Index to this edition

• Latest news stories
• Another letter challenging Rev. Foster’s article on Joe McCann
• Newspaper correspondent takes issue with Rev. Foster’s words about IRA man Joe McCann
• SERMON: Doing what angels are not allowed to do
• I wept over IRA death, says Paisley associate
• Joe McCann, IRA gunman, and his three months under the gospel
• A New British Prime Minister — “Same Old Same Old”
• A YOUNG earth – An OLD truth
• Securing the future by remembering the past, Part 2.
• A tribute to the uncle we never met
• Statement from the Sovereign Grace Advent Testimony on the recent decision by the United Kingdom to withdraw from the European Union
• Editor’s correspondence with ‘Father’ Patrick McCafferty:Part 7

Another letter challenging Ivan Foster’s article on Joe McCann

This also appeared in the “Belfast Newsletter.” Below is the letter and Rev. Foster’s reply.

I feel compelled to address some of the falsehoods in Rev Ivan Foster’s lengthy letter (July 27).

1. The Rev talks about Roman Catholics – the term Roman used as a derogatory term by some unionists to describe their Catholic neighbours, most of who, including myself, have never been to Rome. Protestants in days gone bye would not darken the door of a chapel. Thankfully that has changed and visa versa.

2. What Rev Foster do you describe as Roman Catholic terrorism? Let me know…Read more

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Newspaper correspondent takes issue with Rev. Foster’s words about IRA man Joe McCann

The following letter appeared in “The Belfast Newsletter” on July 25th.

I felt that I had to answer it because of its reiteration of the lies by which the IRA sought to justify its campaign of murder and terror.

I give first the letter from a “Mr Paul Shore” of Dublin and then my reply which has been submitted to the Editor of “The Belfast Newsletter”.

I just feel moved to write a few lines in response to Ivan Foster’s short piece on his memories of the death of Joe McCann (July 23).

He opines that Mr McCann chose “the gun instead of Christ” and seems to feel elevated enough to pass judgement on the aforementioned’s eternal soul.

As a native of Ulster, I couldn’t help but recall a dim memory of Mr Foster sporting a red beret as a founding member of ‘Ulster Resistance’ which, if my memory serves me well, had no qualms in collaborating with loyalist murder gangs in procuring arms and threatening violence….Read more

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Doing what angels are not allowed to do

Acts 5:19-20

A message preached in Kilskeery FPC, 1st June 1986 by Rev. Ivan Foster

The sect of the Sadducees correspond with those today who say that everyone has a right to speak and do as they wish!

This apparently liberal attitude took on its true face when they encountered the preacher of the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. Then they became very illiberal!

In the passage before us they are filled with indignation and imprison ALL the apostles for doing that which should fill all men with joy and gratitude. The apostles’ crimes are listed in verses 12, 14-16.

“And by the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders wrought among the people; (and they were all with one accord in Solomon’s porch. . . . .And believers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women.) Insomuch that they brought forth the sick into the streets, and laid them on beds and couches, that at the least the shadow of Peter passing by might overshadow some of them. There came also a multitude out of the cities round about unto Jerusalem, bringing sick folks, and them which were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed every one.”

This clearly gives us the pedigree of the Sadducees. They were the devil’s offspring!

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I wept over IRA death, says Paisley associate

Northern Ireland daily newspaper features story of 1966 imprisonment of 3 Free Presbyterian ministers

By Sam McBride

A former DUP firebrand Assemblyman and Free Presbyterian minister has told how he wept when he heard that an IRA man had been shot dead by a paratrooper.

Writing in today’s News Letter, the Rev Ivan Foster recounts how when he was jailed with Ian Paisley half a century ago he struck up an unlikely relationship with Official IRA man Joe McCann.

The Rev Foster – who was seen as one of the most uncompromising DUP members and who at one point in the 1980s was the Fermanagh commander of the quasi-military Third Force – said that he had explained his faith to the young IRA man and that they had discussed their religious views while working in the Crumlin Road Jail.

The Rev Foster, who represented the area in Stormont during the 1980s, said that the Falls Road-born paramilitary had been a “dedicated IRA man”.

Recalling the moment when he heard of the 24-year-old’s death, the Rev Foster said: “I freely admit my heart was filled with grief and I shed tears over the sad fate of that young man.”

The Rev Foster – who in 2007 used his pulpit to denounce Dr Paisley’s moves towards power-sharing with Sinn Fein – also said that the period around their jailing had been pivotal to the growth of the Free Presbyterian Church.

Read the feature story here (link to Belfast Newsletter website)

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Joe McCann, IRA gunman, and his three months under the gospel

by Rev Ivan Foster

The death of IRA man, Joe McCann, is once again in the news. Attempts are being made to put on trial those soldiers who were involved in the firefight when Joe McCann was shot by paratroopers.

McCann (24) was commander of the Official IRA’s third Belfast battalion. In February 1972, McCann was involved in the attempted assassination of Ulster Unionist politician John Taylor. He was regarded by the security forces as a dangerous terrorist. McCann was shot by soldiers in disputed circumstances in Joy Street in the Markets area, close to his home, on April 15, 1972.

One of the men, Soldier C, is a grandfather from Hampshire, England, who served with distinction for 23 years. “How can this be justice?” he asked. “It is a disgrace. I was doing my duty in Northern Ireland, trying to protect the public and keep the peace. Now I am being thrown to the wolves.” Read more…

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A New British Prime Minister — “Same Old Same Old”

In her first speech as Prime Minister, Mrs Theresa May gushed in her admiration of her predecessor, David Cameron following his political demise. Cameron wished to be remembered as one who promoted ‘same-sex marriage’. The ‘Telegraph’ reported the matter thus: “In a clear bid to define the legacy that he will leave behind him, he spoke of his pride at . . . . introducing gay marriage,” 13th July 2016.

What a shameful, wicked, God-defying, self-dictated political epitaph! The spirit of Cameron, very prevalent in British politics for a number of decades now, ever since openly sodomite politicians were considered suitable for high public office by the British voting public, is set to continue in Mrs Theresa May’s government.  Read more…

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A YOUNG Earth – An OLD Truth

Some Comments on remarks on the Bible’s account of creation by deceived and deceitful Evolutionists

By Rev Ivan Foster

Recently, the opening of a “Noah’s Ark” theme park by Dr Ken Ham, founder of “Answers in Genesis” organisation, aroused the ire of evolutionists who so hate any setting forth of the Bible truth of a 6-day creation and a young earth view.

The following comments were published by The Telegraph of 8th July 2016.

“Nathaniel Jeanson is a Harvard-educated biologist. For the past year, he has been involved in a spectacular $100 million project, designed to educate and astonish the world.

His project, however, has left many scientists in despair. Read more…

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Securing the future by remembering the past, Part 2.

Psalm 78

(Preached in Kilskeery Free Presbyterian Church, Lord’s Day morning, 3rd July 2016.

In the first part of this message, preached three weeks ago, we sought to highlight how sinful it is to forget the mercy that the Lord has displayed toward us in His past dealings with us.
The main point I made then was:

I. THE TERRIBLE SIN OF FORGETTING THE LORD….

We take up the message again and wish you to observe that:

II. THE CHIEF EVIDENCE OF THIS SIN IS SEEN IN OUR HOMES.

The word ‘hide’, verse 4, means to ‘conceal, to cut off’, Exodus 9:15. What God did to Pharaoh, this we do to our children when we ‘cut off’ God’s truth from them.

1. Consider just what is the duty of fathers. This refers to natural fathers as well as the ‘fathers’ of the church, the elders. “Shewing to the generation to come the praises of the LORD, and his strength, and his wonderful works that he hath done,” verse 4. You must be well acquainted with such ‘wonderful works’ before you can teach them to your children.

Read more…

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A tribute to one of the many – an uncle we never met.

Uncle George Forster (the spelling of the surname was changed for some unknown reason in the early part of the 20th century) was the fourth child of Leslie and Mary Jane Forster. He was born at the family farm at Ballymackilroy, Lisnaskea, Co. Fermanagh.
He joined the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers while underage. He served in Dublin during the 1916 Easter Rising before going to France.

He was killed in action at Savy Wood, close to the village of Savy which is a few miles from St Quentin, in Picardy, France.

A younger brother, my Uncle William, told me the story of how, when he was in training, having just joined the Royal Ulster Constabulary in 1922, he met a former British Army captain who had also joined. On learning my Uncle’s surname, he related how he had a sergeant served under him in France by that name. It turned out it was Uncle George. The captain was able to relate the circumstances in which Uncle George was killed. The captain was leading one half of a patrol with Uncle George leading the other on 1st April, 1917. Uncle George was going down one side of Savy Wood and the captain going down the other. They had nearly met up when a German shell killed Uncle George. Read more…

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Europe in Bible Prophecy

The subject of Europe is very prominent in the news at present and that interest has only increased not diminished since the outcome of the EU referendum has been decided.

We are constantly being told by all political leaders what this result means?, what is going to happen now? and where it will all lead? It seems that everyone has an opinion to give or a statement to make on the subject! All of which has only led to greater confusion, division and uncertainty.

But the question that should concern us as Bible believing Christians is – What saith the Scriptures? What does the Word of God have to say on the subject of the future of Europe? That should be our response to every situation and subject in life and our nation’s membership of the European Union should be no different. Read more…

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Editor’s correspondence with ‘Father’ Patrick McCafferty

Back in 2002, I entered into a correspondence in the pages of “The Burning Bush” with a Roman Catholic priest from Belfast. The correspondence arose after I wrote a letter in reply to an article by the priest in “The Belfast Telegraph” of August 24th, 2002.

I was grieved at such a platform being given to the errors and deceptions of Rome and commented on the priest’s article in a letter to “The Belfast Telegraph.”

It will be noted how our two replies to the priest were edited by the ‘Letters Editor’ of “The Belfast Telegraph” before they quickly closed the exchange after two exchanges.

The Word of God was not liked by that ecumenical newspaper back then and it is still the case. Every effort was made to shield and protect the priest of Rome from the rebuke of God’s Word.

We are republishing the correspondence, which continued for eight exchanges, and appeared in “The Burning Bush” from October 2002 until May 2003, because of the publicity given to the ‘warm relationship’ that was manifested between this priest and Pastor James McConnell during the recent trial occasioned by Pastor McConnell’s pulpit statements about Islam. Pastor McConnell asked ‘Father’ Patrick McCafferty to speak on his behalf during the trial.

All this “ecumenical camaraderie” between the pastor and the priest may appear to some to give endorsement of the teachings of Rome and it is for this reason we highlight again the errors this priest, like all Roman Catholic clerics, propagates.

Needless to say, it also highlights the folly of James McConnell!

Read Part 7 of the exchange here.

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