I’ve already noted that James White has refused to sign, but here is the sermon which he gave this past Sunday addressing it. I fear that it is increasingly being used as a litmus test for Christians.
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December 2nd, 2009 1:40 pm
Due to the broad spectrum of Christian belief represented by the signatories, there is no possible way that the MD could be used as a litmus test for Christians.
It seems that with many things in our culture we believe that every statement or declaration is an absolute or should be absolute, this should hardly be the case for the MD. This declaration of principles is far from perfect and there are certain elements in the MD that are not to my complete liking, none the less I still support it.
In history many documents and declarations have been made to champion causes that, being far from perfect acted as foundations for future refinements. Although the MD is far from perfect it can be supplemented and improved upon to define the role of orthodox Christians in the cultural arena.
December 2nd, 2009 2:06 pm
Kevin,
The litmus test is already being applied. If you stand against it, then you are not Christian, which you helped to make clear with the ‘orthodox Christians’ comment.
December 2nd, 2009 3:37 pm
I have not really seen a litmus test on the MD, in a broad spectrum (just for and against)…save with White and MacArthur. Note T.C.’s blog. I don’t think our brother Kevin is applying that?
December 2nd, 2009 5:18 pm
I think plenty of people are seeing MD as either for or against. If you are against, then are are not a Christian. No, this is not happening with everyone, but it is picking up steam.
December 2nd, 2009 6:27 pm
Joel,
This would be sad. But I feel myself that people like James White, his anti-Catholic bias and just his tenor create this almost caste system. It is just another way to thump Roman Catholicism. The difference between Roman and the Protestant theology is not as great as it was in Luther’s and Calvin’s time. Some just don’t want to accept this, and they continue to live in the past. And again sadly this in very central in this situation with many and the MD. MacArthur is not quite as bad as White, but he too lives in the past as to the nature and change in both Roman, and the modern so-called Reformational Churches. This would include some Reformed today. Even Barth was somewhat Roman friendly. We should look and learn from this, as too Barth’s friendship with some Orthodox, though for sure Barth could be critical of both Rome and Orthodoxy. But his criticism was never historically ignorant. Anyway..
December 4th, 2009 6:25 pm
James White couldn’t exegete his way out of a paper bag. He is so blinded by his own biases that he accepts explanations of the Greek language that even conservative scholars today consider to have been thoroughly dismantled (see his understanding of the causal eis here – http://vintage.aomin.org/bapreg.html and then check out Wallace’s Greek syntax text). I read a bit of his stuff in the past and was so put off that I doubt that I will ever again grant him a hearing.
December 4th, 2009 6:44 pm
My biggest draw to James is his anti-KJVO stuff, which is especially important in dealing with fundamentalists.
December 4th, 2009 11:40 pm
I guess that falls under the heading of “To everything a season…” Ironic I guess, because I consider White pretty much a fundamentalist, maybe a small notch above, but certainly not much. I find in him the same vitriol against Catholics, Mormons, and everybody else who is not a Calvinist that I have found among KJVO folks.
December 4th, 2009 11:47 pm
Indeed he is, but sometimes you have to use the voiced closest to those you oppose to reach them.
December 4th, 2009 11:54 pm
Mormon doctrine however is simply not Christian, as is much that is R. Catholic.
December 5th, 2009 12:08 am
Hmmm… Do I (R. Catholic) take the bait on that one? I’ll decline. I feel pretty secure.
December 5th, 2009 12:22 am
No bait, just true about the Mormon’s. I was raised Irish (Dublin) Roman Catholic, and still love much of that life upbringing and life, but no perfection.