The Church of Scotland and the Westminster Confession
A woman “elder” at the Church of Scotland General Assembly in May told the Assembly about her recent shock when she looked at the Westminster Confession of Faith for the first time:
“My minister had obtained copies [of the Confession] for the two of us who were to be ordained, and included a note with them which said among other things: ‘This edition has made none of the recent changes to the more virulent anti-Catholic sentiments’. . . . I suspect that is a common misunderstanding, that current printed editions just skip the unacceptable bits. But, no, they are all there in the print. . . . The Westminster Confession in print to which we all must swear still speaks of the elect who only shall be saved, and of the Popes, the Antichrist and worse. . . . Despite almost 400 years of disquiet and unease over the subordinate standard of faith, it has not changed since it was written in the seventeenth century. . . . To give that context, the Confession was adopted at a time when Scotland boasted of being the foremost burner of witches in Europe.”
In 1986, the Church of Scotland formally distanced itself from certain references in the Westminster Confession to Romanism, and the woman “elder”
seems naively to have imagined that printed copies of the Confession would have been modified accordingly. She does not realise, apparently, that those who print the Confession – such as the Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland – generally do so because they approve its doctrines, which they do not wish to see discarded. The woman’s remarks themselves have a context of which she is “willingly ignorant”: that she lives in the perverse society of early twenty-first century Britain in which the teaching of Evolution is imposed in schools, in which men are allowed to marry each other, in which even the most brutal murderers are not executed, and in which unborn children are slaughtered at the rate of a quarter of a million a year.
It is notable that the Lord has so tied the Church of Scotland to the Westminster Confession that, even though she has largely rejected its teaching, its statements of truth continue to chafe and torment her unbelieving office-bearers down the centuries, from the days of Moderatism to the present. The doctrine of election, incidentally, has not been formally repudiated by the Church of Scotland, and it so permeates the teaching of the Confession that it would not be easy to eliminate.
The same day that the news emerged about the woman “elder” at the General Assembly, the present writer happened to meet a man – a lecturer at an American college – who was recently nearly dismissed from his lecturer’s post because his church maintained the doctrine that the papacy is the Antichrist. A Roman Catholic colleague hunted out this fact and turned it into a charge against him, and was almost successful in securing his dismissal. Satan’s relentless attempts to extinguish the doctrine that the papacy is the Antichrist raise a strong presumption that the doctrine must be true. If the doctrine were false, it would be harmful to true religion, as every false doctrine is, and therefore it would be serviceable in some way to the kingdom of darkness; therefore Satan would be inclined to leave it as it is, or even to encourage it. Those who believed that the papacy was the Antichrist would be both grievously wronging the papacy, and looking in the wrong direction for the Antichrist; and both these errors would be advantageous to Satan. The fact that he does not find the doctrine helpful, but seeks to persecute and obliterate it, serves to confirm that it is indeed a doctrine of Scripture.
DWBS
Irish Referendum on Abortion
On May 25 the Irish Republic held its referendum, which sadly resulted in a clear majority voting to repeal the pro-life law stated in the Irish Constitution’s Eighth Amendment. This Amendment, nationally approved in 1983, assured the Irish people: “The state acknowledges the right to life of the unborn and, with due regard to the equal right to life of the mother, guarantees in its laws to respect and, as far as practicable, by its laws to defend and vindicate, that
right”. In the 1983 referendum, a majority of over 66% voted in approval; however, this year the tide has turned precisely the other way with virtually the same percentage now supporting the repeal.
Pro-life group, Citizen GO, has summed up the sadness felt by many saying, “The devastation caused by abortion – there are over 50 million abortions every year across the globe – has now been invited to come into Ireland”, adding, “There is no easy way to say this. Ireland has rejected the right to life for its unborn Irish citizens and has made perhaps the worst decision in the country’s history”. The pro-life movement are now seeking ways to limit the damage caused by the proposed legislation, which is expected to offer unrestricted abortion up to the point where the baby is 12 weeks old.
The sadness is compounded by scenes of triumph on Irish streets. The BBC website shows a picture of several young women dancing in jubilation at the “victory”. How tragic when they should be mourning over the potential future deaths of the most vulnerable of their fellow citizens! Lord Alton, a pro-life campaigner, comments, “Every abortion is a tragedy. With one abortion in England every three minutes, Ireland will come to regret following the British law – a law that allows abortion up to and even during birth in the case of disability”. He adds, “It was bordering on the obscene to watch people celebrating an event that will lead to the ending of innocent life. Ireland will become like Ramah, where Rachel was found weeping and mourning the children that are no more”. He stresses, “In Britain and now Ireland, this is the most dangerous time in history to be an unborn child. For now we weep and stand with Rachel but, as the baton passes to the next generation, we will redouble our efforts.”
Amnesty International UK vociferously supported the pro-abortion campaign. Grainne Teggart, one of its spokeswomen, said that the people of Ireland have “given hope to women around the world”. She ominously adds, “Northern Ireland is still subject to restrictive abortion laws. It is hypocritical, degrading and insulting to Northern Irish women that we are forced to travel for vital healthcare services but cannot access them at home. We cannot be left behind in a corner of the UK and on the island of Ireland as second-class citizens.”
Former Northern Ireland health minister, and DUP member, Jim Wells, warned that the result was a “grave threat” to the unborn child in Northern Ireland. He believes it is “inevitable” that abortion clinics will be set up in border towns to “promote their services to Northern Ireland women”. He said, “It will be much easier to terminate a child’s life if this can be done at a clinic in Dundalk or Letterkenny rather than flying to London or Manchester”. Statistics suggest that around 100 000 people (5% of the population) are alive today in Northern Ireland because it refused to introduce British abortion laws. However, the UK Government is under pressure to make abortion legal in the Province. Truly we live in “perilous times”.
KHM
FREE PRESBYTERIAN PLACES OF WORSHIP
Scotland
Aberdeen: 2 Alford Place, AB10 1YD, Sabbath 11 am, 6 pm; Tuesday, 7.15 pm. Rev D W B Somerset BSc DPhil, 18 Carlton Place, Aberdeen, AB15 4BQ; tel: 01224 645250.
Bracadale Duirinish-Strath: Struan: Sabbath 12 noon. Glendale and Vatten: Sabbath 6pm, alternately. Thursday 7 pm, rotating between Struan, Vatten and Glendale. Contact Rev I D MacDonald; tel: 01478 612110.
Dingwall: Church, Hill Street: Sabbath 11 am, 6.30 pm; Wednesday 7.30 pm. Beauty (Balblair): Sabbath 6.30 pm, Thursday 7.30 pm. Contact Mr A MacLean; 01349 862855.
Dornoch: Sabbath 11.30 am. Manse tel: 01862 810615. Bonar: Sabbath 6 pm. Wednesday 7.30 pm (alternately in Dornoch and Bonar). Lairg: Church and Manse; Rogart: Church; no F P services. Contact Mr A Sutherland; tel: 015494 02115.
Dundee: Manse. No F P Church services.
Edinburgh: 63 Gilmore Place, EH3 9NU, Sabbath 11 am, 6 pm; Thursday 7.30 pm. Rev D Campbell, 35B Barnton Avenue West, Edinburgh EH4 6DF; tel: 0131 312 8227, e-mail: dcampbell1560@gmail.com.
Farr (by Daviot): Sabbath 12 noon. Tomatin: Sabbath 12 noon. Stratherrick: Sabbath 12 noon. (Each of these services is held once in three weeks as intimated). Farr: Thursday 7.30 pm (as intimated). Contact Mr M J Schouten; tel: 01463 221776.
Fort William: Monzie Square, Sabbath 11 am, 6.30 pm as intimated. Manse: 15 Perth Place, PH33 6UL; tel: 01397 708553. Contact Mr D A McKinnon. Tel: 01397 702597.
Gairloch (Ross-shire): Sabbath 11 am, 6.30 pm. Prayer meeting in Strath, Thursday 7.30 pm. Rev A E W MacDonald MA, F P Manse, Gairloch, Ross-shire, IV21 2BS; tel: 01445 712247.
Glasgow: St Jude’s Church, 137 Woodlands Road, G3 6LE. Sabbath 11 am and 6.30 pm; Wednesday 7.30 pm. Rev R MacLeod, 4 Laurel Park Close, Glasgow, G13 1RD; tel: 0141 954 3759.
Greenock: Sabbath 2.30 pm, held in Free Church of Scotland Hall, 14 Jamaica Street, PA15 1XX. Sabbath 2.30 pm. Contact Rev R MacLeod; tel: 0141 954 3759.
Halkirk: Sabbath 11.30 am; Thursday 7.30 pm. Rev W A Weale, F P Manse, Bridge Street, KW12 6YG; tel: 01847 831758. Thurso: Sabbath 5 pm; Strathy: Sabbath: 6.30 pm (first and third Sabbaths of month).
Harris (North): Tarbert: Sabbath 12 noon, 6 pm. Tarbert and Stockinish: Tuesday 7.30 pm alternately. Rev J B Jardine BD, F P Manse, Tarbert, Isle of Harris, HS3 3DF; tel: 01859 502253, e-mail: northharris.fpc@btopenworld.com.
Harris (South): Leverburgh: Sabbath 12 noon, 6 pm; Wednesday 7 pm. Scalpay/Sheileobost: as intimated. Manse tel: 01859 520271. Contact Rev J B Jardine; tel: 01859 502253.
Inverness: Chapel Street, IV1 1NA, Sabbath 11 am, 6.30 pm; Wednesday 7.30 pm. Rev K D Macleod BSc, 11 Auldcastle Road, Inverness, IV2 3PZ; tel: 01463 712872.
Kinlochbervie: Sabbath 6 pm; Scourie: Sabbath 11.30 am, Tuesday 7 pm (as intimated). Contact Mr A Ross; tel 01971 502099.
Kyle of Lochalsh: Sabbath 6 pm. Manse tel: 01599 534933. Contact Rev D A Ross; tel: 01445 731340.
Laide (Ross-shire): Sabbath 12 noon, 6 pm; Wednesday 7.30 pm. Rev D A Ross. F P Manse, Laide, IV22 2NB; tel: 01445 731340.
Lochinver: Church and Manse. Sabbath 11 am, 6 pm; Wednesday 7 pm.
Lochinver: Church. No F P services at present. Manse.
Ness: Sabbath 12 noon, 6 pm; Wednesday 7 pm. Rev A W MacColl MA PhD, F P Manse, Swainbost, HS2 0TA; tel: 01851 810228.
North Tolsta: Sabbath 12 noon, 6 pm; Thursday 7 pm; 1st Monday of month 7 pm. Manse tel: 01851 890325. Contact Rev J R Tallach; tel: 01851 702501.
North Uist: Bayhead: Sabbath 12 noon, 6 pm; Thursday 7.30 pm (fortnightly). Manse tel: 01876 510233. Contact: Rev J B Jardine; tel: 01859 502253.
Oban: Church and Manse. No F P services at present.
Perth: Pomarium, off Leonard Street. Sabbath 11 am, 6 pm; Wednesday 7.30 pm. Contact Rev D Campbell; tel: 0131 312 8227.
Portree: Sabbath 12 noon, 6.30 pm; Wednesday 7 pm.. Rev I D MacDonald, F P Manse, Achachork, Portree, IV51 9HT; tel: 01478 612110.
Raasay: Sabbath 12 noon, 6 pm; Saturday 7 pm. Contact Rev I D MacDonald; tel: 01478 612110.
Shieldaig: Sabbath 11 am; Applecross: Sabbath 6pm. Tuesday 7 pm (alternately in Shieldaig and Applecross). Shieldaig manse tel: 01520 755259, Applecross manse tel: 01520 744411. Contact Rev D A Ross; tel: 01445 731340.
Staffin: Sabbath 12 noon, 5 pm; Wednesday 7 pm. Rev D Macdonald, F P Manse, Clachan, Staffin, IV51 9HY tel: 01470 562243.
Stornoway: Matheson Road, Sabbath 11 am, 6.30 pm; Thursday 7.30 pm. Achmore: Sabbath 12 noon; Tuesday 7 pm. Rev J R Tallach MB ChB, 2 Fleming Place, Stornoway, HS1 2NH; tel: 01851 702501.
Tain: Church and Manse. Fearn: Church. No F P services. See Dornoch and Bonar.
Uig (Lewis): Miavaig: Sabbath 12 noon Gaelic, 6 pm English; Wednesday 12 noon. Manse tel: 01851 672251. Contact Rev A W MacColl; tel: 01851 810228.
Ullapool: Sabbath 11 am, 6 pm; Wednesday 7.30 pm. Manse: Quay Street, IV26 2UE; tel: 01854 612449.
England
Barnoldswick: Kelbrook Road, Sabbath 11 am, 6 pm; Friday 7.30 pm; Wednesday 8 pm, alternately in Sandbach and Gatley. South Manchester: Sabbath 6.00 pm, in Trinity Church, Massie Street, Cheadle (entry at rear of building). Rev K M Watkins BA, 252 Briercliffe Road, Burnley, BB10 2DQ; tel: 01282 835800.
Broadstairs: Sabbath 11 am, 5 pm at Portland Centre, Hopeville Ave, St Peter’s; Tuesday 7 pm at Friends’ Meeting House, St Peter’s Park Rd. Contact Dr T Martin; tel: 01843 866369.
London: Zoar Chapel, Varden St, E1. Sabbath 11 am, 6.30 pm; Wednesday 7.15 pm. Rev J MacLeod MA, 6 Church Ave, Sidcup, Kent, DA14 6BU; tel: 0208 309 1623.
Northern Ireland
Larne: Station Road. Sabbath 11.30 am, 6.30 pm. Contact Rev K M Watkins; tel: 01282 835800.
Canada
Chesley, Ontario: Church and Manse, 40 Fourth Street SW. Sabbath 10.30 am, 7.30 pm; Tuesday 8 pm. Contact: Mr David Kuiper; tel: 519 363 0367; or Mr Gilbert Zekveld; tel: 519 363 5899. Manse tel: 519 363 2502.
Vancouver: Burnaby Community Room, 3605 Gilmore Way, Burnaby, BC, V5G 4X5. Sabbath 9.30 am, 6.30 pm. Contact: Mr Douglas Spratt, tel: 604 990 4051, or Mr David Kuiper; tel: 519 363 0367. E-mail: info@fpcchurchvancouver.ca.
USA
Santa Fe, Texas: Church and Manse, 4031 Jackson St 77517. Sabbath 10.30 am, 6.30 pm; Wednesday 7.30 pm. Contact Mr Joseph Smith; tel: 409 927 1564.
Australia
Grafton, NSW: 172 Fitzroy Street. Sabbath 11 am, 6.30 pm; Wednesday 7.30 pm. Rev G G Hutton BA PhD, 3 Martin Crescent, Junction Hill, NSW 2460; tel: (02) 6644 6174; e-mail: grafton@internode.on.net.
Sydney, NSW: Corner of Oxford and Regent Streets, Riverstone. Sabbath 10.30 am, 6 pm; Wednesday 7.30 pm. Rev G B Macdonald BSc, 60 Hamilton St, Riverstone, NSW 2765; tel: (02) 9627 3408; e-mail: sydneyfpchurch@aapt.net.au.
New Zealand
Auckland: 45 Church Street, Otahuhu. Sabbath 11 am, 6 pm; Wednesday 7.30 pm. Rev J D Smith, 9 Pedlar Place, Conifer Grove, Auckland; tel: 09 282 4195.
Gisborne: 463a Childers Road. Sabbath 11 am, 6 pm; Wednesday 7.30 pm. Rev C Hembd, 14 Thomson St, Gisborne 4010; tel: 06 863 3140.
Tauranga: Girl Guide Hall, 17th Avenue, Sabbath 11 am, 7 pm; Wednesday 7 pm. Contact: Mr Dick Vermeulen; tel: 075443677.
Wellington (Carterton): 124 High Street North, Carterton. Sabbath 11 am, 4 pm; 3rd Wednesday of the month (not secondary school holidays) 7.30 pm. Contact: Mr Hank Optland, P O Box 150, Carterton, 5743; tel: 02 7432 5625.
Singapore
Singapore: Sabbath: 9.30am and 5.30 pm; Beacon International College, 70 Martaban Road, Singapore 328667 (entrance is opposite 37/39 Mandalay Road); Wednesday: 7.45 pm, Lion Building B, #02-11, 12 Arumugam Road, Singapore 409958. Contact: Mr Bernard Yong, 4 Chuan Place, Singapore 554822; tel: (65) 6383 4466, fax: 6383 4477, e-mail: byong1@singnet.com.sg.
Ukraine
Odessa: F P Mission Station, 3 Pestelya Street, 65031. Sabbath 12 noon, 6 pm; Wednesday 6 pm. Rev D Levtytskyi; tel: 00 38 048 785 19 24; e-mail: dlevtytskyi@gmail.com; or contact Mr I Zadorozhnyi, P O Box 100, Odessa-91, 65091; e-mail: antipa@eurocom.od.ua.
Zimbabwe
Bulawayo: Lobengula Township, PO Magwegwe, Bulawayo. Rev S Khumalo, F P Manse, Stand No 56004, Mazwi Road, Lobengula, PO Magwegwe, Bulawayo; tel: 00263 9407131, e-mail: skhumalo.by0@gmail.com.
Ingwenya: Church and Secondary School. Rev A B MacLean. Postal Address: Ingwenya Mission, Private Bag T5445, Bulawayo.
Mbuma: Church and Hospital. Rev N Sibanda. Postal Address: Mbuma Mission Hospital, Private Bag T5406, Bulawayo.
New Canaan: Church.
Zenka: Church. Rev M Mloyi. Postal Address: Private Bag T5398, Bulawayo; cell phone: 00263 712 765 032.