"No" on The Manhattan Declaration

On Nov. 20, 2009, the Manhattan Declaration was released in a press conference in Washington DC, with many religious leaders signing this 4700-word statement in support. The statement focuses on 1) the sanctity of human life, 2) the dignity of marriage as the conjugal union of husband and wife, and 3) the rights of conscience and religious liberty. While these points may be good, I have found extremely significant and monumental faults with the Manhattan Declaration, mainly that they lack the essence of the Gospel.

I am a simple-minded person, and I can't help but see there is something undoubtedly wrong when both "Christian evangelical leaders" and "Roman Catholic priests" are bunched together. It's disheartening to see evangelical leaders I admire such as Dr. R. Albert Mohler, Jr., Dr J. Ligon Duncan signing a declaration that could be misconstrued by non-believers or the weaker brothers in Christ.

I would have to agree with Dr. John MacArthur, Dr. James White, Alistair Begg, Frank Turk, and Tim Challies in their decision to not sign the Manhattan Declaration. It compromises the essence of Gospel message, excludes its utmost importance, and promotes ecumenicism.

The following are some links that address the Manhattan Declaration from both sides. MacArthur and James White explains it a lot more coherently than myself.

Those who did not sign and their explanations for not signing:
- John MacArthur
- James R. White
- Alistair Begg
- David Doran
- Frank Turk
- Tim Challies

Those who signed and their explanations for signing:
- Al Mohler
- Kevin DeYoung
- Timothy George

Other Related Links:
Reformed Voices
Defending. Contending.
5 Pt. Salt