Frankfurt Declaration



 


The Frankfurt declaration is an outstanding statement regarding Christian and civil liberties.  A number of statements have been put together in the last decade but possibly none are as important as this one. I was glad to be among the initial signers, and I would encourage you to sign it too. You may read it here.

The declaration begins,

"In the course of human events, it sometimes becomes necessary for people of good faith to speak out against the abuse of power. This should be done only after serious and prayerful deliberation, and even then, in an attitude of humility and with respect for the authorities that have been established by God. Such protest should be expressed in the hope that civil authorities who are found to be eroding rights and liberties may yet fulfill their responsibility as their rightful guardians.

A few concerned pastors from different continents, moved by an emergent totalitarianism of the State over all realms of society, and particularly the Church, and the disregard of God- given and constitutionally guaranteed rights during the Covid crisis, joined in common cause to craft a solemn declaration, which seeks to address these threats with the timeless truths of God’s Word. The following affirmations and denials, derived from biblical principles, we put forth for consideration by all Christians and relevant authorities, in the hope that this document will give light and strength for faithful witness to Jesus Christ in our day."

It later concludes,

“To those civil authorities who have disregarded these freedoms, we call on you to repent and to become again the protectors of liberty and of the rights that God has given to all men, lest in the abuse of your God-given authority, you become liable to God’s wrath. To those who desire to compel us to obey the secular State rather than God, we respectfully, but firmly say (like the three Hebrews who refused to worship Nebuchadnezzar’s golden statue), “We have no need to answer you in this matter. The God we serve is able to save us from you, and He will rescue us from your hand. But even if He does not, we want you to know that we will not serve your gods or worship the idols you have set up.” (Dan. 3:16-18)

To our brothers and sisters in Christ around the world we say: “Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” (Josh 1:9) It appears that the world may well be entering a time of testing, not only for the Church, but for everyone who believes in freedom and who opposes tyranny. Let us stand with those who are hard-pressed, arrested, or forcefully isolated because they have chosen to do what is right. Let us stand in solidarity with those whose churches are forcefully closed or who are exiled from their congregations. Let us help and support in practical ways those who are fined or have to forfeit their employment for the sake of Christ. And we ask our brothers and sisters who have lived under persecution all their lives to pray for us, that God would give us the grace to bless those who persecute us and to pray for them; that God would give us the courage to stand firm in our faith as His witnesses; and that He, who is Lord over all, would give us the strength to remain faithful and persevere to the end. Amen.”

For the entire Frankfurt Declaration go here.

Comments

  1. Graham WilsonNovember 6, 2022 at 4:40 AM

    This is a powerful statement, and I am pleased to say that I have added my signature. I commend your efforts to date on advising people that our first loyalty is always to God and not the State. "We must obey God before men." (Acts 5:29)
    However, as someone who has been trying to launch a 'Call to Repentance' campaign over the past year, I am growing increasingly concerned that the warning and message of repentance and salvation and the truth of God's Word is not getting out to people, within the civil authorities, the church and the citizenry.
    This may be because people don't want to hear the truth and are happier living the lie. Or in the words of Paul, "They exchanged the truth about God for a lie." (Romans 1:25) My question though, is as to whether God is calling us with Christ's Church, to do something more to get the truth out to people. I feel that time is short and, "God wants all to be saved and to come to know the truth." (1 Timothy 2:4)
    I will conclude with the words of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, "Silence in the face of evil is itself evil: God will not hold us guiltless. Not to speak is to speak. Not to act is to act." Are we doing everything we can at this time to speak and act for Christ? I don't know the answer, but I hope we are praying and talking about it.
    Yours in Christ.

    ReplyDelete

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