Comments for Stafford Carson : Presbyterian Pastor

Comment on Stand Up for the Risen Lord by James

James — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 15:47:16 +0000

l’m glad to see Stafford’s stand on this issue,l was pleased at the way it was put accross in such a non-aggressive maner as too often our Christian freternity can get peoples back up.But l do think this issue needs to be tackled by supporters accross the country on a large scale directed at ERC.l

l have emailed them and pleaded our case but we need a lot more to do so.

The players are such ambassadors for Jesus,just last weekend l travelled to Clermont with them and they were a super bunch of guys - lets take the pressure of the players who do not want to play by putting some pressure on ERC.

Thanks again Stafford

Comment on Stand Up for the Risen Lord by Marty

Marty — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 18:28:06 +0000

Absolutely Mark. The more I think about it the more ridiculous it is. Would we play on Christmas Day? I’m sure all the Gardai or transport workers will hardly be thankful to be out of their homes on Easter Sunday.

Still, in 1993 (or was it ‘95?) Bernard Langer won the US Open on Easter Sunday and gave all the Glory to the Risen Lord. I’m sure, as they have done in the past, the believing Ulster men will do the same. Especially after a convincing victory. Stand up!

Comment on Stand Up for the Risen Lord by Mark

Mark — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 15:46:44 +0000

proud to see that the Ulster Branch did ask for a change of date, due to Easter Sunday being “Christianity’s most important date” but dissappointed by the outcome.

See the BBC report http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/16741366.stm

Comment on Stand Up for the Risen Lord by Graham

Graham — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 23:49:58 +0000

I think that a joke between friends is fine and healthy…

A wee note of caution. I know that we see this as the secular world encroaching on the Christian world. But, in living memory, Ulster could be divided into Sabbatarian (Protestant) and non-Sabbatarian (Catholic) areas.

So when we leap to defend Sabbatarianism, we might want to be clear that we are doing this for Christian reasons, and not cultural reasons. Now I’m not criticising Stafford’s post here at all. Stafford is very clear about his reasons; but sometimes I’ve heard other people arguing for Sabbatarianism as if they want a return to the “good old days”.

The Protestant state for the Protestant people is dead, and praise God for that. But we do have a right to have our religious convictions heard with sympathy; a sympathy that the secular world seems incapable of. If the date was rearranged to suit Christians, then those who do not share Christian convictions would cry “foul”.
And that seems to be a sad state of affairs.

Graham

Comment on Stand Up for the Risen Lord by Peter

Peter — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 22:32:13 +0000

Edwin, hi,

It wasn’t intended as a trite comment; there are two ways I could respond, but in view of your finishing with an exclamation mark, I’ll run with the more light-hearted.

I could almost stretch (although it would be quite some stretch) to think in terms of one Sabbath being holier than another (assuming we’re obliged to keep a weekly Sabbath at all), but I’m quite certain that Stafford isn’t a biblical name!

BTW, Stafford, I see you only get a ‘fairly’!

Comment on Stand Up for the Risen Lord by Edwin

Edwin — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 20:06:11 +0000

‘ It’s OK, it’s on TV, ‘ is a rather trite comment. This is not just any Sabbath, it’s the Resurrection Sabbath. So, can one possibly watch TV on such a day? I would be fairly confident that Stafford would confine himself to the the highlights. With a name like Peter I’m less sure !

Comment on Stand Up for the Risen Lord by Marty

Marty — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 19:47:53 +0000

Truly annoyed yes Stafford, but not surprised. I don’t think either Sky / ERC / Munster branch (or whatever combination scheduled it) sat down with a calender and worked out how to isolate evangelicals who support Ulster. But I like you am, deprived the opportunity of travelling to the game - which, without question, I would have done.

As you say in the past, the Ulster Branch have proven sensitive to the position of Christians when it comes to match timing. It would be great to see if they would change it. I dare say that would depend on the willingness of Christians either in the team / Branch to stand up on that issue. Given that they have to fairly regularly play on a Sunday anyway, that is not likely.

Two things are important in this, regardless of where Christians stand on the issue of Sabbath observance. 1. That Ulster win and that the boys know, though we cannot share in person, we are supportive of them all the way. 2. That on Easter Sunday, Christians do not get distracted by the fact sport is just sport. Like you, I can’t wait to be in Church with my family on Easter and rejoice in eternal hope.

Comment on Stand Up for the Risen Lord by Peter

Peter — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 18:35:36 +0000

It’s OK, it’s on TV.

http://www.ercrugby.com/eng/heinekencup/broadcasters/index.php

Comment on The Queen’s Christian Christmas Message by Sara C.

Sara C. — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 13:03:20 +0000

Apparently she used a direct quotation from Tim Keller, that “Jesus was not a philosopher or a general” - well spotted by Anna Moyle on Twitter! https://twitter.com/#!/annamoyle/status/162146107848265728

Comment on Homosexuality, reparative therapy, and the Gospel by Mark

Mark — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 21:12:05 +0000

Graham, you miss my point.

My comment isn’t solely or specifically to do with this thread but is a general comment about how the current moral focus of the church appears to be disproportionately about homosexuality. The church seems to have been dragged into a vortex where the agenda is dictated. There are many other issues, as relevant, maybe even more so, that could be discussed, including many moral issues applicable to a wider audience