense Coalition the Rev. Patrick Mahoney stated that the faith community cannot support a [U.S.] president who has broken covenant and violated the principles of the dignity of life, religious freedom, the foundation of marriage, and social justice for the needy and oppressed.
“As Christians and people of faith, we are to respect, honor and pray for all those in authority. 1 Timothy 2:1-2 tells us to offer prayers and intercessions for our leaders.
“Over the past four years, we have been faithful to respect and pray for President Obama, his family and his administration. We have echoed the prayer of the Rev. Billy Graham for President Obama as he prayed for past Presidents:
‘We beseech Thee that he will have Thy divine guidance and power daily. Help him as Thou didst help Thy servants of old. Our Father, we know his burdens and responsibilities will be overwhelming. He will hold in his hands the destiny of more people than any man in history. O God, our President needs Thee as no man ever needed Thee in leading a people!’
‘There will be times when he will be overwhelmed by the problems at home and abroad that have been building up to the breaking point for many years. Protect him from physical danger. And in the lonely moments of decision grant him an uncompromising courage to do what is morally right. Give him a cool head and a warm heart. Give him a compassion for those in physical, moral, and spiritual need. We pray that Thou wilt so guide President Obama in handling the affairs of state that the whole world will marvel and glorify Thee.’
“However, the Christian community also has a prophetic responsibility to embrace life, justice and stand against the crushing of human rights. In that respect, we must pray that our leaders will honor God, the historic principles of His Word and the founding principles of this nation which has brought freedom and liberty to millions. Christians recognize the truth of Proverbs 14:34 that, “Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people.”
“Since voting is never neutral and carries a moral and spiritual weight, how is the faith community to pray for the Presidential election on November 6?
“I believe based on the four points listed below, faithful Christians and people of conscience have a moral and spiritual responsibility to pray against the re-election of President Obama.
“These points are:
“President Obama’s crushing and lack of respect for religious freedom and conscience in the HHS mandate in Obamacare.
“His extremist and radical policies on abortion which have resulted in Mr. Obama becoming the most pro-abortion president in American history.
“President Obama becoming our first President to redefine marriage and violate the historic and spiritual principles of marriage.
“His lack of commitment to social justice and the needy as seen in his cutting [US]$19,000,000 to a program of the [Roman] Catholic Church that helped the victims of sex-trafficking and the dramatic increase of families and children in poverty under his administration.
“We harbor no malice toward President Obama and recognize that God is sovereign and directs circumstances and situations according to His will and purposes. However, as people of faith and conscience we cannot support a [U.S] president who has broken covenant and violated the principles of; religious freedom, the dignity of life, the foundation of marriage and social justice. In light of this, we must pray that this [U.S.] president is not re-elected.”
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+ Christian News Wire, 2020 Pennsylvania Avenue Northwest, Washington DC 20006, 202-546-0054, newsdesk@christiannewswire.com
+ Christian Defense Coalition, Post Office Box 77168, Washington DC 20013, 202-547-1735, ChristianDefense@gmail.com
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An 8 October 2012 Pink News article by Joseph Patrick McCormick titled “New Zealand: Presbyterian Church to Defy Its Governing Body and Perform Same-Sex Marriages” reports that St. Andrew’s on The Terrace Presbyterian Church (Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand (PCANZ)) of Wellington, New Zealand has vowed to perform homosexual marriages if such marriages are legalized in New Zealand, in defiance of the recent PCANZ General Assembly decision refusing to officiate at homosexual weddings. The church said that their decision was made “because what matters in marriage is love and commitment.”
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+ Pink News, Ground Floor. Zetland House 109 – 123 Clifton Street London, EC2A 4LD, England, 07853-234-206, news@pinknews.co.uk
+ Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand, Level 1, Terralink House, 275-283 Cuba Street, Post Office Box 9049, Wellington, Aotearoa, New Zealand, 04-801-6000 Fax: 04-801-6001, info@presbyterian.org.nz
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A 5 October 2012 The Scotsman article by Craig Brown titled “Church of Scotland Minister Defects to Free Church over Gay Ordination” reports that former Church of Scotland minister the Rev. Paul Gibson was admitted as a minister in the Free Church of Scotland at its Commission of Assembly 4 October 2012 in Edinburgh, Scotland.
Mr. Gibson left the Kirk over the 2011 General Assembly ruling that practicing homosexual ministers already installed in pastorates could be inducted into other pastorates, and the 2011 General Assembly established a special commission to consider whether or not in the future that openly homosexual ministers could be ordained and installed.
Mr. Gibson stated: “I was baptised in the Church of Scotland, I grew up in the Kirk and continue to have many dear friends who remain in the church, so I think I speak for those who have left in recent years that it is with great pain and upset that we’ve felt the need to withdraw and move on.
“It’s not with any sense of bravado or anything like that, but it’s sadly the case that after many years of liberalism and political-style manoeuvring, the Church of Scotland has reached a point where the only thing that’s not tolerated is Biblical orthodoxy.”
Mr. Gibson added that there are many other Church of Scotland ministers “desperate to leave” the Kirk, but that questions of church ownership and congregational divisions place the pastors into “the most difficult period of their ministry”.
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+ The Scotsman, Barclay House, 108 Holyrood Road, Edinburgh EH8 8AS, Scotland, 131-620-8620
+ Church of Scotland, 121 George Street, Edinburgh EH2 4YN, Scotland, 0131-225-5722
+ Free Church of Scotland, 15 North Bank Street, The Mound, Edinburgh, Scotland EH1 2LS, 0131-226-5286, Fax: 0131-220-0597, catherine@freechurchofscotland.org.uk
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[5] Church of Scotland Moderator Warns Not to Force Church Upon Children
A 10 October 2012 The Scotsman article titled “‘Don’t Force the Church on Children’, Moderator Warns amid Fears that Forcing Attendance May Put Young off Religion” reports that Church of Scotland moderator the Rt. Rev. Albert Bogle believes that parents and grandparents should not force church attendance upon children lest the children become put off from religion.
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+ The Scotsman, Barclay House, 108 Holyrood Road, Edinburgh EH8 8AS, Scotland, 131-620-8620
+ Church of Scotland, 121 George Street, Edinburgh EH2 4YN, Scotland, 0131-225-5722
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A 1 October 2012 The Christian Post article by Myles Collier titled “Scotland Free Church Skeptical Whether Same-Sex Marriage Protections Would Work” reports that after meeting with Scottish Government officials, Free Church of Scotland (FCS) leaders found “unconvincing” the assurances made by the Scottish Government that religious freedoms and protections for clergy would no be adversely affected if homosexual marriage was legalized.
The FCS is concerned that the 2010 Equality Act of Great Britain would increase the chance that churches or their members could be sued if they object to conducting homosexual marriage ceremonies.
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+ The Christian Post, National Press Building, 529 14th Street Northwest, Suite 420, Washington DC 20045, 202-347-7734, info@christianpost.com
+ Free Church of Scotland, 15 North Bank Street, The Mound, Edinburgh, Scotland EH1 2LS, 0131-226-5286, Fax: 0131-220-0597, catherine@freechurchofscotland.org.uk
+ The Scottish Parliament, Edinburgh EH99 1SP, Scotland, 0131-348-5000, sp.info@scottish.parliament.uk
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[7] October 2012 Reformation Voice Available for Download
The October 2012 Reformation Voice is available for download at the Heidelberg Reformation Association website.
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+ Heidelberg Reformation Association, Rev. Howard Sloan, Secretary, 5543 Business 220, Bedford, Pennsylvania 15522
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[8] Dr. Michael J. Kruger Appointed President at Reformed Theological Seminary – Charlotte
Reformed Theological Seminary is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Michael J. Kruger as president of RTS/Charlotte effective January 1, 2013. RTS also wishes to express its sincere thanks to Dr. Rod Culbertson for stepping in as the campus executive director to oversee operations when Dr. Milton began his transition into the chancellorship of RTS. We are grateful for Rod’s selfless service. He will now return to the classroom to teach.
Dr. Kruger is currently professor of New Testament, and academic dean at RTS/Charlotte. He will continue his teaching responsibilities but a new academic dean will be appointed. Dr. Kruger received a B.S. from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, an M.Div. from Westminster Theological Seminary in California, and a Ph.D. from The University of Edinburgh, Scotland. He is the author of The Gospel of the Savior (E.J. Brill, 2005) and Canon Revisited (Crossway,2012). He is also the co-author of Gospel Fragments (Oxford University Press, 2009) and The Heresy of Orthodoxy: How Contemporary Culture’s Fascination with Diversity has Reshaped Our Understanding of Early Christianity (Crossway, 2010).
Dr. Kruger is ordained in the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA) and is a member of Central Carolina Presbytery. In addition to his faculty duties, he currently serves part time as the pastor of teaching at Uptown Christ Covenant Church in downtown Charlotte. Prior to joining the RTS faculty, Dr. Kruger served in the pastorate for several years at Church of the Redeemer in Mesa, AZ. There he developed a passion for preaching and ministry which he passes on to his students in the classroom. He is married to Melissa and has three children, Emma (11), John (8), and Kate (5). In his spare time, he enjoys fresh and saltwater fishing in North Carolina.
Dr. Michael A. Milton, chancellor of RTS responded to the appointment of Dr. Kruger by saying, “I could not be more thrilled about the appointment of Dr. Michael Kruger as the next president of RTS Charlotte. Mike is not only a first rate scholar, a proven leader as our former academic dean, and a highly sought-after classroom teacher, Mike is a preacher of the gospel. Dr. Kruger casts a biblical vision of the Kingdom of God and our urgent need to prepare pastor-scholars in the inerrant Scriptures for another generation. He does so out of a deep conviction and obvious moving of the Holy Spirit in his own life. I commend him to the campus, the RTS system and to the Church as my personal choice for this important position.”
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+ Reformed Theological Seminary, 2101 Carmel Road, Charlotte, North Carolina 28226, 704-366-5066, Fax: 704-366-9295
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[9] New World Financial System Needed to Curb Greed, Say Theologians and Economists
Theologians, anti-poverty advocates and economists meeting in Brazil to develop principles for a new global economic system have issued a declaration naming overconsumption and greed as key factors to be addressed in seeking a more just distribution of the world’s resources.
The statement was issued Friday at the conclusion of the Global Ecumenical Conference on a New Economic and Financial Architecture in Guarulhos, a suburb of São Paulo. Sixty delegates met from 29 September to 5 October at the conference organized by the World Communion of Reformed Churches (WCRC) in partnership with the World Council of Churches (WCC) and the Council for World Mission (CWM).
Social inclusion, gender justice, care for the environment, and concrete actions to overcome greed are named as criteria for a new economic and financial architecture.
“Governments and international institutions should replace GDP growth as the primary indicator of economic progress by other indicators, including growth of decent work, indicators of quality as well as quantity of health and education, and measures of environmental sustainability”, reads the document.
The statement recommends a series of actions including the formation of an ecumenical school of governance, economics, and management and setting up a global commission initiated by the ecumenical movement to forward the work of the Commission of Experts on Reforms of the International Monetary and Financial System, chaired by Joseph Stiglitz.
The affirmation of communication rights to advance the empowerment of communities in developing alternatives to the current financial and economic structures was among the proposed list of actions.
Omega Bula of the United Church of Canada, who moderated the drafting group, says the importance of the statement is that it offers clear alternatives to current models.
“It is critical to have something to work with”, she said. “Often we are challenged when we just criticize something and we are asked what we think should be done. So this meeting is critical in providing these alternatives.”
WCC’s Rogate Mshana says, “The most striking proposals that need to be followed up by an ecumenical panel include … replacing the International Monetary Fund with a new democratic International Monetary Organization (IMO) and an alternative international reserve currency”, says Mshana who heads the church council’s program on Poverty Wealth and Ecology.
CWM General Secretary, Colin Cowan, stresses the diversity of disciplines present at the conference and the consensus reached. “The outcomes of this conference suggest that there is enough goodwill and courage among us to participate in a process to right the wrongs of a society gone mad with injustice in the economy and the earth.”
WCC Central Committee moderator, Walter Altmann, adds: “There is common ground for people and churches from the South and the North precisely because the financial crisis has shown a dynamics that has affected people everywhere deeply in their life conditions.”
Pamela Brubaker, Professor Emeritus of Religion at California Lutheran University in the United States, is inspired by the final document. “We have a prophetic document that is deeply rooted in our ecumenical understanding of the Christian faith. We have put together all our perspectives towards an economy of life of all,” says Brubaker.
“I want you to see this day as a beginning of a new era of action”, the general secretary of the WCRC, Setri Nyomi, declared at the close of the conference. “I hope that the commitment that we did come up with will be the beginning step towards an economy that serves life rather than what the world has used so far,” he added.
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+ World Communion of Reformed Churches, 150 route de Ferney, Post Office Box 2100, 1211 Geneva 2, Switzerland, 41-22-791-6240, Fax: 41-22-791-6505, info@reformedchurches.org
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[10] Headlines from Christian Concern
Headlines of the past week from Christian Concern:
— British Counseling Association Denies Access to Homosexual ‘Reparative’ Therapies
— Irate East London Residents Launch Campaign against Mega-Mosque ‘Size of Battersea Power Station’
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+ Christian Concern, 70 Wimpole Street, London W1G 8AX, England, 020 7935 1488, Contact Page
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[11] Headlines from The Christian Institute
Headlines of the past week from The Christian Institute:
— Statistics Show Only ‘Tiny’ Proportion of UK Is Gay, Lesbian or Bisexual
— School Poster Promoting Polygamy Causes Controversy in Canada
— Northern Ireland Assembly Rejects Motion to Redefine Marriage
— Dozens of Dutch Psychiatric and Dementia Patients Killed under Netherlands Euthanasia Laws
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+ The Christian Institute, Wilberforce House, 4 Park Road, Gosforth Business Park, Newcastle upon Tyne NE12 8DG, England, 44-0-191-281-5664, Fax: 44-0-191-281-4272, info@christian.org.uk
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[12] Articles from LifesiteNews.com
Articles from the past week from LifesiteNews.com:
— United Nations Human Rights Commissioner Seeks to Criminalise Abortion Opposition
— Canadian Feminists Back Sex Selection as Valid Reason for Abortion
— Russian Supreme Court Upholds St. Petersburg ‘Gay Propaganda’ Ban
— Moroccan Warships Block Entrance of Dutch Abortion Ship
— Number of Homosexual Characters on Television at All Time High
— German Parents Lose Custody of Their Children for Homeschooling
— French Mayor Leads Revolt against Homosexual ‘Marriage,’ Warns Pedophilia and Polygamy Are Next
— Kansas Officials under Investigation for Misconduct in Planned Parenthood Prosecution
— Supreme Court of Canada Rules You Don’t Have to Tell Your Sex Partner If You Have HIV
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+ LifeSiteNews.com, Incorporated, 4 Family Life Lane, Front Royal, Virginia 22630, 888-678-6008, Contact Page
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[13] Raging Heathen and Vain Imagining
Articles from the past week regarding kings and rulers setting themselves against the LORD and against his anointed:
— TSA Officer Steals US$500 from a Victim Who Complained
— The Department of Homeland Security is Lethal to Our Freedoms
— Oklahoma Church Fights Back After City Removes Yard Signs That Use Name of Jesus
— Unrelenting Persecution of Christians in India by Hindu Nationalists
— Wear Radio Chip or Leave, School Tells Students
— Federal Appeals Court Rules In Favor Of Indefinite Detention Of U.S. Citizens
— Federal Judge Upholds San Francisco Ordinance Targeting Pregnancy Centers
— Chavez Re-Elected President of Venezuela, Christians Fearful
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+ PrisonPlanet.com, Post Office Box 19549, Austin, Texas 78760, 512-291-5750, writers@infowars.com
+ Conservative Daily, Contact Page
+ Nicene Council, Box 411, Draper, Virginia 24324, 866-735-9582, admin@nicenecouncil.com
+ Christian News Network, Post Office Box 30000, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103, 215-207-0988, Contact Page
+ Assist USA, Post Office Box 609, Lake Forest, California 92609, 949-380-1558, danjuma1@aol.com
+ Focus on the Family, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80995, 800-232-6459
+ Mission Network News, 1159 East Beltline Avenue Northeast, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49525, 616-942-1500, Fax: 616-942-7328, Contact Page
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Articles from the past week about the religion of peace:
— U.S. President Barack Hussein Obama’s Wedding Ring Says in Arabic ‘There is no god except Allah’
— Devout Muslims in Nigeria Slaughter Twenty-Six University Students
— Christians ‘Flee Egypt Town after Death Threats
— Iranian Lawyer for Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani Imprisoned, Sentenced To Nine Years in Evin Prison
— Texas Muslim Arrested With Fake Military ID, Weapons, and Access to Chemical Agents
— Muslim Group Al Qaeda Setting Europe-Wide Forest Fires
— Two Egyptian Christian Boys, Nine and Ten, Accused of Defamation of Islam
— Syria’s Foreign Minister Accuses U.S. of Promoting ‘Terrorism’
— The Consequences of ‘Slandering’ the Prophet of Islam
— Obama General Destroys Career of Army Officer to Appease Muslims
— Iranian President Looking for “Jesus” And Islamic Messiah
— Muslim Trafficking Networks Target Coptic Women
— Shut Up or Die, the Muslim Protesters Explained
— Free Speech under Siege in U.S. District Court in the Nation’s Capital
— Muslims Demand Lewiston, Maine Mayor’s Resignation for Asking Them to Assimilate
— Muslim Family in Arizona Pleads Guilty to Honor Beating
— Muslim Egyptian Lawyer and His Sons Attempt to Demolish Church
— Romney to Support Arming Al-Qaeda Rebels in Syria
— Muslim-American Interfaith Group Calls for Blasphemy Laws
— The Quiet Conquer: Islam’s Strategy in the U.S.
— Taliban Shoot Teenage Pakistani Girl Activist outside School
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+ Front Porch Politics, Contact Page
+ Concerned American Citizens, info@escapingislam.com
+ Fox News, 1211 Avenue of the Americas, New York, New York 10036, 888-369-4762, Fax: 212-462-6127, yourquestions@foxnews.com
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