While we encourage faithful Christians to "establish a relationship" with homosexuals in order to share the Gospel, going to a [same-sex] 'wedding' is the one thing we can't do. -- Albert Mohler

This man Joseph was the foster father of the Incarnate Word of God - and he loved Jesus with an exemplary and tender love. This same Jesus who learned to work with wood from the hands of Joseph would, during his 33rd year on earth, save the whole world through the wood of the Cross. --- Keith Fournier

Dear Brothers and Sisters
www.virtueonline.org
December 25, 2015

In a recent poll of 1,000 Americans, LifeWay Research found six out of 10 Americans typically attend church at Christmastime.

But among those who don't attend church at Christmastime, a majority (57 percent) say they would likely attend if someone they knew invited them.

"Regular churchgoers may assume the rest of America has already made up their mind not to attend church," said Scott McConnell, vice president of LifeWay Research. "In reality, many would welcome going to a Christmas service with someone they know."

Americans living in the South (66 percent) and Midwest (64 percent) are more likely to attend church at Christmastime than those in the Northeast (57 percent) and West (53 percent). And throughout the U.S., more women than men are likely to attend Christmas church services (66 percent vs. 56 percent).

Those who attend church most frequently throughout the year (once a week or more) are the most likely (91 percent) to say they will attend church at Christmastime.

Younger Americans are less likely to participate in a service or Christmas mass than their elders. Fifty-three percent of those 18 to 24 say they attend church at Christmas, compared to 68 percent of those 65 and older and 67 percent of 35- to 44-year-olds.

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UNITED STATES. The recent announcement by the new Presiding Bishop Michael Curry that he was investigating the activities of his three top officials at 815 2nd Ave., New York, NY., and had suspended them (without telling us why), and then has hired a law firm in NY and Philadelphia to investigate the charges, has the whole church abuzz if not in turmoil. He did this while heading into brain surgery.

What if the Pope had just been elected, and then in the same week he fired top Vatican officials or the head of the Vatican Bank for unnamed reasons and headed off for an operation on his brain? The news would have rocketed around the world. However, in the case of Episcopal Presiding Bishop Michael Curry, the secular press doesn't seem to be that interested apparently...nor the religious press. Does this speak to the growing irrelevance of The Episcopal Church?

When Ellen Cooke, a former TEC treasurer, absconded with $2 million bucks in the reign of Ed Browning, it made all the papers, including The New York Times.

What I think it does tell us is this. Episcopal liberals and revisionists have been successful in getting rid of the Church's orthodox evangelicals and Anglo-Catholics, and now they are turning on themselves...as VOL predicted they would. They are beginning to cannibalize each other. As the TEC ship of state sinks slowly into the sunset, the passengers and crew are grabbing whatever they can before heading to the life rafts.

It will be interesting to see what happens when the Church Pension Fund can no longer take 18% from every church when nearly half of TEC's parishes no longer have a full time priest. While the CPF is one of the best run pension funds in America and there is plenty of pension money around for the moment, if more parishes increasingly fold, merge or die, where will the money come from for future generations--presuming of course that there are any? Just look at how money is being spent in TEC. The national church has spent well over $40 million in fighting for properties, according to canon lawyer Allan Haley. Los Angeles Bishop Jon Bruno is a prime example of a spendthrift bishop. For nine years he has waged war in the California courts against four dissident congregations to prevent them from keeping title to their own parish properties. Using the notorious Dennis Canon, he was singularly successful in having California courts impose an irrevocable trust on the local parishes' real estate, so that when they voted to withdraw from the diocese, they necessarily forfeited all rights to their property.

But his victories have come at a tremendous cost: the Diocese had spent more than $8 million dollars as of last year and was still incurring more costs to subsidize two of the remnant congregations in their newly recaptured sanctuaries. Bishop Bruno negotiated sales of two of the properties: the parish of All Saints Long Beach was allowed to purchase their property on a long-term contract, and he sold St. Davids' building in North Hollywood to a private school.

Think about that...$8 million! What depth of hatred does Bruno harbor against evangelicals and Anglo-Catholics that he would spend the diocese's inheritance as opposed to making money by selling the properties to the people who wanted to buy them and stay there in the first place?

What does that really tell you about Bruno and revisionist bishops like him? All the while pansexualists say that they are the ones who are hated by a handful of orthodox Episcopalians who are still stupid enough to stay in TEC.

So the handful of orthodox Episcopalians get beaten up not once but twice. First they lose their parishes, their priests and bishops are deposed, and then, as they leave or are being kicked out the door, they are informed that they also hate homosexuals and lesbians and every other kooky sexuality! What person in their right mind would want to be an Episcopalian, especially as the new PB will berate you for being White and insist that you need anti-racism training to deal with your White Privilege?

*****

The Presiding Bishop's Christmas message was thin pickins. Here are the best bits:

"Hello. Our original plan was for me to tape a Christmas message in front of the United Nations building in New York as a way of sending a message that this Jesus of Nazareth whom we follow came to show us the way to a different world, a world rounded in God's peace and God's justice, God's love and God's compassion.

"It occurs to me that this Jesus of Nazareth really does make a difference. And God coming into the world in the person of Jesus matters profoundly for all of us regardless of our religious tradition.

"In the park across from the United Nations, the Ralph Bunche Park, the words of the Prophet Isaiah are quoted,

"'They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks.
Nation will not rise against nation.
Neither shall they learn war any more.'
"What's not there is another part of that passage that's in the second chapter of Isaiah, and it says,
"'Come, let us go to the mountain of God,
That he may show us His ways and teach us His paths.'
"We who follow Jesus believe that the mountain came to us when God came among us in the person of Jesus to show us the way to live, to show us the way to love, to show us the way to transform this world from the nightmare it often is into the dream that God intends for us all."

Then read what SC Bishop Mark Lawrence wrote about Christmas:

"There were such moments, of course, two thousand years ago when the interplay between God's script and the unscripted response of his people played itself out on the world's stage, occurring as it did in a minor country, among a seemingly unimportant tribe; and yet with electrifying purpose (as astonishing as it may seem to the eyes of the skeptical), God through the incarnation and atoning work of Jesus Christ brought salvation for all people (Titus 2:11)."

Or this from ACNA Archbishop Foley Beach, who says Christmas is not just about the birth of the savior of the world, but that his life, death, and resurrection are central to the message of the Christmas story. He cites 1 John 4:10: "This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins."

Curry doesn't even touch the issue of sin and redemption.

*****

The new Presiding Bishop has just hired a black woman to be his Canon for Evangelism and Reconciliation. She is the Rev. Stephanie Spellers. You can watch a couple of episodes of the TV program Black Jesus, recommended by Spellers. I'm stunned!

http://episcopaldigitalnetwork.com/ens/2014/09/22/canon-stephanie-spellers-preaches-at-house-of-bishops-meeting/

Her sermon wherein she recommends the TV program is at the above link. Here are several of her remarks:

"Some Thursday night, when you're feeling brave and have half an hour to kill, I hope you check out this new TV show: 'Black Jesus.' The language is for mature audiences only, so don't say I didn't warn you. But if you keep listening, I promise you it's worth the effort. These brothers are saying something important about our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

"With all due respect, I hope the show survives. Because it may be crass and it may be crude, but it's a remarkable vehicle for sharing gospel truth. What's blasphemous about Jesus gathering this young posse, entering their homes, being humble, being truthful, welcoming them into union and transformed life with God their Father? That's not blasphemy. It's a scandal: the scandalous, incarnational way that Jesus rolls. And if we follow him, I think it's how we're supposed to roll, too."

Here are Youtube links for several Black Jesus episodes:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Wz5h8bkHdY
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bWHBjzhgBUc
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uXjK_6PwIIc

*****

The Case of the Adulterous Virginia Theological Seminary Professor

This news comes from ACNA Bishop Quigg Lawrence:

"I opened the VTS Annual Report this morning and was shocked, honestly outraged to see a scholarship named for Milton Crum and his former mistress, now second wife.

"Professor Crum's first wife was a good and godly woman, of clear mind, but was wheelchair bound with significant physical challenges. We all marveled at how Dr. Crum loved his wife and involved her in seminary life. For nearly two decades seminarians would visit her in their home.

"One day in the mid 1980's, for no apparent reason, Dr. Crum put his wife (who I think was about 60 years old?) in a nursing home and then began proceedings to divorce her. People at VTS were shocked. What happened? Why would this loving husband do that when his wife was of sound mind and her physical condition seemed unchanged? It reminded us of a football player running a kickoff back 95 yards with great speed and talent and then fumbling on the 5 yard line. Only this 'fumble' had much more dire implications.

"Turns out that Dr. Crum was having an affair with another VTS employee, Käthe Wilcox.

"Even our most theologically liberal professors and students were enraged, and several confronted Professor Crum directly.

"Nothing changed his adulterous path. He was not disciplined by the Seminary. He was not brought up on charges or defrocked by the diocese.

"Dr. Crum married his mistress, and he retired in 1989 with a sizable pension.

"Now Dr. and the new Mrs. Crum give a large amount of money, and VTS names a scholarship in their honor. Are you kidding me? It's blood money. The seminary must return it.

In the article there was no mention of the wife of his youth that he put away without biblical cause so he could marry his mistress."

VOL reached out to VTS president Dr. Ian Markham for comment, and this is what he wrote:

"Thank you for being so kind and giving me a chance to respond. This is a statement from the seminary.

"As Dean and President, one does not investigate the lives of all donors, seeking only to accept gifts from those who are faultless. One especially does not take action when those closest to the events (and therefore knew most about them) decided that the actions did not warrant any discipline. Given that every human life is full of complexity, one recognizes that there are seasons when we all make decisions that others will see as totally inappropriate. This gift from Milton and Kathe will enable clergy to grow and develop in their congregational expertise. We are grateful for the impact this gift will have on congregational leadership for the future of the church."

*****

ANGLICAN NEWS IN NORTH AMERICA. The ACNA and AMIA are in Reconciliation Talks. Leaders from the Anglican Church in North America and the Anglican Mission recently met in Atlanta, Georgia, this week to take steps towards personal reconciliation.

During the past six months, leaders from the Anglican Church in North America and the Anglican Mission have met for two days of discussions and talks. "It has been a fascinating, enlightening, humbling, and challenging time for those of us involved in these discussions," said ACNA Archbishop Foley Beach.

"We have found that as we have talked, 'old tapes' began to surface of experiences where we had been wronged, hurt, and misunderstood. These old tapes brought forth the need for humility, confession, repentance, and forgiveness before the Lord. It has been difficult, yet SO healing in many ways.'"

You can read the full story in today's digest.

*****

CHURCH OF ENGLAND NEWS. A "historic" agreement has been reached between the Church of England and the Church of Scotland - marking their first formal working arrangement.

A document - the Columba Declaration - will be debated by the ruling bodies of both Churches next year.

It commits the Churches to "grow together in communion and to strengthen their partnership in mission."

Founded in two different branches of Protestantism, England's Church is Anglican and Scotland's Presbyterian.

The declaration has been authored by Kirk Minister Rev. John McPake, and the Church of England's Bishop of Chester, Peter Forster.

They say the agreement will allow clergy and lay people from each Church to be welcomed into the other body when they move across the border.

The pact also recognizes that the two Churches have constitutional responsibilities in separate parts of the UK.

*****

GLOBAL NEWS. As we get closer to Canterbury and the meeting of the world's 38 Anglican Archbishops, there is growing concern as to what the agenda should be and who really owns the communion.

Two archbishops, one Canadian and the other Kenyan, are at odds over what should take place and what the topics should be. The fur is beginning to fly.

Canadian Archbishop Fred Hiltz says the gathering is "not a decision-making body," and he is trying his best to pre-empt Kenyan Archbishop Eliud Wabukala and ACNA Archbishop Foley Beach in a deflection maneuver to focus on poverty, refugees, and global warming. Meanwhile, his African counterpart has made it abundantly clear that the chaos in the Communion is "spiritual and moral."

The two could not be further apart. Hiltz wants to focus on his triumvirate of temporal issues while Wabukala and Beach argue that the issue of human sexuality, much debated for more than 25 years, is a salvific issue (I Cor. 6:9) involving eternal life or eternal damnation. This reality seems to be lost on the revisionist North American archbishop.

The GAFCON chairman says the Anglican Communion is at a crossroads and it will be up to Archbishop Justin Welby and the mostly liberal West to decide which way they will travel. You can read my full story in today's digest.

*****

The Anglican Communion is at a crossroads, say GAFCON primates. They believe the upcoming Canterbury meeting will be decisive for the future of the Communion.

They say that at stake is a basic church-defining principle: Will Christ rule our life and witness through His word, or will our life and witness be conformed to the global ambitions of a secular culture?

This was the reason GAFCON was formed in 2008: to renew a Communion in crisis that has been drifting from biblical truth. While the presenting issue was human sexuality, this was really just one symptom of a deeper challenge, the emergence of a false gospel that rejects the core Anglican commitment to the truth and authority of the Bible. You can read more of what they had to say in today's digest.

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Return to God, Anglican bishop charges Nigerians. The Rt. Rev. Justus Mogekwu, Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Asaba, Nigeria, has urged Nigerians to return to God in order to attract His mercy.

Mogekwu, who spoke in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Asaba on the importance of Christmas, said only God would bring back prosperity to the country.

He said that in spite of the political and technological advancement, the world was gradually winding down because it has neglected God.

The clergyman urged leaders to show love to the people. He said this was the main reason for celebrating Christmas, for "Christ is Love.''

"This season must make us humble enough to come closer to God and ask for His mercy, for we have transgressed.

"Nigeria has been very fortunate that all these years things that would have torn apart this country have happened and we have survived them.

"So the hope we have is to retrace our steps back to God and on how we are running our politics.

"When men who are elected to build up the nation pocket the resources of the land, that is injustice and where there is injustice, there cannot be peace," he said.

The bishop said that no nation could grow when the leaders kill, cheat and maim one another. He advised the country's leaders, be they Christians or Muslims, to go back to God and retrace their steps.

"When they turn to God and retrace their steps, God will help us and in spite of the fall in oil prices, we can go into agriculture and God will bless the land.''

Mogekwu said that celebrating Christmas was not for just eating and drinking, but for reflecting on the reason for Christ's birth: to save mankind.

"Therefore, it is illogical for anybody to say that he is celebrating Christmas unless he knows the Christ, who is the reason for the season.

"But when you celebrate Christmas as a true Christian, then it is an occasion to rejoice and thank God for what the coming of Christ has done in human history, which is to reconcile man to God.

"Christianity is not just a religion but an experience, a lifestyle developed from an inner encounter with Christ," Mogekwu said.

*****

Dr. Patrick Sookhdeo resigns as International Director and CEO of Barnabas Fund.

It was with great sorrow that the board of trustees of Barnabas Aid International had to announce on November 22 the resignation of Dr. Sookhdeo as a trustee of Barnabas Aid International. Dr. Sookhdeo has also resigned from his positions as International Director and CEO of Barnabas Fund.

They said that Dr. Sookhdeo, who founded Barnabas Fund, had led it with zeal, vision and integrity for 22 years. Their press release explained: "We are immensely grieved that current circumstances oblige him to step down." On 23 February, Dr Sookhdeo had been found guilty of sexually assaulting a female member of his staff. However, close friends have always expressed doubts about the facts of the case.

The Rev. Paul Mursalin will become Acting International Director, and Hendrik Storm will become CEO.

Dr. Sookhdeo said, "It has been a privilege to serve the persecuted church for many years. I have always been motivated by the needs of Christians facing suffering. I hope for many years to come I can continue serving those whom the world often doesn't notice. My inspiration has always been Barnabas, the encourager, who stood up for the suffering saints of the early church. Please pray for me, as I pray for others."

IN OTHER NEWS Barnabas Fund announced two new Patrons, Canon Andrew White and Baroness Cox, were confirmed in key changes at Barnabas Fund, UK this week. The Marquess of Reading was appointed Chair of Barnabas Aid UK. "We are in the midst of unmentionable terror, suffering and persecution of Christians around the world," said Barnabas Aid's new Patron, Canon Andrew White. "Barnabas Aid has always stood with those most in need. It is an honor to be asked to serve as their Patron."

*****

Composed in 1847, one of the greatest hymns ever written, O Holy Night, in its third verse sings the same cry that the slave be treated as human, and thus set free. This is the Gospel, and as we celebrate the incarnation of Jesus, we celebrate the One who comes to set all the prisoners free from personal and political sins alike.

O holy night!
The stars are brightly shining
It is the night of the dear Savior's birth!
Long lay the world in sin and error pining
Till he appear'd and the soul felt its worth.

A thrill of hope the weary soul rejoices
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn!
Led by the light of Faith serenely beaming
With glowing hearts by His cradle we stand.
So led by light of a star sweetly gleaming
Here come the wise men from Orient land.

The King of Kings lay thus in lowly manger
In all our trials born to be our friend.
Truly He taught us to love one another.
His law is love and His gospel is peace.
Chains shall He break for the slave is our brother
And in His name all oppression shall cease.
Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we,
Let all within us praise His holy name.

As we await the second coming of our Messiah and Savior, let us remember the words taken from the Handel's Hallelujah Chorus: AND HE SHALL REIGN FOREVER AND EVER AND OF HIS KINGDOM THERE WILL BE NO END.

VOL wishes all its readers in 170 countries around the world a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. I hope to see you all in 2016.

Warmly in Christ,

David