The Manhattan Declaration (Article)

Thank you for keeping the main thing the main thing!

Thank you Pastor Begg. After reading the Manhattan Declaration, and the names of some of those who have signed, I was astounded that you declined - but then, I had never heard of, much less read, Calvin's Institutes. I found Book IV on spurgeon.org. Section 18 is an eye-opener. Once again you have cut right to the heart of the issue. God has blessed you with wonderful insight and wisdom in discerning the truth, and provided a way for you to share it with people around the world. Your answer is simple, straight forward, and wonderfully clear in a world full of confusion and chaos. Our prayers are that God will continue to bless your ministry - even more in these trying times.

Alistair, I agree with you that the Roman Catholic Church isn't of Christ. However, I believe that all Christians should band together against this legislative onslaught! All churches, pulpits & preachers are under attack. If you don't believe that listen to some of your own preaching about the empty churches of Europe! Europe has become a mission field! The United States is next. Even Calvin fled to Switzerland rather than take up the struggle. Is this what we're supposed to do?

Alistair, can we not stand with those who are standing for righteousness based upon Biblical principles? Is not the sanctity of human life, defense of the marital covenant, and freedom to speak and worship the God who gave us the gospel enough reason to join with those who have drawn this line? It is a call of conscience to stand for God who has claimed all of our life.

I'm very torn about this issue. On the one hand, I do believe we need to stand up for our biblical principles through legislation. On the other, I believe with all my heart that if we Christians were living a life on fire for God and in obedience to Him, then we would see a revival on a huge scale. Sharing the Gospel is the main thing. The legislation we pass follows our moral standings, and when a nation as a whole comes to Christ, the legislation would fall in line with the truth of God's Word. If we were a truly born again nation, things would be different, but until that happens, we must realize to be a servant of God is be persecuted. The book of Timothy tells us that very clearly. We have an enemy who is always trying to degrade us and our message of the Gospel. He will try every way possible to see that its sharing doesn't take place. This could very well be a distraction from the main goal of the born again believer: to share with everyone they can the message of Christ.

Thank you for your courage in the face of what I am sure was incredible pressure to go along. Jesus said we should render unto Caesar what is Caesar's and render unto God that which is God's. For too long the American Christian church has been confusing their politics with their religion as well as binding worldly social issues with faith issues. It is time for us to wake up to our priorities. We don't need to change the country, we need to change the man. If we change the man, the country will change. If we live lives that cause others to say "There goes a Christian!", then we will cause the changes that this country and this world need. If we keep trying to change things on our own insteead of doing it God's way, both the church and the country will fall to Babylon as Israel and Judah did. I am not a Democrat Christian. I am not a Republican Christian. I am not an independent Christian. I am a Christian first, last and always. When I am getting that part right, I am in the process of changing the world for Christ.

We lost this country for Christ by focusing on ourselves to the exclusion of the non-Christians around us. We can only win it back by focusing on sharing the Gospel properly with others, not by trying to legislate into compliance. That way is a return to worship of the law.

I commend Pastor Begg for his obedience to the Word, which must be our final authority. While the patriotic side of me, which mourns the passing of our great nation's Judeo/Christian heritage, yearns to take action with those who share my political leanings, I must regroup and remember that God has already told us who we are to partner with, or not. We are not to be yoked together with unbelievers, which most certainly would include the Roman Catholic Church, who, by her own admission, has condemned Protestants as 'anathema'. What communion has light with darkness? None, no matter what that darkness is called. By signing that document, however politically beneficial it may seem, it would still be partnering with the aspostate Roman Catholic Church. The gospel must come first, before our political desires, and the true Church must never yoke herself to any other but Christ Himself.

Dear Pastor:

May God bless you and keep you close every day of your life.

I rely on you to make reasonable decisions, using God's word as a guide to your own integrity. Had you chosen any other way, I'd have wondered about it (but would have supported you regardless). You are a fine example of a Godly man with integrity - THIS speaks not only to me, but to the friends I've introduced to your radio ministry, and to their children who hold you up as an example to follow.

Please come visit San Diego soon. I'll treat you to a fine lunch out on San Diego bay, as a thank you for all you do.

Blessings,
Kathy Leicester

Thank you, Pastor Begg, for your obedience to the Truth of the Gospel. I pulled out my copy of Institutes to read and though hundreds of years have passed since it was written, it is encouraging to know it's message is still true: '...to go no further than the word of God allows...' Your decision, though difficult, is supported by multitudes who have come to appreciate your purpose to see unbelievers come to be committed followers of our Lord Jesus. Be encouraged!

Yes it is good to keep the main thing the main thing but we need to remember it is not the only thing. In other words yes the gospel is the main thing but their are other other important things and we are commanded in scripture to care about.

I am a Catholic and have been working in the Pro Life movement for about 25 years. It is always reassuring to find holy and courageous people from other faiths working alongside us, praying outside abortion clinics, helping in crisis pregnancy centers, working to elect pro life leaders or pass pro life laws, teaching those who would listen about the evil of elective abortion. We are working to save lives and that is surely God's work. That is the central fact here. There is a silent holocaust raging around us. Does God intend for our differences of belief to prevent us from working together to end it? I can't believe that. There is also an important civic dimension of our efforts . Abortion, divorce, gay marriage etc., are serious threats to this country's survival. We must work together for our country's sake. Please pray that those whose consciences are preventing them from joining this effort will be able to see it this way.

Patrick Lee - I agree with everything you say and I hope you don't think that the people who don't sign the declaration are against what it stands for. All believers should join the effort to protect the life of the unborn, to codify the sanctity of marriage and to defend the freedom of religion whether they sign the Manhattan Declaration or not. We are allies in this work, though we do not share the same Gospel. We have unity in many secondary matters, but unity in the primacy of the Gospel does not exist at this point.

Pastor Begg; Thankyou! I agree totally in principle with the Manhattan Declaration, but as a former catholic, I will not be partner to the acknowedgement to the statement of all of the signers being of Christian faith. I admire your conviction to stand firm on the sole truth of scriptural authority and it's veracity. True Christians really do not need to sign on to any document as these measures are a matter of fact regardless. We seem to think that the call to stand for righteousness requires compromise, or the means whereby justifies the final result. continue on sir, and may your coasts increase PG Volling

Pastor Begg, I applaud your courage and stance in not being a signatory to the Manhattan Declaration. I had a bit of uneasiness when I first heard about this document, and had my worst fears confirmed when I noticed the ecumenical spirit that was driving the manifesto. Like you, I found it to be very disturbing that the message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ was obviously missing. Everyone can promote a set of "Christian morals," but now it appears that it has become anathema to bring forth the Gospel message to call sinners to repentance.

At the least, I was encouraged to see that not only was your name missing from this document, but so was John MacArthur, Steve Lawson, James R. White, and RC Sproul, to name a few.

I happened to be reading Iain Murray's book Evangelicalism Divided, a history of the sad accommodations evangelicals have made in the pursuit of ecumenism over the past 50 years, when my husband mentioned this document to me. Very chilling. Thank you for standing firm in the gospel.

Thanks Alister for standing for Word of GOD. Also Pointing out the point I missed about ECT.

Alistair,
I think that this statement proves that the Manhatten Declaration does not declare Jesus. "The nature of religious liberty is grounded in the character of God Himself, the God who is most fully known in the life and work of Jesus Christ." This seemingly clear reference to Jesus actually lowers Christ to the same level has a prophet or moral teacher. Your reference to Jude 3 could be bolstered further by verse 4 "For certain men have crept in unnoticed, who long ago were marked out for this condemnation, ungodly men, who turn the grace of our God into lewdness and deny the only Lord God and our Lord Jesus Christ." Denying Christ comes in more subtle ways than the open atheist or the dogmatic agnostic. Denials are wolves in the clothing of slight references to Jesus but not Jesus as Lord. Inserting Jesus at the end of the document does not redeem the minimization of Jesus as a moral example instead of the declaration of Jesus as the only way to God. The danger of collaboration is that Jesus cannot be compromised for the "common" goal of moral reforms.
Albert R. Hartley

Wow this is incredible! I know lots of people who are politically active, and I respect that a lot. But what I respect and agree with even more is when Christians don't back down from the ultimate Truth and Message of the Gospel. In the Screwtape Letters, C.S. Lewis said one huge pitfall is making Christianity a means to an end (and that end can commonly be a political position), not an end in itself. Here, sir, I think you avoided and pointed out this pitfall. God bless!

Pastor Begg,

Thank you for your careful consideration to this important matter. The matters discussed in the Manhattan declaration are substantial, impacting lives and culture. But the union of leading men, from backgrounds which disagree on fundamental definitions related to eternal salvation, sadly leads to a greater likelihood of confusion and graciously affirms some in false belief systems instead of graciously confronting them with what is needed for their eternal salvation. Thank God for your standing fast, with kindness and love, on this important matter.
Nathan Clary

Excellent! I am very pleased that we still have real contenders for the Gospel still in existence. We are a dying breed in this new modern evangelical era where the Word of God is not the only authority as it should always be. God bless You.
I listen to mp3 Dick Lucas sermons everyday but I have begun to mix in the sermons of Alistair Begg on a regular basis. So far he is the only man who has been able to wean me from my hardcore Dick Lucas addiction. With Alistair, I don't even get the shakes.

I will stand in prayer with you and John MacArthur. This is heavy duty stuff, no light thing. It is called compromise for a "common good". It is like painting a fence when the boards are rotted and the nails are falling out. It will look okay for a while, then it will collapse. It lacks the structure that only the carpenter can give it. How could any non-believer not be left with the impression that If we all unite and claim Jesus, we can attain morality.

Thanks for standing firmly in the faith.

Pastor Begg,
I find it interesting that the freedom of religion was instituted in America by believers and non-believers signing the Constitution, with Benjamin Franklin, a supporter of Goerge Whitefield, proclaiming June 28,1787 Constitutional convention "... In the beginning of the contest with G. Britain, when we were sensible of danger we had daily prayer in this room for the Divine Protection. -- Our prayers, Sir, were heard, and they were graciously answered. All of us who were engaged in the struggle must have observed frequent instances of a Superintending providence in our favor. ... And have we now forgotten that powerful friend? or do we imagine that we no longer need His assistance. I have lived, Sir, a long time and the longer I live, the more convincing proofs I see of this truth -- that God governs in the affairs of men. And if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without his notice, is it probable that an empire can rise without his aid? We have been assured, Sir, in the sacred writings that "except the Lord build they labor in vain that build it." I firmly believe this; and I also believe that without his concurring aid we shall succeed in this political building no better than the Builders of Babel: ...I therefore beg leave to move -- that henceforth prayers imploring the assistance of Heaven, and its blessings on our deliberations, be held in this Assembly every morning before we proceed to business, and that one or more of the Clergy of this City be requested to officiate in that service."

The truth should never be compromised, I agree, but if we continue to let the Temple be a haven of sin, without a collective voice aginst it, your free America, where you stand behind the pulpit of Freedom, granted to you by providence (GOD), will be that of history books and laughter.

roman catholicism is babylonian mystery religion with biblical names. Since its inception, Roman catholicism has always grabbed hold of pagan practices and given them a repackaging. Alexandrian texts were corrupted, rome meddled with them and those are the original greek used to produce the revised version and all subsequent translations, save for the Antioch line of bibles, which ended with the authorized version. Anyone reading this would be well off if they read Alexander Hislop's: Two Babylons. Ecumenicism is the current label used to describe the coming one world babylonian amalgamated religion of the antichrist. The final global power structure is being built (predicted in daniel) and the global agenda is bring pushed. Watch Megiddo and Megiddo2. Sadly when the IRS creates a non profit corporation, it cannot address the full council of God, see Peter Kershaw's: In Caesar's Grip. A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump, keep your distance from rome at all costs.

I'm gald there are still some Christians who will take a stand for the gospel Pastor Begg. You and John McArthur did the right thing. In respect I have sent quite a few e-mails to some of the signers. It is a compromise, thanks for your stand!

Dear Pastor Begg,

Amen! Amen! Amen!

I am a Christian assigned in this life by our Great God and Savior to be an African-American female born and raised during the American civil rights movement. A movement ecumenical in nature which failed to convict Black men and White men of their sins, a movement recorded in history to have joined hands with Black Muslims at the Lincoln Memorial, a movement that settled for a temporal good but lacked the moral fortitude to impact hearts and communicate forgiveness, true reconciliation or to define a man's worth solely on the basis that we are created in the image of God, the God of providence who turns bitterness into joy, the God who gave one and only one remedy for sin and reconciled the world to Himself, both those near and far off.... I am even more convinced today that, as important as civil rights, the sanctity of life and marriage are, the Gospel should never be compromised period! When the lines are blurred, how can we direct men to Calvary? If the light of truth be shaded or hidden, will the lost not stumble further in the way?
With God the ends never justify the means as I am reminded of Uzzah who with good intentions was stuck down by God in David's presence, because of a crowd of religious and devout Isrealites over taken by misguided zeal. The Truth of God's Word was then, and still must remain the uncompromised standard no matter how we are moved by the onslaught of sin.

Because of Calvary,

Rose Jordan

Alistair, I understand your concern for the danger of ecumenicalism; I'm an ex-member of the ELCA. But it's frustrating. What should we do? The alternative is to do nothing and let our government continue its oppressive ways. John MacArthur, like you, did not sign the Manhattan Declaration, but Al Mohler did sign it. You can read Mohler's reasoning at his blog. I respect all three of you. I would have preferred signing a declaration proposed by Reformed leaders but what is the likelihood of that ever happening? In the meantime, I stand with the 145 original signers of the Declaration by signing on the internet. I have to trust that the declaration is solely concerned with three things: the sanctity of human life, the dignity of marriage,and the right of conscience and religious liberty.
Dale Lupton

29 comments and counting. this is probably what i like best about the listener weekends-- you have some really sharp people that listen to your broadcasts. it is a joy to be able to congregate with them even for just a couple of days out of the year. not to single anybody out, but rose jordan's comment really made sense to me. there are a lot of other good ones on the page as well. me personally, i would not have signed either, but sometimes i have convictions without really knowing why. it is all making a lot more sense to me now. keep up the good work man. grace and peace.

I feel torn, but I did enthusiastically sign the Manhattan Declaration. “Enthusiastically” because it is about time that the people of faith spoke out clearly on these three areas that are an abomination to God. I agree with your (Alistair's) view of doctrinal Catholicism as a false Gospel that is no gospel at all. (Galatians 1:4-9) I do not compromise in my faith and so it does disturb me to be grouped as a "Christian" with Catholics and Orthodox.

Have you heard Zig Ziglar on the Focus radio program this week? He makes the point that our domestic cultural problems could be resolved if those of faith---those who are "my people who are called by my name" would act out their beliefs. I agree wholeheartedly. Is it too much a stretch to see Catholics and Orthodox as “people who are called by name”?

2 Chronicles 7:14 (NLT) Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land.

The flip-side is that Catholics are real allies of Christianity. So, I feel there are times when we can stand together, yet not as situational ethics. I do wish in the Declaration we were all referred to as people of faith rather Christians. Si I signed it. But understand and admire Alistair for his comments.

Consider this: Mark 9:38-39 (NLT) John said to Jesus, “Teacher, we saw someone using your name to cast out demons, but we told him to stop because he wasn’t in our group.” “Don’t stop him!” Jesus said. “No one who performs a miracle in my name will soon be able to speak evil of me. “

So, I signed it.

I want to thank Rose Jordan for sharing so much wisdom.
Just recently, I have been reading Bonhoeffer's The Cost of Discipleship, and have been struck anew with the simple reminder that we are called to follow Christ. "No other significance is possible, since Jesus is the only significance". This simplicity was not lost on Bonhoeffer, even amidst the horrors of Hitler's Germany.
What will we be in the midst of our present darkness? If we believe compromise is necessary to do His work, is there a subtle doubt underlying our action, that maybe God is unable to act, our prayers are not being heard?
I am not sure.
I appreciated Ken Willig quoting 2 Chronicles 7:14. We in the church could be the spark that flames a revival in our land. Let us fall to our knees and humble ourselves before Him.....

Grace and peace to you brother and all who read. I admit I agree with Alistair's position. One note though "...rather than seeking cooperation with segments from Rome, Eastern Orthodoxy and the Latter Day Saints." Where am I missing LDS was sought after or which of the "religious leaders" an LDS represenative? Just checking facts :)

The Gospel is the power of God for to everyone who believes.

Pastor Begg, I've been listening to you everyday for about a month now on the drive home from dropping my kids at school - and I really enjoy your teaching. Our family attends a very reformed church, Mars Hill - Mark Driscoll, so I'm sure he hasn't signed it as well for the same reasons - although I haven't checked. However, as some have mentioned above, why aren't the reformed and evangelicals getting together and drafting similar declaration? As I do agree 'we need to be the church' - I also think we need a community platform to express the power and convictions of our views to our officials and community. Blessings to you!

Dear Bro. Begg . . . you did correctly in witholding your signature. The True Gospel of Free and Sovereign Grace is the CORE of REAL Christian Faith. The Apostle made it SCARY-LY clear in Galatians chapter 1 that there is only ONE TRUE Gospel and there are myriads of FALSE "gospels." The danger is Everlasting if we spiritually "get-into-the-same-bed" (as it were) with pseudo-Gospel Propounders/Confounders. Danger to the preacher of False Gospels and danger to those who believe a False Gospel. Yes, I am against Abortion . . . Yes, I am for FAMILY strengthening . . . and Yes, I am for monogomous marriage only. Rome is for those things, BUT . . . they also propound a FALSE Gospel. It is VERY sly and almost infinitessimally difficult to detect. But the Gospel of Rome is a Gospel of OUR alleged good works + God's working. A False Gospel. Remember our brother C.H. Spurgeon who held FIRM to the end against Rome's WOO-ing influence towards Protestants. You did well, and let's hold on firm to the END. It gets harder as time progresses, but the REWARDS are EVERLASTING. ON with Christ and the True Gospel of FREE and SOVEREIGN GRACE!!!!

Pastor Begg, I wish I had seen your reason for not signing the Manhattan Declaration before I signed it. As I read your reasons for not signing, I realize that I acted way too quickly in signing it and although I cannot change that, I will try very hard to uphold all that you have presented here. I agree with you re: the other churches that have signed it, and I was not aware that members of the Latter Day Saints, Eastern Orthodoxy churches had also signed on. I cannot in all good conscience accept their doctrine as being completely according to the scripture, which is the sole authority for all Christians. I will continue to pray to God that I do not follow through on what I have signed, at the same time, I do love the other church members as I should at the same time not agreeing with their behavior. Just as God loves each and every one of us while at the same time not completely happy with those of us who do not follow His precepts. Blessedly we have the hope of the return of Jesus Christ and I will continue to try and live my life as He desires, not straying from any of His word as much as I am able. I continue to believe that you are a very honorable and earnest believer in whole Word of God, not just part of it. I also do not know that much about Calvin, but I intend to do some research so that I can learn more. I know that I will continue to listen to you on the radio and continue to enjoy the daily devotionals you send. I printed off the one for today "His People" because I feel that we do need to reach out to all the redeemed, especially those who do not realize what they are losing when they do not seek to be regenerated. In fact, those are the very people I have been most concerned about. I know this is what God is asking me to do and I willingly and obediently want to reach as many as I can. God bless you mightily.

Pastor Begg,
May God continue to bless you and your clarity regarding the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ! Please do not give up an inch. Thank you for holding your ground which is really the ground of the Lord Jesus.

Alistair, thank you for clarification and the reminder of the importance of essential Christian doctrine. I took your perhaps inadverdent suggestion to read Calvin's mssive in Book 4, Section 18 of "The Institutes." I was made aware of the vast chasm between Biblical faith which rests solely on the Word of God and the papal idea of faith. Ugh! Perhaps indeed it is the willingness to overlook the essentialness of the Biblical teaching in favor of the joining together with that which is impure and apostate precisely in the time of secular pressures to do so that is the temptation to surrender to the deception. Blessing on you and all who stand firm on Biblical truth before rushing into an action which will be of no accord and no significance because it (such action) is not based on God's Word. Believers are to participate in "His good works prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them."

Alistair,

Thank-you for your letter, and the saltiness of it! I am so grateful for TFL and the daily devotionals from Morning and Evening. They have led me to read more of Spurgeon, most recently “Spurgeon and The Down-Grade Controversy by MacArthur”.

Spurgeon wrote the following in 1887 ………it reads fresh to me today in light of the current topic.

Here is a link for those of you who have an interest to read further.

http://www.spurgeon.org/downgrd.htm

“It now becomes a serious question how far those who abide by the faith once delivered to the saints should fraternize with those who have turned aside to another gospel. Christian love has its claims, and divisions are to be shunned as grievous evils; but how far are we justified in being in confederacy with those who are departing from the truth? It is a difficult question to answer so as to keep the balance of the duties. For the present it behooves believers to be cautious, lest they lend their support and countenance to the betrayers of the Lord. It is one thing to overleap all boundaries of denominational restriction for the truth's sake: this we hope all godly men will do more and more. It is quite another policy which would urge us to subordinate the maintenance of truth to denominational prosperity and unity. Numbers of easy-minded people wink at error so long as it is committed by a clever man and a good-natured brother, who has so many fine points about him. Let each believer judge for himself; but, for our part, we have put on a few fresh bolts to our door, and we have given orders to keep the chain up; for, under colour of begging the friendship of the servant, there are those about who aim at robbing the Master”.

Best Regards,

Clay Campfield
Canfield, OH

Allistair,

I listen to your podcasts almost daily and have enjoyed most of your teaching. Yet, I am greatly saddened by your refusal to sign the Manhattan Declaration. You have falsely drawn a conculsion that to sign would be approving of Roman Catholic doctrines that we both would not hold. Nonetheless, the Roman Catholic church has been the strongest voice in this country in standing up in public for what is right and absolutely biblical. None of has to accept Roman Catholic doctrine to stand in agreement with them on the public opposition to life and other issues under assault in our country today. Likewise, I can and have stood with Muslims and Mormons on these same issues, and yet I never was accepting any of their doctrines.

Your stance, unfortunately, sets an example for many that perpetuates the church's failure to confront the very issues that the church has fought for thousands of years.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR STAND! It's all about the GOSPEL not about moralism. NO TRUE GOSPEL no true morals!
We are to hate what God hates and in each of these very important issues we must stand but our lives are that stand as true believers if we live what we believe according to God's Word. We must never let those who do not know the TRUE GOSPEL believe all is well with their souls because we stand in agreement on moral issues no matter how important they seem to be.

THANK YOU ALLISTER: Only at the foot of the CROSS can men's morals be permanently changed, and only GOD can do that. since Adam's sin we have been in this state, there are many wolves out there who try to change the true GOSPEL into a watered down version. ROMANS 16:17-20 KEEP IT UP WITH THE PLAIN THING !!! GO ALLISTER!!!

Alistair,
I am greatly disppointed in your decision to not sign the Manhattan Declaration. I have been listening to your radio broadcasts for about 10 years and have been richly blessed by them. Yet, in the past few years, I have noticed a steady trend in your writings that is most definitely anti-Catholic in nature. I must say that for a man of your obvious intelligence, I find some of your statements against the Roman Catholic church to be wrongheaded in nature. To say that the Roman Catholic church does not follow the same Gospel as yourself is to speak foolishness. Trust me, I am no great defender of the Roman Catholic church. It has plenty of flaws, and I have never been shy about pointing them out. But to say that the Roman Catholic church does not follow the true Gospel of Jesus Christ is quite simply absurd. To say that Catholics are not following the same Gospel as yourself is basically the same as saying that Roman Catholics are not Christians, which of course is ridiculous. I understand your differences with Roman Catholicism, and I respect them. But to not sign a document simply because Catholics have also signed it strikes me as being almost spiteful. For a man who loves Paul as much as you obviously do, I truly believe that your anti-Catholic bias would deeply offend Paul. Not every early Christian believed the same things, yet Paul worked tirelessly to get these people to come together for the sake of Christ. I don't sense that same spirit in you these past few years. Despite popular belief, Roman Cathoics do indeed believe the exact same Gospel as yourself. How could they not? I am not a Roman Catholic. Yet I can say without hesitation or any qualifications whatsoever, that Roman Catholics believe the Gospel of Jesus Christ absolutely. The basic teachings of the Gospel are to be found in the Mass every time it is said. All these arguments over the status of Mary and other things are simply smoke screens for something else, and that something else is Pride. I've seen both Catholics and Protestants fall into the same trap of nit-picking things here and there that have no real consequence as far as the salvation of souls is concerned, and I am sure beyond doubt that this grieves the Holy Spirit of God. I have purchased many resources from you and have downloaded many sermons. I will continue to do so. You are indeed at the front lines of defending the Gospel. But so are the Roman Catholics. You must not fail to understand this. Christians must stop fighting among themselves over things that are of little consequence. You believe in the truth of the Gospel of Christ Jesus. So does the Catholic church. All the rest is insignificant.
God Bless.

" But I say to you, Do not take an oath at all, either by heaven, for it is the throne of God, or by the earth, for it is His footstool, or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. And do not take an oath by your head, for you cannot make one hair white or black. Let what you say be simply 'Yes' or 'No' ; anything more than this comes from evil. " - Matthew 5: 33- 37 red letters ( ESV )

In a Q & A session, Dr. R.C.Sproul ( Ligonier Ministries ) was ask why the church in the US had received no persecution. His answer "The church in the US has not done or spoken anything significant enough to attract persecution. Has anyone been forced to hide or flee? Where is "Oh God GIve me the US or I die". How about "Sinners in the hands of an angry God". Where is "Be ye holy as I am holy"?
If one is judging the merits of a political candidate sanctity of life, sanctity of marriage, freedom of speech, religious liberty, etc are important but the candidate may not be a christian and hold these views. We have incerdible communication ability. Why is this communication ability not being used in a greater way to carry the Gospel to the US which is now the most educated mission field in the world. I will suggest again "Be ye holy as I am Holy" and ask a Holy God for mercy on us for our idolatry.
For you who know any NT language, checkout the word "dokimatzo".

That's weird Randy, it was there 2 hours ago (11AM EST) when I replied with my last. It's probably my fault with all the computer problems I've had in the last month. ;)

Now, they are all gone. sup??

Tommy Mike, you make a lot of accusations against Pastor Begg—that he is wrongheaded, foolish, absurd, ridiculous, spiteful, and anti-Catholic, but not once do you support your accusations with any proof! Then you make more assertions without any documentation or proof, such as the claim that “Roman Cathoics do indeed believe the exact same Gospel as yourself.” Uh, are you saying that the martyrs of the reformation were all mistaken? Are you saying that the Catholics themselves do not know what they believe, when in fact they themselves will tell you that they do not agree with Alister Begg’s Gospel? If you think that Alister’s stand for the Gospel is simply “nitpicking things here and there that have no real consequence as far as the salvation of souls is concerned,” then Tommy, you don’t understand the Gospel! And if you think “the Catholic church believes the truth of the Gospel of Christ Jesus,” then you either don’t know what Roman Catholicism teaches, or else you don’t know the true Gospel. I sure hope it’s the former!

Dear offended,

If someone spends hours of praying, searching, studying, and traveling in order to do the right thing, and after that comes to conclusion that he shouldn't sign, that it would be wrong to sign. And vice versa. Each of us is shaped by our Lord differently for certain purpose, and different burdens with different intensity are placed upon each of us.

Let us not forget that Kingdom of God is built by obedience to Lord, and often even the closest to us can't understand consequences of our obedience to the Lord. Don't worry about numbers of signatures. According to God's mathematics blessing is released on the base of submission and obedience to Lord Jesus, and can very easily outnumber hundreds of "not prayed for" quick, formal or careless signatures.

Some of us were called to public service, and some to guard the Gospel. Please respect this. Those who guard the Gospel are set apart for their Master, and carry much heavier burden of responsibility.

I join with those who are appreciative of your decision to not sign TMD. Among my first thoughts when I learned of TMD was "Is this not ECT all over again? Does 2 Cor. 6:14 not inform (and dictate) what our response ought to be?" Thank-you, Allistair, for your integrity and faithfulness.

I am so hurt by the ignorance of the Catholic faith displayed in the comments and messages here. It honestly saddens me. As a Catholic who listens to Truth for Life on Moody Radio, I am quite simply at a loss to think that anyone would think that the Catholic Church does not believe in and preach the Gospel of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. The only reason why I am posting this message is to ask anyone who reads this and believes that Catholics do not believe in the Gospel, to please seek out more information. Talk to a Catholic person. Read a Catholic author. Go to a Mass. I was baptized Methodist and have taught children's choirs in Baptist and Methodist Churches in the Southeast, Northeast, and Midwest. I am married to a son of a Baptist minister. My life and faith have been enriched by exposure to other denominations. I beg you to consider the possible harmful effects of your criticism. I am sure some of you reading this right now are thinking that when you stand up for the one true Gospel that some people may be hurt in the process. Well, at least try not to hurt the people who share your belief in the Gospel. In closing, I ask you to prayerfully, consider I Corinthians 1:10. I will use the NIV translation to make everyone comfortable:
"I appeal to you brothers, in the name of our Lord, Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought." Let's all pray that we will see the will of God carried out in the unity of His Church.

I feel that both those Christians that have signed the declaration and those who have not are both equally right on this basis: If they both have sought the Spirit for knowledge, understanding, and wisdom in obedience, which only the Spirit can give when asked. There are many what if's and maybe so's we could conjure up on both sides on our own logic. Maybe if I sign it, God will use me to speak the true Gospel to someone on the list, or if I don't sign it because I stand for the true Gospel then maybe they will see the contrast...etc. I personally stand by the biblical account of the entire Bible being the very Word of God... but I signed the declaration in remembrance of the 10 should they have stood out in Sodom and Gomorrah and how accountability was handed out on a national level. I pray that my name may be one of those ten who stand tall and proclaim that Christ is the way, the truth, the life of all who accept the Biblical accounts by faith in the evidence of His Word. For the Word became flesh and dwelt among us to proclaim and give evidence that He is God! He came to make the dead live. I pray that God does not remove His hand from this country.~Sean

I applaud Pastor Begg for standing up for the Gospel. However, after reading some of the comments attached to this article, I would like to say that as a practicing member of the Roman Catholic Church, I object to the statement that this means I am not a Christian. My agreement with Calvin regarding "sola scriptura" is irrelevant in this regard. I am fully committed to salvation through Jesus Christ, who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life, and believe Jesus is the ONLY way to salvation. I firmly believe that Jesus Christ was God made man through the virgin birth, that He suffered and died in my place so that I, a sinner by nature, may be forgiven, and that Jesus was resurrected so that I may have eternal life. I have repented, have been baptized, and continue to repent for my sins and accept Jesus Christ as my Savior. To the best of my understanding, that is the Gospel according to scripture, and personally I don't see what "sola scriptura" has to do with any of that. As for myself, I prefer to leave the determination of who is or is not a Christian to Jesus Christ, the Author and Finisher of our faith and strive to focus on my own relationship with God and living what I am taught through God's Word and through His messengers, including Pastor Begg. I continue to support Truth For Life in every way God makes possible to me as I feel this ministry is doing God's work, regardless of the opinion anyone (including Pastor Begg) may have of the quality of my conversion.

I don't know that Alistair and others are questioning the "quality of conversion" for Catholics. I don't know that the term "quality of conversion" can even properly exist in Christianity. We are either converted or we're not...there is no "character of quality" about that conversion. Now what a believer may do after conversion may be good or bad, but that's a different subject. You're right in that only God knows who is His and who isn't (2 Tim 2:19) and that it's not for us to say who is or isn't. Just as in any "religious" sect (including JW and LDS) there are still those who are truly saved; even if the Gospel message put forward by the leaders of such cults/sects obviously goes against all that the Bible teaches on the Gospel.

Thank you Alaistair...GOD bless you. KEEP pressing on! Sincerely, a young Timothy.

Alistair, I have spent most of the day revisiting Calvin and his great work, Institutes. I am an Evangelical Christian. I am very disappointed that you did not sign this declaration. I am also very saddened to read many of the comments. "Where is the true Church?" Calvin's answer is that the Church is where Christ is present in the preaching of the word and in the practice of the 2 sacraments found in the word; Baptism and the Lords Supper. Calvin does set forth in great detail all his reasons why he does not consider the Roman Catholic church a true church. BUT in Book IV, chapter 2, section 12, in speaking of the Roman Catholic Church that there are still traces of the true church, " to the extent that the Lord wonderfully preserves in them a remnant of his people". It is remarkable that he could make this statement in the HEAT of the Reformation when it was not simply a disagreement between two groups of men. Should we as Evangelicals be very clear on our view of the true church? ABSOLUTELY. But should we also be prepared to work with others on those issues that attack the very core of what we believe our faith in Jesus Christ is really about ? ABSOLUTELY! An unborn child knows nothing about transubstantiation or baptism or the primacy of scripture. That child only knows death.
In the end, we will all know the truth. Indeed, the main things are the plain things and the plain things are the main things.
I differ with Pastor Begg on this issue but still believe he is one of the most gifted and ispired preachers of Gods truth in "The Word" we have . I pray that his ministry grows. God Bless everyone that has had the concern and courage to post their opinions on this matter. I have learned much!

Alistair
I've been a huge fan of your radio program for several years. It usually overlaps with my drive time very well. Lately that hasn't been the case. I've really missed that time of refreshment and renewal in my day. I also wanted to say thank you for your comments on the Manhattan Decleration. I really appreciate your insights. I wish I had heard them earlier as I was deceived by the innocent sounding nature of this proclomation. If I could I would retract my signature. I realized as you noted that without the inclusion of the redemption found in the gospel this document misses the one thing that the church should be most concerned about - drawing worshipers to Him. Much like the stores in Veggie Tales - the document is full of good morals, good causes, and good intentions. However, the last thing we need is more well intended moralists. We need Christiams passionate about the gospel and redeeming the world.

Thank you for all you do!
Wes

Hello,
First post ever here. I agree at the fundamental level with the position taken. However, Christians are in jeopardy within our own walls.
I absolutely do not have the intellect to go up against learned giant such as the likes herein, but temporal victory is not unmerited regardless of Smeadon's belief. The wandering masses do exactly that: wander. I believe that in some instances (perhaps this one) something is better than nothing to help guide some folks who may not have an inkling of an idea related to Calvin and the Institutes. Nevertheless, has anyone decidedly made a counter thrust that might be looked at as a "revision 2" Not trying to sound "co-belligerent" ;>) Only interested in helping where I can.
Have a wonderful CHRISTmas!!!

I am a new listener. I stumbled upon this conversation. For those Catholics offended by some comments posted, my comments may or may not be helpful. I grew up as a Catholic until age 17. I became born again at age 21. There is a huge difference between my upbringing in Catholicism and my present christian beliefs. I don't believe that a Catholic cannot be a true christian. It's just that I wasn't, my family wasn't, and I have never met one. I believe it would be very difficult since there is such strong emphasis on Mary and the saints (we prayed to them, looked to them for intercession) in combination with the one true intercessor Jesus. In fact my Aunt feels more comfortable praying to Mary than Jesus. Also, we believed that being baptized Catholic ("the one true church") was required. We were forbidden to attend any other church. I'm pretty sure that was a mortal sin (the most serious of all). Now a venial sin was less serious and could land you in purgatory. Then you could be prayed out of there (by paying the church for prayers of course). We were discouraged from reading the bible so we didn't realize that none of these doctrines were in there. And to help solidify all this confusion, we went to the priest for confession. Then depending upon how serious your sins were and how often committed, the priest would have you pray your memorized prayers. So I prayed to pay off my sin debt. In Christianity I understand that I confess my sins to Jesus and I receive forgiveness from Him. He purchased this forgiveness for me at a high cost - His blood shed for me on the cross. He paid my sin debt. That's how I learned to love God. First He showed me the utter depravity of my personal sins, my offense to others and to Him; then His mercy to cover my guilt and shame with His blood. And now I get to know Him and be His. God needs no assistance w/ His redemption.
So maybe they've snuck in few priests that teach biblical doctrine now rather than Catholic doctrine. But at my father's Catholic funeral and my brother's Catholic wedding, there was the same Catholic doctrine that I grew up with. Very depressing.

I would like to comment on Mary Schlueter's (and Mr. Begg's too) above response about the Roman Catholic Church. Mary states that she and her family were not good Catholics, and then she goes on to explain her mis-understood and mis-represented ideas of Catholicism. Instead of condemning something you mis-understand, why not see what the church actually teaches? If I say all protestants are going to Hell, because my next door neighbor is a protestant and he told me of how his upbringing in the protestant church taught him worshiping dogs was the way to heaven, would that be a fair evaluation of all protestants? Obviously, that's an absurd example, but you are applying the same type of reasoning. Just because you weren't a good Catholic and don't know one, how can you hope to teach what we believe?
Mary states that we look to Mary and the Saints for intercession as if that is a bad thing. Why is it bad? In the O.T. we see that Moses, Abraham, and Job interceded on behalf of others... that's mediating between God and man. We know that it is okay to ask others here on earth to pray and intercede for us.... that's mediating between God and man. So whats wrong with asking Mary, Jesus' mother, who is in Heaven with him, to pray for us?
Mary, you say your Aunt feels more comfortable praying to Mary than to Jesus. So because your Aunt feels this way, the entire Catholic church is wrong? or is she maybe mis-understanding what the church teaches? Doesn't the bible, in James 5:16 teach us to pray for one another? Who better to ask to pray for us than the Mother of Jesus?
You also seem to complain that "we believed that being baptized Catholic ("the one true church") was required" Are you trying to tell me that being baptized isn't required to be saved? I am pretty sure almost every denomination of Christianity will tell you being baptized is required to be saved. John 3:3-5 says very clearly that unles you are born of the water and spirit (baptism) one cannot enter the kingdom of Heaven.
You say you were forbidden to attend another church. Was that your mommy & daddy forbidding that? I would be curious to see where the Catholic Church forbids you to visit another church.
You also complain about confession. Doesn’t James 5:16 tell us to confess our sins to each other, so you may be healed? Is that the same as silently, in your own mind, so no one else will ever know what you have done confessing you sins to Jesus? So when you say “I understand that I confess my sins to Jesus and I receive forgiveness from Him”, then you understand that you are going exactly against is taught in the bible.

Any way, I can continue point by point, but the whole idea is, instead of condemning something you, by your own admission don't' understand, why not learn what the Catholic church teaches, then you will have a fuller understanding of the Catholic (Universal) church.

It is saddening to me to think entire Parishes/Faiths are built around the hatred of the Catholic Church. Did Jesus put that hatred in your heart? I grew up Catholic. Looking back we were Catholic in name alone. For a long time following that, I must confess, I did not hold the Catholic Church in high regard. After getting married, having 4 children, bible study and countless other things my heart changed. In fact I am a completely different person today then I was 15 years ago. It was and is a continued process. God continues to soften my heart and I am so thankful and blessed to be living the life I am now. So thankful for the changes Jesus has made in my life. So thankful for the 4 precious children he has bestowed upon me. My appreciation for the Catholic Church has changed too, in fact I would not have 4 children today if it weren't for the Catholic Church. I have found truth within it. I think most hatred comes from misconceptions and it so unfortunate anyone would let hate interfere with standing up for the weak. Is this biblical?

Thank you, Jennifer Yant, for a beautiful and encouraging testimony. An obsessive concern with doctrinal purity seems so very "Roman" -- not that I blame anyone for trying to conscientiously follow the Word of God. But please realize this: the Gospel is essentially Jesus Christ. He cannot be reduced to a set of doctrinal propositions because he is a living spiritual reality, not just personal even, but more than personal (in the human sense). He is the Gospel and he came not for the few but for the many. More people need to read James D. G. Dunne's Unity and Diversity in the New Testament: An Inquiry into the Character of Earliest Christianity: The one commonality in early Christian communities was the belief that "Jesus is Lord." If you want sola scriptura, then be sure to read and not explain away Mark 9:38-40 (openness to different approaches in expelling evil from the world). Peace to all. -- tr

Hello TY,

I’m not exactly sure where you are trying to lead me with that passage. Where do you see the Catholic Church exactly?

I feel many of the most authentic Catholics love there faith. They want to share it. That seems natural to me. You want to talk about those things you love. That’s why I’m writing you now. Because I love Jesus and I love the Catholic Church. A lot of the most authentic Catholics feel a duty to defend Catholicism because of this love and because many times the Church as a whole is attacked not only by non believers, but by other believers and much of the time the attacks are erroneous. There is evidence of that in the above comments alone.

Please allow me tell you why I respect the Catholic Church. I feel confident I can look for guidance not only within the Bible, but in the experience and expertise of our leaders. I want someone to help me figure out how to become more Christ like and The Catholic Church will do that. The Catholic Church encourages things like baptism, confession, natural family planning, sacrifice, almsgiving, prayer not because they want to create some list of laws, but because they are biblical and because they can and will bring us closer to Christ. I am thankful for the guidance. I can't do it all alone. We all need each other…Isn’t that what Jesus wants? For us all to be united?

I'm with you, Jennifer, 100%. My words were more for people who want "perfect" doctrinal statements more than they want to help "cast out demons." Catholicism has become so much more open in these last decades. It would be ironic if evangelicals became so pure that they could not accept the good in that most inclusive tradition. The one thing that bugged Jesus the most was religious people who were too picky about religious niceties. He did not save the world through dogmatic statements. You, Jennifer, are a model of someone operating in the spirit of Christ. Thank you for your testimony. -- tr

Thank you tr!!! that means a lot to me.....God Bless you:)

Dear Pastor Begg,

After reading the names of all of the men who signed this declaration, it was refreshing to learn of your position. When so many men whom I have great respect and admiration for signed this declaration it was very disheartening. As a reformed pastor who loves and treasures the heritage of faith that was recovered at great peril by the reformers, It seemed like a betrayel by so many who should know better. It seems that what is needed in our day is a new reformation. Once again we need to define what the gospel is. Catholicism is not Christian. Mormonism is not Christian. The time has come again for Christians to come out from the confused crowd and clearly identify what is the gospel and what is Christian. While I appreciate the sentimentality of many writing on this, the clear fact is that in order for a catholic to be saved he must deny the gospel of the Catholic Church. If the Catholic Church would recant their position on the gospel and embrace salvation by grace ALONE, through faith ALONE, in Christ ALONE, then we could move forward as brethren. Until then, they are not brethren. We can zealously fight against social issues along with them, but we cannot call them brethren and remain faithful to our Lord.

I think it is a bit of a misnomer to pretend to wonder as to why Protestantism no longer takes the "solas" of the magisterial Reformers seriously, when the reason for this is simple - they don't have to! The Protestant Reformation, unfortunately, is interpreted incorrectly by evangelicals as being some sort of monolithic, unified, static event that settled certain matters arising from the confrontation with Rome once and for all, when it fact it was was anything but. First, none of the so-called reformers demonstrated any measure of true unity with one another (i.e. Marburg Colloquy), with the Lutherans anathematizing the Anabaptists, the Anabaptists in turn doing the same to the Reformed/Calvinist camp, and later the Lutherans virtually severing any and all connections to the Calvinists over the matter of the Eucharist, and the divisions perpetuated and grew until to this very day with mainline churches capitulating to popular culture and ever-changing social mores, and many evangelicals following suit right behind them (i.e. the "progressive" evangelicals and the alleged "emergent" movement).

Then there are the self-professed "non-denominational" churches (like Mr. Begg's), which erroneously bill themselves as independent of any and all tradition - but of course, this is patently absurd - and boast of possessing and correctly expositing the "true" doctrine of Scripture, while every Protestant church has made such claims but never agreeing with other Protestant bodies as to what that doctrine could be.

In short, I can understand why Mr. Begg could not sign this document which is represented by a number of ecclesial bodies that obviously take issue with his "personal interpretation" of the Bible, but I'm not speaking of the representatives of the Roman Catholic Church or my own Church, the Orthodox Church.

After six years of studying at Gordon-Conwell Seminary, and hearing all the typically pedantic anti-Catholic diatribes, I encountered more Protestants who claimed an infallibility and personal authority greater than any pope has ever claimed for himself on a near regular basis to learn that Protestantism, in either its liberal mainline or evangelical manifestations, is simply a collection of a million mini-popes! I can't blame Roman Catholics for wanting to settle for one, rather than become a Protestant and become his or her own, like Mr.Begg or that bastion of historical knowledge and immensely bad reading in Greek, John MacArthur.

I signed the document because I can claim Nicene orthodoxy for myself, because after all my Church wrote it! What has your church done Mr.Begg, except draw from the pool of Orthodoxy when it suits you best and discard the rest when it contradicts your own infallible "personal interpretation" of the Bible?! In 100 years your "church" will likely cease to exist, while the "one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church" will live on forever.

Also, it would be great if some of the Protestants on this comment thread - if not all, including Mr.Begg - would actually read a few good books on Church history, written by anyone other than an evangelical "scholar."

And as if the Gospel is the "basis for unity" within evangelicalism! Evangelicals, be they Calvinists, Arminians, or Pentecostals, can't agree upon what the Gospel is. I won't even mention what the Lutherans think about all three of you. Heck, RC Sproul had to write a book about evangelicals just getting along for goodness sake. And he is the worst and most maniacal of the Calvinists out there! *sigh