Well, he's a Christian!

One of the headlines in the MSM during the past week - later, understandably, overshadowed by the tragedy of Grenfell Tower - was to do with the resignation of of Tim Farron as leader of the Liberal Democrat party. His stated reason for having arrived at the decision to do so was that he felt it "impossible" to be Lib Dem leader while "living as a faithful Christian" and that he wants "to remain faithful to Christ".

How dare he?! What right has he to seek to live "as a faithful Christian"? I mean, how totally illiberal is that?!!

Being back in the UK for a brief visit, I was able to read today's edition of the free newspaper "Metro". In it, someone named Sophy Ridge defended a TV programme that she apparently hosts - "Sophy Ridge on Sunday". She confesses that, on her programme she "... pressed him for his personal views on abortion. Some viewers believed that I was wrong to do so - that his private belief should remain just that, private. Mr Farron accused me of 'banging on' about his faith. In his resignation statement he said: 'I seem to be the subject of suspicion because of what I believe and Who my faith is in. In which case we are kidding ourselves if we think we yet live in a tolerant, liberal society."

I confess to having had no time at all for Tim Farron and the Lib Dem's insistence that the 2016 referendum result was the result of people not knowing what it was for which they were voting. I was extremely disappointed when he eventually gave in to the badgering and - it is claimed, on the advice of others - declared that the "marriage" of homosexuals or lesbians, is not a sin. In making that statement, he went totally against the teaching of the Bible (although not of certain major denominations!).

Ms Ridge continues, in an attempt to defend herself, by writing that "Voters have a right to know what their political leaders believe in. Gay men have a right to know if politicians believe they are committing a sin when they 'make love' (my quotation marks!), and women who have had abortions have a right to know whether politicians think they have done something wrong." She may have a point! However, when Muslim Sadiq Khan was campaigning for the position of mayor of London, I do not recall any reporter, journalist, or TV 'celebrity' asking him if he believed that homosexual activity is sinful! Considering the treatment of homosexuals - and adulterers (well, the female involved!) - by his fellow Muslims, I wonder what his answer would have been. If he had been interviewed by Ms Ridge, would she have pressed him for a definitive answer if he had prevaricated in the least? Somehow, I think not! It is, and for some time has been, "open season" on those who claim to be disciples of Jesus, while Muslims have become a "protected species"!

My friend, David Robertson, ends his own comment on the Tim Farron situation with these words: 

"Tim Farron has done us all a big favour.

His warm, clear and impassioned plea for religious tolerance is what needs to be said – and acted upon. His example of giving up his role as leader of the party when faced with the choice of his Christian faith or his political career is shining: "I joined our party when I was 16, it is in my blood, I love our history, our people, I thoroughly love my party.  Imagine how proud I am to lead this party.  And then imagine what would lead me to voluntarily relinquish that honour. In the words of Isaac Watts it would have to be something 'so amazing, so divine, (it) demands my heart, my life, my all'."

We need Christians who will get their hands dirty and get involved in politics (we really don’t need the opposite – politicians who get involved with and seek to use Christianity for political ends). We need Christians who will be faithful – even to the point of committing political suicide. The love of Christ demands our heart, our life, our all.  And we need a Church which, instead of turning itself inside out in order to fit the culture, seeks to turn the world upside down."

May all of us, who also claim to be disciples of Jesus, be prepared to put serving Him first; make Him our priority; serve Him above all else. Then, perhaps, the world will see that serving Jesus does make a difference - and a positive difference. 

Some eighteen hundred years ago, a man known as Justin Martyr claimed that good Christians make good citizens. Let those of us who follow the Saviour prove him right - whether we are in the political spotlight, or not.

Is this a step towards total apostasy?

One week from today, it will be exactly forty years since I was ordained to the ministry of Word and Sacrament, by the Church of Scotland Presbytery of Edinburgh, Moderator the Very Rev Leonard Small.  Although I am no longer an active minister in that denomination, it is still dear to my heart, and I am saddened as I watch it, as a denomination, apparently move further and further away from the clear teaching of the written Word of God.

Last week the Church of Scotland held its annual General Assembly.  Many deliverances were made; there was much debate and discussion; many decisions were made.

Among the decisions were some that were, in effect, 'rubber-stamping'.  Among those were the decision to permit congregations to call, as their minister, persons in same-gender civil partnerships.  This had already been agreed by a majority of Presbyteries under what is known as the Barrier Act.  An additional decision was made, to follow the same procedure with regard to those in so-called 'same-gender marriage'.  The result of these Presbytery discussions will be known by the end of this calendar year and, at the 2016 General Assembly, one assumes that that decision will also be 'rubber-stamped'.

Such decisions have, understandably, caused much concern, and much heart-searching, among members and ministers of the Kirk.  Many have already left the membership if the Kirk over these issues - including full congregations that come from a theologically evangelical background.  It will be interesting to watch developments over the coming months. 

Permit me to make one or two comments that may prove to be helpful.  The first is that, as an individual, I stand fully and unequivocally for marriage as being only between one man and one woman, in faithfulness to one another and for life.  This is the Biblical stance.  It has been since the beginning and, in spite of the sinful nature of mankind having departed from it throughout history, it remains God's only plan.  It is a plan that is revealed in Gen.3:18-25 and, as many wits have pointed out, God created Adam and Eve, not Adam and Steve (or Ethel and Eve!).  The same message is reiterated, time and again, throughout the pages of the New Testament - not least by the Lord Jesus, Himself.  In the context of a question about divorce, He stated: "Have you not read that He Who made them from the beginning made them male and female, and said, 'For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh'?" (Matt 19:4-5).

Of course, there are the familiar arguments.  "If two people love one another, why should they not be allowed to be married, and live together?"  The simple answer, from a strictly Christian, and Biblical, perspective, is that it is sin!  It is against God's law.  However, please do not think that I am merely ranting against homosexuals and lesbians!  It is equally against God's law to commit fornication and/or adultery - even for heterosexual people!  Not that sin has only to do with sexual relationships!  Even small children, who do not yet know about sex, are sinners!  Paul puts it, simply, succinctly, and all-embracingly, when he writes: "... there is no distinction; since all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God," (Rom 3:22-23).  If you doubt that, please take the time to read through the Ten Commandments (Ex.20: 1-17).  Please let me know if you honestly believe that you have never broken any one of them!  

Then there is the argument about "moving with the times"!  That may be translated as "The church must conform to what the world (i.e. people who live without any reference to God) teaches.  That, I would suggest, is not an option for disciples of Jesus!  Paul, again in his letter to the early believers in Rome, writes: "Do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that you may prove what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect." (Rom 12:2; emphasis added).  The unidentified writer of the Letter to Hebrew disciples of Jesus further wrote: "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and for ever." (Heb 13:8).  If the Head of the Church is unchangeable, why should the body believe that it has any authority to change in fundamental matters?!

This is, of course, an emotive issue.  I am certain that many of my former colleagues, and continuing friends, will be involved in much deep heart-searching with regard to their own future within the denomination.  Many members will be giving deep consideration to the same question.  As one who has already gone through such a personal situation, albeit over a different matter, I can empathise fully with them.  My only prayer is that each one will know clear guidance from God the Holy Spirit, and have the courage, strength, and faith to follow His leading - wherever that may take them!

The bottom line, surely, is to be faithful to God, and to what He has revealed in His Word.  I commend it to all.