Comments on: Why I’m Leery of the Manhattan Declaration

By: Bob’s Blog Finds: Tiger, the Manhattan Declaration, Blogging Arrogance & More « Fundamentally Reformed

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 19:42:05 +0000

[...] already blogged a little about this. But R.C. Sproul recently explained why he is not signing the declaration. I thought his post [...]

By: fundyreformed

fundyreformed — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 18:36:38 +0000

Thanks for dropping by, David. Good thoughts, and you’re right about IFBs moving in a Reformed direction, often.

By: David

David — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 14:48:50 +0000

I am leary because it seems that the underlying message to all of this is that we can no longer trust God to take care of these issues through seeking Him in prayer so we must band together (a la Babel) and try and do what God either can’t or refuses to do.

Where are the people who are seeking the Lord through prayer because we believe that He is sovereign? Why are we not expending as much effort in prayer as we are in creating organizations?

BTW, I am a former IFB whom the Lord reformed. It is funny how if you take the bible as an IFBer then you almost invariably come this direction.

By: fundyreformed

fundyreformed — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 21:40:17 +0000

Hey, no problem Nancy. Thanks for interacting!

By: Nancy

Nancy — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 17:40:49 +0000

I guess what I said was a poorly stated ramble about picking our battles and making them count…*: )

By: fundyreformed

fundyreformed — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 14:37:00 +0000

I’m not entirely following you, Nancy. I do think it is a double-edged sword. There are advantages and disadvantages of the approach the declaration takes. I don’ see it as truly all that necessary. Instead, it seems to have a greater potential to sidetracking the Church into other concerns that aren’t central to the Church’s mission.

By: Nancy

Nancy — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 14:18:29 +0000

While I agree with your take in principle, it raises a concern similar to the fighting of foreign wars…

America, since giving up an isolationist policy has subscribed to fighting the enemy on their borders before they can become a danger to ours. Seemingly small skirmishes can escalate into problematic situations that deplete resources or they can avert clear and present dangers that threaten our freedom to openly proclaim the glorious gospel of Christ.

By: No Compromise on The Gospel: The Compromise Inherent in The Manhattan Declaration « Pastoral Musings

Mon, 30 Nov 2009 21:11:39 +0000

[...] are two other posts that speak to this issue: Bob’s post, Dan’s [...]

By: fundyreformed

fundyreformed — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 20:25:36 +0000

Thanks Daniel. You’re right, it is basically a knee-jerk reaction. But I feel somewhat like Douglas Wilson, who said: “I want to take the odd stance of applauding and supporting something that I could not sign.”

Thanks for reading, many blessings to you…

Bob Hayton

By: Daniel Michael

Daniel Michael — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 15:18:30 +0000

Hey brother, just to let you know, I attended Hyles-Anderson College for over 2 years and eventually graduated from a Fundamental Baptist Bible College in LA. I now embrace the Doctrines of Grace and our church is reforming daily. As to your response on the declaration, I am like you on my knee-jerk reaction. (that is what I call any reaction before I have had time to analyze the document) and you did admit you have not “really read the arguments” and neither have I. Something from my fundamental roots just shouts out, “Beware” when you see the little pointy hats of catholicism and the Greek orthodox fellows rubbing shoulders with the protestants. (They are called protestants for a reason, I thought.)There is common ground with a crocodile and a frog, but eventually, one will eat the other. Thanks for your thought provoking blogs…