The City of Houston has demanded pastors turn over all their speeches, presentations and other materials related their comments on the Houston Equal Rights Ordinance. (HERO)

The Christian Defense Coalition, the National Clergy Council and the League for the Defense of Pastors thus held a news conference in front of the U.S. Supreme Court on Monday, October 20.

The news conference was held on the public sidewalk in front of the U.S. Supreme Court west entrance on First St. NE.

Copies of the letter to Mayor Parker were made available at the news conference.

The group shared their plans to send a delegation of national Christian leaders and pastors to Houston on Tuesday, October 28 in an attempt to meet with Mayor Parker and other City officials.

The faith leaders also discussed launching a national campaign to address Houston’s troubling crushing of the [U.S. Constitution’s] First Amendment and religious freedom should they fail to withdraw the subpoenas.

Rev. Rob Schenck, President of the National Clergy Council, stated,

“Regardless of what the mayor’s and city’s intentions are or were, this is an egregious violation of a fundamental human right and constitutionally protected freedom. History proves violations like this must be challenged early and relentlessly.

“Church leaders of all denominations are organizing to support our colleagues in Houston. We will not rest until justice is preserved and protected.”

Rev. Patrick Mahoney, Director of the Christian Defense Coalition, added;

“Mayor Parker, it is troubling that your city has moved forward with such invasive actions which trample religious freedom guaranteed by the First Amendment. This appears to be an attempt by your Administration to intimidate and silence pastors, churches and community leaders who disagree with you on HERO.

“It is our hope that Houston would foster policies that would create an atmosphere of tolerance and openness in the public square and embrace the principles of free speech and the First Amendment.

“It is important for you to understand that pastors and churches all across America and standing in solidarity with the ‘Houston Five,’ as we fully understand this is not just an attack on five local pastors but an attack on every church and pulpit in America.

“In light of that, if the City of Houston continues to move forward with these subpoenas, potential fines and imprisonment for these pastors who refuse to comply, we will give a national call inviting thousands of Christians to come to Houston and stand for religious freedom, the First Amendment and free speech.”

Rev. Keith Tucci, President of the League for the Defense of Christian Pastors, shares;

“The intolerance and misuse of power will not be treated as an inconvenience but a violation [of the ability] to worship God freely.”

For more information or interviews call:

Rev. Patrick Mahoney at 540-538-4741

+ Christian Defense Coalition, Post Office Box 77168, Washington DC 20013, 202-547-1735, ChristianDefense@gmail.com

+ Faith and Action in the Nation’s Capital, 109 Second Avenue Northeast, Washington DC 20002, 202-546-8329, Fax: 202-546-6864, Info@FaithAndAction.org

[2] I’m Not Homophobic, Says Free Church of Scotland’s David Robertson

A 16 October 2014 Christian Today article by Mark Woods titled “I’m Not Homophobic, Says Free Church of Scotland’s David Robertson” reports that the Rev. David Robertson, recently nominated Moderator of the Free Church of Scotland (FCS), recently wrote an article defending himself of the charge that he is anti-homosexual for the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgendered and Intersex (LGBTI) website KaleidoScot.

Robertson said of marriage:

“The Bible teaches that marriage is a lifelong commitment between one man and one woman, for the purpose of mutual companionship, the good of society and the procreation and upbringing of children. This is the position that Western Society has held and on which our culture has been based on for almost 2000 years. I object to being called homophobic just because I continue to hold to that view. Advocates of ‘Queer theory’ have long sought the destruction of marriage as an institution that they consider patriarchal and harmful. Ironically I think same sex marriage provides that for them. It is my belief that such a destruction of marriage will be harmful for all people, whatever their sexuality.”

Answering the charge that his appointment by the FCS was a ploy to draw Church of Scotland members disaffected by the Kirk’s liberal policies towards homosexuals, Robertson stated:

“I don’t want people to join the Free Church because they are homophobic. I want them to join us because they believe in Jesus and share our vision to reach all of Scotland with the Gospel. If they come to us expecting continual attacks on homosexuals they will be disappointed.”

“I have always welcomed homosexual people into my church on the same basis I welcome heterosexual people. I believe that all of us, without exception (including myself) are broken, bruised and sinful people who need the new life and forgiveness offered by Jesus Christ.”

“Please let’s seek to understand and not demonise one another.”

+ Christian Today, 200 Great Dover Street, London SE1 4YB, England, 020-7378-5705

+ 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

+ Church of Scotland, 121 George Street, Edinburgh EH2 4YN, Scotland, 0131-225-5722

[3] Free Church of Scotland Opines on Several Governmental Matters

A 20 October 2014 The Herald article titled “Voting Age Should Be Cut to Sixteen, Says Free Church” reports that Free Church of Scotland, In its submission to the Smith Commission on Scottish Devolution, said that Scotland should be given more power over immigration, abortion, alcohol and gambling, and that the voting age should be cut permanently to sixteen.

The FCS submission said that the FCS recognizes that there is no clear Biblical basis for its views, but added:

“The case of immigration policy, however, is perhaps an exception to our general approach since the emphasis of the Bible is clearly to offer succour to victims and to welcome and look after the stranger in our midst.”

+ The Herald, 200 Renfield Street, Glasgow, Scotland G2 3QB, 0141- 302-7000, Fax: 0141-302-7117, On-lineEditor@theherald.co.uk

+ 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

[4] Former Pella, Iowa URCNA Pastor and Convicted Sex Offender Patrick Edouard Begins Prison Sentence

A 16 October 2014 Journal Express by Steve Woodhouse titled “Edouard Turns Himself In” reports that Patrick Edouard, former pastor of Covenant Reformed Church in Pella, Iowa, on 16 October 2014 turned himself in to the Marion County Jail to begin serving the sentence for his convictions on three counts of sexual exploitation and charge of entering into a pattern/scheme/practice to engage in sexual exploitation as a counselor or therapist.

Edouard, in October 2012, was sentenced to one year in prison for each of the sexual exploitation charges and five years for the pattern/scheme/practice charge. Edwourd appealed the District Court convictions to the Court of Appeals, which overturned the convictions. The Supreme Court of Iowa subsequently overturned the Court of Appeals decision and upheld his conviction from District Court.

+ Journal Express, 122 East Robinson Street, Knoxville, Iowa 50138, 641-842-2155, Fax: 641-842-2929, publisher@journalexpress.net

+ United Reformed Churches in North America, c/o the Rev. Bradd Nymeyer, 227 1st Avenue Southeast, Sioux Center, Iowa 51250, 712-722-1965, statedclerk@urcna.org

[5] Naphtali Press Offers First New Edition since 1648 of The Westminster Assembly’s Grand Debate

Naphtali Press is soon to go to press with a new edition, the first since 1648, of The Westminster Assembly’s Grand Debate. The limited-time, republication price is US$19.95 plus appropriate postage. Added postage is US$4.50 (USA), US$19.50 (Canada) and US$23.50 (all other International).

Order at the Pre-publication price by following the appropriate link:

USA Media rate via USPS US19.95 plus US4.50 postage (http://tinyurl.com/ona9jv6)

Canada, priority mail, US19.95 plus US19.50 shipping (http://tinyurl.com/pr5g5wc)

All other International destinations, US19.95 plus US23.50 shipping (http://tinyurl.com/ntcddvy)

This work contains a lesser known set of documents produced by the Westminster Assembly of Divines, arguing for and against the Presbyterian form of church government. Discontented with the majority’s Presbyterian views, the Congregationalist members produced dissenting papers to which the Assembly replied, giving a more detailed view of the matters debated than the snatches of information recorded in the Assembly’s Minutes.

Presented in five sections The Grand Debate includes the following exchanges between the Congregationalist ‘dissenting brethren’ and the Presbyterian majority of the Assembly: I. Reasons against the proposition that many churches may be under one Presbyterial government from the example of the church at Jerusalem, and the Assembly’s reply; II. Reasons against … from the example of the Church at Ephesus, with the Assembly’s reply; III. Reasons against the subordination of church synods, with the Assembly’s reply; IV. Reasons against the Assembly’s limitation on the power of individual congregations to ordain, with the Assembly’s reply; V. Four papers by the Congregationalists presented in the committee formed to come to an accommodation, with answers by the representatives of the Assembly.

The text has been edited for modern spelling and usage. The bibliographical references have been traced. Notes have been added throughout keying the text to the Assembly Minutes, Gillespie’s notes, Lightfoot’s journal, and other sources. Cross references linking the arguments in the dissenting brethrens’ papers to the Assembly’s replies and vice versa have been added in the margins. All the Latin has been translated marginally or in footnotes.

In the original text the Assembly quotes and often summarizes and paraphrases the Independents’ argument without any distinction—all set in the italic face, as was all other emphasis. Much of this over-italicization has been removed for this edition. Any apparent quotations appear within double quotation marks. Obvious paraphrases, proposed objections, or words placed in the mouth of the opponent are set within single quotation marks.

An appendix presents an updated version of research into the theological resources available to the Westminster Assembly, presenting in better form the Assembly’s working library borrowed from Archbishop Laud’s study, and adding reference to the personal libraries of William Greenhill and Lazerus Seaman.

+ Naphtali Press, Post Office Box 141084, Dallas, Texas 75214, naphtali@naphtali.com

[6] Reformation Trust Offers The Trinitarian Devotion of John Owen by Sinclair Ferguson

Reformation Trust is offering The Trinitarian Devotion of John Owen by Sinclair Ferguson in the following formats:

Hardcover – US$12.80 plus shipping – http://www.ligonier.org/store/the-trinitarian-devotion-of-john-owen-hardcover/

ePub (eBook Download) – US$7.20 – http://www.ligonier.org/store/the-trinitarian-devotion-of-john-owen-epub-download/

MOBI (eBook Download) – US$7.20 – http://www.ligonier.org/store/the-trinitarian-devotion-of-john-owen-mobi-download

The writing and teaching of John Owen, a 17th century pastor and theologian, continues to serve the church. Daily communion with God characterized his life and equipped him for both ministry and persecution.

In The Trinitarian Devotion of John Owen, the latest addition to the Long Line of Godly Men series, Dr. Sinclair Ferguson offers careful reflection and insight for Christians today as he highlights Owen’s faith in the triune God of Scripture. We’re reminded that regardless of our circumstances we can know God, enjoy Him, and encourage others.

+ Ligonier Ministries, 400 Technology Park, Lake Mary, Florida 32746, 407-333-4244, Fax: 407-333-4233

[6] Monegerism Website Offers Links to 150 Free Christian Ebooks

Monergism.com, a subsidiary of the Christian Publication Resource Foundation, believes the Church should have open access to scripturally and theologically-sound, edifying Christian literature, and that one need not be held back from having a significant Christian library because of cost. The Monergism ministry involves providing quality Christian literature in accessible formats for free. Most of these eBooks are high quality and available in both ePub and .mobi (Kindle) formats with actively linked tables of contents:

http://www.monergism.com/over-150-free-ebooks-listed-alphabetically-author

+ Christian Publication Resource Foundation, Post Office Box 491, West Linn, Oregon 97068, Contact Page

[7] News from the Deepest Recesses of Hell

— Woman Who Killed Her Babies and Packed Them in Boxes Charged with Six Murder Counts

— Best Selling Author John Grisham Says “Not All Men Who Watch Child Porn Are Pedophiles”

— Euthanasia in Belgium Kills the Equivalent of 50,000 People in the U.S.

+ LifeNews.com, Post Office Box 270841, Fort Collins, Colorado 80527, news@lifenews.com

+ Right Wing News, Contact Page

+ LifeSiteNews.com, Incorporated, 4 Family Life Lane, Front Royal, Virginia 22630, 888-678-6008, Contact Page

[8] Articles from LifesiteNews.com

Articles from the past week from LifesiteNews.com:

— Idaho Ministers Face Fines, Jail Time for Refusing to Perform Same-Sex ‘Marriages’