A Biblical Antidote for the Manhattan Declaration
By Buddy Hanson The Covenant News ~ December 17, 2009
How would the Protestant Reformers respond to the Manhattan Declaration? Like any extended family, America’s protestants have our differences of opinions, but in an effort to call us back to our roots, allow me to offer a simple way to filter through our core beliefs this and other “declarations” that present themselves to us from time to time (i.e., 1994’s “Evangelicals and Catholics Together,”). After all, without the core beliefs of the Protestant Reformers we would still be entangled with the blasphemous superstitions of the Catholic Church. With this in mind, it should be obvious that the Reformers would not be a part of any coalition with Catholics, nor with Mormons or Jews.
To capture the original mindset (worldview) of our protestant forefathers, I’ve merged their five “Solas” with the five principles of the 1618 Synod of Dort. This synod refuted the Dutch seminary professor James Arminius, who was teaching a theology that went against the foundational teachings of the Reformation. It would be bad enough to say that we have forgotten these core theological truths, but according to statements by some signers of the Manhattan Declaration, I wonder if we are, in large part, ignorant of why it is that we call ourselves Protestants!
While it is encouraging that pastors are calling us to engage culture, and to take a stand for such issues as protecting the family and the unborn, it is confusing why the signers apparently don’t believe that God’s Word is “sufficient” to provide us the wisdom of how to handle these and other cultural issues.[1]
It’s only “natural” to think that if we compromise our beliefs a little by placing tolerance over truth, we can attract others into our camp to fight various cultural issues. However, as Christians, we have been liberated from our natural wisdom because the Holy Spirit has implanted the “supernatural” wisdom of God in our heart![2]
Has anyone asked these signers why Jesus didn’t join with the Pharisees and Sadducees in order to get His gospel message out to the masses? Or, has anyone asked them what they hope to achieve by using man’s rules, instead of God’s rules, to win our culture war? Even if such “conservative” ideology enabled us to achieve a cultural victory, what would we do then? How would we determine which “man” had the authority to tell us how to discern “good,” from “evil” behavior? At this point, a couple of time-tested aphorisms come to mind: “Throwing the baby out with the bath water;” and “If you lie down with dogs, you will get up with fleas!”
Would the signers say, “Hanson, you’re just being picky,” if I quoted God’s wisdom, instead of man’s wisdom? For instance, Paul tells Timothy to “Guard what was committed to your trust, avoiding the profane and idle babblings and contradictions of what is falsely called knowledge…which some professing have erred concerning the faith.”[3] He also tells the Thessalonians to “withdraw from every brother” who does not walk according to biblical ethics.[4] And, of course, I could cite Peter’s admonition that “it would be better not to know the way of righteousness, than, after knowing it, to turn back from the holy commandments.”[5]
I’m a “glass half full” person, so instead of criticizing the motivations of these signers, the following Biblical Antidote Filter is presented with the intent of having them, and all of us, conform our efforts to God’s ethics, instead of man’s ethics[6] whenever we are presented with a proposal. In God’s cause-and-effect universe, we “reap what we sow,” 7 and as long as we continue to live according to man’s rules, we will reap man’s results. This means that in order to have any expectation to begin receiving God’s results, we must begin living by God’s rules!
To assist you in doing the righteous thing in the right way.
“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they shall be filled.” Matthew 5.6
T — Total Inability: Sola Christus – Christ Alone
DOES WHAT YOU ARE BEING ASKED TO PARTICIPATE IN REFLECT THAT:
Theological Grid
I could not be who I am without Jesus’ life, death, and victory over death that paid for my sins. The triune God of the Bible is the only true God!
We “are not adequate in ourselves to consider anything, but our sufficiency is from God.” 2 Corinthians 3:5
ur heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked,” (Jeremiah 17.9) and unless or until we conform our thinking to biblical ethics we “cannot please God?” (Romans 8.7-8)
We, who were once “dead in our trespasses,” (Colossians 2.13) have been “forgiven and made alive” so that we are no longer under the tyrannical influence of Satan, (Ephesians 2.1-2) and are now Jesus’ slave?
Ethical Grid
Does it model Eve’s behavior, or Jesus’ behavior?
If it doesn’t model Jesus’ behavior disregard it!
Does it demonstrate that we are being editors of God’s Word, or doers of His Word?
If our daily behaviors do not demonstrate that we are doers of God’s Word, we should disregard them!
Does it demonstrate that our ultimate trust is in God’s revelation on how to live, or do we ultimately trust in our speculation (pragmatism, common sense, natural law, logic) in how to live?
If our behaviors don’t demonstrate that our ultimate trust is in God’s revelation, we should disregard them!
U – Unconditional Election: Sola Fide – Faith Alone
DOES WHAT YOU ARE BEING ASKED TO PARTICIPATE IN REFLECT THAT:
Theological Grid
I am a member of God’s family and Christ’s Kingdom
Our God “Is in heaven, doing whatever He pleases,” (Psalm 115.3) which includes “appointing us to bear fruit” for Christ’s Kingdom? (John 15.16)
We have been “crucified with Christ and it is no longer we who live, but Christ lives in us,” (Galatians 2.20) therefore, our priority must be to do His will, not ours!
Through Adam’s disobedience “death reigned for all men,” but through Jesus obedience, life will “reign for all who receive “the gift of righteousness.” (Romans 5.12, 17-19)
It is “not of him who wills, nor of him who runs, but of God who shows mercy.” (Romans 9.16)
Ethical Grid
Does our Daily Spiritual Practice prepare us to get from the “is” to the “ought?”
If our Daily Spiritual Practice is not preparing us to apply biblical ethics to our cultural issues, we should disregard it!
L – Limited Atonement: Sola Scriptura – Scripture Alone
DOES WHAT YOU ARE BEING ASKED TO PARTICIPATE IN REFLECT THAT:
Theological Grid
God’s Word, not man’s word, is my exclusive guide for determining how I live.
If their plans don’t conform to God’s “Law and testimony,” there is no use pursuing them, because “there is no light in them!” (Isaiah 8.20)
Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? (2 Corinthians 6.14)
We must “bring every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ,” (2 Corinthians 10.4-6) because “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. (2 Timothy 3.16)
Ethical Grid
Does it conform to God’s revealed ethics (rules)?
If it doesn’t disregard it!
Does it reflect God’s will, or man’s will?
If it doesn’t reflect God’s will disregard it!
I – Irresistible Grace: Sola Gratia – Grace Alone
DOES WHAT YOU ARE BEING ASKED TO PARTICIPATE IN REFLECT THAT:
Theological Grid
Everything depends upon God. I owe everything I have to God’s grace.
Our conduct should be “worthy of the gospel of Christ, as we “stand fast in one spirit, striving for the faith of the gospel.” (Philippians 1.27)
Our repentance is “God’s gift,” (Acts 5.31; 2 Timothy 2.25) to us because “He loved us first,” (! John 4.19) by “pouring out the Holy Spirit in our heart,” Romans 5.5 thereby giving us a “heart of flesh.” (Ezekiel 36.26-27)
We are “a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.” (1 Peter 2.9)
Ethical Grid
Does it falsely set God’s Law against His Grace?
If it does, disregard it.
P – Perseverance of the Saints: Sola Deo Gloria – God’s Glory Alone
DOES WHAT YOU ARE BEING ASKED TO PARTICIPATE IN REFLECT THAT:
Theological Grid
The ultimate motivation for my behavior is to honor God by bringing glory to Him in all I think, say and do.
We must “come out from them and be separate, for we are the temple of the living God, and we have no agreement with idols.” (2 Corinthians 6.16-17)
In God’s cause-and-effect universe, we forfeit His favor and blessings when we live by our wisdom, instead of by His wisdom.
No one will be able to separate us from the love of Christ, because “in all things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For…neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8.37-39)
Ethical Grid
Does it enable us to approach Jesus with confidence in case this is the “last day” we will be able to serve Him on the earth?
If it doesn’t we should disregard it.
* For space purposes this is very brief, but a fuller discussion is available for the asking. You won’t be added to any email list, or asked for money, this is purely a good faith effort to provide a resource to help you take ground for Christ’s Kingdom.
E-mail: bhanson@graceandlaw.com
Buddy Hanson is President of the Christian Policy Network and Director of the Christian Worldview Resources Center and has written several books on the necessity of applying one's faith to everyday situations, circumstances and decision-making.