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

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?

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

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.

http://www.albertmohler.com/2009/11/23/why-i-signed-the-manhattan-declaration/

The release of The Manhattan Declaration (an ecumenical document addressing the issues of life, marriage, and religious liberty) has already generated significant discussion. Since I have been on the receiving end of many questions concerning it, I thought it best to address it directly. The declaration reads in part as follows:
“We are Christians who have joined together across historical lines of ecclesial differences… …to speak and act in defense of these truths.”

I was present at the meetings in Manhattan in October when the draft of this document was presented.
I listened carefully and was stirred by the ensuing discussions.
I share the concerns expressed in the document.
I also have respect for those who wrote the paper and also for many who have subsequently signed it.

Why then have I chosen not to append my name as one of the initial signers?

To continue reading his reasons why, click here.

Even so, come Lord Jesus

Lyn

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 would loooooove to know why Al Mohler has signed it.

Surely there is a reason behind it?

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

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

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

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:

We are Orthodox, Catholic, and evangelical Christians who have united at this hour to reaffirm fundamental truths about justice and the common good, and to call upon our fellow citizens, believers and non-believers alike, to join us in defending them. (Bold & italics added)

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:

We will fully and ungrudgingly render to Caesar what is Caesar’s. But under no circumstances will we render to Caesar what is God’s.

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)