The Pope and Civil Unions
The Pope has voiced his fullest support yet for the sin of Sodom, calling for a “civil union law” in order that sodomites can have legal recognition for their vile, ungodly relationships. “Homosexual people have a right to be in a family”, he said in a recent documentary. He went on to add, “They are children of God and have a right to a family. Nobody should be thrown out or made miserable over it. What we have to create is a civil union law. That way they are legally covered.” Though this comes short of an official endorsement of homosexual “marriage”, it goes beyond his previous comments on this subject. It is monstrously absurd that the same man who presides over an institution which forbids its own priesthood the “right to be in a
family” is seen in the documentary encouraging two sodomites “and their three children” to attend church.
As has previously been stated here, the current pope speaks with a forked tongue on this issue. On the one hand, he voices support couched in terms which are intended to display a “compassionate” side to the Roman Catholic Church but, at the same time, his support has not yet resulted in significant doctrinal or practical change. In Scripture, antichrist is characterised by deceit and depravity. Clearly the support which the current incumbent of the seat of antichrist lends to this great moral evil of our day demonstrates how utterly opposed to Christ and to true gospel holiness the Roman system actually is.
True compassion for those ensnared in the sin of Sodom would bring reproof of their sin, seeking not to countenance it in any way. “For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. Be not ye therefore partakers with them. . . . And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret” (Eph 5:5-7, 11-12). AWM
Church Information
Removed by Death
Mr Levi Ndlovu passed away on November 4 at the Lutsha clinic. He was an elder on the Kirk Session of the Mbuma congregation in Zimbabwe for many years and had been the headmaster of the Free Presbyterian Church primary school in Lutsha.
Mr Harry Martin, of Manchester, who was an elder in the Barnoldswick congregation for many years, passed away on November 12.
We send our sympathy to the families of both these men.
College and Library Fund
By appointment of Synod, the second of the year’s two special collections for the College and Library Fund is due to be taken in congregations in December.
W Campbell, General Treasurer
Day of Humiliation and Prayer
The Synod has appointed Wednesday, December 9, as a Day of Humiliation and Prayer.
(Rev) K M Watkins, Clerk of Synod
The Free Presbyterian Magazine
2020
Volume 125
Editor:
Rev Kenneth D Macleod
Thou hast given a banner to them that fear thee,
that it may be displayed because of the truth (Psalm 60:4)
Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland
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| Bible Knowledge Classes in Zimbabwe | Call of a Father, The | 33 | |
| Rev J B Jardine | 276 | Christ in the Midst of His Churches | 65 |
| Book Reviews: | Continuing City, A | 193 | |
| Exegetical Lectures and Sermons on Hebrews | Covid-19 | 129 | |
| Charles Hodge | 220 | God’s Covenants | 321 |
| From the Mouth of Lions | God’s Encouragement for Joshua | 289 | |
| Hugh M Cartwright | 372 | Last Opportunity, A | 353 |
| John Kid and John King | Luther at His End | 97 | |
| Maurice Grant | 30 | Plenteous Redemption | 161 |
| Pastor of Kilsyth, The | Presenting Desires Before God | 257 | |
| Islay Burns | 282 | Time for Review, A | 1 |
| Priesthood of Christ, The | Effectual Calling: | | |
| Peter MacBride | 374 | 1. It Is Personal | 311 |
| Scottish Heroines of the Faith | | 2. It Is Secret | 337 |
| Donald Beaton | 250 | 3. Its Circumstances Vary | 363 |
| Sermons 1917-1931 | James Foote | | |
| Ernest Roe | 316 | Encouraging Those Who Fear God | |
| Walking in the Light | | John Bunyan | 10 |
| Rev Hugh M Cartwright | 343 | | |
| Camp of Israel, The | Famous Books and their Authors: | | |
| Henry Law | 303 | 1. Thomas Boston’s Fourfold State | 105 |
| Christ and His Disciples | | 2. Augustine’s Confessions | 148 |
| J C Ryle | 313 | Rev Donald Beaton | |
| Christian Holiness | Forgotten Bunyan, The: | | |
| John Brown | 146 | 1. The Preacher | 333 |
| Christ’s First and Second Comings | | 2. Background to The Pilgrim’s Progress , | |
| Thomas Case | 87 | The | 365 |
| Christ’s Gracious Words | | Matthew Vogan | |
| J C Ryle | 186 | God Hiding and Revealing | |
| Church Information | 32,64,96,128, | John Newton | 54 |
| | 160,191,255,287,320,352,380 | Godly Man’s Desires, A | |
| Comfort in Bereavement | | John Newton | 331 |
| A letter from Samuel Murray | 144 | God’s Power in a Believer’s Weakness | |
| Coming Near to Death | | William Grant | 235 |
| Thomas Halyburton | 310,360 | Gold Tried in the Fire | |
| Congregational Contributions for 2019 | 94 | W K Tweedie | 154 |
| Considering God’s Providence | | Grace and Glory | |
| James Renwick | 153 | W K Tweedie | 315 |
| Conversion Experience | | Idolatry in the Heart | |
| Rev Neil Cameron | 296 | Thomas Boston | 79 |
| Debtor to Free Grace, A | | Increase of Grace | |
| David Young | 178 | James Fisher | 342 |
| Eastern Europe Mission | | John Kennedy of Dingwall: | |
| Rev D A Ross | 81 | 1. His Background and Conversion | 140 |
| Eastern Europe Mission Update | | 2. Becomes Minister in Dingwall | 174 |
| Rev Dmytro Levytskyi | 346 | 3. Days of Gospel Blessing | 204 |
| Editorials: | | 4. Concern About Spiritual Declension | 238 |
| “Ask of Me” | 225 | | |
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| 5. Ill Health and Death | 265 | Saving Faith: the Marrow Standpoint: | |
| Learning from Coronavirus | | 1. The Marrow Controversy | 12 |
| Rev D W B Somerset | 182 | 2. The Free Offer of the Gospel | 44 |
| Life-Giving Spirit, The | | 3. Invitations, Promises and Commands | 83 |
| B M Palmer | 219 | 4. Assent and Trust | 118 |
| Light and Darkness | | Rev Keith M Watkins | |
| Rev Donald MacLean | 16 | Sermons: | |
| Marks of Sanctification | | Breaker and His People, The | |
| Rev Roderick Macleod | 270,300,339 | Rev D A Macfarlane | 197,228 |
| Notes and Comments | | Casting off and Compassion | |
| 62,91,124,158,
190,222,252,284,319,348,377 | | Donald Cargill | 260 |
| Obedying God Rather than Man | | Christ’s Easy Yoke | |
| Rev I D MacDonald and A H Ross | 21 | Charles Calder Mackintosh | 164 |
| Obituaries: | | Christ’s Second Temptation | |
| Mr Jacob Geuze | 116 | John M’Farlan | 324 |
| Mr Edward Greene | 242 | Examine Yourselves | |
| Mr Alexander MacLean | 24 | Finlay Cook | 292 |
| Mr Ian G MacLean | 369 | God Calling the Wicked to Repent | |
| Mr Iain MacLeod, Portree | 55 | John Kennedy | 100,132 |
| Mr Iain MacLeod, Stornoway | 59 | “I Give It All” | |
| Mr William G Macleod | 371 | Rev A Smith | 68 |
| Outlines of Sermons: | | Manasseh the Outrageous Rebel | |
| Looking to the Lord | 60 | C H Spurgeon | 36 |
| Let Israel Rejoice in the Lord | 376 | Priest upon His Throne, The | |
| John Kennedy | | Rev Alexander McPherson | 4 |
| Plea for More Grace, A | | Travail of Christ’s Soul, The | |
| Mackintosh Mackay | 307 | Finlay Cook | 356 |
| Protestant View | 31,61,190,284,317,348,379 | Statement of Church Differences | 26,47, |
| Renewing of the Will, The | | | 88,113,155,186 |
| James Foote | 273 | Thembisio Children’s Home | |
| Review Articles: | | Rev J B Jardine | 344 |
| J Gresham Machen | | Things to Be Pondered | |
| reviewed by Roy Middleton | 277 | John Kennedy | 18 |
| John Calvin’s Correspondence | | Thoughts on Election | |
| Letters of John Calvin | | Rowland Hill | 184 |
| reviewed by Roy Middleton | 109 | Thoughts on Sanctification: | |
| Robert Bruce of Edinburgh | | 4. Justification and Sanctification | 7 |
| Master Robert Bruce | | Rev Roderick Macleod | |
| reviewed by Rev W A Weale | 76 | What is it to Pray Without Ceasing? | |
| What God Is Able to Do | | James Smith | 211 |
| Memoir of Robert Findlater | | Whole World Drowned, The | |
| reviewed by Rev W A Weale | 171 | Henry Law | 214 |
| Right Use of the Law, The: | | Zimbabwe Mission News | |
| 1. What Is Meant by the Law? | 208 | Rev J B Jardine | 123 |
| 2. How Do We Know the Law is Good? | 234 | Zimbabwe Mission: Primary Schools | |
| 3. How Do We Use the Law Lawfully? | 268 | Rev J B Jardine | 52 |
| John Newton | | | |