The Manhattan Declaration

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By now, many of you have no doubt heard of The Manhattan Declaration. If not, I would encourage you to read THIS post from Justin Taylor's blog to familiarize yourself with what it is. Though there is an impressive list of "religious leaders" who signed it (Including: Randy Alcorn, Kay Arthur, Dr. Bryan Chapell, Chuck Colson, Dr. James Dobson, Dr. J. Ligon Duncan, Dr. Wayne Grudem, Rev. Tim Keller, Josh McDowell, Dr. R. Albert Mohler, Jr., Dr. J.I. Packer, Chuck Swindoll, Joni Eareckson Tada, and Ravi Zacharias) I consider it an act of compromise to be on the list. For an explanation of my reasoning, I would direct you to the following:

The Manhattan Declaration: Why didn’t you sign it, R.C.? by R.C. Sproul

The Manhattan Declaration by John MacArthur

Nineteen questions for signers of "The Manhattan Declaration" by Dan Phillips

Standing for truth, in any realm, must never come at the expense of the Gospel. It is the Gospel alone that is "of first importance" (see 1 Cor. 15:1-4). To compromise there, is to compromise everywhere. Unfortunately, that is exactly what The Manhattan Declaration, and those who have signed it, have done.

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Justification & Regeneration - 3rd Edition

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Justification & Regeneration by Charles Leiter is now available in an expanded 3rd edition, and can be ordered from Monergism Books or directly from the publisher, Granted Ministries Press. This edition contains a new appendix dealing with frequently asked questions. Here is the new appendix for those who have an older edition of the book (click the arrow in the upper right to go full screen):

This book has been utterly foundational for all of us at Thoughts on the Way, and I would highly encourage anyone who has not read it to check it out. For more information, see the product pages linked to above, as well as THIS review from Nathan Pitchford at Monergism.com, and THIS one from Mason.

Yesterday, I asked Charles if he could summarize the main burdens of the book in two sentences. Here was his reply:

1. The Christian has a permanent standing of acceptance and favor with God, not because of his performance, but because of the righteousness of Another.

2. Growth in the Christian life is not by striving to become someone you're not, but by believing the reality of what God has already made you to be in the miracle of regeneration.

That's as good of a summary of the book as you're going to get!



HT: Chad T. for granting permission to post the new appendix.

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J&R - Back in Stock!

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Justification & Regeneration by Charles Leiter is now available for purchase in an updated second edition. I cannot recommend this book highly enough, so if you missed out on the first batch, please pick one up now and read through it slowly and prayerfully, taking the time to look up and meditate on the verses quoted. I have no doubt that this book will be a tremendous help to you.

Here is Mason's personal review of the book posted on the blog several months back.



HT: Scott S.

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Charles Leiter on Romans 7

In case anyone missed the link that was provided in Mason's review of Justification and Regeneration, I wanted to point out that the entire appendix from the book dealing with Romans 7 can be read online at the Puritan Fellowship website. Romans 7, particularly verses 14-25, has been a controversial passage of Scripture throughout church history, and continues to be down to this day. However, like most controversial passages, it yields great riches when wrestled with and understood properly, and Charles' thoughts in this appendix are a great help toward that end.

For further study, readers may also want to check out these two articles:

Enslaved To Sin: A Second Glance At Romans 7 by Michael Adams & Geoff Volker

Romans 7:13-25 by Daniel Thompson

"Justification and Regeneration" - A Personal Review

I will not hide my enthusiasm for this book. This review will be rare in that the book and the author have meant a lot to me personally. The help I have received from Charles demonstrates the far-reaching effect of these two miracles, justification and regeneration. Apart from this, the author would have nothing to offer.

You will have read this review correctly if upon completion you conclude the contents have profoundly shaped my life. Under a merciful providence, the contents of this book saved me from spiritual suicide in 2004. Let's go there for a moment.

I lived in Romania under the direction of HeartCry Missionary Society. I was Sorin Prodan's bag carrier - I loved it. But depression crept in as a struggle grew to understand the ontological effects of regeneration: What does regeneration actually accomplish? How was I really different now as a Christian? History has proven that my understanding of regeneration as a whole was the actual problem. My view of salvation was entirely legal. That's good. But that's only half. And poverty in the other half proved devastating. Ground for my fight with sin eluded me, and homesickness, loneliness and a paralyzing depression settled in. The situation was critical.

I was anxious to meet Charles Leiter, as I knew Charles had a significant and on-going influence on Paul Washer. Imagine my delight when Charles came to teach a Bible conference in the spring of 2004. He received the unfortunate job of sharing a van seat with me on a several-hour trip to northeast Romania. A long conversation short – upon reaching our destination, I found that most of my view of the new birth had been destroyed. The rubble was removed, and a foundation was rebuilt. This conversation would prove to be the most profound moment of my Christian life. I finally had answers to my questions – solid, biblical answers. My only desire was to find a quiet place to weep before the Lord for joy. My feet didn’t touch the ground for weeks. These tears still come when I remember this event. All glory to God!

The contents of this discussion became a book earlier this year. To this subject we now turn. The following are the chapter headings of Justification & Regeneration:

Foreword by Paul Washer
Preface
Chapter 1 - Sin: Man's Ultimate Problem
Chapter 2 - Can a Man Be Right Before God
Chapter 3 - Justification: Its Characteristics
Chapter 4 - Regeneration: All Things New
Chapter 5 - A New Creation
Chapter 6 - A New Man
Chapter 7 - A New Heart
Chapter 8 - A New Birth
Chapter 9 - A New Nature
Chapter 10 - Crucifixion & Resurrection
Chapter 11 - A Change of Realms: Flesh to Spirit
Chapter 12 - A Change of Realms: Earth to Heaven
Chapter 13 - A Change of Realms: Sin to Righteousness
Chapter 14 - A Change of Realms: Law to Grace
Chapter 15 - A Change of Realms: Adam to Christ
Appendices:
A - Regeneration: A Summary
B - "Cannot Sin"
C - Romans 7
D - All Blessings in Christ

Was another book on these topics really necessary? Endless volumes have already been printed on each of these subjects. After reading the work a couple of times, I will argue yes, there is a necessary place for this book. J&R retains a refreshing combination of biblical faithfulness, intellectual rigor, and a pastoral emphasis – all in readable language.

Biblical. The book is painstakingly biblical. In the footnotes alone J&R contains 300+ verse references which serve the purpose of validating conclusions and aiding further study. The work is basically a road map through the Bible. In this respect, the appendices alone are worth the price of the book. One appendix is a summary of regeneration which consists entirely of categorized verse references. Scriptural references pertaining to the blessings of union with Christ are also listed and categorized.

Simple. The language is accessible. Paul Washer writes in the foreword, “There seems to be a great abyss separating the biblical theologian and the Christian in the pew. While the theologian is able to climb the Everest of God’s truth and be transformed by the vision, he often communicates the vision in a language that is beyond us…Pastor Charles Leiter has done a great service to the Church in that he has taken two of the greatest doctrines of Scripture…and explained them in simple language without loss of content.” I agree. I feel comfortable handing this book to seasoned theologians. I would feel the same comfort in handing this to a new Christian. Charles has a profound gift.

Logical. Just read the chapter titles! Charles builds a coherent system of scriptural doctrine. Beginning with the radical depravity of man, he moves toward the cross, which serves as both a launching pad and the centerpiece of justification and regeneration. His logic is rigorous, which makes the book intellectually satisfying. Any critics have their work cut out for them.

Pastoral. Charles writes with a pastoral emphasis. I would have no hesitation handing this book to a scholarly theologian (and I have!). Nevertheless, the clear and constant goal throughout J&R is to promote glorying in Christ Jesus among the saints. He writes, “This book attempts to set forth in clear Biblical light the nature and characteristics of justification and regeneration that God may be glorified and His children brought to know more fully the liberty that is theirs in Christ.” I believe he succeeded. The book remains radically opposed to the destructive doctrine of perfectionism. Yet neither is the believer left to a hopeless fight with sin. The power of Christ in the believer is set forth in such compelling light that the reader is infused with solid, Scriptural hope for victory even over the most besetting sin.

And one of my favorite aspects of the book - all proceeds from the book go to HeartCry Missionary Society. Not all men are in the position to do this. However, this has made my buying and distributing copies even more satisfying.

I have enjoyed this book thoroughly. I highly recommend the work.

The book may be purchased through HeartCry by following this link. The price, including shipping, is $9.

Title: Justification and Regeneration
Author: Charles Leiter
Pages: 164
Publication Year: 2007