The Manhattan Declaration: A Call of Christian Conscience

The Manhattan Declaration: A Call of Christian Conscience was released on Nov. 20, 2009, and is an important document in the quest for large scale family restoration. The document clearly declares a united Christian position related to biblical truths regarding (a) the sanctity of life , (b) marriage, and (c) religious liberty.

A statement calling Christians to account and accountability, The Manhattan Declaration states the Christian position in a well thought out, logical, and sensitive manner. The document, which is not a political statement, but rather a cultural call, can be found at http://manhattandeclaration.org/ . The drafting committee was comprised of the esteemed Professor of Jurisprudence Robert George (Princeton University), Professor Timothy George (Beeson Divinity School), and legendary Chuck Colson (Founder, The Chuck Colson Center for Christian Worldview, and Prison Fellowship). It has been signed by major organizations as charter signatories, among whom include Focus on the Family, and the Christian Legal Society. (See other recent blog posts at http://www.ninomania.blogspot.com and http://www.redeeminglaw.blogspot.com/ . )

Many consider this an historic development in American Christendom because it makes a significant effort to unify believers in Jesus Christ on issues of utmost social and cultural importance – and because it sends a call for family restoration. Indeed, Focus on the Family aptly states the call to each believer individually to take this opportunity to stand for faith in Christ.

“The document is a fresh and lively presentation, a renewed rallying cry to those who have been engaged in this historic effort of spiritual and cultural conversion. This is not a manifesto for culture war; it is a prescription for cultural change. It is also a thoughtful invitation to those who might be sitting on the periphery, perhaps hesitant to join this effort, maybe because they've never been fully aware of the consequences of inaction. As a unified body, we are acknowledging that our faith is strong and redemptive, but it's not necessarily a comfortable and easy pursuit. Standing up for our beliefs can often come at great cost. But as Dr. George highlighted at last week's news conference, even the secularist philosopher Socrates once posed a relevant question Christians should easily answer today. ‘Is it better to suffer an injustice,’ he once asked, ‘than to commit it?’ By affixing our signatures to the Manhattan Declaration, we are answering an unequivocal ‘yes.’”

Each Christian who is concerned about family restoration on an individual scale and particularly on a large societal scale should begin by reading the document, in its entirety, which can be found by clicking here . The Manhattan Declaration is an excellent example of achieving the balance of Truth and Grace that should be exhibited by followers of Jesus Christ.

You will feel exhorted to champion Christian truths in a Christian manner in a culture that is hungry for stability and unconditional love. When we exhibit these qualities, we will begin to see families restored, one by one, to the restoration of an entire American culture.