Minister says church has ‘abandoned Bible’

Reverend’s attack on same-sex marriage decision

The minister of Rutherglen Free Presbyterian Church has launched an astonishing attack on the Church of Scotland’s decision to accept ministers and deacons in same-sex marriages.

Reverend Wesley Irwin believes the ‘majority’ within the organisation do not believe in the word of God.

Last month the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland voted to allow congregations to appoint ministers and deacons in same sex marriages.

But Rev Irwin has spoken of his disappointment with the decision.

When asked why he felt so strongly about the issue, the minister, who has been Reverend at the Rutherglen Free Presbyterian Church for 17 years, told the Reformer: “It is because I believe the Bible teaches that that is the course of action that is required of a Bible believer as regards to the issue of homosexuality.

“It is the case that the Church of Scotland has demonstrated that it has abandoned the Bible as the only rule of faith and practice. I believe that scripture teachers should separate from the Church since it has failed to follow the word of God.

“Those within the Church of Scotland, the majority of them have gone contrary to the Bible’s teaching and therefore that puts them into the category of being non believers and they don’t believe the word of God, they don’t accept the authority of the word of God.

“The teaching of Christ and the message of the gospel does not change in time, it remains timeless.”

In a letter he had written to the paper, Reverend Irwin stated: “The recent decision of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland to accept ministers and deacons in same-sex marriages is another indicator of just how far they have departed from Biblical principles and practices.

“The Church of Scotland website states that they made this decision ‘to update church law to keep pace with Scots Law.’ Surely the duty of the church is to uphold the Law of God above any immoral law of the land.”

The Church of Scotland have defended the decision.

At the time, the organisation said: “The decision does not compromise the Church’s traditional view of marriage as a union between one man and one woman.

“And it does not mean church ministers will be able to register same-sex civil partnerships or solemnise same- sex marriages themselves.

“Since 2008, 25 ministers have left because of discussions over ministers in same sex relationships. This represents three per cent of the total number of ministers.”

Rutherglen councillor, Gerard Killen, who campaigns for LGBTI rights, said: ““Unfortunately Reverend Irwin finds himself not only on the wrong side of the Church of Scotland, but on the wrong side of history.

“We don’t have to look very far into the past to see that attitudes in churches across the world have changed on a whole range of issues such as divorce and the ordination of women. These changes, however slow, should be welcomed not criticised or cherry picked according to an individual’s view of the world.

“The right to practice your religion is personal and should be protected but the bible is no justification for discriminating against people who only want to get on with their lives free from prejudice.”