Rev Ivan Foster: There is nothing '˜inclusive' about the gospel

If, by quoting from a version of the 39 Articles which was set forth by the Church Society in order to make “the Articles more easily understood”, I am undermining the 39 Articles how much more guilty of this is the Church Society which provided this modern version?

As for the rest of Mr Campbell’s comments, they are a familiar nonsensical rant used by those who have little real knowledge of the gospel apart from being able to quote the one or two texts that his like habitually reiterate against those who oppose their liberal ecumenical theology.

Mr John McFarland Campbell says: “In my Christian life and witness, I recognise and embrace the diversity that is found in the world today: the diversity that has indeed always been there.”

He may not have read the Scripture which states: “If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you,” John 15:19.

There is nothing ‘inclusive’ about the gospel! “Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it,” Matthew 7:13-14.

These words, which are a stark contrast to the philosophy of Mr John McFarland Campbell, are the words of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Mr John McFarland Campbell promotes the devil’s lie. He would have men embrace the notion that they can believe what they like, do what they like, live as they please, have all that the world offers and still go to heaven! The outcome of that ‘gospel’ is eternal perdition!

Unlike Mr John McFarland Campbell, I do not embrace the world and its diversities but rather oppose them as commanded by the Saviour.

My view of the world is such that I cannot embrace it. My view is that taught in Scripture. “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever,” 1 John 2:15-17.

The views of the world held by Mr John McFarland Campbell, are the very opposite of that view taught in the Bible.

His embracing of “the diversity that is found in the world today” is why he and I are in total disagreement about the true character of the Gospel of Christ.

Rev Ivan Foster. Co Tyrone