When you listen to the sermons week-after-week from the Martyr’s Memorial Presbyterian Church, you will hear that the sermon content is richly varied in Biblical substance, and not at all singularly focused on government, the Bitish/Irish context, the Catholic Church, or any other single issue. The doctrinal positions of the church, nor the content of the preaching suggust any allegience to Martyr’s Mem., nor to their denomination to have a right relationship with God.
The foundings of Martyr’s Mem. Church have their roots in the departure of their former Presbyterian denomination from the strict rule of the Scriptures, and the worldliness in the activities of that former denomination. The resaons for founding the church had nothing to do with the other issues that Mr. Paisely stands to fight for.
That doesn’t mean that the subject of the Catholic Church never comes up in the Martyr’s Mem Presb. Church. Of course, it does. Just as the subject of non-Catholic churches comes up in the pope’s addresses and encyclicals.
But the difference is this. Ian Paisely never has preached that joining his church could make you any closer to God, or suit you up any better for meeting God, than joining any other church. Dr. Paisely is in regular Christian fellowship and cooperation even with other churches that do not call themselves “Presbyterian,” or even “Protestant.”
Why does he have a separate organization then? And what is the "regula" by which his fellowship and cooperation are "regular"?
***When you listen to the sermons week-after-week from the Martyr’s Memorial Presbyterian Church, you will hear that the sermon content is richly varied in Biblical substance, and not at all singularly focused on government, the Bitish/Irish context, the Catholic Church, or any other single issue. The doctrinal positions of the church, nor the content of the preaching suggust any allegience to Martyr’s Mem., nor to their denomination to have a right relationship with God.***
Can you demonstrate any substantive difference between Ian Paisley and, say, Jeremiah Wright?
***The foundings of Martyr’s Mem. Church have their roots in the departure of their former Presbyterian denomination from the strict rule of the Scriptures, and the worldliness in the activities of that former denomination. The resaons for founding the church had nothing to do with the other issues that Mr. Paisely stands to fight for.***
I am not speaking to the church and haven’t been in this conversation except to note that Ian Paisley founded a church and that he has profited by it. I am satisfied to remain in the Church founded by Jesus, but, a lot of people aren’t.
***But the difference is this. Ian Paisely never has preached that joining his church could make you any closer to God, or suit you up any better for meeting God, than joining any other church.***
He certainly does. Have you been to his site where he rants and raves against the Catholic Church? Catholics cannot be saved until they reject the Church.
The Free Presbyterian (an oxymoron) Church has been around for fifty years and is tailored to his personality and prejudices.