''I reject Catholic and Orthodox doctrines that place church ecclesiastical authority equal to that of Scripture, the elevation of Mary beyond that of one who was clearly a virgin favored by God to give birth and nurture His Son and our Savior Jesus Christ, as well as salvation by anything other than by faith in Christ, through grace alone. I am a "Sola" supporter.''
With nearly 300,000 citizens added to the original 189 signatories of the Manhattan Declaration, of which I was privileged to be one, opposition from the "outside" is not only natural but expected. Taking even reasoned, compassionate and principled stands of the sanctity of life, definition and integrity of marriage and vitality of religious freedom are throwing red meat before the pit bulls of the media, political, academic and even religious elite.
It is the "in house" opposition I would like to speak to, recognizing my very humble standing to do so.
I would like to specifically address concerns and opposition expressed by some evangelicals, Dr. John MacArthur in particular, who have given seemingly legitimate and theologically based reasons for opposing the Declaration. A necessary disclaimer is that I am not nor ever will be in the same league of biblical training, education or proclamation as Dr. MacArthur. He is one of the truly outstanding biblical scholars of our day.
MacArthur's primary objection is that "The Gospel is barely mentioned in the Declaration." He is also opposed because, "Thus for the sake of issuing a manifesto decrying certain moral and political issues, the Declaration obscures both the importance of the Gospel and the very substance of the Gospel message."
I must state why I believe he has missed the point of the Declaration, although at least he is consistent with the fact that he also believes that the Declaration of Independence was a violation of biblical principles of authority. I won't digress on that other than to assert that there is no rational defense of that position, biblical or historical, unless a person grants absolute authority to civil rulers and institutions in clear violation of sound biblical interpretation.
With the current Declaration, however, I believe the issue is simple. It was based on a Christian worldview but was not designed or purposed to be an evangelistic document any more than was the Magna Carta, Lex Rex, the 1689 English Bill of Rights, etc. http://www.wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=119744