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May/June 2009 the APC News No 135 [1] May/June 2009 and Righteousness? Is It Not the Christians

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May/June 2009 the APC News No 135 [1] May/June 2009 and Righteousness? Is It Not the Christians Publication Details EDITORIAL Subscriptions & Renewals for APC News ‗The APC News‘ is published 6 times per year on the The APC News is published A Very Sad Day first weekend of the second month 6 times per year, beginning with the January/February issue. The cost is January/February £10 per year including postage March/April May/June ATURDAY 23 MAY 2009, smallness of the majority brought Note for Congregations July/August will go down in ecclesiastical fears of a split in the Church, so a September/October S history as a very sad day for commission has been set-up to Each congregation must contribute a November/December Scotland. It was the day that our discuss the issue of same-sex minimum of £240 per annum towards national Church of Scotland relationships. So, the main the APC News Fund as arranged with Copy deadline dates are the officially voted in favour of concern in the Church of Scotland the treasurer Mr Donald M Fraser. This 1st day of the 1st month proceeding to induct a practising seems to have been, Is it worth is to be considered as a donation towards (eg for May/June magazine, the sustaining of the magazine. homosexual minister, into one of splitting the Church on this issue? last copy date, 1st May) their charges. But such a consideration begs Congregations can, if they so wish, At the General Assembly of the the question, ‗Should we consider charge for their own distribution of the All the views expressed in this magazine, or give them away free. magazine are not necessary those of the Church of Scotland in Edinburgh, the consequences of a vote in Cheques should be made out to editor or the denomination. objections to the induction of the preference to the rightness or ‘APC News’ The articles are meant to stimulate and Revd Scott Rennie were overruled. wrongness of a matter?‘ Surely and sent to the address below. provoke a serious study of Holy Mr Rennie, a divorced father of Christians are called to leave Please state if acknowledgement of Scripture. All articles not attributed to an author are by the editor. one child, made it a condition of consequences in the hands of God? donation is required. his acceptance of a call to the Surely when it comes to morality Articles can be sent by email (preferable), Queen‘s Cross Parish Church in and spiritual issues, we must judge Mr D M Fraser, or on CD in Microsoft Word. Aberdeen, that he be allowed to each matter on the rightness or Publications Treasurer, Clearly printed manuscripts, double ‘Stratharris’, spaced in one column is also acceptable. move into the manse with his male wrongness per se of that issue and Daviot, by Inverness, IV2 5XQ Photographs can be sent partner. The appeal to prevent the not be concerned about what may Telephone 01463-772253 by post or by e-mail in .jpeg format. induction was overturned. ensue as a result? Email: Even sixty years ago, this ruling The Church of Scotland have There is no copyright on any of the [email protected] articles that do not bear the author‘s would have been considered as an decided to ban further same-sex name, and such articles may therefore impossibility. But such has been ordinations for two years, in order Name.................................................... be reprinted, with or without credit. the deterioration of the spiritual to give it more thought and have Other articles may require the and moral condition of Scotland discussions on the matter. But Address................................................ permission of the authors. that it has happened. It is almost have they not been discussing it .............................................................. Editor: unbelievable, that in Scotland, for years? What more is there to Revd Donald C Macaskill .............................................................. once known as the ‗Land of the hear than what we have already 238 Arbroath Road, Dundee DD4 7SB Bible‘, the land of Knox and the heard regarding the rights or Postcode.........……..... Tel 01382 451798 Covenanters, the national Church wrongs of homosexuality? Tel No.................……….. E-mail: would vote in such a way. The question must also be [email protected] Email…………………………………. The voting was 326 against the asked, ‗What is the basis for a appeal and 267 for the appeal. The Church‘s understanding of truth The APC News No 135 [24] May/June 2009 The APC News No 135 [1] May/June 2009 and righteousness? Is it not the Christians. However, some Holy Scriptures? Is the Bible not situations demand it. We believe the ‗bottom line‘ for an end to all Saturday 23 May 2009 was such discussions? Referring and an occasion. Shadrach, Meshach What’s that Tune? swearing by God‘s Word is surely and Abednego stood up and were “an end to all strife” [Heb 6:16]? counted. Daniel stood up and was Some of the supporters against counted. They were under threat ( A Melody Index of Sol-fa Tunes) the appeal, stated on television of not only losing their high that they had a different positions in the land, but also their interpretation of the Bible‘s lives! teaching on homosexuality. They We read recently about the stated that the Bible taught love ‗arguments of sin‘. We can begin to and compassion for all kinds of wonder about a sin, and if we look How often have you heard a tune but you don‘t know its people. We agree that God‘s Word long enough and hard enough, and name? How often have you scratched your head in a vain ef- welcomes all kinds of sinners, but like Eve studying the fruit, we will fort to find the answer? Help is at hand from Ebenezer Publi- it does not approve of their sin. find reasons for doubting its cations, thanks to Dr Donald Boyd, with this new and unique We welcome, and some of us demerit and ultimately decide in index which lists Sol-fa tunes. A beginner, as well as a sea- have entertained gays in order to favour of the sin. Reasoning with soned singer, can use it to find the name of an unknown tune show God‘s compassion and love, Satan is never a good idea. from the first line of the melody. Once the name is known, the and to demonstrate that we ought We thank God for those who whole tune can be consulted in any standard Psalmody book. not to discriminate against sinners did their best to stand up for of any kind. Christ and His Word at the This melody index fills a significant gap in the market. It is a But it is one thing to welcome Assembly, and pray that they handy pocket-sized 64 page booklet which, as well as finding homosexuals into our meetings would be led and guided regarding tunes, includes a useful Precentor‘s Quick Reference Guide for and to entertain them with their future ministries. There will prompting one‘s memory. kindness, it is another thing to no doubt be difficult times ahead make those who practise for them in the practical It indexes the common Psalters which have appeared during homosexuality, and declare there outworking of this decision. the past eighty years – from the Church of Scotland, the Free is nothing wrong with it, members God is patient and longsuffer- Church of Scotland and the Reformed Presbyterian Church of and office-bearers of Christ‘s ing—especially with His covenant Ireland. In one set of covers, with a clear font, Dr Boyd has Body, the Church! The office- people. Israel departed again and collated in 40 pages most tunes which are likely to be sung to bearers of the Church are to again from Him, yet He returned declare the teachings of Scripture in mercy and grace. But it was The Scottish Psalter. as Divine Truth. always after repentance. We pray Both the Old and New for national repentance. The author states his aim in publishing this new resource is to Testaments clearly condemn We must not presume on God‘s contribute to the honour of God‘s praise in its suitable expres- homosexuality. Why is it necessary grace, for Israel did finally lose sion through divine Psalmody. It is certainly a labour of love to have more time discussing their privilege of being the and satisfies the need to easily identify vocal Psalmody music. something very clearly condemned covenant people of God. The New in Scripture? testament Church now fulfilling It is available from the author: Dr Donald Boyd, Ebenezer, We know how hard it is to that role “For if God did not spare Westhill, Inverness, IV2 5JY or [email protected]. ‗stand up and be counted‘, against the natural branches, neither will The cost is £2.50 +p&p. a majority of professing he spare you” [Rom 11:21]. Ω The APC News No 135 [2] May/June 2009 The APC News No 135 [23] May/June 2009 Do Not Take for Granted... Bob Gass tells how some people and their work never gets noticed. He Our Spiritual Roots relates the story of the husband who came home from work to find his house in a complete mess. The baby was crying, there were dishes piled up in the sink and dirty laundry on the floor. The TV was blaring, beds THIS IS THE THIRD article in a series of ‗Our Spiritual Roots‘. In this weren‘t made, carpets weren‘t vacuumed and dinner wasn‘t ready. When issue Wayne Pearce writes about the Doctrine of Predestination, one of he demanded to know what was up. His wife said ‗You know how you the foundation teachings of the Reformation.
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