Posted on 12/31/2009 4:37:24 PM PST by TheConservativeCitizen
"The Manhattan Declaration: A Call of Christian Conscience," released last month, impressed me as a profound statement by a large number of Christian leaders taking a stand for the foundations of civilization, the family, and the sanctity of human life. People of faith have to work together to preserve and protect the fundamental principles of morality from those who seek to destroy them. This declaration brings together numerous Catholic bishops, Orthodox clergy, and Evangelical leaders -- and as an evangelical Christian I will gladly partner with other types of Christians on the common concepts that form the backbone of Christianity. Here are the opening lines from ManhattanDeclaration.org:
Christians, when they have lived up to the highest ideals of their faith, have defended the weak and vulnerable and worked tirelessly to protect and strengthen vital institutions of civil society, beginning with the family. 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. These truths are:
1. the sanctity of human life
2. the dignity of marriage as the conjugal union of husband and wife
3. the rights of conscience and religious liberty.
Inasmuch as these truths are foundational to human dignity and the well-being of society, they are inviolable and non-negotiable. Because they are increasingly under assault from powerful forces in our culture, we are compelled today to speak out forcefully in their defense, and to commit ourselves to honoring them fully no matter what pressures are brought upon us and our institutions to abandon or compromise them. We make this commitment not as partisans of any political group but as followers of Jesus Christ, the crucified and risen Lord, who is the Way, the Truth, and theLife. Even now the whispers of “hate speech,” “ignorance,” “bigotry,” “intolerance,” and “insensitivity” await those who now champion the sanctity of life or who fail to cheerlead homosexuality and sexual deviancy. Some have even gone so far as to label the Manhattan Declaration “hateful” or a call for civil disobedience. They are wrong. The manifesto is not about judging or excusing. If anything, it is in fact a rather benign, formal declaration of what a great many believe. It is also a clear warning shot across the bow of the U.S.S. liberal agenda that Christians will not compromise their fundamental religious beliefs no matter what the state may attempt to dictate.
Those seeking to mock, disparage, and even persecute any of us who fail to march lockstep with the agenda of secular humanism need to understand that a line has been drawn in the sand and a wide spectrum of the Christian community is joining together in a common cause to proclaim God’s truth, as they understand it, as outlined in the Bible. These are clear cut and unambiguous issues for Bible-believing people of faith and compromise is not an option when it comes to these basic principles.
The suspension of judgment and the concept that there is no true right or wrong is a devious lie and one that often fools even otherwise educated and intelligent people. If you are willing to suspend judgment and the concept of right and wrong, then you will eventually accept anything. The “if-it-feels-good-do-it” mindset produces only heartache and disaster in the end. It is the wise man who rejects such childlike idiocy and expects adults to think and act like adults. With maturity should come responsibility, self-restraint, discernment, and wisdom. It stands in stark contrast to an ideology of dependency, irresponsibility, the inability to practice self-restraint and accept the consequences of one’s actions, and the continued childlike dependency on others to fix one’s own mistakes.
Popular culture may sneer at such ideas as morals and values, sexual restraint, and personal responsibility, at patriotism and good citizenship, and at honesty, decency, and respect. Those are the failings of secularists and liberals. They should not be of Christians and conservatives. Part and parcel of both Christianity and conservatism is the simple concept that actions have consequences. The concept of the prohibition of sin was not to somehow squash your “fun” but to warn one about the repercussions of certain actions. It was to protect us, not to be “mean” to us.
There may come a time when a declaration like this is labeled “hate speech” or contrary to the public good and banned from dissemination. One may think that is far-fetched but we currently stand at the edge of the abyss when it comes to thought-control, censorship, and even the persecution of those that don’t march lock step with the powers-that-be and the dictates of a corrupt, popular culture.
As our society and culture embraces decadence and earnestly seeks to fulfill the Prophet Isaiah’s warning that “good shall be called evil, and evil good” it is increasingly important for people of faith to stand up and be counted. It is time to draw a stark distinction between those who have sold out to situational morality and don’t believe in right or wrong, only “different.” Eleven of the twelve disciples achieved martyrdom by refusing to heed those who sought to silence them. It is incumbent upon Christians to stand up for what is right, no matter the cost. It is an essential element of the faith, and at the core of the teachings of Christ. To not call sin “sin” is to be dishonest and contrary to the teachings of the gospels.
The last paragraph of the Declaration reads: ”Because we honor justice and the common good, we will not comply with any edict that purports to compel our institutions to participate in abortions, embryo-destructive research, assisted suicide and euthanasia, or any other anti-life act; nor will we bend to any rule purporting to force us to bless immoral sexual partnerships, treat them as marriages or the equivalent, or refrain from proclaiming the truth, as we know it, about morality and immorality and marriage and the family. 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.”
There is something noble and honorable about standing for truth, as uncomfortable or inconvenient that may be for some on occasion. You can join the over 300,000 people of faith who have followed the example and lead of the initial 170 leaders of the Christian community who presented the world with the Manhattan Declaration. Dare to take a stand. Join what has gone far beyond a mere statement in defense of faith and principle, and is now becoming a movement of people of conscience taking a stand for the whole world to see.
Start the New Year by recommitting yourself to what is right and true. The Manhattan Declaration: A Call of Christian Conscience can be read in its entirity at www.ManhattanDeclaration.org. I signed this powerful declaration and so should you. I like the spectrum and caliber of the signers and am proud to join my smallest of voices with theirs.The goal is for one million Christians to sign the declaration. Will you join me in doing so?
For more information on the thinking behind the Manhattan Declaration I would suggest the article by Dr. Timothy George, Dean of the Beeson Divinity School of Samford University, senior editor of Christianity Today, and one of the original architects of The Manhattan Declaration: The Manhattan Declaration: A Growing, Grassroots Movement of the Spirit (http://www.colsoncenter.org/the-center/columns/call-response)
Of course that is correct. And it is fine for people who disagree in one area to band together to support a cause on which they DO agree. I'd be fine with signing the MD if it said something like, "while we all disagree on various aspects of the gospel of Jesus Christ, we DO agree on sanctity of life, traditional marriage and freedom of religious expression..."
When I’ve helped at missions who help the poor and have volunteered to help the church with sermons at the same places, the people know that the way they are being helped is a direct result of the Gospel message of Salvation and not of simply “good works” and merely for “helping” people.
It’s part of the actual “help” in that the Gospel is given first and foremost even before any consideration of the help itself. And then any help, in the way of food or clothes or any other kind of assistance is given.
NOW..., if this organization were to set out the Gospel Message of Salvation as the first priority in their organization and all that it does and for all the actions that it is taking, then I would consider things differently.
But, I doubt anyone every hears the Gospel Message of Salvation and what is required in order for one to be saved, from the lake of fire and certain eternal damnation, even if they do all the good in the world.
I would make the Gospel message the first priority of any meeting, of any statement to others and to anyone who has the least little thing to do with it. And, in addition, I would make darned sure that all who participate actually do know what it takes in order to be saved, and is actually saved.
And so, you have this group do those two things (give the Gospel Message at every event or talk — and — their organizational priorities after that), at the same time (i.e., chew gum and also walk...) then I would reconsider, like I said...
“Who says it “supplants” the obligation to make disciples of all nations? I believe this is an example of the either/or fallacy.
There is a proper order of religious obligations in this life, and the worship of God must always be #1. Every other good thing is subordinate to that, but flows from it and is harmonious with it.
Action for justice in culture, in custom, and in law is a constitutive element of the preaching of the Gospel.
AMEN! That’s why I signed it!!!!!!!!!!
Or even “we all profess a faith in Jesus Christ as savior of the world and personal savior, and that from this comes... [whatever].” Sometimes it’s not helpful to highlight the “protest” part of “Protestant.” I really admire the way C. S. Lewis, for one, brought the branches of the creed together in his books.
I’m not arguing theology of salvation with John MacArthur, but Christians are supposed to be salt and light. They are supposed to change the world, and they have done so in the past. How is he contributing to that? I ask again: Is there absolutely nothing good in the Roman Catholic and Orthodox Churches? Is there no reason at all to join with them against forces which are downright Satanic? Is there no difference to him between the RCC church and the “church of Marx”?
Are you suggesting we can only do the “one” thing.
A CALL OF CHRISTIAN CONSCIENCE
Christians, when they have lived up to the highest ideals of their faith, have defended the weak and vulnerable and worked tirelessly to protect and strengthen vital institutions of civil society, beginning with the family.
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. These truths are:
Inasmuch as these truths are foundational to human dignity and the well-being of society, they are inviolable and non-negotiable. Because they are increasingly under assault from powerful forces in our culture, we are compelled today to speak out forcefully in their defense, and to commit ourselves to honoring them fully no matter what pressures are brought upon us and our institutions to abandon or compromise them. We make this commitment not as partisans of any political group but as followers of Jesus Christ, the crucified and risen Lord, who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life.
If I can put it broadly, the church (all saved Christians) seeks to embrace the willing stranger into a shared relationship with the eternal Savior who provides for all. That’s the end game. Heaven come to earth but is not glued down to the mortal coil, it goes with you always.
Salvation through faith in Christ as the only way is absolutely first and nothing comes before that. All else is absolutely secondary...
As Jesus said, what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and lose his own soul....
Thus, salvation is first, first, first...
I like C.S. Lewis's writings too. But I'm not Protestant (or Catholic either, for that matter). The reformers didn't reform enough, and even practiced catholic-like punishment of "heretics" with whom they disagreed. I'm averse to "come together, right now, over me" theology.... unless it comes together around the cross and resurrection of Jesus.
It’s ok to bend hell.. it’s even better to break it.
Good works are often the “bait” on the “hook” so to speak in the fishing of men. My church does charitable outreaches especially at Christmas time but expects that of itself to do no more than get the people to know about us, or the Christian church in general. But God draws further, and so our work in that vein is far from vain.
If I can put it broadly, the church (all saved Christians) seeks to embrace the willing stranger into a shared relationship with the eternal Savior who provides for all.
And there is only one way to that relationship, and it's only by accepting the one and only way that the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob provided, by way of the Messiah of Israel -- according to the Gospel...
That message comes first, first and first... before all else...
The Bible says in Romans 10 about salvation...
9 that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 11 For the Scripture says, "Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame." 12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him. 13 For "whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved."
It's the Gospel Message that is the salvation for all who hear and who accept...
1 Corinthians Chapter 15 1 Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received and in which you stand, 2 by which also you are saved, if you hold fast that word which I preached to you--unless you believed in vain. 3 For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures, 5 and that He was seen by Cephas, then by the twelve. 6 After that He was seen by over five hundred brethren at once, of whom the greater part remain to the present, but some have fallen asleep. 7 After that He was seen by James, then by all the apostles. 8 Then last of all He was seen by me also, as by one born out of due time. 9 For I am the least of the apostles, who am not worthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. 10 But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not in vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all, yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me. 11 Therefore, whether it was I or they, so we preach and so you believed.
As good fishers, we don’t confuse bait with hook. But as we watch God’s design, not a lot of catching happens with a bare hook.
Maybe stick that on your freep page :-)
Good works are often the “bait” on the “hook” so to speak in the fishing of men.
Then if that's the case in your mind, one should make it very clear to those who are receiving the good works, along with those who are giving the good works -- that if all that was involved in the process was the good works, and it was the best good works in the history of the world, that would only merit a person a place in Hell and in Eternal Torment. No less would come from God for all the good works that a person could do for their entire lives.
Their good works are worthless according to God for salvation. The good works are totally worthless.
Everyone doing good works should be reminded of that every single day that they get up that not a single good work that they do will keep them out the "Hell-fires" of the lake of fire...
And everyone who is receiving those good works should also be told that the person who is giving them is not saved on the basis of anything that they do, no matter how good or perfect it is, because all that they do is worthless in God's sight, for anyone's salvation.
That person receiving those "good works" should know this without a doubt, the minute they take those "good works" or the "job" has "failed".
Fellow FReeper “salamander” and I look after the interests of cold-blooded, slimy vertebrates here. Someone has to do it.
As good fishers, we don’t confuse bait with hook. But as we watch God’s design, not a lot of catching happens with a bare hook.
Salvation, itself, is the work of God and no one else, through Jesus, the Messiah of Israel -- and it's not from any person and it's not from any organization and it's not from any church and it's not from any human agency of any kind.
But, "giving the message" of salvation -- is the work of those who are already saved through Jesus, the Messiah of Israel's finished work on the cross, and from the message of the Gospel in the Word of God, itself.
Thus, the "job" of the Christian is giving the message of salvation. The job of God is to do the actual "saving" -- not the giver of the message, whether it be a person, a pastor, an organization or a church.
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