Recently a group of Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, and "evangelical" (their term) Christians released the Manhattan Declaration (MD). The declaration is a reaffirmation of the sanctity of human life, including the dignity of marriage and religious liberty.
There's been a bit of a buzz in the blogosphere regarding the MD (see posts above and below for a few links). I've been asked what I think about it. Here's my reply:
I affirm the substance of the MD but reject its form.
My concern is that those who framed the MD would not allow those of other religious persuasions to sign it. Are trinitarianism and the sanctity of human life a sufficient basis for Christian unity? No, they aren't. But that doesn't matter. The second table of the moral law is a fundamental aspect of divine image-bearing and therefore common ground between the civil and ecclesial kingdoms. Therefore, instead of feigning Christian unity for a worthy cause, I would rather acknowledge the unity of all humanity according to the second table summarized as "you shall love your neighbor as yourself." In this way Christians can be co-belligerents with those of a host of other religious persuasions. Certainly the Christian church has something to say about the second table, but it can neither claim exclusivity of governance nor unity by it. Therefore, I respectfully decline to sign the MD.
There's been a bit of a buzz in the blogosphere regarding the MD (see posts above and below for a few links). I've been asked what I think about it. Here's my reply:
I affirm the substance of the MD but reject its form.
My concern is that those who framed the MD would not allow those of other religious persuasions to sign it. Are trinitarianism and the sanctity of human life a sufficient basis for Christian unity? No, they aren't. But that doesn't matter. The second table of the moral law is a fundamental aspect of divine image-bearing and therefore common ground between the civil and ecclesial kingdoms. Therefore, instead of feigning Christian unity for a worthy cause, I would rather acknowledge the unity of all humanity according to the second table summarized as "you shall love your neighbor as yourself." In this way Christians can be co-belligerents with those of a host of other religious persuasions. Certainly the Christian church has something to say about the second table, but it can neither claim exclusivity of governance nor unity by it. Therefore, I respectfully decline to sign the MD.
5 comments:
I guess the presidents of the major reformed seminaries and many others should have been more thoughtful?
I respectfully submit you're over-analyzing this. Again, respectfully.
I will gladly admit that my analysis is faulty when it is demonstrated as such in a manner beyond a simple ad hominem.
Jay, I happen to agree with your conclusion and rather strongly at that. I have somewhat different reasons for reaching the same conclusion but share your thoughtful decision to refuse to sign the document.
Randy Kirkland
Thanks for your comment Randy. I haven't seen you in a while. I pray you and Dianne are enjoying a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday.
Thank you Jay! We are well and rejoicing in God's faithfulness and daily mercies.
We had a fine Thanksgiving but sorely miss having Geoff and Elizabeth and Hezekiah with us at the table.
Randy
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