Free Republic

Chicago Franciscan condemns African bishopsCHICAGO (ChurchMilitant.com) - A Franciscan professor in Chicago is denouncing African prelates for upholding the Church's teaching on homosexuality. The Duns Scotus Chair of Spirituality at the Catholic Theological Union in Chicago, Fr. Daniel Horan, exploded in an opinion piece Wednesday — setting his sights on the Ghanaian Catholic Bishops' Conference (GCBC) and calling them "homophobic." "The Ghanaian bishops have unequivocally participated in and promoted the dehumanization of LGBTQ persons, which has resulted in increased discrimination and violence," charged the friar. Horan is specifically attacking a January letter from the GCBC — demanding the shutdown of...

The word pivotal is often used to describe an important event that led to a monumental turn of events. For example, on D-Day the Allies landed around 156,000 troops in Normandy. That pivotal moment turned the tides of history. In 1517, Martin Luther nailed his 95 theses to the doors of a church in Germany calling the Roman Catholic church back to God. It was a pivotal turning point. The word “Protestant” comes from it – meaning protest. But all of history, from Adam to the Old Testament Prophets, were waiting for the ultimatum pivotal moment when hell, death, sin,...

Although many godly traits are attributed to faithfulness, these four are vitally important. How can we increase faith and serve God with all of our heart? Here are just four ways: 1. Holiness is a priority. Charles Spurgeon rightly noted, “There will be three effects of nearness to Jesus—humility, happiness, and holiness.” If these three are not present, hard questions need to be asked: “Do I have a rebellious spirit? Do I love the things of the world more than the things of God? Have I let bitterness and pride set in?” We have to fight for holiness…our relationship with...

While Americans today are roasting hot dogs and setting off fireworks, few will be thinking deeply about the significance of the event we remember, the issuing of The Declaration of Independence by our courageous Founding Fathers. Christians should realize, however, that the ideas enshrined in the founding of our nation and in the Declaration are biblical ideas that are just as important today. Reformed Christians, especially, should see in the language of our Founders the ideas of covenant theology that are essential for us to recover and defend today. With this in mind, let me offer three reasons why the...

A Free Presbyterian Church minister who sparked protest at Belfast Pride on Saturday has defended his actions, calling the parade “a very unpleasant experience”. Rev David McIlveen, of Sandown Free Presbyterian Church, amassed a crowd of protesters at the corner of Waring Street and North Street on the parade route. He criticized the Pride event claiming: “I certainly do not see it as an asset to Belfast in any way. It is something that is grieving to a good number of people”. The Irish Times report that McIlveen, who organizes an annual anti-Pride protest, did not see his actions as...

Chapter XVI Of Good Works I. Good works are only such as God has commanded in His holy Word,[1] and not such as, without the warrant thereof, are devised by men, out of blind zeal, or upon any pretence of good intention.[2] II. These good works, done in obedience to God's commandments, are the fruits and evidences of a true and lively faith:[3] and by them believers manifest their thankfulness,[4] strengthen their assurance,[5] edify their brethren,[6] adorn the profession of the Gospel,[7] stop the mouths of the adversaries,[8] and glorify God,[9] whose workmanship they are, created in Christ Jesus thereunto,[10]...

Question: What is your stand on abortion? Answer: The Orthodox Presbyterian Church takes a firm stand against abortion. Our reasons rest upon what the Bible teaches as to the sacredness of human life. And we hold the Bible to be the inspired, infallible Word of God. 1. In Genesis 1:26 & 27 we are told that God created mankind in His image. In Genesis 9:6 God says, "Whoever sheds man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed, for in the image of God He made man." That image distinguished man from animal creation. Once truly human, that image of...

<p>A founding member of the campaign of Democratic presidential nominee Sen. Barack Obama of Illinois met in New York City tonight with Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.</p> <p>Jodie Evans, who co-hosted Obama's first major fundraiser in Hollywood in February 2007 just after Obama announced his candidacy and is a top fundraiser and donor to Obama's campaign, led a delegation of leftist anti-American groups that held a private meeting near the United Nations. The stated purpose of the meeting was to "serve as an opening for diplomatic resolution" to prevent war between Iran and the United States.</p>

Chapter 33 Of the Last Judgment 1. God hath appointed a day, wherein he will judge the world, in righteousness, by Jesus Christ,a to whom all power and judgment is given of the Father.b In which day, not only the apostate angels shall be judged,c but likewise all persons that have lived upon earth shall appear before the tribunal of Christ, to give an account of their thoughts, words, and deeds; and to receive according to what they have done in the body, whether good or evil.d2. The end of God’s appointing this day is for the manifestation of the...

Chapter 32 Of the State of Men after Death, and of the Resurrection of the Dead 1. The bodies of men, after death, return to dust, and see corruption:a but their souls, which neither die nor sleep, having an immortal subsistence, immediately return to God who gave them:b the souls of the righteous, being then made perfect in holiness, are received into the highest heavens, where they behold the face of God, in light and glory, waiting for the full redemption of their bodies.c And the souls of the wicked are cast into hell, where they remain in torments and...

Chapter 31 Of Synods and Councils 1. For the better government, and further edification of the church, there ought to be such assemblies as are commonly called synods or councils:a and it belongeth to the overseers and other rulers of the particular churches, by virtue of their office, and the power which Christ hath given them for edification and not for destruction, to appoint such assemblies;b and to convene together in them, as often as they shall judge it expedient for the good of the church.c2. It belongeth to synods and councils, ministerially to determine controversies of faith, and cases...

Chapter 29 Of the Lord’s Supper 1. Our Lord Jesus, in the night wherein he was betrayed, instituted the sacrament of his body and blood, called the Lord’s Supper, to be observed in his church, unto the end of the world, for the perpetual remembrance of the sacrifice of himself in his death; the sealing all benefits thereof unto true believers, their spiritual nourishment and growth in him, their further engagement in and to all duties which they owe unto him; and, to be a bond and pledge of their communion with him, and with each other, as members of...

Chapter 28 Of Baptism 1. Baptism is a sacrament of the new testament, ordained by Jesus Christ,a not only for the solemn admission of the party baptized into the visible church;b but also, to be unto him a sign and seal of the covenant of grace,c of his ingrafting into Christ,d of regeneration,e of remission of sins,f and of his giving up unto God, through Jesus Christ, to walk in newness of life.g Which sacrament is, by Christ’s own appointment, to be continued in his church until the end of the world.h2. The outward element to be used in this...

Chapter 27 Of the Sacraments 1. Sacraments are holy signs and seals of the covenant of grace,a immediately instituted by God,b to represent Christ, and his benefits; and to confirm our interest in him:c as also, to put a visible difference between those that belong unto the church, and the rest of the world;d and solemnly to engage them to the service of God in Christ, according to his Word.e2. There is, in every sacrament, a spiritual relation, or sacramental union, between the sign and the thing signified: whence it comes to pass, that the names and effects of the...

Chapter 25 Of the Church 1. The catholic or universal church, which is invisible, consists of the whole number of the elect, that have been, are, or shall be gathered into one, under Christ the Head thereof; and is the spouse, the body, the fullness of him that filleth all in all.a2. The visible church, which is also catholic or universal under the gospel (not confined to one nation, as before under the law), consists of all those throughout the world that profess the true religion;b and of their children:c and is the kingdom of the Lord Jesus Christ,d the...

Chapter 24 Of Marriage and Divorce 1. Marriage is to be between one man and one woman: neither is it lawful for any man to have more than one wife, nor for any woman to have more than one husband, at the same time.a2. Marriage was ordained for the mutual help of husband and wife,b for the increase of mankind with legitimate issue, and of the church with an holy seed;c and for preventing of uncleanness.d3. It is lawful for all sorts of people to marry, who are able with judgment to give their consent.e Yet it is the duty...

Chapter 23 Of the Civil Magistrate 1. God, the supreme Lord and King of all the world, hath ordained civil magistrates, to be, under him, over the people, for his own glory, and the public good: and, to this end, hath armed them with the power of the sword, for the defense and encouragement of them that are good, and for the punishment of evildoers.a2. It is lawful for Christians to accept and execute the office of a magistrate, when called thereunto:b in the managing whereof, as they ought especially to maintain piety, justice, and peace, according to the wholesome...

Chapter 22 Of Lawful Oaths and Vows 1. A lawful oath is a part of religious worship,a wherein, upon just occasion, the person swearing solemnly calleth God to witness what he asserteth, or promiseth, and to judge him according to the truth or falsehood of what he sweareth.b2. The name of God only is that by which men ought to swear, and therein it is to be used with all holy fear and reverence.c Therefore, to swear vainly, or rashly, by that glorious and dreadful Name; or, to swear at all by any other thing, is sinful, and to be...

Chapter 21 Of Religious Worship and the Sabbath Day 1. The light of nature showeth that there is a God, who hath lordship and sovereignty over all, is good, and doth good unto all, and is therefore to be feared, loved, praised, called upon, trusted in, and served, with all the heart, and with all the soul, and with all the might.a But the acceptable way of worshiping the true God is instituted by himself, and so limited by his own revealed will, that he may not be worshiped according to the imaginations and devices of men, or the suggestions...

Chapter 20 Of Christian Liberty and Liberty of Conscience 1. The liberty which Christ hath purchased for believers under the gospel consists in their freedom from the guilt of sin, the condemning wrath of God, the curse of the moral law;a and, in their being delivered from this present evil world, bondage to Satan, and dominion of sin;b from the evil of afflictions, the sting of death, the victory of the grave, and everlasting damnation;c as also, in their free access to God,d and their yielding obedience unto him, not out of slavish fear, but a childlike love and willing...