Declaration on Human Sexual Morality

Declaration on Human Sexual Morality

by Glen on 2001-03-23 00:13:38

Dear Christian leader,

Over 1,600 pastors, professors and other Christian leaders have now
become

signatories to the “Declaration on Human Sexual Morality” (found at
www.MasteringLife.org) published by Mastering Life Ministries (also
copied

below). Included in this number are some of the most respected Christian

leaders in the world today.

I invite you to add your name to the list of leaders. Encouraging words that have been sent to us by some of the top leaders in
the

Christian world . . . . . .

Dr. J. I. Packer writes . . . . .

?I herewith sign your excellent declaration on sexual healing and
morality.

May God give it maximum influence in this crazy age. Blessings.?

Dr. John R.W. Stott writes . . . . .

?I am glad and grateful that you have been willing to stand up and be
counted, and I am happy to stand with you. So I am signing the
Declaration.

I send you my greetings and best wishes in your campaign.?

Dr. Bill Bright writes . . . . .

?Congratulations on your commitment to help reverse the gross
misrepresentation of the homosexual movement. Please use my signature
and

keep me posted. Warm affection in Christ.?

“Declaration” author, Rev. David Kyle Foster, says –

“When we reach the 10,000 mark, we hope to publish this document in major

newspapers around the world. Our hope is that through this effort,
Christian

leaders will call the people of this world back to the moral values
instituted by God from the creation of the world.

The sexual revolution has been a massive failure, at every level. People

need a strong, clear voice to help them align themselves once again to
the

divine intention for human sexuality. The voice needs to be
grace-filled,

well-reasoned and inspiring. It needs the favor and anointing of God as
well. Pray for us in this effort – that God will change hearts and
rescue

lives.”

The entire Body of Christ has gotten involved in this effort. Breaking
it

down by denomination and country, the results looks like this:

Among the more notable signatories are:

From the Evangelical world:

Dr. Winston Frost, Dean of Trinity International University Law School,
Dr. David Mainse of 100 Huntley Street,
Dr. Bill Bright, President of Campus Crusade for Christ International,
Dr. Stephen Olford, world-renown preacher,
Rev. David Bryant, President of Concerts of Prayer International,
Leanne Payne, President of Pastoral Care Ministries,
Dr. Ted Baehr, President, Christian Film and Television Commission,
Camarillo, CA,

The Rev. Dr. Jim Garlow, Skyline Church, San Diego, CA,
Dr. Rick Warren, pastor Saddleback Community Church & author of The
Purpose

Driven Church

Dr. Don Finto, Belmont Church, Nashville, TN,
Dr. Harry Schaumburg, author of False Intimacy,
The Rev. Dr. Ronald W. Scates, Highland Park Presbyterian Church,
Dallas,TX,

Bob Davies, Executive Director of Exodus International North America,
Michael McManus, President of Marriage Savers,
The Rev. Dr. James N. McGuire, Ward Evangelical Presbyterian Church,
Novi, MI,

The Rev. Dr. Whaley S. Barton Jr., Saint Andrews Presbyterian Church,
Pasadena, CA,

Rev. Charles E. McGowan, Christ Presbyterian Church, Nashville, TN,
The Rev. Dr. Lawrence C. Roff, Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church, Ft.
Lauderdale, FL,

Rev. Harry L. Reeder III, Briarwood Presbyterian Church, Birmingham, AL,
Dr. Richard Marks of First Baptist Church, Jacksonville, FL,
Dennis Rainey and Bob Lepine of Family Life Today,
Dr. Robert Ricker, President of the Baptist General Conference,
Dr. R. Dennis Cole of New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary,
Dr. William W. Menzies, Chancellor, Asia Pacific Theological Seminary,
Springfield, MO,

President-elect, Doug Trouten, Evangelical Press Association, St. Paul,
MN,

Robert Knight of the Family Research Council, Washington, DC

From the Anglican Communion:

Dr. John R.W. Stott, Anglican theologian,
Dr. J.I. Packer, Anglican scholar,
Dr. Christopher Seitz of St. Andrew’s University, Scotland,
Archbishop R. H. Goodhew, Anglican Church Diocese of Sydney, Sydney, NSW,

Australia

Bishop Wallace Benn, Bishop of Lewes, Diocese of Chichester, Eastbourne,
England,

Bishop Peter R. Brain, Anglican Diocese of Armidale, Armidale, NSW,
Australia,

Bishop Derek Eaton, Diocese of Nelson, Nelson, New Zealand,
Bishop Benjamin Kwashi of the Anglican Diocese of Jos, Nigeria,
Rev. Canon Benoni Mutana of the Anglican Church of Uganda,
Bishop Anthony H. Nichols of the Diocese of North West Australia,
Geraldton,

WA, Australia,

Bishop John Howe of the Episcopal Diocese of Central Florida,
Bishop Stephen Jecko of the Episcopal Diocese of Florida,
Bishop Robert William Duncan, Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh,
Pittsburgh, PA,

Bishop Jon M. Lindenauer, Christian Episcopal Church/NA, Federal Way, WA,
Bishop William C. Wantland, retired 4th Bishop of Eau Claire, 5th Bishop
of

Navajoland, Seminole, OK,

Bishop Christopher Williams of the Diocese of the Arctic, Anglican Church
of

Canada, Yellowknife, N.W.T., Canada,
Bishop John H. Rodgers, Anglican Mission in America, Diocese of Rwanda,
Dr. Sudduth Cummings, Doctor of Ministry Director for Trinity Episcopal
School for Ministry,

Fr. Samuel L. Edwards, Executive Director, Forward in Faith – North
America,

Ft. Worth, Tx,

Rev. Dr. Brian Kelly of Canterbury Christ Church University College in
Canterbury, England,

Denomination-wise, we have:

175 = NonDenom – No denominational affiliation
105 = PCA – Presbyterian Church in America
93 = SBC – Southern Baptist Convention
92 = ICCEC – International Communion of the Charismatic

Episcopal

Church

77 = ECUSA – Episcopal Church USA
66 = PCUSA – Presbyterian Church U.S.A.
64 = UMC – United Methodist Church
60 = ANG – Anglican
38 = AG – Assemblies of God

33 = ABA – American Baptist Association
16 = EFCA – Evangelical Free Church of America
15 = CCCC – Congregational Christian Churches In Canada
15 = CON – Church of the Nazarene

13 = COC – Church of Christ
13 = ICC – Independent Christian Churches
12 = CMA – Christian and Missionary Alliance
12 = CBA – Conservative Baptist Assoc. of America
12 = RC – Roman Catholic Church
11 = UCC – United Church of Christ
10 = ICFG – International Church of the Foursquare Gospel
9 = DOC – Disciples of Christ

6 = COGC – Church of God Cleveland, Tennessee
6 = UBC – United Brethren in Christ
5 = ELCA – Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
5 = LCMS – Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod
5 = MC – Mennonite Church

4 = COGIC – Church of God in Christ
4 = EPC – Evangelical Presbyterian Church
4 = NABC – North American Baptist Conference
4 = RCA – Reformed Church in America
4 = VCF – Vineyard Christian Fellowship
4 = WC – Wesleyan Church

3 = GRB – General Assoc. of Regular Baptist Churches
2 = ABC/USA – American Baptist Church USA
2 = ACC – Anglican Church of Canada
2 = AEC – Anglican Evangelical Church
2 = BGC – Baptist General Conference
2 = COG – Church of God

2 = COGA – Church of God Anderson, Indiana
2 = COGOP – Church of God of Prophecy
2 = CRC – Christian Reformed Church
2 = FMC – Free Methodist Church
2 = SA – Salvation Army

1 = AEC – Anglican Evangelical Church
1 = CB – Christian Brethren (Plymouth Brethren)
1 = CEEC – Communion of Evangelical Episcopal Churches
1 = EFF – Episcopal Foward in Faith
1 = FWB – Free Will Baptists
1 = MCA – Missionary Church of America
1 = OCR – Orthodox Christian Reformed
1 = PHC – Pentecostal Holiness Church International
30 = Not Given – no denomination given
155 = Other

349 = Ministry Leaders

Country-wise, we have:

USA = 1,277
Canada = 94
India = 75
England = 26
Australia = 7
South Africa = 4
Germany = 3
Spain = 3
Vietnam = 3
N. Ireland = 2
Togo = 2
The Netherlands = 2
Philippines = 2
Scotland = 2
Singapore = 2
France = 2
New Zealand = 1
Namibia = 1
Nigeria = 1
Switzerland = 1
Uganda = 1

Burundi = 1

Japan = 1

Lithuania = 1

Romania = 1

Macedonia = 1

Argentina = 1

Dominican Republic = 1

Nepal = 1

Taiwan = 1

People can see the entire list at our website:

http://www.gospelcom.net/mlm/declaration/index.htm

and can sign-up there or copy back to us the form at the end of the
statement

filled out.

About The Religious Declaration on
Human Sexual Morality

Touchstone Journal reports that on January 18, 2000, the nation?s primary

sex-education organization – SIECUS (Sexuality Information and Education
Council of the United States) – released the Religious Declaration on
Sexual

Morality, Justice and Healing, signed by 850 religious leaders, calling
for

same-sex unions, ordination of homosexuals, and abortion rights.

Their document is being used to give the appearance to legislators and
denominational leaders that these positions are held by large numbers in
the

religious community. Since it will continue to be used to persuade
school

boards, judges, legislators and religious leaders to compromise the
traditional position on these issues, it must be countered. Our nations
leaders need to know where the vast majority of religious leaders truly
stand.

Mastering Life Ministries is setting out to obtain the signatures of at
least

one hundred times the number obtained by SIECUS. Please xerox our
statement

on morality and ask your ordained clergy, Christian counselor or ministry

leader to sign it and send it to our office. Time is of the essence in
this

matter. The Vermont legislature has already legalized same-sex civil
unions,

efforts have been in the works for some time to officially deem
reparative

therapy for homosexuals to be malpractice and it will only be a matter of

time before you and I go to jail for standing up for biblical morality.

Now

is to the time to make your voice heard.

Please feel free to print out and distribute the full text of the
declaration

or to quote from it in your news story. You may refer people to our
website

address or to our office address: Mastering Life Ministries, P.O. Box
351149, Jacksonville, Fl. 32235.

We have a statement sign-up at our website (www.MasteringLife.org), so
you

can send leaders there to sign up (or copy this one to them via email for

them to fill out and send to us).

Religious Declaration on Human Sexual Morality

Human sexual (genital) behavior is intended by God to be expressed solely

within the confines of heterosexual, monogamous marriage. Since God is
love,

sexual activity can only be considered a true act of love when carried
out

within these parameters, clearly established by God in His Holy Word (the

Bible).

Sexual intercourse is to be the same giving act that it represents –
which is

Jesus Christ?s union with His Bride, the Church. It is two becoming one
flesh – physically, spiritually and emotionally – the ultimate end of the

separating of Eve from Adam?’s side.

It is a procreative and pleasure-giving act that may bear the fruit of
children. It is a cause for the continuation of the human race and a
bonding

agent for the love shared between husband and wife. When done out of
love by

two spiritually healthy human beings, it will enhance the well-being and
solidify the growing oneness of man and wife.

God purposed in creation that human sexual interaction be a reflection of

that ultimate marriage to which He has called us – that between God and
man /

between Christ and the Church.

Just as God remains faithful, undivided and undeflected from His
commitment

to man, so this central act in marriage must remain equally faithful,
undivided and undeflected – exemplifying the love, the trust and the
commitment of a spouse to his/her marital partner.

Fidelity to God?s blueprint for human sexual behavior is integral to
healthy

human spirituality.

The proscriptions on human sexual behavior established by God in His Holy

Word (the Bible) are positive and life-giving. They are designed to
bring

both maximum glory to God and to be protective measures for those who
might

otherwise try to find life and fulfillment in alternative sexual
behavior,

which can only bring death and destruction. As such, they are an
expression

of God?s perfect love and desire to protect those He has created..

Any deflection from these intended purposes of the Creator God is
rebellion

against the wisdom and goodness of God and sets one at enmity with Him
until

that person has repented of their actions and come into agreement once
again

with God?s design. The idea that man has the right to chose his own
methods

of sexual expression flies in the face of everything taught in sacred
Scripture.

For those who find themselves caught in an aberrant sexual lifestyle, God

offers the atoning death of His Son, Jesus Christ, which brings
forgiveness,

cleansing, healing and transforming power. Jesus did not come to condemn

mankind, but to save any and all who would come to Him for cleansing.

We are Speaking Out

• We are speaking out against the attempts by those in secular and
  religious communities who seek to overturn and redefine the clear
  teachings
  of the Bible, to make it appear as though sexual behavior outside of the
  bounds described above is somehow normal and blessed by God. There has
  been
  a clear and unbroken Judeo-Christian, scriptural witness on these matters
  for
  over thirty-five hundred years.
  

• We are speaking out against the impression being given by a
  minority
  of religious and media figures that their version of sexual morality is
  consistent with the biblical witness and/or accepted by the Church.
  

• We are speaking out against the unchecked confusion and division
  sown
  in the Church by such apostles of immorality.
  

• We are speaking out against the death and destruction that such
  teachings have brought to our culture and the confusion that it has sown
  in
  our children.
  

• We are speaking out against any sex education program that would
  teach
  such ideas to our young people.
  

• We are speaking out against the impression given by some that
  those
  who support biblical definitions of morality hate those who refuse to
  accept
  or live by them.
  

  We Stand in Opposition

• We oppose any and all efforts to normalize or sanctify homosexual
  behavior, to advocate or bless homosexual marriages or to ordain those
  who
  engage in homosexual behavior.
  

• We oppose any attempt to stigmatize or reject persons who are
  turning
  to Christ for forgiveness, healing and transformation who have been
  struggling with their sexual orientation.
  

• We oppose any suggestion that they are lesser or more sinful human

  beings than anyone else. They are welcome in the Church.

• We oppose any and all attempts to normalize or sanctify
  heterosexual
  immorality, including the use of pornography or prostitutes, adulterous
  or
  other non-marital sexual relationships or any other behavior outside of
  healthy, heterosexual, marital monogamy.
  

• We oppose the taking of a human life in its mother?s womb or any
  other form of abortion.
  

  We Call Out

• We call for people to return to the God of the Bible, through His
  Son
  Jesus Christ.
  

• We call for people to return to God?s design for human behavior
  (sexual and otherwise) as found in the Holy Bible.
  

• We call for people to seek and receive from God Almighty the
  forgiveness, the cleansing, the deliverance and the healing that they
  need as
  a result of their unnatural sexual behavior.
  

• We call for people to seek and receive from God the desire and the

  power to walk in His ways.

• We call for those in government to honor the institution off
  marriage
  as it has been held for thousands of years.