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Last week the world lost one of its greatest Christian apologists, Ravi Zacharias. 

Born in India, he died in the US aged 74 after a short battle with cancer – knowing that he would be going to join his Lord.

Ravi grew up in an Anglican family, but rebelled as a teenager. He became very depressed – to the point of attempting suicide. 

But afterwards his life turned upside down. When he was recovering in hospital, a young Christian man explained the gospel to him. He decided to follow Jesus.

Ravi moved to Canada and later the US. He felt God calling him to share his faith with others – in all parts of society, but especially in academic and intellectual circles that tend to embrace atheism and mock Christianity.

Like the Apostle Paul, who argued for the Christian faith with philosophers and religious leaders in Athens and elsewhere, Ravi debated with university dons and students about the fundamental questions of life. They had no answers, but God did.

Ravi Zacharias is widely known for his lectures and more than 30 books. But one part of his resumé particularly interested me. He was one of the Christian leaders from across the world – Catholic, Protestant and Orthodox – who came together in New York in November 2009 to sign what was called the Manhattan Declaration.

This important document affirms key principles that FamilyVoice stands for. It says (in part):

In this declaration we affirm: 

1) the profound, inherent, and equal dignity of every human being as a creature fashioned in the very image of God, possessing inherent rights of equal dignity and life; 

2) marriage as a conjugal union of man and woman, ordained by God from the creation, and historically understood by believers and non-believers alike, to be the most basic institution in society and; 

3) religious liberty, which is grounded in the character of God, the example of Christ, and the inherent freedom and dignity of human beings created in the divine image.

We are Christians who have joined together across historic lines of ecclesial differences to affirm our right – and, more importantly, to embrace our obligation – to speak and act in defense of these truths.

We pledge to each other, and to our fellow believers, that no power on earth, be it cultural or political, will intimidate us into silence or acquiescence. It is our duty to proclaim the Gospel of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in its fullness, both in season and out of season. May God help us not to fail in that duty.

And I say, “Amen!”

Peter Downie - National Director, FamilyVoice Australia