Alan Cairns (clergyman)
Encyclopedia
Alan G. Cairns is a Bible teacher, retired pastor, and author. A native of Belfast, Northern Ireland, he was converted to Christianity through The Salvation Army
. He joined the nascent Free Presbyterian Church of Ulster
as a teenager. After working for an insurance brokerage
in Belfast for two years, he was called to the ministry and attended the Theological Hall of his denomination.
and then Ballymoney
. In 1973 he began a radio ministry, "Let the Bible Speak", at first broadcasting on a single station on the Isle of Man
. (By 2010, the programs were heard on more than a dozen stations in North America, India, Africa, and China.) Simultaneously, Cairns became professor of systematic theology
at the Theological Hall.
In 1978, while visiting relatives in the United States, Cairns supplied the pulpit of Faith Free Presbyterian Church in Greenville, South Carolina
, the first church in the United States to associate itself with the Ulster denomination. Asked to serve as pastor, Cairns at first declined, then accepted a formal call in 1980.
In Greenville, Cairns founded Geneva Reformed Seminary
, which today serves as the seminary for the Free Presbyterian Church of North America
and has trained most of its clergy. Cairns adapted and published many of his sermon series as books, as well as edited a Dictionary of Theological Terms written from a Reformed perspective. In 2007, Cairns became pastor emeritus, and in 2009, he retired to Ballymoney, Northern Ireland.
The Salvation Army
The Salvation Army is a Protestant Christian church known for its thrift stores and charity work. It is an international movement that currently works in over a hundred countries....
. He joined the nascent Free Presbyterian Church of Ulster
Free Presbyterian Church of Ulster
The Free Presbyterian Church is a Presbyterian denomination founded by the Rev. Ian Paisley in 1951. Most of its members live in Northern Ireland...
as a teenager. After working for an insurance brokerage
Insurance broker
An insurance broker finds sources for contracts of insurance on behalf of their customers. The three largest insurance brokers in the world, by revenue, are Aon, Marsh & McLennan, and Willis Group Holdings.-Purpose of insurance brokers:...
in Belfast for two years, he was called to the ministry and attended the Theological Hall of his denomination.
Biography
Cairns became pastor of Free Presbyterian churches in DunmurryDunmurry
Dunmurry is an urban townland, in County Antrim, Northern Ireland. Located between Belfast and Lisburn, it was once a rural village, but is now within the Greater Belfast conurbation...
and then Ballymoney
Ballymoney
Ballymoney is a small town in County Antrim, Northern Ireland. It had a population of 9,021 people in the 2001 Census. It is currently served by Ballymoney Borough Council....
. In 1973 he began a radio ministry, "Let the Bible Speak", at first broadcasting on a single station on the Isle of Man
Isle of Man
The Isle of Man , otherwise known simply as Mann , is a self-governing British Crown Dependency, located in the Irish Sea between the islands of Great Britain and Ireland, within the British Isles. The head of state is Queen Elizabeth II, who holds the title of Lord of Mann. The Lord of Mann is...
. (By 2010, the programs were heard on more than a dozen stations in North America, India, Africa, and China.) Simultaneously, Cairns became professor of systematic theology
Systematic theology
In the context of Christianity, systematic theology is a discipline of Christian theology that attempts to formulate an orderly, rational, and coherent account of the Christian faith and beliefs...
at the Theological Hall.
In 1978, while visiting relatives in the United States, Cairns supplied the pulpit of Faith Free Presbyterian Church in Greenville, South Carolina
Greenville, South Carolina
-Law and government:The city of Greenville adopted the Council-Manager form of municipal government in 1976.-History:The area was part of the Cherokee Nation's protected grounds after the Treaty of 1763, which ended the French and Indian War. No White man was allowed to enter, though some families...
, the first church in the United States to associate itself with the Ulster denomination. Asked to serve as pastor, Cairns at first declined, then accepted a formal call in 1980.
In Greenville, Cairns founded Geneva Reformed Seminary
Geneva Reformed Seminary
Geneva Reformed Seminary is a small theological school in Greenville, South Carolina accredited by the federally unrecognized Association of Reformed Theological Seminaries and supported by the Free Presbyterian Church of North America. The seminary offers a B.D. and an M.Div...
, which today serves as the seminary for the Free Presbyterian Church of North America
Free Presbyterian Church of North America
The Free Presbyterian Church of North America or FPCNA is a Presbyterian denomination in the United States and Canada with mission works in Liberia, Jamaica, and Kenya...
and has trained most of its clergy. Cairns adapted and published many of his sermon series as books, as well as edited a Dictionary of Theological Terms written from a Reformed perspective. In 2007, Cairns became pastor emeritus, and in 2009, he retired to Ballymoney, Northern Ireland.
Publications
- Apostles of Error: An Examination of Liberalism, Neo-Orthodoxy, and Particularly New Evangelicalism (Greenville: Faith Free Presbyterian Church, 1989)
- Throned in Highest Bliss (Belfast: Ambassador Productions, 1990)
- A Prophet with Honour: The Life and Work of John Wylie... (Belfast: Presbytery of the Free Presbyterian Church, 1991)
- Eagle's Wings: Daily Devotional Meditations for a Whole Year, editor (Greenville: Ambassador, 1991)
- A Sure Foundation: Rediscovering the Basic Message of the New Testament (Greenville: Ambassador, 1996)
- Dictionary of Theological Terms, editor (Greenville: Emerald House, 1998)
- Chariots of God: God's Law in Relation to the Cross and the Christian (Belfast: Ambassador, 2000)
- The Fruit of the Spirit (Greenville: Ambassador-Emerald International, 2002)
- The Lord's Prayer (Greenville: Ambassador International, 2004)