Dr Beeke’s ‘Boozy’ Reformation Tour!!
By Rev. Ivan Foster, Ret., FPC-Ulster
In a recent Facebook posting Joel Beeke said this:
In a recent Facebook posting Joel Beeke said this:
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“JOIN US ON THE PRTS REFORMATION TOUR 2018!
I want to extend a very special invitation to you: a once in a lifetime opportunity to spend two weeks with Dr. Michael Haykin, Dr. Ian Hamilton, David Woollin, and me (Dr. Joel Beeke) visiting some of the most amazing places in the world—amazing because of their stunning beauty, but also amazing because of the way God has worked wonderfully throughout history in these locations.” |
The Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary tour brochure informs you that on the “Rhine River Reformation Cruise” among the amenities provided are “Mini-Bar (all staterooms except on Haydn Deck)”, the “Panorama-Bar and Lounge” and “Sun Deck with Lido-Bar”.
It obviously is going to be a very ‘spiritual’ experience!!
The Free Presbyterian Church, in company with like-minded evangelical believers, has always been part of the historic witness against the consumption of alcohol. Yet here we find one who is admired by a few Free Presbyterian ministers, actually promoting booze!
The ordination oath of Free Presbyterian ministers and elders require them to promise to “publicly denounce” the great public vice of drinking! One cannot remain faithful to that oath and retain fellowship with a man who promotes that which one is sworn to denounce.
His influence can only corrupt the witness and stand of our church.
The tour company Dr. Beeke has again chosen to use is Witte Tours, which is ‘proud to be the North American travel partner of Refo500’ (see here). It is the same agency Dr. Beeke used when organizing his own Refo500 tour several years ago.
Dr Beeke has repeatedly claimed that he has broken all links with Ref500 yet is happy to use the ‘travel partner of Ref500’ and have the company boast of its links with this compromising and Bible-defying organisation from which he claims to have separated because of its unscriptural position and stance.
Once again, Joel Beeke has been seen as a man whose word cannot be believed. He is a “Mr. Facing-bothways” who is one thing to one people and is entirely different to others.
Further it is to be noted that Witte Tours also offers ‘spiritual journeys’ to Roman Catholic sites, such as Fatima, Portugal, where ‘the Blessed Mother appeared in 1917’ (see here).”
Witte Tours offer tours to a number of Roman Catholic sites under the heading: “Catholic Tours.” (see here)
Here is what it says regarding its tour of Poland.
It obviously is going to be a very ‘spiritual’ experience!!
The Free Presbyterian Church, in company with like-minded evangelical believers, has always been part of the historic witness against the consumption of alcohol. Yet here we find one who is admired by a few Free Presbyterian ministers, actually promoting booze!
The ordination oath of Free Presbyterian ministers and elders require them to promise to “publicly denounce” the great public vice of drinking! One cannot remain faithful to that oath and retain fellowship with a man who promotes that which one is sworn to denounce.
His influence can only corrupt the witness and stand of our church.
The tour company Dr. Beeke has again chosen to use is Witte Tours, which is ‘proud to be the North American travel partner of Refo500’ (see here). It is the same agency Dr. Beeke used when organizing his own Refo500 tour several years ago.
Dr Beeke has repeatedly claimed that he has broken all links with Ref500 yet is happy to use the ‘travel partner of Ref500’ and have the company boast of its links with this compromising and Bible-defying organisation from which he claims to have separated because of its unscriptural position and stance.
Once again, Joel Beeke has been seen as a man whose word cannot be believed. He is a “Mr. Facing-bothways” who is one thing to one people and is entirely different to others.
Further it is to be noted that Witte Tours also offers ‘spiritual journeys’ to Roman Catholic sites, such as Fatima, Portugal, where ‘the Blessed Mother appeared in 1917’ (see here).”
Witte Tours offer tours to a number of Roman Catholic sites under the heading: “Catholic Tours.” (see here)
Here is what it says regarding its tour of Poland.
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“Start your pilgrimage in Wadowice, the birthplace of Karol Jozef Wojtyla. Then it’s on to Krakow where he served as Bishop, Archbishop and Cardinal before becoming Pope John II. The city is replete with inspiring religious sites such as Wawel Cathedral, the Church of the Virgin and the Church of Divine Mercy, one of the world’s youngest and most popular Catholic shrines. Later on your journey, you will probably also want to visit Czestochowa’s Jasna Gora Monastery. With its renowned Black Madonna taking pride of place, Jasna Gora is considered the heart of the Catholic Church in Poland.”
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Of course there is more of popery’s pagan idolatry to be had at Dr Beeke’s favourite tour company. Here is what is on offer in Italy.
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“Many spiritual journeys to Italy begin with a visit to Vatican City, the small yet powerful independent state at the heart of the Catholic Church. Stand in awe at St. Peter’s Basilica and take in one of the world’s richest sacred art collections at the Vatican Museums. Contemplate the lives of early Christians at the Catacombs and attend Mass at one of Rome’s magnificent cathedrals. Later, you’ll want to stroll through St. Francis’ Assisi or the Siena of St. Catherine; marvel at Da Vinci’s Last Supper in Milan or Padua’s Scrovegni Chapel or the Gates of Paradise in Florence. As your gift of faith expands, so, too, will you be infused with the charm of the Italian countryside, a love of the beautiful cities, and an appreciation of the wonderful food and wine.”
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More booze and blasphemy! Now are not these tours that a Bible-believing Protestant would be most anxious to partake of!!??
What Christian could do business with such a company? Bragging on one hand of its Reformation links and on the other offering to take travellers to Roman Catholic sites, such as Fatima, Portugal, where the Blessed Mother appeared in 1917.”
Dr Beeke has repeatedly done business with this tour company and must know of its promoting ‘pilgrimages’ to the pagan shrines Romanism maintains at such places as Fatima in Portugal. Furthermore, he is happy to have these excursions linked to his own tour and have the satanic deceit of the supposed appearance of Mary at Fatima and the blasphemous title of ‘the Blessed Mother’ used in conjunction with this advertisement.
It is utterly baffling how those who claim to be Bible-believing Protestants can support and defend this man’s sinful actions.
It is but further proof of the days in which we live. He is one of those who “have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray,” 2 Peter 2:15.
There is a worldliness and fleshliness about that tour which Beeke is promoting with “bars and lounges” being offered as an enticement to Christians to join the tour. One can only imagine the character of the conversations in such places. It would not be the atmosphere in which a true Christian would feel comfortable. Rather, such is the natural environment of the “lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God,” 2 Timothy 3:4.
When, oh when will Christians recognise the antics of this man for what they are and see them as “having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof,” and from which we should “turn away,” 2 Timothy 3:5?
Rev. Ivan Foster.
13th September, 2017.
What Christian could do business with such a company? Bragging on one hand of its Reformation links and on the other offering to take travellers to Roman Catholic sites, such as Fatima, Portugal, where the Blessed Mother appeared in 1917.”
Dr Beeke has repeatedly done business with this tour company and must know of its promoting ‘pilgrimages’ to the pagan shrines Romanism maintains at such places as Fatima in Portugal. Furthermore, he is happy to have these excursions linked to his own tour and have the satanic deceit of the supposed appearance of Mary at Fatima and the blasphemous title of ‘the Blessed Mother’ used in conjunction with this advertisement.
It is utterly baffling how those who claim to be Bible-believing Protestants can support and defend this man’s sinful actions.
It is but further proof of the days in which we live. He is one of those who “have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray,” 2 Peter 2:15.
There is a worldliness and fleshliness about that tour which Beeke is promoting with “bars and lounges” being offered as an enticement to Christians to join the tour. One can only imagine the character of the conversations in such places. It would not be the atmosphere in which a true Christian would feel comfortable. Rather, such is the natural environment of the “lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God,” 2 Timothy 3:4.
When, oh when will Christians recognise the antics of this man for what they are and see them as “having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof,” and from which we should “turn away,” 2 Timothy 3:5?
Rev. Ivan Foster.
13th September, 2017.