by Chris Pinto
Adullam Films
Understanding the information we put forth in A Lamp in the Dark could not be more relevant to the Church today, especially as it pertains to the Counter Reformation. The devil’s latest deceptive ploy is called The Manhattan Declaration – so named because of an ecumenical group that met in Manhattan in 2009.
“We are Orthodox, Catholic, and evangelical Christians who have united at this hour 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 purpose of the declaration is simply to speak with one voice on the most pressing moral issues of our day …. It is extremely unfortunate that anyone who claims to follow Christ might attack another for either signing or not signing it. The focus of Christian criticism should be on the secular world rather than on each other.”
The above counsel could not be more wrong. Throughout the New Testament, we find Jesus and the apostles contending against false teaching in the churches — not judging the actions of unbelievers and compelling Christians to march on the government in protest. The apostles confronted doctrinal issues, such as requiring circumcision for salvation (Acts 15:1-2), teaching that there is no resurrection of the dead (1 Corinthians 15:12), glorifying men in the temple of God (1 Corinthians 3:16-21), professing to know God while rejecting His commands (1John 2:4). Jude clearly compels us to “earnestly contend for the faith” of Christ, against deceivers who creep their way into the churches.
The Manhattan Declaration compels us to abandon discernment and turn aside from our God given mandate to preach the gospel to every creature. Click here to continue reading.
