A year ago I wrote a piece on responding to the sin of abortion within our nation. In light of the killing of George Tiller, a notorious late-term abortion doctor, it seems worth re-printing today.
“Last week’s sermon on abortion provided a great opportunity to remember this issue and to reflect biblically on how we should understand it. We looked at man made in the image of God, and the seriousness of the sin of murder because of that. This obviously has great relevance when considering the sin of abortion (in the majority of cases, when it is sinful). Yet, there is also the need to carefully articulate the guidelines for a response to this issue. The Bible has much to say about sin, and also about a godly response to sin. These statements can serve as very helpful guidelines in a case like abortion, or any other sin that is occurring on such a grand scale. Our arsenal of reaction does not include responding in kind. Yet, here is some of what the Bible does have to say about our response:
- Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you (Mat 5:44).
- Turn the other cheek (Mat 5:39).
- Overlook an offense (Prov 19:11).
- Point out the sins of others, allowing for forgiveness, bringing church discipline (Mat 18:15-19; Luk 17:3f).
- Do not retaliate in kind (1 Pe 2:21-25).
- Do not seek revenge (Rom 12:17-21).
- Do not murder (Exo 20:13)
- Do not get sinfully angry (Mat 5:21-26).
- Appeal personally to abortion doctors, those supporting that cause, those contemplating abortion, as we would appeal to all those engaged in unrepentant sin (Mat 18:15f; Luk 17:3f; Eph 4:15; Jam 5:19-20).
- Appeal to heads of state humbly and obediently (Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego in Daniel; Paul to Jewish and Roman authorities in Acts).
- Pray and fast (Luk 18:7).
- Preach and teach—the whole counsel of God, but also related to this topic (2 Tim 3:16-4:2).
- Practice “pure religion,” helping the helpless: orphans and widows, but also single moms, others wrecked from abortion (Jam 1:27).
- Affirm that children are an unqualified blessing from God (Ps 127:3).
- Trust in the sovereignty of God (Mat 10:29-31, where, “not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father”; demonstrated even when Pharaoh killed the Hebrew babies, and Herod the Jewish babies, and when all were commanded to worship idols in Daniel).
- Trust in the justice of God (Heb 9:27; Rom 3:6).
- Understand that the state has the power of the sword (Rom 13:1f), the church has the weapons of spiritual warfare (Eph 6:10f).
Whatever our specific, individual response to the cause of abortion, it must be consistent with the above. Thus, our response could include (at least) the following:
- Civil disobedience (practices that are humbly, obediently meant to disrupt normal life to force an issue to be recognized).
- Working to change the laws of the State, and supporting those who do.
- Writing letters to those in authority, to those who make, and to those who enforce laws.
- Preaching against the sin of abortion and providing a rationale for opposing it.
- Prayer, prayer, and prayer.
May God give us wisdom to act faithfully, courageously, and biblically in this issue, and all issues that confront us as Christians.”
In Christ,
Daniel Baker
Daniel, as usual, you have said exactly what we all need to read on this important, and now relevant, topic. It’s tempting to either overreact or do nothing but perhaps complain. But you have shown us that there are lots of appropriate responses we can take. Thank you.