The Pastor’s File

It has commonly been said by preachers that if God calls you to be a preacher, you should never stoop to be the king. It appears however that Dr. Ian Paisley is about to become both. He has been an outspoken fundamentalist preacher for many decades, and now is posed to become the First Minister of Northern Ireland.

Dr. Paisley is surely not afraid of controversy. He started the Free Presbyterian Church in response to the liberalism and apostasy of the mainline denomination. He started the Democratic Unionist Party in opposition to the IRA and Irish Republican causes. He freely exposes the error of the church of Rome using terms such as ‘popery’ and ‘priestcraft.’ He even heckled Pope John Paul II as “Antichrist” during an address the European Parliament in the late 80’s(I wish I had been there to see it).

He has stood faithfully by the Word of God for his 81 years, and shows little sign of stopping anytime soon. He still enters the pulpit every Sunday to preach to the Martyrs Memorial Free Presbyterian Church in Belfast. His messages are direct and powerful, and he still uses the Authorized Version. I have been greatly blessed by his preaching as well as his life’s testimony.

I wish him God’s blessing and direction as he enters this new era of progress in the History of Northern Ireland, and a new venue of service for Christ. What a day to see a Funadmentalist’s Funamentalist being elected to the highest office in the land. What great potential there is for a country governed by such a true man of God!