The Manhattan Declaration

OK, so all the buzz lately has been surrounding the Manhattan Declaration. It is a call for Christians (of all persuasions) to rally together to fight for the unborn, traditional marriage, and religious liberty. There are a number of people that I greatly respect who have signed the Declaration (Albert Mohler, Ligon Duncan, and others) and many that I respect who have refused to sign the Declaration (John MacArthur, Tony Miano, and others). So, I have read the Declaration for myself and asked myself the question - will I sign it?

The short answer is no, I will not sign it (not that they were waiting for my response!).

Before I explain my reasons, let me first say that I will not be joining others who want to identify this as a litmus test in any way. What I mean is that I respect those who have signed it and I respect those who refuse to sign it. I will not cry "compromise" or "heresy" against those who have signed it.

That being said, why have I joined the ranks of non-signers?

First of all, it has nothing to do with the issues at hand. I am strongly pro-life and believe that life must be at the center of our concern in regards to social issues. I am burdened by the fact that, for the first time in a long time, abortion was no longer a main factor among evangelical voters a year ago.

Secondly, I am firmly in favor of traditional marriage. I will not compromise or beat around the bush on that issue.

Third, I fully support religious freedom in our nation. Every citizen of this country has the right to believe whatever they want to believe, no matter how much I disagree with them.

So, why not sign the document? I have three reasons.

1) As I have often observed with many ecumenical movements, there is a tendancy for our united effort to cause us to shove more important issues under the rug so that we can work together peacefully. In other words, we set aside the secondary issues that divide us so we can work together for something more important. In terms of the Manhattan Declaration, it is theology that is set aside for the "greater good."

2) As I read the language of the Declaration, I believe that signing it means I agree to what it states. As I read it, I see it as asking me to affirm that I share the same "Gospel" as the others who have signed the document. I just can't do that.

3) The first two reasons are "secondary" reasons for me. The final reason is the most important. It deals with what the Declaration lacks. Despite its references to preaching the Gospel, I can't help but see it as a side issue. Why? Because it is inserted without careful attention. In other words, we are rallying to take a stand on these social issues, believing that the battle can be won politically.

I do not mean to sound pessimistic. I do not mean to suggest that we should be involved politically. However, unless the hearts of men and women are soundly saved by the power of the Gospel, abortion will never be outlawed in this nation. Apart from a major work of God's Spirit, more and more states will begin to sanction same-sex marriages.

Someone I know called this the "95 theses of our generation." I have to strongly disagree with that affirmation. Luther fought for the Gospel and confronted issues in the Church that were perverting the Gospel. It seems odd to me that "Christians" can come together for social issues, while the Gospel of Jesus Christ in this nation becomes increasingly perverted. If we come together and create a "Gospel Declaration" that calls Christians to unite around the Biblical Gospel, I will quickly add my name to that Declaration. The spill-over of such a Declaration would manifest itself in how we vote and how we engage the world on social issues.

Until we rally to the banner of the Gospel, all else is beating back a hurricane with a feather.