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Dr. John MacArthur has presented his reasons for not signing the Manhattan Declaration at Shepherd’s Fellowship.
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.
You can read the rest of MacArthur’s statement here.
Thanks to Dr. MacArthur. I know he can be counted upon to cut straight to the point. He is correct. I thank him for his honesty. I also appreciate his desire to give God only the best regardless of what other arounf him may do. May God send more MacArthurs to continue the mission of spreading the gospel.
T.
So, are you all for the issues listed in the Man. Decl.? The answer is probably “Yes” because John said “Yes.”
- This document is not trying to define Christianity as its primary goal.
- It states costly grace…not cheap grace…reference D. Bonhoeffer.
- I think ecumenicalism…i.e. let’s put down our differences and have group-hug – is dangerous and will drag the faith and gospel down. I assume I’m speaking your language.
- But this document is not trying to unify the faith over the gospel; it is stating there are a few important issues of the day that we are all fighting. Even if you do not sign, you are for it functionally.
- The Man. Decl. is an obvious effort to state to the Government that we “Christians” stand together and will not submit to their authority when pressed on these issues.
So what will you do? Will you submit to the powers when they take your take tax money for abortion? Will you quiet yourself and not preach against the sin of homosexuality?
You will probably have the same conviction as we signers do and will perform in unity with the Man. Decl. signers.
Functionally, you have approved of it because you agree with it and stand aloof in false superiority. Wow! That is not very impressive, helpful or thoughtful.
Cliff,
Thank you for your conviction, passion, and thoughtful comments. I am not able to speak for all those who have not sign the Man. Decl., but I will respond to your post catagorically from my own personal view point. Thank you in advance for your tolerant respect of my so called aloof perspective.
So, are you all for the issues listed in the Man. Decl.? The answer is probably “Yes” because John said “Yes.” [Yes I support the positions detailed in the document, but I happen to agree with Dr. MacAuthur assertion that the Gospel is "one true and ultimate remedy for all of humanity’s moral ills". Christians should have a fundamental understanding of this, and that only Christ can heal our land.
- This document is not trying to define Christianity as its primary goal. [Agreed.]
- It states costly grace…not cheap grace…reference D. Bonhoeffer. [That is correct and important.]
- I think ecumenicalism…i.e. let’s put down our differences and have group-hug – is dangerous and will drag the faith and gospel down. I assume I’m speaking your language.[Ecumenicalism is fine so long as the Gospel is not subverted, ignored, or compromised.]
- But this document is not trying to unify the faith over the gospel; it is stating there are a few important issues of the day that we are all fighting. Even if you do not sign, you are for it functionally.[That is also true to the extent that I contend for the faith once and for all delivered to the Saints, proclaiming the Gospel, and performing my civic duties when called or as needed.]
- The Man. Decl. is an obvious effort to state to the Government that we “Christians” stand together and will not submit to their authority when pressed on these issues.[I agree again with your presupposition, but there is something missing. Yes the Gospel. We are to claim Christ.]
So what will you do? Will you submit to the powers when they take your take tax money for abortion? Will you quiet yourself and not preach against the sin of homosexuality? [Nope and nope. We Christians should fear no man or government. We will contend for the faith and be ready to preach in and out of season. Preach what? The Gospel.]
You will probably have the same conviction as we signers do and will perform in unity with the Man. Decl. signers. [I do hold the same convictions and will run the race placed before me to oversee the flock by faithfully proclaiming the Gospel not ignoring, abandoning, or subverting it.]
Functionally, you have approved of it because you agree with it and stand aloof in false superiority. Wow! That is not very impressive, helpful or thoughtful.[I agree with the precepts, however I am not aloof in false superiority. I just do not agree in signing a document that does not include the one thing that can truly heal, the Gospel, and it is terrible because that is the most important component, yet the one that divides the most. That is tragically ironic, but we must stand firm to the faithful word and boldy proclaim the Gospel. Thank you again for your tolerant respect of my so called aloof perspective.
]
Agreed. I truly feel that we have yet missed the point once again. There does not need to be a “Manhattan Declaration” to show unity in this dead world. We need a true “Gospel Declaration” to be proclaimed with passion and love. Repent and beleive. Trust the One true source and ONLY remedy against the evils of man/flesh, the world, and the devil, Jesus Christ. We should all, and encourage others, to get out of “Manhattan” and boldly go to “insert your hometown here” and declare the truth to the lost that are blindly sprinting to destruction. Only then may our land heal as men submit, obey, and follow the true Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. That is our only answer the rest is misguided vanity. May the Lord truly bless us in that endeavor.
wow…..
How far out …and blind…slip away from your desk a bit.
Argue the gospel all day long on…I’m your side, but your faith is not dependant on unity over this cause.
I believe you’d more amiss to avoid the implications and responcibilities found in this document than demanding the gospel be clearly articulated in the Man. Dec.
If you vote for a candidate-is that your doctrinal faith statement…you copuld have voted for a man who will do all sorts of evil and share your doctrine.
John maybe you could make statement similar and we’ll sign yours instead…can you see that accomplishing anthing?
Keep fighting for the gospel and simultaiously get out of the way of unity over this important cause. You don’t have to join their church.
Cliff
Great to see John not signing this document.
Not a shock – not a MacArthur fan
I think the point is being missed here. This is not a sermon, they’re not preaching to their congregation; there saying HAY, LOOK THIS IS NOT GOOD LETS FAKE IT. Yes the gospel is important and like they said “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”. They didn’t need to go in depth in the gospel, that wasn’t there goal. Their goal was to get Christians and non-Christians to stand up for what is right. And this document defiantly, stand up for what is good and right.
I agree with the dec. because it supports christianity,doesn’t support gay rights,and it doesn’t support abortion.
The dec. mentions “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”. Yes it is our duty, but not the dec. it is the peoples duty.( wich i think it’s telling that the people are going to be doing that)
I have listened and read many reasons, why and why not, people have signed the Manhattan Declaration. I agree with Ravi Zacharias, Michael Youssef, and Josh McDowell’s response. For one, they in no way divide the brethren who have taken their stand on moral truth… I in no way doubt that they sought the Holy Spirit in obedience for their decisions. Should we not stand by them? Are they wrong for standing up for the sake of humanity. Should we not stand up and be counted or should we sit back like Edom? We know full well the power of God… I pray for those who do not know the true Gospel of Christ, but then again I believe teachings like T.U.L.I.P. also change the person of Christ, ultimately changing the individuals heart in matter of giving the gospel. I would nonetheless sign a declaration of the same accord written by R.C. Sproul or James White or any other hyper Calvanist should the Holy Spirit lead me to. Evangelicals SHOULD sign the declaration if the Spirit leads them to. Should cause division because of their obedience? The biblical answer is no. They are not discussing a doctrine of any sort… They are praying for God’s hand to not be removed from our country. ~Sean Frey