The War in the Persian Gulf
At the time of writing this comment, the allied air offensive against Iraq and against the Iraqi forces in Kuwait continues unabated as a prelude to the ground offensive which must inevitably follow. Already the allies have suffered casualties in the war and no doubt this will increase as the land war proceeds. Many of the young men and women engaged in the war are, we fear, little prepared for death if that should be their lot. To those who have known the truth, the Lord can bless His Word in the solemn circumstances in which they are placed. He can also be a covering for their head in the day of battle. The prayers of the Lord’s people will be for their preservation, where that is His will, and for preparation for eternity for those who are to die in the conflict. Our sympathy goes out to those who, at this time, have loved ones serving in the war zone, and trust that the Lord will uphold them and theirs in the day of trouble.
The Roman Catholic Road to Sainthood
The Roman Catholic Church has its own road to sainthood for its devotees. According to a Press report Cardinal Newman, a pervert to Rome and earlier a leader of the Oxford Movement in the Church of England, who died over 100 years ago, has been awarded the title of Venerable by the Pope. This is an important step in the eyes of the Roman Catholic Church on the way to sainthood. It required a campaign lasting 30 years to accomplish this much. Actual sainthood is still something yet to be attained in the future? It is incredible that men with a modicum of common sense could fall for this tomfoolery. How thankful we should be that we have the Word of God which makes plain to all, not only that the people of God are saints when they enter glory but that they are saints in the day that they are delivered out of Satan’s kingdom and brought into the kingdom of God’s dear Son.
Plea for Co-operation by Free Church Professor
Professor Donald MacLeod, according to a Press & Journal report, has called on Scotland’s Presbyterian Churches to co-operate with each other in a bid to halt the decline in adherence to Protestantism. He refers to the abandonment of reformation theology by the Churches and of the attacks on it from within the Scottish community of Reformed theologians. His view is that people have to be educated about Protestantism. This is no doubt the case. However the question must be asked how Protestants can co-operate if their view of the Roman Catholic Church is so totally at variance, some regarding it as a sister Church to be reformed, others regarding it as a synagogue of Satan which Christ is to destroy with the brightness of His Coming. It cannot be the same Protestantism which holds such antithetical views of the Establishment against which protest is made.
Decade of Evangelism
The Anglicans, Methodists, Roman Catholics and some other Churches intend to launch a decade of evangelism. The question must be asked as to what evangel is to be preached by such Churches. So, too, if we ask why evangelism is necessary in a nation possessing Christianity for so many centuries, we have to conclude that it is because the main Churches largely ceased to proclaim the evangel and people were driven away from them. A return to orthodox Christianity would be of more advantage to Churches which have largely abandoned true Christian teaching than the pretence of a decade of evangelism.
Graham Crusade
It would appear that Dr. Billy Graham whose appearance in this country in 1955 made such a great stir at the time is to visit Scotland again this year. It is said that Sir David McNee approached R.C. Archbishops Winning and O’Brien for their support of the campaign. Well might they give their support as any Roman Catholics seeking counsel will be directed to a local R.C. Church. When Dr. Graham was in Britain in 1955 our Church opposed the Arminianism of his theology and also the methods adopted in the campaign. After that campaign some Churches were gratified at finding an increase in attendance, but before long had to complain that things were worse than before the campaign began. We cannot think that Dr. Graham’s ecumenical co-operation and continued Arminian presentation of the Gospel will prove any better in 1991.
Church Notes
Presbytery Meetings (D.V.)
Skye: At Portree on 5th March at 11 a.m.
Western: At Laide on 12th March at 6 p.m.
Zimbabwe: At Bulawayo on 12th March at 2 p.m.
Northern: At Dingwall on 9th April at 2 p.m.
Committee Meetings (D.V.)
The March Committee Meetings will be held in Inverness on Tuesday, 19th March. For list of Committee Meetings see February issue of the Magazine.