November 2009
Moses, Shellfish and the Church
Biola Magazine recently published a good article on the Christian's relationship to the Mosaic Law. The subtitle of the article is—Do We ‘Pick and Choose’ When to Obey God’s Laws?
Here is an excerpt:
Actor Jack Black is known for his humor, not his hermeneutics. But when California voters banned gay marriage last year, the film star decided to delve into the latter - and teach fans a thing or two about proper Bible reading. The result is “Prop 8: The Musical” - a star-studded video that has been viewed 4 million times on funnyordie.com - in which Black, dressed as Jesus, enlightens a group of ignorant, uptight Christians that they’ve been making too much out of the Bible’s teaching that sex between men is “an abomination.”
“It says the exact same thing about this shrimp cocktail; Leviticus says shellfish is an abomination,” Black says mockingly, a serving of seafood in his hand. “Friend, it seems to me you pick and choose.”
Is the Manhattan Declaration a Christian Document? (Updated)
by Douglas Goodin
By now, you have probably read the Manhattan Declaration. (If not, I urge you to do so before continuing this post.) Its stated purpose is 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." The specific truths are hard to argue with. They 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.
The problem lies with the opening statement, "We are Orthodox, Catholic, and evangelical Christians who have united at this hour to reaffirm fundamental truths...." My question to the authors and the signatories is How do we define 'Christians'?
We evangelicals have divided from the other two groups mentioned over the precise definition of the gospel. It is the gospel alone that makes someone a genuine Christian. It is the gospel that defines our unity. We may have disagreements over serious theological issues (hence the impetus for this journal), but in the final analysis consider others to be our brothers if they affirm the right gospel. On what basis, then, may we sign a document affirming our commitment to life, marriage, and liberty in such as way as to say to the world that we who believe different gospels are united Christians? For that matter, why stop with Catholics and Orthodox? Why not include Mormons and Jehovah's Witnesses also?
Dr. Albert Mohler does not believe that his signing of the declaration acknowledges unity with Catholic and Orthodox adherents. His rationale is that this is not a theological statement which "subverts confessional integrity;" rather, "it is a statement of urgent concern and common conscience on these three issues...." But can there be any more urgent concern for our nation than an accurate, biblical understanding of the gospel? Is there anything our nation needs more desperately than to understand the truth of Jesus Christ? Is there another way to preserve the sanctity of human life, marriage, and religious liberty in the midst of a nation filled with depraved reprobates than by converting them to the gospel of Jesus Christ? Is not our integrity in jeopardy if we portray to the world that we are united Christians, even when we would deny that many who signed the document are, in fact, Christians? Is our Lord pleased when stand together with Catholic and Orthodox adherents and declare to the world that we are all Christians? If so, should we not overturn the Reformation and unite together in all things?
I am sure that the evangelicals who have signed this document would never think of intentionally minimizing the core differences between themselves and the other groups. However, they see the affirmations of the declaration to be of such a magnitude that the gospel-differences are, in this particular case, less important. To that, I cannot agree. If the Manhattan Declaration were presented as a group of Americans fighting for these truths, I would encourage any and all to sign it. But as a "Christian" declaration, I cannot sign up with those who hold to a different gospel. It seems to me that even more important than life, marriage, and liberty is that we hold fast the common confession of the gospel. Is it worth getting that wrong to get the other things right?
Update: Several influential evangelicals who have declined to sign are: John MacArthur, Alistair Begg, James White, and Tim Challies.