"THE MANHATTAN DELCARATION 10 YEARS ON - NEVER RENDER TO CAESAR WHAT IS GOD'S" - by John Stonestreet and David Carlson, Breakpoint.org, July 23, 2019; http://www.breakpoint.org/2019/07/breakpoint-the-manhattan-declaration-10-years-on-2/ [AS I SEE IT: Taking a stand by signing this document - as I have - costs you nothing. But if enough people of faith do not take this stand , it WILL cost us ALL dearly. Count on it! - Stan]
In the ten years since those words were written, Caesar (in other words, the state) has claimed more and more of what belongs to God, especially in the areas of life, marriage, and religious liberty.
Just think of New York lawmakers high-fiving each other after they ensured unrestricted abortion up to the point of birth, or the governor of Virginia advocating infanticide. Or consider that doctor-assisted suicide is now legal in seven states and the District of Columbia. And what about marriage? Recall the White House lit up in rainbow colors after the Obergefell decision mandated same-sex “marriage” on all fifty states.
And think of all the stories we’ve now heard of believers forced to choose between their faith and their livelihood, or adoption agencies forced to choose between their existence and their convictions. Or business owners like Jack Phillips and Barronelle Stutzman having to go to court to fend off Caesar’s demands.
Still, let’s be clear. Far more important than what Caesar demands is what Christians are willing to concede. A new Barna survey revealed that the number of Protestant pastors who are “very concerned” about religious freedom has dropped significantly in just three years—from 55 percent to only 34 percent.
This is why Christians must decide where they stand, not based on the pressure of the cultural moment, but on the rock-solid, unchanging truth revealed to us in the Story of Scripture. We cannot render to Caesar what belongs to God.
I don’t think I can say it any better than Dr. Robert George did in his entry to our BreakPoint.org symposium about the Manhattan Declaration: “In the gospels, our Lord says . . .’be not afraid.’ As we stand boldly for life, marriage, and religious liberty, let us heed His admonition. It is not for us to know when or even precisely how the victories will be won. Our task and duty is simply to be faithful and obedient—to bear witness and do what is right . . . When things look bleak, we must not give up hope, for to yield to despair is to fail to trust in Jesus.”
To that I say Amen. If you’ve signed the Manhattan Declaration, I urge you to read it again. Consider again what we must do to honor God in this culture. If you’ve not read it or signed it, I urge you to consider doing so. You can find a link to the full text of the Manhattan Declaration, as well as to our online symposium, featuring Dr. George’s comments along with those of 15 other thought leaders, at BreakPoint.org.
And finally, I was pleased to work with the brilliant Dr. David Dockery on a new book, which is now available, that reflects on Christian conviction. It’s called “Life, Marriage, and Religious Liberty: What Belongs to God, and What Belongs to Caesar.” An absolutely stunning group contributed to the book, including Dr. George, Joni Eareckson Tada, Randy Alcorn, Ryan Anderson, Frederica Mathewes-Green, Michael Farris, Kristen Waggoner, Mary Eberstadt and more. It’s available for purchase here at the Colson Center Bookstore.
This is worth repeating: We will ungrudgingly render to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, but we can never render to Caesar what belongs to God.
[italics and colored emphasis mine]
RESOURCES
"Read the Manhattan Declaration" - https://www.manhattandeclaration.org/
"The Manhattan Declaration – Ten Years Later: A BreakPoint Symposium" - http://www.breakpoint.org/2019/05/41709/
"Life, Marriage, and Religious Liberty" : Get your copy here - https://colsoncenter.christianbook.com/marriage-religious-liberty-what-belongs-caesar/david-dockery/9781642932577/pd/932577
"Four-Year Study Reveals Unexpected Views of Religious Liberty", Barna - https://www.barna.com/research/religious-freedom-clergy/
"Life, Marriage, and Religious Liberty: What Belongs to God, What Belongs to Caesar" -
John Stonestreet and David Dockery, editors 2019; https://colsoncenter.givingfuel.com/ea1905hb
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PRAYER MATTERS:
"To clasp the hands in prayer is the beginning of an uprising against
the disorder of the world. - Karl Barth
"Prayer is inviting God into a seemingly impossible situation and trusting/resting in His love and grace to accomplish His perfect will in His perfect time and for His greatest glory. Intercession is one of the great privileges AND responsibilities for EVERY believer."- Stan
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Praying Through the Open Doors World Watch List for persecuted believers:https://www.opendoorsusa.org/take-action/pray/monthly-prayer-calendar/
“Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path” (Psalm 119:105). For thousands of believers, reading the Bible is a rare occurrence. Please pray with us this month that God’s Word would find its way into the hands and hearts of His disciples.
“Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path” (Psalm 119:105). For thousands of believers, reading the Bible is a rare occurrence. Please pray with us this month that God’s Word would find its way into the hands and hearts of His disciples.
July 28 | INDONESIA - Pray for God’s provision for the families of Agung* and Bagus* as they boldly live out their faith as the only two Christian families in their Hindu village. Pray for God to soften the hearts of the other villagers toward Christ.
*Names changed to protect identities
*Names changed to protect identities
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