(By John MacArthur)
Here are the main reasons I am not signing the Manhattan Declaration, even though a few men whom I love and respect have already affixed their names to it:
• Although I obviously agree with the document’s opposition to same-sex marriage, abortion, and other key moral problems threatening our culture, the document falls far short of identifying the one true and ultimate remedy for all of humanity’s moral ills: the gospel. The gospel is barely mentioned in the Declaration. At one point the statement rightly acknowledges, “It is our duty to proclaim the Gospel of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in its fullness, both in season and out of season”—and then adds an encouraging wish: “May God help us not to fail in that duty.” Yet the gospel itself is nowhere presented (much less explained) in the document or any of the accompanying literature. Indeed, that would be a practical impossibility because of the contradictory views held by the broad range of signatories regarding what the gospel teaches and what it means to be a Christian.
Continue reading here…
To read the Manhattan Declaration, click here…
Wow – thanks for sharing. More ecumenism and I’m shocked at a few of the signatories; others are those I would fully expect to sign such a document. I am thankful for John MacArthur not signing and being vocal about it.
One only needs to read the second paragraph to realize that the true intent of the document is ecumenism where in one sentence it unites all “Christians” in the cultural crusade that we are all supposed to join arms in fighting. It reads:
Amazing, simply amazing. So not only are we to join arms with the Catholic and Orthodox (our brethren), but we also are to join arms with non-believers. Perfect. To this I say “thank you” to all the “Protestant”, evangelical and baptist defenders of the faith for your further compromise in joining arms with the harlot of Rome, her daughter the Orthodox and now even the world. As far as Rome and the Orthodox, you may consider them Christian, and you may join arms with them, but we, believers in Jesus Christ outside the camp, standing on the Word of God alone with Christ Jesus alone, repudiate any and all alliances, confederations and pacts with them, as well as with the world.
One more point I will add is that the last sentence in the summary document is a joke. It reads:
This would be laughable if it were not so serious. Men who have already given to Ceasar what is God’s by incorporating their “churches.”
For those interested, here are a few of the signatories that folks may recognize.
- Chuck Colson (Prison Fellowship)
- James Dobson (Focus on the Family)
- J.I. Packer
- Wayne Grudem
- Jerry Jenkins (Left Behind)
- Josh McDowell
- Richard J. Mouw (President, Fuller Seminary)
- David Neff (Christianity Today Editor-in-chief)
- Dennis Rainer (Family Life)
- Joni Eareckson Tada
- Dr. Michael Youssef (Leading the Way President)
- Ravi Zacharias
- Dr. Daniel Akin (President, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary)
- Kay Arthur (CEO and Co-founder, Precept Ministries International)
- Dinesh D’Souza
- Dr. Graham Walker (President, Patrick Henry College)
- Dr. Frank Wright (President, National Religious Broadcasters)
- Dr. Timothy George (Dean and Professor of Divinity, Beeson Divinity School at Samford University)
Brother Michael:
Zacharias and Mouw do not surprise me.
But some other shocking names on the list are:
Randy Alcorn
Gary Bauer
Jeol Belz
J. Ligon Duncan
Albert Mohler
Russell Moore
Marvin Olasky
Unworthy1:
Thanks for posting this. I was unaware of its existence. MacArthur did a fantastic job explaining his stance. An argument that is rock solid.
- The Pilgirm
The drafters of this declaration are: Timothy George (an active participant in evangelical/Catholic dialogue), Robert George (a Roman Catholic), and Chuck Colson (of Catholics and Evangelicals Together fame).
I am convinced that there is a serious matter of biblical separation which is at stake. The question is how far will we as evangelicals move to the left and still hang on to our conservative roots. Yes, there is the factor of the “fighting fundamentalism” which many strive to stay away from because of its connotations. However, is it not true that fundamentalism in the beginning was taking a firm stand in both primary as well as some secondary issues. Those early 20th century leaders saw the downhill slide that the church would move if they chose to accept issues arising out of liberal German theology. They knew that once the slide begins, as MacArthur and Spurgeon even said, it is almost impossible to reverse the trend. Yet, there was little balance and in the end it has sadly produced groups of men who can’t get along with each other for any reason – reasons that are tertiary issues at best.
The question is at what point does an individual separate from another brother in Christ and mark them as betraying the basic message of the gospel. The slide has seen men who claim the name of Christ gradually slide into and then openly embrace areas such as open theism, contemplative mysticism, vulgarity and porn in the pulpit, the New Perspective on Paul, Federal Vision, the ECT, and now the MD. At each step, numbers of solid evangelicals have moved that much further to the left. YET, at every step as the numbers of very conservative evangelicals shrink, many will still find a way to accept the slides because of who the leaders are. They want to gloss over the glaring differences and accept the points that “bring us together.”
Yes, we can make it clear that the gospel message is fundamental. Yes, we are to love our neighbor as ourselves which makes social issues very important both here and around the world. But of what good is an evangelical church that continues its slide toward the acceptance of those doctrines which were once a line in the sand? Why is our evangelicalism now progressing without abatement towards neo-evangelicalism and beyond?
A shrinking few dare to take a stand on the parapets and proclaim “Here I stand, I can do no other.” Why, oh why??!! One final question, how far to the left will our “heroes” and our “evangelical leaders” and our “leading pastors” have to move before we state without reservation that we cannot accept their slide, that we will not cozy up to Rome and the liberals for ANY reason, that our entire ministries are going to be built upon the truth of Scripture Alone, and that even if we remain but a handful we will be true to God Alone for His glory??
Humbly seeking answers in Christian love and grace,
The Desert Pastor
Why not just call this document “ECT Again”?
It’s truly saddening to see the so-called evangelical conservatives in full tilt spin mode once more as they attempt to justify solidarity and “co-belligerence” with Rome (and Eastern Orthodoxy) at the expense of the absolute centrality of the GOSPEL. There’s no true unity apart from the unity brought about by the Eternal Gospel of Grace, which is accomplished one heart at a time by the regeneration of the Holy Spirit. All other unity is man-made, temporal, and delusional.
In fact I believe there’s a strong spirit of delusion being poured out in our day which, if it were possible, would deceive the very elect. Please understand that I’m not claiming knowledge of who’s elect, nor am I claiming that the so-called evangelicals who signed this heinous and subversive document are not elect; I’m simply making the observation that these sorts of ecumenical emanations are popping up with increasing frequency, and they continue to ensnare otherwise (apparently) well meaning professing Christian leaders whose implicit endorsements of Rome (and Eastern Orthodoxy) sow confusion among the brethren.
Dr. James White of Alpha and Omega ministries posted a particularly insightful piece on this subject wherein he lovingly offers correction and a rebuttal to Dr. Al Mohler, one of the signers of the anti-Gospel Madhatter’s Declaration.
I encourage DefCon’s readership to read Dr. White’s article here.
As we pause to consider God’s manifold goodness on this Thanksgiving Day, let us offer up prayers and supplications to the Triune One True and Living God that He would uphold His people by His Spirit, and let us give thanks for His faithful ministers of the Eternal Gospel of Grace who stand boldly against the false ecumenical spirit of the age.
I’m thankful that there are still leaders in the church who are not ashamed of the Gospel, and who are unwilling to bend the knee to the baal of a “unity” which is only attainable at the expense of the TRUTH.
In Christ,
CD
It is awesome MacArthur is standing firm.
I would loooooove to know why Al Mohler has signed it.
Surely there is a reason behind it?
There is a reason why Mohler signed on, he gives it at his blog. I read it until I became thoroughly disgusted and quit before half the way through. Then I sent an email to him demanding that he repent. No answer (I don’t expect one) and no public repentance that I have seen.
This type of thing will doubtless grow worse and those who stand for the real Gospel and our Lord Jesus Christ will grow fewer. If Mohler truly is the man of God that we all thought then repentance will come, but if not……?
At 62 and regenerated a little over five years ago I have zero tolerance for this foolishness. It is a frontal assault on the Lord who saved me and delivered me from the power of my sin. It is also real close to insulting the Holy Spirit (Heb. 10:29).
I hope and pray that Mohler comes to his senses soon.
I am saddened by Dr. Mohler’s adding his signature to this rubbish, so much to the point that I’ve removed a post I had here from Dr. Mohler speaking out against a cartoon version of the book of Genesis. I am not ‘writing him off’, however, until he removes his signature from this ecumenical document, I do not wish to be yoked with him or any of his writings.
I praise God for those He has raised up to stand solely for His truth, not mixing it up with heretics for the sake of unity; but instead speaking out in this season of apostasy and deception. I believe Coram nailed it in saying the strong delusion is being poured out. It would seem the rise of the Anti-christ cannot be far off.
Even so, come Lord Jesus
Lyn
Why Alistair Begg did not sign:
To continue reading his reasons why, click here.
Before we jump the gun [again] you can read just why Al signed the document here:
http://www.albertmohler.com/2009/11/23/why-i-signed-the-manhattan-declaration/
Matthew,
Al Mohler’s post was read before anything was posted here at DefCon. Sadly, he chose to put his name to a document which clearly and distinctly undermines the truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ. His explanations do not square up with Scripture. If he really felt that strongly about social ills, he should give consideration to putting something together that evangelicals alone can sign to show their solidarity – NOT by signing something that claims Christian unity and brotherhood with Catholics and Orthodox heresies.
I would encourage people to do their homework on Chuck Colson. While he may have started out well, he has really gone down the ecumenical road of false unity (unity for the sake of unity vs. unity in the truth) in recent years (ie-Evangelicals and Catholics Together-ECT-with guys like J.I. Packer).
I would simply ask this: Why are we, people of the Reformation, so quick to join back with the Catholics? Let’s be honest-not much has changed since Martin Luther nailed his 95 Theses to their wall. While the Manhattan Declaration may look good on the surface (that’s deception hitting on all cylinders) with emphasis on life, marriage and religious liberty (all good things within themselves and that I personally believe in)-we as Christians are commanded by the Lord not join together with those teaching false doctrines. Clearly, the Catholic church is teaching false doctrines.
The Bible clearly says that we are to mark and avoid false teachers (who are teaching false doctrine), not fellowship with them-especially those who call themselves brothers and sisters in the Lord, but in reality are wolves in sheep’s clothing. In Romans 16:17-18, Paul writes, “Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offenses contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned and avoid them. For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple (compare to Philippians 3:17-19).”
The last days will be marked by great apostasy within the church which we are seeing before our very eyes and documents like the Manhatten Declaration in the larger scheme of things will only serve to bring a rise to an ecumenical one-world religion, a one-world religious leader who will serve the one-world leader, the Antichrist.
These are perilous times. Christian leaders need to wake up.
Joshua 1:9
Pastor Adam Gislason
Great Adventure Ministries, Inc.
P.O. Box 35
Hackensack, Minnesota 56452
(763) 568-2144
http://www.gaminc.wordpress.com
gamincinfo@gmail.com
If I may add my two cents worth; I agree with the general consensus of universalism and ecumenalism being the driving force of the Manhattan Declaration. I also share the concern that the gospel of Jesus Christ has been overlooked in favor of maintaining “unity” among the drafters and signatories.
While reading the document, I saw one thing that no one else seems to be addressing; has anyone else noticed that the writers are looking to gain favor (a free pass, if you will) from the world?
I got the impression that the writers are looking to practice their faith without consequence from the world, to be friendly with the world as they practice their morality, that they want the world to like them and not cause them to suffer for their faith and their God; and to me that goes against the word of God. I’m thinking of John 15:18-20. Also, Luke 21:12-17 and Acts 5:40-42. Or am I just reading into it something that isn’t there?
What a tragedy,
I do really like Alistar Begg’s response among the many I’ve just read.
The gospel is so vital, so central, so important, that a misunderstanding is not a minor issue. I can understand that these men meant well and were most likely blinded by an over confidence in their stand for the gsopel as a buffer to any misunderstandings YET that’s simply NOT the world we live in.
The Gospel must be CONSTANTLY defended and DEFINED as to what it IS and as to what it ISN’T which includes avoiding like the plague (like leaven) anything that hints otherwise!!! We live in such times that among every group the gospel is being distorted: through media, through the cults, through weak-doctrine churches and even through the strong doctrine churches (that distort the message through a filthy method), the world is still in need of some Jude’s who will contend for the faith one delievered to the saints!!!
As to taking stands on important issues that are quickly arising, I see Macarthur as a Spurgeon and as a Lloyd-Jones who payed close attention to the effects of such compromise.
Desert Pastor,
I read Al’s reasons for signing the declaration and I can see his point. Am I saying I would sign it? No.( FYI- I would not sign the declaration at all. I would take John MacAthurs stance above all I have so far heard.)
This declaration does contain some concerning things; like referring to Catholics as “we”.
I am assuming by now, you are well awhere of where I stand on the core issues of our faith. What I am saying is that, the point Al makes is that when same-sex marriage is introduced/advocated that is more than a RCC issue and when abortion is also apporoved etc, then that is more than an RCC issue, is a valid point.
I understand the concerns with the declaration and I share them with you. I just think to say things like “I dont want to [or will be] be yoked with Mohler etc etc” then that is just foolish. Not that you said that, it is what others say.
-Matthew
For those interested, a sound rebuke by Ralph Ovadal for the evangelical signers of the Manhattan Declaration can be found here. Also, some keen insight from Herescope on this covenant can be found here.
I am interested brother Michael and I ‘ll be sure to check that out – I have nver heard of Ralph Ovadal so it will be intriguing to hear his view. Thanks
Hi Mathew,
He has two sermons on Manhatten Declaration. And he has a weekly Heart of the Matter, on current events