Statement of the Southern Presbytery of the Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland to the Prime Minister, Home Secretary and First Minister of the Scottish Parliament
The Southern Presbytery of the Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland, met in Glasgow on 27 March 2007, wish to convey their profound concern regarding the Sexual Orientation Regulations, already imposed on the
people of Northern Ireland and soon to be imposed upon mainland Britain.
The Word of God solemnly declares that “Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people” (Proverbs 14:34). These regulations make a practice forbidden in the Word of God a “right” protected by law. “Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen. For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: and likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompense of their error which was meet. And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient” (Romans 1:24-28). This must be displeasing to God. The passing of the Sexual Orientation Regulations into law will be a clear indication that we, as a nation, have cast off the restraints of God’s Word. Departure of this nature from the Holy Bible is not without precedent. A tolerable familiarity with the history of nations will show that Divine retribution following upon such apostasy is common. Denial of the supreme authority of God to give laws to men is a sin, spoken of and warned against in the Bible: Psalm 2:2-4: “The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord, and against His Anointed, saying, Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us. He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the Lord shall have them in derision.” As those who defy the laws of men should be afraid of appropriate civil retribution, so those who defy the laws of God must expect appropriate divine retribution. Galatians 6:7,8: “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.”
The Government intends to make conduct which is viewed by very many of the people of Great Britain as immoral a “right”, to be respected by all, upon fear of punishment. A homosexual couple will be allowed to insist on their rights in terms of their sexual relationships when, for example, they book a room in a Bed and Breakfast establishment. The host’s conduct will be deemed reprehensible by the law if he insists on his rights in terms of his conscientious objection to the conduct such a relationship supposes. We are deeply disturbed that this law will make it a crime to inform our consciences by the Word of God and to act accordingly. These regulations are oppressive
and will instil a fear of persecution in the minds of many honest people. “What mean ye that ye beat my people to pieces, and grind the faces of the poor? saith the Lord God of hosts.”
None will deny that the progenitive relationship between one man and one woman is absolutely essential to the preservation of mankind and therefore attracts the protection of the law. But homosexuality has no such credentials. It was never esteemed to be of such intrinsic value to well-ordered society that Governments pulled all the levers of their utmost legislative powers to make it a “right” protected by law. One is left asking why there has been such a legislative preoccupation of this Government with an activity so injurious to our well-being. Furthermore we are compelled to ask if there is any liberty that a Government which will enact regulations such as these will not encroach upon, erode, or outlaw, to cater to the demands of a powerful and well-organised few.
We therefore commend the law of God, summarily comprehended in the Ten Commandments, as the infallible guide for both law makers and law keepers. “This is that eternal law which cannot be altered, being founded upon an unchangeable ground, the congruity to the nature of God, angels and men” (Sir James Dalrymple of Stair: The Institutions of the Laws of Scotland).
Meeting of Synod
The Synod of the Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland will meet in the Inverness church on Tuesday, 22 May 2007, at 6.30 pm, when the retiring Moderator, Rev Keith M Watkins, will conduct public worship.
(Rev) John MacLeod, Clerk of Synod
Home Mission Fund
By appointment of Synod, this year’s special collection on behalf of the Home Mission Fund is due to be taken in congregations during May.
R A Campbell, General Treasurer
Acknowledgement of Donations
The General Treasurer acknowledges with sincere thanks the following donations:
Eastern Europe Fund: Anon, Canada, “for Odessa Church”, £250; The estate of the late Miss P. van de Ridder, £56 619.82 per R & R Urquhart LLP.
Jewish & Foreign Missions Fund: Anon, Canada, “for work in Israel”, £250; The estate of the late Miss P. van de Ridder, £169 859.47 per R & R Urquhart LLP.
Outreach Fund: Mr T L James, Wales, £10.
Congregational Treasurers acknowledge with sincere thanks the following donations:
Gairloch: Congregational Funds: Anon, for Church alterations, £1500.
Halkirk: Congregational Funds: Anon, for manse heating, £50.
Lochbroom: Where Most Needed: Anon, £40.
NB: The donations acknowledged for Laide in the April issue were in fact for Inverness. The mistake is regretted.