Project Description

 

Alf McCreary in conversation with EPS Secretary, Wallace Thompson.

 

This first appeared in the Belfast Telegraph on Saturday 22 April 2023, as part of Alf’s weekly “What I Believe” series.

 

Tell me about your background?

I was born in 1953 and reared in Coleraine and Ballymoney. My dad worked for a local agricultural suppliers and my mum was a nurse. I have two younger sisters. I have been married to Miriam, who is from Fermanagh, for over 44 years. We live in Belfast and have a son and two daughters, and 10 grandchildren. After attending Dalriada School, I studied Modern History at QUB and graduated in 1977.

 

How and when did you come to faith?

I attended church regularly but came to saving faith after a meeting in Cabra Free Presbyterian church near Ballymoney.

 

Does this faith play a real part in your life, or is it only for Sundays?

My faith is the key driving force in my life every day.

 

Have you ever had a crisis of faith or a gnawing doubt about your faith?

I think most Christians struggle at times with doubts and questions, but I have never had a crisis. My faith is strong, and I am depending, not on my feelings, but on Jesus Christ as revealed in the Bible.

 

Have you ever been angry with God?

I have never been angry with God, although there are times when I have wondered at His providences. But, as the Apostle Paul says, God’s judgements are unsearchable and His ways past finding out (Romans 11:33).

 

Do you ever get criticized for your faith?

I have often been criticized for my commitment to evangelical Protestantism, but it doesn’t worry or upset me.

 

Are you ever ashamed of your own church or denomination?

No church is perfect, but I have never been ashamed of my own denomination (Evangelical Presbyterian) and I feel privileged to be part of it both as an elder in my local congregation and in my role within Presbytery.

 

Are you afraid to die, or can you look beyond death?

I am apprehensive about the process of dying and what it might entail, but I do not fear death for I will pass from this life into the immediate presence of my Saviour.

 

Are you afraid of hell-fire?

No. I believe there is a place called hell, but I know that, through faith in Christ, I will never be there.

 

Do you believe in a resurrection, and if so, what will it be like?

I do, but I don’t think it is possible to even begin to properly comprehend it. I believe it will be a literal resurrection and that it will happen at the Second Coming of Jesus Christ.

 

What do you think about people of other denominations and other faiths?

As a Christian, I am to love my fellow man. I feel strongly that all who are committed to evangelical Protestantism should be bonded together in unity across the denominations. While I have fundamental differences with those denominations and faiths which do not share my doctrinal beliefs, I seek to treat everyone with respect.

 

Would you be comfortable in stepping out from your own faith and trying to learn something from other people?

I read widely and am keen to deepen my understanding of other faiths, especially in these days of multi-culturalism. Debate and discussion are also profitable. That said, I would not be prepared to engage in joint worship with those who do not share my view of the Gospel.

 

Do you think that the churches here are fulfilling their mission?

The church’s mission is to proclaim the gospel of salvation by faith alone in Christ alone. Adherence, or lack of it, to this great doctrine of justification by faith alone is, as Martin Luther observed, “the mark of a standing or a falling church”. Only those churches which adhere to it are fulfilling their mission.

 

Why are so many people turning their backs on organized religion?

There are many reasons for this, but I feel that the churches have partly contributed to the growth of secularism because they have failed in their mission as outlined above.

 

Has religion helped or hindered the people of Northern Ireland?

Religion has, of course, long been a crucial element of the problems in Ireland. Religion alone does not help people. Indeed, today we have a form of Protestantism within the broader loyalist community which is bereft of spirituality. However, religion which is Bible based and adheres to the Gospel message will help people – as it did a century ago during the ministry of Rev W P Nicholson.

 

Some personal preferences-favourite film, book, music and why?

I’m not a film buff but I enjoyed “Cromwell” and “Forrest Gump”. Apart from the Bible, my favourite books are “Pilgrim’s Progress” and “Alice in Wonderland/Through the Looking Glass”. The former is an outstanding allegory of the Christian faith and the latter is a wonderful read as the characters are half-mad and often cross! I love music and I play a few instruments. I especially love folk and country ballads and I’m a fan of several singers, but my favourite by a country mile has always been the great Jim Reeves.

 

The place where you feel closest to God?

When I read the Bible and pray, alone or with others. I also feel close to God in nature.

 

The inscription on your gravestone, if any?

“Until the day break”

 

Finally, any major regrets?

No major regrets. Looking back over the years, I’ve made mistakes, but overall I can say that life has been good, and I have been richly blessed in so many ways.  And, above all, I am so thankful that the Lord in His mercy called me from death to life, and that I can say with the hymnwriter, “It is well with my soul”.