22 July 2009
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Presbyterians Week Headlines
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[1] Hizb ut-Tahrir Meets Near Chicago for Khalifah Conference on “The Fall of Capitalism and the Rise of Islam”
[2] Isle of Lewis, Scotland Hosts First Homosexual Civil Partnership in Western Islands the Day After First Sabbath Day Ferry Service to Mainland Scotland
[3] Church of Scotland Considers Abandoning Parishes Unable to Pay Own Way
[4] Endeavor Astronaut is Son of Former ARP Minister and Synod Moderator
[5] Ecumenical News International Writer Analyzes John Calvin’s Divided Legacy in South Africa
[6] Calvin Conference at Stellenbosch University, South Africa Scheduled 30 August – 2 September 2009
[7] Covenanter International Holiday Conference Scheduled 17-24 July 2010 at Gartmore House in Scotland
[8] William the Baptist Reprint Available from Doulos Resources
[9] PCA 37th GA Report by Stated Clerk Available Online
[10] Baptists Gather in Amsterdam, The Netherlands, to Celebrate 400th Anniversary of the Founding of the Baptist Movement
[11] After 500 Years: John Calvin for Reformed Churches Today Conference Scheduled 3-5 September 2009 at First CRC in Byron Center, Michigan
[12] The Sacred Desk Expositor’s Conference Scheduled 28-29 September 2009 in Mobile, Alabama
[13] Christian Defense Coalition and Operation Rescue Mobilize “Abortion is not Health Care” Campaign to Oppose Abortion Funding in Government Healthcare Legislation
[14] American Vision Offering Five Free E-Books by Gary DeMar Via Email
[15] Inheritance Publications Offers New Book of 150 Genevan Psalms in Two Keys
[16] Full Bible Publications Offers Constitutional Presbyterianism by Dr. Richard Bacon
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Hizb ut-Tahrir (HT), the international movement to re-establish an international Islamic state, or Caliphate, met in Oak Lawn, Illinois, a Chicago, Illinois suburb on 19 July 2009 in a Khalifah conference called on “The Fall of Capitalism and the Rise of Islam,” to begin a new campaign to win American recruits.
One speaker suggested that modern industrial powers could fall to Muslims the way that Mecca, Saudi Arabia, fell to Mohammed nearly 1,400 years ago. Another speaker said that “if they offer us the sun, or the moon, or a nice raise, or a passport, or a house in the suburbs or even a place to pray at the job, on the condition that we stop calling for Islam as a complete way of life — we should never do that, ever do that — unless and until Islam becomes victorious or we die in the attempt.” Yet another called for the replacement of the U.S. Constitution with Sharia Law.
HT has not been designated a terrorist group by the U.S., and it insists that it is only interested in instituting radical change by nonviolent means. Alarmingly, HT‘s alumni include 11 September 2001 mastermind Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, the late Iraqi terrorist leader Abu Musab Zarqawi, and would-be Hamas suicide bombers, and the group’s pro-jihadist rhetoric has led critics to label it a “conveyor belt for terrorists.”
+ Jewish World Review, 718-972-9241, schmooze@jewishworldreview.com
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After a long battle between strict Sabbatarians and liberals on the Western Isles in Scotland, the first Sabbath Day ferry service from Stornoway, Isle of Lewis, Scotland, to Ullapool on Scotland’s mainland set sail on 19 July 2009, when ferry company Caledonian MacBrayne’s ferry the MV Isle of Lewis, despite recent engine trouble labeled by some an “act of God,” made the initial crossing.
The initial Sabbath ferry crossing between Stornoway and Ullapool, Scotland came one day before the first homosexual civil union ceremony on the Isle of Lewis was held when Gaelic channel BBC Alba Children’s television presenter Andrew Robertson entered into a civil partnership with long-time partner Craig Atkins, a manager at the Stornoway arts center. The Free Church of Scotland on the Isle of Lewis defines the civil partnership ceremony as a sin.
+ The Scotsman, Barclay House, 108 Holyrood Road, Edinburgh, Scotland EH8 8AS, 0131-620-8620
+ 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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[3] Church of Scotland Considers Abandoning Parishes Unable to Pay Own Way
Due to several significant problems including a cash-flow deficit caused by a shortfall in income, the Church of Scotland is considering whether or not to abandon a commitment to provide Church of Scotland churches in every part of Scotland by closing churches unable to pay their own way.
A great degree of disagreement exists between Church of Scotland presbyteries over the proposed plan, with presbyteries including Glasgow and Orkney arguing to maintain the poorer churches, and presbyteries including Edinburg defending the closing plan, with Edinburg presbytery member the Rev. Peter MacDonald saying: “It is either [the closing plan] or survival of the fittest.”
+ Scottish Christian.com, Glasgow, Scotland, web@ian-ansdell.co.uk
+ Church of Scotland, 121 George Street, Edinburgh, Scotland EH2 4YN, 0131-225-5722
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[4] Endeavor Astronaut is Son of Former ARP Minister and Synod Moderator
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Mission Specialist Tom Marshburn and six other astronauts blasted off in the space shuttle Endeavor on 15 July 2009, on the eve of the 40th anniversary of Apollo 11 astronauts Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin being the first to walk on the moon on 20 July 1969. Once docked with the International Space Station, Marshburn began participation in three of five scheduled spacewalks to complete installation of a US$1 billion Japanese space station laboratory.
Tom Marshburn’s late father, the Rev. Robert Marshburn Jr., served as pastor of First Associate Reformed Presbyterian (ARP) Church in Statesville, North Carolina from 1950-1969, and served as Moderator of the ARP Synod in 1964 and 1983.
+ Associate Reformed Presbyterian Center, 1 Cleveland Street Suite 110, Greenville, South Carolina, 29601, 864-232-8297, Fax: 864-271-3729
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[5] Ecumenical News International Writer Analyzes John Calvin’s Divided Legacy in South Africa
On 9 July 2009, the eve of the 500th anniversary of the birth of Genevan reformer John Calvin, Ecumenical News International (ENI) writer Anli Serfontein, reporting from Johannesburg, South Africa, published an article titled, “Calvin Leaves Divided Legacy in South Africa.”
Serfontein writes that South Africa has experienced the greatest influence from John Calvin of any country in the world, quoting Dirk Smit, professor of systematic theology and ethics at the University of Stellenbosch, who told students at the Protestant Theological University in Kampen, the Netherlands, in April 2009: “In South Africa, the reception of Calvin has been deeply ambiguous and controversial, and it remains so until today.”
Serfontein says that South African Dutch Reformed Calvinists were among the most strident supporters of apartheid, using theology as a justification for apartheid, and with the exception of one small denomination, eventually became and now are among apartheid’s most vociferous opponents.
The roots of South African Calvinism are said to date to 1685 when many Calvinist French Huguenots fled to the Netherlands after the Edict of Nantes was revoked. An offer by the Dutch East India Company to the French Huguenot refugees to go to South Africa for an initial period of five years was readily accepted, and once arrived in South Africa, the Huguenot immigrants received farms and implements. Religious wars raging in Europe convinced most of the immigrants to stay in South Africa after the five years period was completed.
The Huguenot immigrants to South Africa were mostly well-educated people. Many doctors, teachers, pastors, and lawyers were among the first to arrive in South Africa, and the Huguenot families became the progenitors of many of South Africa’s major Afrikaner families.
Serfontein describes the industriousness of the Huguenot immigrants that stemmed from Calvinistic beliefs, and how this industriousness described as the “Protestant Work Ethic” contributed significantly to economic and religious factors in South Africa. Serfontein says that the immigrants became increasingly detached from their European roots and influences, and that some historians believe Huguenot immigrants were not influenced in any way during the entire age of enlightenment.
The late 19th century to early 20th century divisions by skin color and national origin leading to the establishment of four separate Dutch Reformed churches is noted, and how in 1948 under the leadership of Daniel Malan, a former Reformed pastor who became prime minister of South Africa, traditional racist practices were transformed into the apartheid ideology of the ruling party, and mixed church services were thus no longer possible.
Serfontein concludes the article by recounting South Africa’s history from the latter half of the 20th century to date that led to the destruction of the apartheid system, and describes how in 1983 the Rev. Allan Boesak described to the World Alliance of Reformed Churches assembly his theological perspective based on the doctrines of John Calvin and Karl Barth.
+ Ecumenical News International, Post Office Box 2100, CH – 1211, Geneva 2, Switzerland, 41-22-791-6111, Fax: 41-22-788-7244, eni@eni.ch
+ World Alliance of Reformed Churches, 150 route de Ferney, Post Office Box 2100, 1211 Geneva 2, Switzerland, 41-22-791-6240, Fax: 41-22-791-6505, warc@warc.ch
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[6] Calvin Conference at Stellenbosch University, South Africa Scheduled 30 August – 2 September 2009
The Faculty of Theology of Stellenbosch University in South Africa is hosting a Calvin Conference celebrating the 500th anniversary of the birth of John Calvin, 30 August – 2 September 2009. The conference theme is “John Calvin’s Relevance for Today.”
Speakers who have confirmed participation at the conference include Serene Jones, Setri Nyomi, Katie Cannon, Rachel Baard, Dirkie Smit, Allan Boesak, John de Gruchy, Coenie Burger, Piet Naudé, Russel Botman, Eddy van der Borght, Martien Brinkman, Gijsbert van den Brink, Fanie du Toit, Andries Cilliers, Robert Vosloo and Ernst Conradie.
+ Calvin Conference 2009, Faculty of Theology, Private Bag X1, Matieland, 7602, South Africa, 27-21-808-3255, Fax: 27-21-808-3251, teologiefees@sun.ac.za
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[7] Covenanter International Holiday Conference Scheduled 17-24 July 2010 at Gartmore House in Scotland
The 2010 Covenanter International Holiday Conference is scheduled for 17-24 July 2010 at the Gartmore House, located in the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park in Scotland. The conference theme is “Reformation and Revival in the Church Today: Studies in Haggai” presented by Professor Robert McCollum.
A downloadable application form and information on accommodations is available at http://www.rpc.org/chc/.
+ Reformed Presbyterian Church of Ireland, 98 Lisburn Road, Belfast, BT9 6AG, Northern Ireland, 44-1232-660-689, Fax: 44-1232-823-794, info@rpc.org
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[8] William the Baptist Reprint Available from Doulos Resources
J. Ed Eubanks, Jr. has edited, updated, and annotated James M. Chaney’s 1877 book William the Baptist, which is now available from Doulos Resources in paperback for US$7.95 plus shipping, and is also available from Amazon.com in paperback and Kindle format.
Scripture quotations have been changed from the King James (Authorised) Version (Majority Text-based) to the English Standard Version (ESV), the ESV being characterized as an “essentially literal” translation that used the 1971 Revised Standard Edition as its starting point, and utilizes the Masoretic Hebrew text and the 27th edition Nestle and Aland Greek text.
+ Doulos Resources, 2420 Donelson Drive, Eads, Tennessee 38028, 901-451-0356, Fax: 610-870-7373, info@doulosresources.org
+ The Standard Bible Society, 1300 Crescent Street, Wheaton, Illinois 60187, 888-682-5577, Fax: 630-682-4785, info@gnpsbs.org
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[9] PCA 37th GA Report by Stated Clerk Available Online
The Presbyterian Church in America (PCA) has made available online the stated clerk’s report on the 37th General Assembly held 16-18 June 2009 in Orlando, Florida.
+ Presbyterian Church in America, 1700 North Brown Road, Suite 105, Lawrenceville, Georgia 30043, 678-825-1000, Fax: 678-825-1001, ac@pcanet.org
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The Baptist World Alliance (BWA) and the European Baptist Federation (EBF) will gather in the Netherlands 24 July-1 August 2009 to celebrate the 400th anniversary of the founding of the Baptist movement. The EBF will host ‘Amsterdam 400’ 24-26 July 2009, and the BWA Annual Gathering will be held in Ede, the Netherlands 27 July-1 August 2009.
Amsterdam, the Netherlands, is the location of the world’s first Baptist congregation, founded by British exiles in 1609.
+ Assist USA, Post Office Box 609, Lake Forest, California 92609, 949-380-1558, danjuma1@aol.com
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The After 500 Years: John Calvin for Reformed Churches Today Conference is scheduled for 3-5 September 2009 at First Christian Reformed Church in Byron Center, Michigan.
Conference speakers are Professor Ronald L. Cammenga of Protestant Reformed Theological Seminary (PRCATS); the Rev. Christopher J. Connors, pastor of the Brisbane, Queensland, Australia, congregation of the Evangelical Presbyterian Church of Australia; Professor Russell L. Dykstra of PRCATS; Professor David J. Engelsma of PRCATS; Professor Barrett L. Gritters of PRCATS; the Rev. Steven R. Key, pastor of the Hull, Iowa Protestant Reformed Church; and the Rev. Angus Stewart, pastor of the Covenant Protestant Reformed Church of Northern Ireland.
Conference information is available at:
http://www.500yearsofcalvin.org
+ Protestant Reformed Churches in America, c/o 4949 Ivanrest Avenue, Grandville, Michigan 49418, webmaster@prca.org
+ Christian Reformed Church in North America, 2850 Kalamazoo Avenue Southeast, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49560, 616-241-1691, Fax: 616-224-0803 crcna@crcna.org
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[12] The Sacred Desk Expositor’s Conference Scheduled 28-29 September 2009 in Mobile, Alabama
The Sacred Desk: A History of Expository Preaching from the Reformation to the Present Expositor’s Conference is scheduled for 28-29 September 2009 at the Christ Fellowship Baptist Church (CFBC) in Mobile, Alabama.
Conference speakers are Dr. Joel Beeke, President and Professor of Systematic Theology, Church History, and Homiletics at Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary, and Dr. Steven J. Lawson, Senior Pastor of CFBC, a pastor for twenty-eight years, and the author of fifteen books, including The Unwavering Resolve of Jonathan Edwards, The Expository Genius of John Calvin, and Foundations of Grace: A Long Line of Godly Men.
The conference registration fee is US$125, and registration is available online at:
http://www.christfellowship.cc/site/eregister1.asp?sec_id=3078&event_id=933.
Conference information is available at the CFBC website, by phone at 251-461-2242, or by email at info@christfellowship.cc.
+ Christ Fellowship Baptist Church, 445 Azalea Road, Mobile, Alabama 36609, 251-461-2242, info@christfellowship.cc
+ Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary, 2965 Leonard Street Northeast, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49525, 616-977-0599, Fax: 616-285-3246, info@puritanseminary.org
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The Christian Defense Coalition (CDC) and Operation Rescue have mobilized a campaign to begin 26 July 2009 in Washington DC, called “Abortion is Not Health Care,” to oppose taxpayer funded abortions being included in U.S. President Barrack Hussein Obama’s US$1.5 trillion health care plan scheduled for congressional voting the week of 27 July 2009.
The campaign will focus on fighting to ensure that: 1) not one penny of public money is used to pay for abortions; 2) that the “Conscience Clause” is not removed from health providers that decline to perform abortions; 3) that there will be no federal mandate requiring health plans to cover abortions; 4) that no state law restricting abortion will be invalidated; and 5) that Planned Parenthood never becomes an “essential community health provider.”
Reformed Presbyterian minister and CDC director the Rev. Pat Mahoney comments: “The most critical item on the pro-life agenda is stopping the Obama–Pelosi health care plan which includes taxpayer funded abortions. If abortion becomes part of a health care entitlement, it will add at least twenty-five years to our struggle toward ending the violence of abortion in America.”
“If President Obama and Speaker Pelosi have their way, Pro-life Catholics and Evangelicals would be forced to pay for abortions. People of good will who believe that human rights begin in the womb would have to pay for the brutal crushing of that innocent life.”
“’Abortion is Not Health Care’ will be a public and prophetic witness to ensure that tax dollars are never used to diminish women and trample social justice. President Obama talks about being a progressive leader who embraces human rights and equality for all. It is tragic that he would turn health care, which is supposed to heal and bring comfort to those in need, into something that destroys innocent life.”
+ Christian News Wire, 2020 Pennsylvania Avenue Northwest, Washington DC 20006, 202-546-0054, newsdesk@christiannewswire.com
+ Christian Defense Coalition, 540-538-4741
+ Operation Rescue, Post Office Box 782888, Wichita, Kansas 67278-2888, 800-705-1175, Fax: 916-244-2636, info@operationrescue.org
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[14] American Vision Offering Five Free E-Books by Gary DeMar Via Email
American Vision is offering for free by email five E-books by Gary DeMar.
+ American Vision, Post Office Box 220, Powder Springs, Georgia 30127, 770-222-7266, Fax: 770-222-7269, mail@AmericanVision.org
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[15] Inheritance Publications Offers New Book of 150 Genevan Psalms in Two Keys
Inheritance Publications is offering a new book of sheet music for organ and chorus titled, Voor De Opperzangmeester (VDO) or 150 Psalms in 2 Keys by Cor van Dijk for US$ 82.46. VDO includes all 150 Genevan Psalms in two keys, along with appealing preludes and interludes in a moderately easy style. A Klavarscribo edition is available for US$85.00.
Additionally, Inheritance Publications’ John Calvin 500 Years Specials, with discounts of up to twenty-five percent, are available through 31 July 2009.
+ Inheritance Publications, Box 154, Neerlandia, Alberta T0G 1R0, Canada, 780-674-3949, Fax: 775-890-9118
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[16] Full Bible Publications Offers Constitutional Presbyterianism by Dr. Richard Bacon
Full Bible Publications, the book publishing arm of the Christian Observer, is offering a new book:
Constitutional Presbyterianism by Dr. Richard Bacon, Pastor of Faith Presbyterian Church Reformed in Mesquite, Texas, and Contributing Editor for the Christian Observer, is a 140 page book that is an introduction to Constitutional Presbyterianism — what it is and how it differs from the way most Presbyterian and Reformed churches practice polity in the church today. The cost for download is US$2.50, and the cost for the printed edition is US$9.80 plus shipping.
+ Christian Observer, 9400 Fairview Avenue, Manassas, Virginia 20110, 703-335-2844, christianobserver@christianobserver.org
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