The Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals and Ligon Duncan: Make Up Your Mind!

The Manhattan Declaration unequivocally says that Roman Catholics and Evangelicals "share" the same Gospel. Yet, Ligon Duncan and the Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals, Albert Mohler and others claim that the document does not say this (See Reformation21: The Manhattan Declaration). But clearly it does. The preamble puts it so plainly that I cannot for the life of me understand why Ligon Duncan can deny the obvious:

Like those who have gone before us in the faith, Christians today are called to proclaim the Gospel of costly grace, to protect the intrinsic dignity of the human person and to stand for the common good. In being true to its own calling, the call to discipleship, the church through service to others can make a profound contribution to the public good.


Declaration

We, as Orthodox, Catholic, and Evangelical Christians, have gathered, beginning in New York on September 28, 2009, to make the following declaration, which we sign as individuals, not on behalf of our organizations, but speaking to and from our communities. We act together in obedience to the one true God, the triune God of holiness and love, who has laid total claim on our lives and by that claim calls us with believers in all ages and all nations to seek and defend the good of all who bear his image. We set forth this declaration in light of the truth that is grounded in Holy Scripture, in natural human reason (which is itself, in our view, the gift of a beneficent God), and in the very nature of the human person. We call upon all people of goodwill, believers and non-believers alike, to consider carefully and reflect critically on the issues we here address as we, with St. Paul, commend this appeal to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God. The Manhattan Declaration.

I have to wonder why Ligon Duncan is unwilling to take a stand for the truth? It is just this sort of equivocation and lack of clarity which leads to theological liberalism and confusion. There is really no need for "co-belligerency" with Roman Catholics, the Eastern Orthodox, and various religious cults on issues of societal morals and mores. We can all speak our minds and vote without joining together in false shows of unity. The fact is, we have nothing in common. Evangelical and Gospel truth is more important than unity on moral matters under some false ecumenicalism called "co-belligerency." (See Galatians 1:6-8). The Alliance of Confession Evangelicals is disappointing in this regard since it apparently does not stand for something that is supposed to be its reason for being in the first place--confessional and reformed Christianity.

It seems to me that the doctrine of common grace is the culprit behind this false union with apostate individuals and churches. The Gospel is defined by Scripture as a matter of faith apart from works and that we are counted righteous solely on the basis of Jesus' active and passive obedience and his atoning death on the cross as a substitute for guilty sinners.

Sincerely in Christ,

Charlie