Who art thou, O man, to judge who should live and who should die?
It behooves intelligent men and women not to be deceived about what abortion is. This word depicts a decision that one makes pertaining to a growing fetus within the womb of an impregnated woman. Who makes this decision and what is the result of that decision? Should this decision affect our entire society when it is such a “private and individual” decision? Many see the act of abortion as being a selfish decision; one in which all sense of responsibility is denied. The flip side is that society is insensitive; having no right to judge what another chooses to do. Either way, the reality is that a life is hanging in the balance. Does anyone have the right to throw away, discard, or kill this life?
Our secular society would say this decision lies solely with the individual who is carrying the fetus. It is her body and she has the right to decide what is best for HER. This fetus is not considered an ‘infant’ because it has not yet been born into the world. It is developing, but secular society would say that without all the essential parts being developed, this fetus can be terminated without any guilty conscious. Another argument in support of this position states that without a consensual agreement (e.g. rape), carrying this fetus becomes an emotional nightmare for the pregnant woman. Her pregnancy is a daily, constant reminder of the horrific act of abuse carried out against her. It becomes more humane to alleviate the suffering of this woman by terminating this pregnancy. If this pregnancy continues, there is the potential for this woman to redirect her hatred from the individual who impregnated her, to the fetus developing within her, after which she could then redirect this hatred towards the infant who is to be born. It is also possible that she may become depressed and desperate, inflicting personal harm to herself. How can society become more sensitive to what is happening within this dilemma? What are the ‘right answers’ in light of the sanctity of life? Are there ways to reach out and bring healing to those traumatized by an unwanted pregnancy? Are we correct to assume that individuals going through this decision making process have no feelings at all for the affect their action will have upon them and others within society? Many women who have abortions do live to regret it.
What bothers me the most is the way both sides try to impose their values upon the other. Open discussion can be helpful, but only if one is honest about one’s convictions and is able to express that conviction in an unbiased environment. A person who has no religious inclination is outside of God’s laws. They are, in some respects, a law unto themselves. Should we engage in trying to convince them otherwise? Knowing truth doesn’t give us the right to impose it on others. That would be a form of control. Speaking truth is relevant and necessary, but imposing my truth upon others who are not of the same persuasion is not correct. Donald L. Conrad includes this perceptive when he writes that “we assume that one’s own ways are correct, normal, and best, whereas the ways of others are incorrect, deviant and inferior” (173). He also states that we “take a relativist position and say that whatever people have come to view as right for them is right” (Conrad 173). Most Christians would agree the latter statement to be incorrect thinking, but our world seems to be embracing this more and more. For the Christian, the truth is that “not all practices can be judged cross-culturally, but all must be examined in light of Biblical principles” (Conrad 173). We need to re-examine what real love is and what real love does from a Biblical point of view. Asking the question, ‘How can we help?’ might produce better results. Conrad makes an observation within family and marriage that can be applied here. He notes “that the church would undoubtedly have a greater ministry if it would assist parents in their parenting tasks rather than condemning the bulk of mothers who now work full time outside the home” (Conrad 185). Too often, we condemn women who go through abortion, accusing them of murdering their own child. We are apathetic and closed towards these women, when we should be more sensitive and supportive to them. Having an abortion can be just as traumatic as becoming a single parent of an unwanted child.
Jesus did not twist anyone’s arm into believing the truth He came to proclaim. Within the church, more accountability for truth is expected, but still, discipleship and teaching is an ongoing process within individual lives to gain an in-depth understanding of the Scriptures. However, for those outside the church, can we truly expect them to embrace ‘our’ truth? It is God’s Spirit who brings truth to light in anyone’s life. So, I see our Christian worldview in conflict with other worldviews within our society and I must ask myself, does this conflict glorify God? Does God have any expectations for the ungodly? Why are we trying so hard to stop a world system that has no knowledge of God? Is this the ‘good fight’ that we are to be waging as followers of Christ? God does have expectations for His children. “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth” (II Tim. 2:15). We are to be salt and light in a dark world. Changing our world is not the focus God has entrusted to us. We are to preach the Gospel and allow the WORD of God to affect change within the human heart. The nuts and bolts of Christianity is upholding God’s standards, His truth, in our lives and walking in obedience to what God has revealed to us.
Our world is full of hurting, misguided, confused, disillusioned, and hopeless people. Would Jesus exert his power over these people, or would he compassionately speak into their situations to give them hope, peace, joy and love? When an unwanted pregnancy occurs, there are so many feelings to sort through and also, there are many pressures put upon the individual from outside sources such as parents, friends, church, counselors, all of whom mean well and are looking after the individual’s welfare. Ultimately, a decision must be made. This decision can bring with it additional turmoil. Some examples could be loss of friendship, estrangement from parents, shunning by the church, etc. Who can really know what is best for this individual? Only God can understand. Only God sees the entire picture and understands our inner struggle. Only He knows how He is at work to bring this individual closer to Himself. While He would never say to ‘kill’ the baby, He understands why some of us do. His arms continue to be outstretched towards us, waiting to embrace us, still loving us, still desiring to make us whole. Why are we so hard on our fellow human beings, especially those who do not know the love of God?
The Scripture says, “Be sure your sin will find you out” (Num. 32:23). We must follow the LORD wholeheartedly. “With my whole heart I seek you…I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you” (Ps. 119:10,11). The plight of the entire human race is a tragedy. Yet, out of this tragedy, a glorious triumph will come. We must discern the part we are to play in this world. We must understand the words of Jesus, “My kingdom is not of this world…[nor is it] from the world” (John 18:36). The human race continues to this day in rebellion against the Creator.
We have been given a responsibility: “preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching…do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry” (II Tim. 4:2,5). Evangelism did not involve politics, at least not until Billy Graham became involved in 1952, writes Michael S. Hamilton in Christianity Today, when “Graham secured an act of Congress permitting him to hold the first-ever religious meeting on the steps of the Capitol” (Michael S. Hamilton,). From this grew the movement that has come to be called the New Christian Right. More well-known Christians became involved, “Bill Bright, Pat Robertson, and James Dobson [who] succumbed to the Falwellian temptation and began grasping for political power” (Hamilton). Having learned his lesson from the Watergate scandal, this article goes on to say that “Graham privately warned them not to go down that road” (Hamilton).
The abortion issue has become a political issue. Government has intervened to help sponsor bills providing for abortion clinics and for the Planned Parenthood Organization. Public schools support this agency and allow them to influence students by giving them time to address the student body. For individuals holding a Christian worldview, this is totally unacceptable. What should one do? How should one let their voice be heard? To what degree can the Christian community circumvent the actions passed by government that offend and perplex the Christian community? One force is being pitted against another in the name of Christ. There appears to be no end to this conflict and the conflict continues to intensify. Are Christians engaged in fighting a battle that cannot be won? Speaking humbly, with empathy for those who seek abortions and speaking with equal passion and concern for the evils associated with abortions such as the big buck business of the selling of body parts and the research being done which also uses aborted babies, not to mention the truth about what happens during an abortion to the fetus and the risks involved in the procedures used, Christians cannot be quiescent, passive. Christians are part of society and have just as much right as anyone to share their values and convictions with others. The question before us is not whether or not we can share the truth that life is sacred and must be protected, but rather whether the Gospel was intended to be part of the political machine of a government?
One of the hardest things my daughter was ever asked to do was to accompany her friend to an abortion clinic. She tried to convince her friend not to go through with the abortion. They were both seniors in high school at the time. Her friend did follow through with the abortion but respected the value my daughter placed upon life by deciding not to inform her of when she was going to the clinic. After this abortion, she made another poor choice that led her to become pregnant for a second time. This time, she did not have an abortion. She learned from her first experience and this time, she chose to act responsibly. She had this child, and raised him as a single parent while completing her own college education in order to better provide for him. She found motherhood to be satisfying and cherished her relationship with her son, who is now a college graduate. My daughter maintained her friendship, giving unconditional love to her friend, and to this day, they remain friends. My respect and my love for my daughter grew as I witnessed the reality of the love of Christ being poured out in tangible ways to comfort, encouragement, provide, and help her friend during her time of trouble. How serious are we about finding ways to reflect the emphasis Jesus placed upon relational ministry? He was there to help and encourage sinners to make the right choices. His love was never compromised, nor did He ever use his power or position to coerce others into accepting His worldview. He never gave up on anyone. There is still much we can learn from Jesus.
The Apostle Paul admonishes Christians to “imitate [him]” (I Cor. 4:16; 11:1). Ezekiel 14:13–20 gives us a clear picture of an ungodly nation and a few righteous people. Christians are citizens of heaven and sojourners here upon the earth. There is a high calling to which we have been called. Our lives will affect our society, but we must be careful to follow the Lord and be engaged as He has ordained for us to be engaged. It remains an individual choice to choose between life and death. Without the knowledge of God and His great love for us, the right decisions cannot be made.
Works Cited
Conrad, Donald L. “Marriage and the Family”. Christian Perspectives on Sociology, Stephen
A. Grunlan and Milton Reimer, editors, Wipf and Stock Publishers, 1982, pp. 167–187.
Hamilton, Michael S., How a Humble Evangelist Changed Christianity As We Know It. Christianity Today, 2018 (https://www.chrisianitytoday.com).
The Holy Bible, English Standard Bible, Crossway, Good News Publishers, Wheaton, 2002.
