Alistair Begg – Why He’s Not Signing The Manhattan Declaration
December 1, 2009 3 Comments
“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? Because of my convictions about the nature of the Gospel, and the importance of Christian co-belligerency being grounded in it. The activity of the Christian as a citizen engaging in co-belligerency over civic and moral issues is not the same as the declaration of Christians mutually recognizing the reality of each other’s faith. This is what I wrote to Chuck Colson:…..”
You can read the rest of Alistair’s comments here.
Related Posts:
Alistair Begg: The Holy Spirit
What is the purpose of the declaration?
I mean it was obviosuly written in an ecumenical spirit.
Si, good question. Christians are not and cannot be ecumenical with nonChristians… We can be in agreement on civil and political issues as citizens of our city, state, and country but we cannot join as Christians to nonChristians. Why is this so hard? The Bible is so clear.
T.
This comment is a small variation of what I wrote about J. Mac.
- 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 empty sense of acheivement. Wow! Not very impressive, helpful or thoughtful.