16 November 2011
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Presbyterians Week Headlines
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[1] Why Paterno Will Matter: A Theological Reflection on the Sad Case at Penn State
[2] John Calvin a Radical Socialist?
[3] Occupy Portland [Oregon] Demonstrators Arrested with Bombs Meant for Police
[4] Bill Keller of Liveprayer.com Says 2012 Presidential Election will be Satan vs. Satan
[5] Up to 150 Church of Scotland Ministers Ready to Leave Kirk over Homosexual Ordination
[9] 2011 Confessional Presbyterian Scheduled for Release
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[1] Why Paterno Will Matter: A Theological Reflection on the Sad Case at Penn State
by Dr. Michael A. Milton
Joe Paterno’s career is over. It did not end well.
Writing in the midst of a cauldron of charges and investigations about child abuse, is not easy. Writing with certainty about anything in such times is not wise. I therefore make no pronouncements other than this: Paterno will matter.
By that, I mean to say, his legacy will matter. I don’t just mean his legacy as a Brown educated coach, Brooklyn-accent, Easterner who preferred reading classics to hunting deer in a blue collar Western PA place called “Happy Valley.” I don’t mean his legacy as the man who not only impacted the football reputation of that college but, as Bill Pennington put it in the New York Times, “was Penn State.”
His legacy will include his concern for players, his development work in raising the academic influence of Penn State, and his character; not the character in the sense of the Columbo-like figure (with thick glasses) that roamed the sidelines like just another professor on campus who just happens to rule over big time football in America, but the character of the man. That character which is so large and good that it shapes others’ character. All of those things matter.
Now some may remember, years from now, this tragic incident. Maybe a lapse in judgement. Maybe things we don’t know. Yes, surely things we don’t know. Will that be his legacy as well?
Legacies are about the impact that people leave on other people. We do not know if this alleged crime against a child and the failure to report it — surely the greatest tragedy of all in this sordid story — that ended Paterno’s career will loom so large that it overshadows the other facets of what was already a great legacy.
But we know this — at least those who know Jesus Christ know this — sin stains even God’s greatest creations. That is what happened in the fall of Mankind. And if that were all of the truth we knew in our worldview lens, as we looked at this, and as we looked at life, then we would be of all men most pitiable.
But the gospel of Jesus Christ is that the legacy of shame was overcome at the cross, when God became Man to live the life we could not live and “For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God” (2 Cor. 5.:21 ESV). That is the gospel — the Good News.
Embedded in every shameful story of our lives, our families, is the reality of that stain of sin. And that is why Christ came: to remove the stain with His own pure life and give that life to all who will turn from themselves and receive His life and His death for their sin. That is the gospel. And the gospel changes legacies. And for the children of abuse, the families in pain, and even one of the greatest coaches of our time, that is really all that matters now.
Michael Anthony Milton (Ph.D., University of Wales) serves as the chancellor/CEO elect of Reformed Theological Seminary (one of the largest accredited seminaries in the country), a U.S. Army chaplain and the James M. Baird Jr. chair of pastoral theology at RTS/Charlotte. He is an author, songwriter, singer, ordained minister, former pastor of First Presbyterian Church in Chattanooga, Tenn., and he previously served as the president of RTS/Charlotte. Dr. Milton also hosts a national Bible teaching television program, Faith for Living, broadcast on the NRB Television Network, and a radio program broadcast on several stations in the southeast. For 16 years he served in the business world and has also served as a top-secret Navy linguist.
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+ Christian News Wire, 2020 Pennsylvania Avenue Northwest, Washington DC 20006, 202-546-0054, newsdesk@christiannewswire.com
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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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[2] John Calvin a Radical Socialist?
Setri Nyomi, General Secretary of the World Communion of Reformed Churches , in a lecture on the role of the church in the 21st century delivered at Princeton Theological Seminary on 15 November 2011 said that 16th Century theologian John Calvin would have supported the “Occupy Wall Street” protesters.
Nyomi said: “Calvin expressed opposition to all forms of social oppression resulting from money. Today, it is the global economic systems and practices that have more sophisticated forms of effects….The church of the 21st century needs to align itself with voices of justice…even if it means being out there in the streets.”
Nyomi additionally quoted the Accra Confession: “We believe the economy exists to serve the dignity and wellbeing of people….Therefore we reject the unregulated accumulation of wealth and limitless growth that has already cost the lives of millions and destroyed much of God’s creation.”
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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
+ Princeton Theological Seminary, 64 Mercer Street, Princeton, New Jersey 08542-0803, 609-921-8300
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[3] Occupy Portland [Oregon] Demonstrators Arrested with Bombs Meant for Police
A 14 November 2011 KMTR.com article titled “I-5 Traffic Stop Yields Incendiary Devices and Gas Masks” reports that three Klamath Falls, Oregon, men stopped for speeding on I-5 by a traffic safety officer were found to have incendiary devices, gas masks, and fireworks in the car intended to be used against the Portland, Oregon, police when the officers confronted Occupy Portland protesters.
The materials included firecrackers and two commercially manufactured fireworks mortars encased in canning jars that were designed to spread glass shrapnel when exploded. Additionally, a small quantity of marijuana was seized from the car.
Charges against the three men include Unlawful Possession of Fireworks, Unlawful Possession of [a] Destructive Device, Unlawful Manufacture of [a] Destructive Device, and Possession of less than one ounce of marijuana.
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+ KMTR, 3825 International Court, Springfield, Oregon 97477, 541-46-1600, newsdesk@kmtr.com
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[4] Bill Keller of Liveprayer.com Says 2012 Presidential Election will be Satan vs. Satan
Bill Keller, Internet Evangelist and the founder of LivePrayer.com, says the 2012 Presidential election will be Satan vs. Satan, meaning God is finished with the United States!
Keller says that the most likely match-up in the 2012 Presidential election will be Mitt Romney vs. President Barack Obama, meaning it will be Satan vs. Satan. Keller states that many may call this characterization extreme, but that is exactly what it will come down to.
Keller said: “During President Obama’s nearly three years in office, he has proven by his words and deeds to be a true enemy of God. He has been the most pro-death President in history through his support of the killing of innocent babies, he has been a staunch ally of the radical homosexual agenda, and a true friend to the enemies of Israel.”
Keller continued: “While Mitt Romney has been willing to change his core beliefs on critical spiritual issues like abortion and gay marriage, he has never denounced his beliefs of the satanic Mormon cult! As a ‘Temple Mormon,’ Romney not only wears the magical underwear bearing satanic markings, but has taken a blood oath to the Mormon cult over anything else, INCLUDING THE U.S. CONSTITUTION!”
Keller continued, “Romney, like fellow cult member Glenn Beck and all in their cult, truly believe they will die and become the god of their own planet and have sex with an endless supply of women to create millions of spirit babies, in addition to other ridiculous fantasies their cult teaches. Romney and Mormons also believe in the ‘White Horse Prophecy’ of their cult’s founder Joseph Smith, claiming the U.S. will be in total chaos, a Mormon will become President, and to save the nation suspend the Constitution and enact a Mormon theocracy.”
Keller concluded, “This is not about politics, it is about SOULS. Every person will die, and it is the goal of Satan to lead their eternal soul to hell.” Keller believes that if the election for our next President comes down to Romney and Obama, it means that God has finally had enough of our nation killing 4,000 innocent babies each day, embracing sexual perversion, the destruction of God’s Holy Institution of Marriage and the family, and people worshipping every false god and idol man has created in his evil imagination, and [God thus] will take His hand of protection and blessing off our the United States.”
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+ Liveprayer.com, 6660 46th Avenue North, St. Petersburg, Florida 33709, Contact Page
+ Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 50 East North Temple Street, Salt Lake City, Utah 84150, 801-240-2640, Contact Page
+ The White House, 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue Northwest, Washington DC 20500, 202-456-1414, Fax: 202-456-2461, Contact Page
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[5] Up to 150 Church of Scotland Ministers Ready to Leave Kirk over Homosexual Ordination
A 14 November 2011 article Severin Carrell in The Guardian titled “Gay Clergy Row Threatens Mass Resignations from Church of Scotland” reports that up to 150 ministers from the Church of Scotland (COS) may leave the Kirk due to objections to the ordination of homosexuals. The disaffected clergy may eventually form a new denomination.
The schism is the largest in the COS since 1843 when 474 ministers left to form the Free Church of Scotland.
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+ The Guardian, Kings Place, 90 York Way, London N1 9GU, England, 44-20-3-353-2000, reader@guardian.co.uk
+ 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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Associate Reformed Presbyterian pastor and Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary professor the Rev. Dr. William VanDoodewaard on 10 November 2011 published “Enns’ Clarity and Consistency” on his The Christian Pundit blog. The article summarizes and comments upon discussions on hermeneutics and the creation/evolution debate in light of Peter Enns’ recent presentation to a group of New York area Presbyterian Church in America pastors.
The article can be accessed at:
http://thechristianpundit.org/2011/11/10/six-days/
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+ The Christian Pundit, William.VanDoodewaard@puritanseminary.org
+ Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church, 1 Cleveland Street Suite 110, Greenville, South Carolina, 29601, 864-232-8297, Fax: 864-271-3729
+ Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary, 2965 Leonard Street Northeast, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49525, 616-977-0599, Fax: 616-285-3246, info@puritanseminary.org
+ 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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Inheritance Publications is offering a Remembrance Day/Veteran’s Day package of books and DVD’s so that in addition to remembering the World Wars and the soldiers fighting during those times to preserve or achieve freedom, the ultimate freedom that comes from God, freedom from sin and freedom to serve Him, can too be recalled – so to remember the mighty acts of God and to teach these to your children.
The package includes one copy each of :
— League of Grateful Sons – The Second World War at Iwo Jima – CA$16.00
— It Began with a Parachute – Children’s book – CA$7.90
— In This Hour – Adult Historical Novel about World War II and the Floods of 1953 – $13.90
— Theatre in Dachau – Adult eyewitness account – CA$12.90
Buy all four items and receive a fifteen percent discount:
http://www.telusplanet.net/public/inhpubl/webip/amazon.htm
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+ Inheritance Publications, Box 154, Neerlandia, Alberta T0G 1R0, Canada, 780-674-3949, Fax: 775-890-9118
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The first full-length English-language publication of Abraham Kuyper’s writings on common grace is slated to be released during the annual meeting of the Evangelical Theological Society (ETS) in San Francisco, California, 16-18 November 2011. Wisdom & Wonder: Common Grace in Science & Art explores the views of the Dutch theologian on the relationship between the Christian faith, culture, and God’s preserving work in the world.
The book is available for pre-order now on the Christian’s Library Press website at US$24.99 for hardcover and US$14.99 for paperback, and will be available for purchase in stores and online beginning 21 November 2011.
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+ Christian News Wire, 2020 Pennsylvania Avenue Northwest, Washington DC 20006, 202-546-0054, newsdesk@christiannewswire.com
+ The Acton Institute, 161 Ottawa Avenue Northwest, Suite 301, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49503, 616-454-3080, Fax: 616-454-9454, info@acton.org
+ Evangelical Theological Society, 2825 Lexington Road, Box 927, Louisville, Kentucky 40280, 502-897-4387, Fax : 502-897-4386, Contact Page
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[9] 2011 Confessional Presbyterian Scheduled for Release
The 2011 Confessional Presbyterian is scheduled to be released in late November 2011.
A list of the contents is available at:
http://www.cpjournal.com/2011/05/the-confessional-presbyterian-7-for-2011/
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+ Naphtali Press, Post Office Box 141084, Dallas, Texas 75214, naphtali@naphtali.com
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