PROTESTANTISM NOT POLITICS
They say a week is a long time in politics. By that standard, Northern Ireland has travelled light years since the publication of the April-June 2007 edition of the Ulster Bulwark. As we went to press at the end of March 2007, the Democratic Unionist Party and Sinn Fein announced to an astonished world that agreement had been reached on the formation of a new power-sharing Executive and, on Tuesday 8 May 2007, devolution was restored to Northern Ireland. There is a legislative Assembly of 108 members, and, under the complicated "D'Hondt" arrangements, a committee system, and a mandatory power-sharing Executive consisting of four Ministers from the DUP, three Sinn Fein, two Ulster Unionists, and one SDLP. Dr Ian Paisley is now First Minister and Mr Martin McGuinness is Deputy First Minister. Not surprisingly, these amazing and unprecedented developments have been the focus of much heart-searching, debate and analysis across Northern Ireland and beyond, and nowhere more so, perhaps, than within the evangelical Protestant community. Some regard it as a sell-out to the enemies of Ulster, and are fundamentally and resolutely opposed, Others have considerable reservations, but are prepared to give it a chance. Others regard it as the only realistic way forward for Northern Ireland. We have been asked where EPS stands. The members of our Council and our supporters hold a variety of sincerely-held personal opinions, and we feel it would be not only inappropriate, but, more importantly, potentially divisive and destructive to the work and witness of EPS, to adopt any particular official position. At any rate, EPS is not a political organisation. We would, however, urge our readers to pray. In the last edition of the Ulster Bulwark, we stated, "Our Province faces huge challenges in the days that lie ahead, and we must pray for all our evangelical Protestant public representatives at this time". We must pray regularly for Dr Paisley and his Ministerial and Assembly colleagues. The Word of God exhorts us to pray "For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty" (1 Timothy 2:2). The Apostle Paul also says in Romans 13:1, "Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God". These inspired words are clear and unambiguous. During the decades of direct rule, we were governed by those whose aim was to cast aside Biblical standards of morality and replace them with a godless humanism. All forms of perversion were legalised and there was little respect for the sanctity of human life. EPS will remind the new administration of its responsibility before God to govern wisely, and we will press it to act quickly to stem the tide of immorality and wickedness that threatens to bring judgement upon us all. In particular, we will be seeking early assurances that the so-called Equality Bill, which would give legitimacy and licence to all sorts of depravity, will be scrapped. Meanwhile, it has been interesting to observe the excitement and anticipation with which the ecumenical movement has welcomed the new political arrangements. There's nothing surprising there. During the decades of the Troubles, ecumenists unashamedly and cynically grasped every opportunity to peddle their false message of spiritual compromise. Now we're told that if politicians such as Ian Paisley and Martin McGuinness can set aside differences and work together for the common good, then surely the churches could and should do the same. This was the key message from Rev David Armstrong, former Presbyterian minister in Limavady and now an Anglican rector in Cork, as he stood, visibly moved, at Stormont on 8 May. We reject all such contorted logic. Leading Presbyterian ecumenist, Rev Ken Newell, got so carried away on Radio Ulster that he described the decades of the Troubles as Ulster's crucifixion and the events of 8 May 2007 as Ulster's resurrection. Such drivel is little short of blasphemy and it is a reminder of the opportunism, emptiness and hopelessness of the false message of ecumenism. None of us can predict the political or constitutional future of our Province with any degree of certainty, but, whatever the future holds for us, we must continue to maintain our evangelical Protestant witness in the face of growing opposition. Engagement in that vital work will unite us as evangelical Protestants. We must not allow any differences of opinion on the political situation to come between us and, in that context as with other areas of life, we must "agree to disagree". When Nehemiah was busily engaged in his work on rebuilding the walls, efforts were made to distract him and to divide the people. His response was "I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come down" (Nehemiah 6:3). We in EPS have been called to a great work and, if we remain faithful to our evangelical Protestant cause, the Lord will bless and prosper us. Our response to Rev Ken Newell, Rev David Armstrong and all the other apologists for false ecumenism must continue to be "No compromise and No surrender"!