Back in May, Seismic Shock carried a report on the Fellowship of Independent Churches’ reaction to the news that a chapel affiliated with the grouping had given a platform to Rev Robert West, the BNP candidate who teaches that races should live apart:
British Messianic Jews had expressed grave anxiety over the FIEC’s slow response, first blogged by Bartholomew, to the BNP priest’s meeting at an FIEC church. However one concerned Messianic Jew was told that the “FIEC is entirely opposed to any BNP spokesman or representative being used to forward their cause in our churches.”
I had asked the FIEC for comment on the matter, and was politely fobbed off by an uninterested church official. It seems they took the Messianic Jew more seriously – although only so far as to give a private assurance; no statement was published on the FIEC website.
Now, however, Rev West has responded with a comment to my blog entry on the subject:
I doubt very much that the Fellowship of Independent Evangelical Churches oppose my views or the views of any genuine Christian and patriot, backed-up as they are by the holy Scriptures. They may express disapproval of how evil men (and women) twist my Christian views, but that is an altogether different matter. It is the devil (not me, or the British Nationanl Party) which likes to demonise, simply because their views are so stupid and hence cannot bear the light of proper debate and arguementation; which is what lies behind their “No Platform” stance “for any free speech but their own”. This clearly shows who the real Fascists are – not the BNP.
West takes the view that a multiracial society is
a transgression of God’s will…Adam and his descendants were commanded by God to fill the earth, not to come to one part of it, namely England. The refusal of Adam’s surviving descendants through Noah to spread out led to God’s judgement at Babel, and his confusing of the tongues…The blossoming of what I call the proto-race…into many nations was to be a manifestation of God’s glory, like light passing through a prism.
The FIEC would appear to adopt a contrary position, as can be seen from the black and East Asian models who appear as part of its website masthead; this is a visual representation of Galatians 3:28, that within the Christian community there should no longer be distinctions such as “Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male and female”.
West’s appearance at the chapel was arranged by chapel administrators who appear to be related to a local BNP candidate. The chapel has no regular minister, and it is unlikely that the FIEC gave specific approval. However, while Rev West did get some photos from the event, this is the first time he has directly asserted that the FIEC would be willing to indulge his views. Perhaps now, belatedly, the FIEC mught like to clarify the point?
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If you literally believe the Bible and many do, then isn’t the human race a bunch of inbred morons?
First we had the incest of Adam and Eve, populating the Earth, then the incest and inbreeding was doubled down after the Great Flood by Noah and his family.
No wonder there’s so much trouble in the world, it’s a “Hatfield vs. the McCoys” hillbilly feud.
I’m the MJ who raised the original query earlier in the year. I have repeatedly pressed the FIEC to issue a public statement. I have now brought this new post to the FIEC’s attention and their administrator has told me they will consider how best to respond to Robert West’s comments. I’m not holding my breath.
Dear Sir,
As a member of the FIEC Council, I must respectfully disagree with both Rev West’s view of FIEC policy and with your interpretation of the FIEC’s reluctance to speak against the BNP. The FIEC has declined your invitation to castigate the BNP not because it wishes to endorse the policies of the BNP but because it is unwilling to become a political lobby group for or against any political party. We profoundly disagree with a range of political views, across a range of political parties.
In fact, the FIEC strongly believes that the churches that make up the Fellowship would repudiate any idea that the Scriptures support the published policies of the BNP. There are elements within the policies of all political parties which are contrary to the Scriptures. In the case of the BNP, it appears to us that its policies seek to create an attitude of racial hierarchy which values people of some ethnic origins more than others. The Scriptures do not support any such policies, and we greatly regret that Mr West has asserted that they do, and in so doing, that he has linked the name of The Fellowship of Independent Evangelical Churches with his own erroneous views. Mr West is not in any way accredited by or associated with the FIEC.
Our restraint in answering your concerns does not condone either Rev. West’s views or your own.
Respectfully,
Pastor Michael Teutsch (Chair of the Care and Recognition Team)
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The FIEC have made it clear that they do not wish to get involved in the debate which has been raised. I think that in a society such as Britain we have to respect that. I for my part do not have a problem with that. When I went to an FIEC church to preach I did not raise the issue – there are lots of other things to deal with and no one should be obsessed by any one issue, be it baptism, bishops or how God has divided the world into nations and yet calls people from all nations to repent and believe in our Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ. It is a wonderful gospel but that still does not mean, in my view at any rate, that everyone should come to Britain, Genesis 1: 28, 9:1.
With kind wishes.