Introduction

In view of questionable sociological, psychological, and political theories presently permeating our culture and making inroads into Christ's church, we wish to clarify certain key Christian doctrines and ethical principles prescribed in God’s Word. Clarity on these issues will fortify believers and churches to withstand an onslaught of dangerous and false teachings that threaten the gospel, misrepresent Scripture, and lead people away from the grace of God in Jesus Christ.

Specifically, we are deeply concerned that values borrowed from secular culture are currently undermining Scripture in the areas of race and ethnicity, manhood and womanhood, and human sexuality. The Bible’s teaching on each of these subjects is being challenged under the broad and somewhat nebulous rubric of concern for “social justice.” If the doctrines of God’s Word are not uncompromisingly reasserted and defended at these points, there is every reason to anticipate that these dangerous ideas and corrupted moral values will spread their influence into other realms of biblical doctrines and principles.

We submit these affirmations and denials for public consideration, not with any pretense of ecclesiastical authority, but with an urgency that is mixed with deep joy and sincere sorrow. The rapidity with which these deadly ideas have spread from the culture at large into churches and Christian organizations—including some that are evangelical and Reformed—necessitates the issuing of this statement now.

In the process of considering these matters we have been reminded of the essentials of the faith once for all handed down to the saints, and we are re-committed to contend for it. We have a great Lord and Savior, and it is a privilege to defend his gospel, regardless of cost or consequences. Nevertheless, while we rejoice in that privilege, we grieve that in doing so we know we are taking a stand against the positions of some teachers whom we have long regarded as faithful and trustworthy spiritual guides. It is our earnest prayer that our brothers and sisters will stand firm on the gospel and avoid being blown to and fro by every cultural trend that seeks to move the Church of Christ off course. We must remain steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord.

The Apostle Paul’s warning to the Colossians is greatly needed today: “See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ” (Colossians 2:8). The document that follows is an attempt to heed that apostolic command. We invite others who share our concerns and convictions to unite with us in reasserting our unwavering commitment to the teachings of God’s Word articulated in this statement. Therefore, for the glory of God among his Church and throughout society, we offer the following affirmations and denials.

Affirmations & Denials

Signers

*Signatures marked with an asterisk are churches

View All 17424 Signers

Initial Signers

John MacArthur

Pastor, Grace Community Church

Voddie Baucham

VBM

Phil Johnson

Executive Director, Grace to You

Josh Buice

Pastor, Pray's Mill Baptist Church, Founder and President G3 Ministries / G3 Conference

Michael O'Fallon

Founder and President, Sovereign Nations

James White

Director, Alpha and Omega Ministries

Darrell Harrison

Dean of Social Media, Grace to You

Tom Buck

Sr. Pastor, First Baptist Church Lindale

Jeremy Vuolo

Grace Community Church / TMS Student

Justin Peters

Justin Peters Ministries / Kootenai Community Church

Tom Ascol

Executive Director, Founders Ministries, Grace Baptist Church, Pastor

Anthony Mathenia

Pastor, Christ Church

Craig Mitchell

President, Ethics and Political Economy Center

Signers

Vesta Sproul

Co-Founder & Board Member, Ligonier Ministries

Tom Nettles

Retired Professor of Church History

Rod Martin

Founder and CEO, The Martin Organization

Paul Washer

HeartCry Missionary Society

Chris Larson

President & CEO, Ligonier Ministries

Virgil Walker

Executive Director, G3 Ministries

Costi Hinn

President, For the Gospel, Pastor, Redeemer Bible Church

Allie Beth Stuckey

Podcast Host, Relatable

Owen Strachan

Provost & Research Professor of Theology, Grace Bible Theological Seminary

Russell Fuller

Professor of Old Testament Interpretation, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary

Douglas Wilson

Minister, Christ Church

Art Ally

President, Timothy plan

Brad Bright

Bright Media

Tony Costa

Professor, Toronto Baptist Seminary

Scott Aniol

Executive Vice President, G3 Ministrires

Kelly Monroe Kullberg

Co-founder and Exec. Director, American Association of Evangelicals

Kenneth Talbot

President, Whitefield College and Theological Seminary

Joseph Pipa

President, Greenville Presbyterian Theological Seminary

E.W. Jackson

Bishop, STAND Foundation, Inc.

Jeff Noblit

Grace Life Church of the Shoals

E. Calvin Beisner

Kurt Strassner

Pastor, Pleasant Ridge Baptist Church

Brad Jurkovich

Dr., First Baptist Church

Phil Roberts

Global Ministries Foundation

David Miller

Country Preacher At Large, Line upon Line Ministries

Tommy Nelson

Senior Pastor, Denton Bible Church

Samuel Sey

SlowToWrite.com

Joseph Farah

CEO, founder, WND.com

Jeffrey Jones

Executive Pastor, Calvary Grace Church of Calgary

Charley Holmes

President, Baptist Missionary Association Theological Seminary

Patrick Cho

Senior Pastor, Lighthouse Bible Church

Brian Fairchild

Pastor, Colonial Bible Church

Chris Skates

Adviser, Rosebower Baptist Church/Deacon

Richard Pierce

President, Alpha and Omega Ministries

Jack Jenkins

Pastor/teachet, Faith Baptist Church

Clint Humfrey

Senior Pastor, Calvary Grace Church

Andrew Rappaport

Executive Director, Striving for Eternity Ministries

Jared Longshore

Pastor, Administrative Director, Grace Baptist Church, Founders Ministries

David Shannon

Co-host of CrossPolitic

Gabriel Rench

CO-HOST OF CROSSPOLITIC

Chad Everson

Teaching Pastor, Trinity Church

Andrew Smith

Pastor-Teacher, Christ Reformed Community Church

D. Kofi Adu-Boahen

Pastoral Intern, Bear Creek Church

Gavin Peacock

Associate Pastor, Calvary Grace Church

Jesse Sumpter

Teacher

Dawain Atkinson

Founder, The B.A.R. Podcast Network

Theodore Baehr

The Rev. Dr., MOVIEGUIDE®

Joseph Francis

Dean of Science, Math, Technology and Health, The Master's University

Kevin Lewis

Professor of Theology & Law, Talbot School of Theology, Biola University

J. Harrison Pickett

Rev., Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church (PCA)

Summer Jaeger

Sheologians

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