Final (for now) thoughts on the abortion debate:

Something To Think About, Holding Life Sacred:

A Preface (skip this if you want): STTA is mainly read by conservative, or conservative-leaning Christians.  I hope the thoughts on the abortion debate have proven helpful.  We can't ignore this, nor can we just go around spouting outrage.  Balance and nuance are required.  I am very thankful to know that there are some folk who read STTA who are not, so to speak, part of the Club.  I regard it as a great privilege to be able to speak into your life.  Though it is but for a moment, I am glad to be able to share something to think about from the Christian worldview that I hold.  I hope this week's thoughts have been an encouragement to you.  There are many of us in the fold of conservative Evangelicalism who are trying to follow our Lord in sharing both truth and grace.  Some in Christian circles serve up ethical mush--you really can't tell what is in there.  Others are harsh and wrongly judgmental.  Maintaining love and truth is hard--much harder than chewing gum and walking.  I hope it encourages you to know that some of us are trying. To both groups, thanks for letting me in. Talking about abortion is not pleasant.  It is necessary.  As far as STTA is concerned, I need to be done with the subject for a while, so today's edition will be a bit of a grab-bag to allow me to share some closing thoughts  It will also be long: Why can't prolife folk, like me, just leave this alone?  It is the law of our land.  Abortion, generally labeled with one of the euphamistic titles like "Reproductive Services," has been a part of our culture for decades, now. To be honest with you, I don't think you'd like us very much if we didn't say something.  For reasons I have mentioned this week, and which others have spoken to in great detail, we think that unborn children are what they appear to be, little people.  In spite of the caricatures media often presents, Christian people are generally kind.  We think we have an obligation to speak-up for those who can't speak for themselves.    To often we Evangelicals have put way too much faith in government.  Our faith should inform how we vote, and influence our government leaders.  Christians who are in government should be better leaders because of their faith.  We can't allow political activism to interfere with Good News proclamation.  Jesus saves, not the IRS.  Sometimes we appear to have forgotten that.   When we talk about the life of the unborn let's take note of the one we are speaking to, and of the one who might be listening in.  For example in making our case to our congressman, or state representative, we might forcefully make known that "the welfare of the mother" is a term that has been interpreted so broadly that in many cases it means abortion on demand for any reason, at any time.  When we are speaking to that mother, however, we must always speak in such a way that we make known that we are very concerned for her welfare.  Nuance.  Balance.   The current round of abortion talk was precipitated by the release of videos from Center for Medical Progress.  Are these videos authentic?  Have they been doctored in some way to make people appear to say one thing when really they were saying another?  Have excerpts been taken out of context?  etc. etc.?  These questions will be debated until everyone is tired of it, and other, more current news pushes this out of the consciousness of most of us. I only make this observation.  What is incontrovertibly true is that these videos show people calmly--even flippantly discussing matters of grave importance and seriousness.  Unfortunately we have gotten used to this new reality.  Discussion about the brains and livers of unborn children--or even fetuses that will become children--and the gruesome procedures required to "harvest" those tissues has become something that can comfortably be discussed over wine, with polite company.  This is not so much an accusation against the people in the videos, as it is an indictment of our entire society. A kind old gentleman named, believe it or not, "Mr. Rogers," married my grandma toward the end of her life.  Mr. Rogers talked about going to the place where people took dead horses and mules.  He spoke of seeing a pile of dead animals in the hot Alabama sun.  The flies and stench were plentiful.  The first step in processing these remains was skinning the carcasses, which was done quite efficiently with the aid of a hose attached to a compressor.  The hide was inflated separating the skin from the muscle below.  It could then be easily removed.  What most impressed my step-grandpa, though, was what happened when the signal for lunch was given.  the workers just wiped off their hands sat down on a dead mule and opened their lunch boxes.  I guess if you are a dead mule skinner, you get used to what would be repulsive to the rest of us. What I saw in these videos is the equivalent of sitting on a dead mule to enjoy your lunch.  That we have let our culture descend to the level, that life is viewed this cavalierly condemns us all.  We need to do something.  To do it well requires not only walking while chewing gum, we have to walk a tight-rope, chew, and blow bubbles, all the while dealing with hecklers and dodging the rocks they throw. This is way too long, but, for now, I'm done, and I hope that for you I've provided . . . It's STTA. Over at The View Through My Keyhole, I'll continue, for a bit longer to post some further thoughts and links on this.

Some Nuance In The Abortion Debate:

Something To Think About, Nuance:

Let me be upfront.  I think there is clear evidence that babies-not-yet-born are in fact little people.  I base that on the amazing ultrasound pictures I have seen, the fact that the genetic code that makes each of us the unique wonder that we are is in us from conception, and the reality that many children born well before their allotted 39 weeks in the womb--one of my sons, for instance--;live grow and thrive.  In addition to that observational evidence, there is the clear inference in scripture (here, here, & here).  It would appear that all of life from conception to death is a continuum of change.  At what point on that continuum does one say, before this, this isn't human? At a time when so many little lives are being lost through abortion, we must speak clearly and truthfully.  This is a human being.  Her, or his, life is worthy of our protection.  But, here is where it gets hard.  If we use the same language in every circumstance to every person, we are almost sure to get it wrong, or at least be heard as wrong.  When we are dealing with laws and courts we ought to make the case carefully, clearly, and unflinchingly that these unborn babies are in fact human beings worthy of the law's protection.  When we are dealing with the women who are the mothers of these unborn people, we must deal with the equally clear reality that here is a human being, with needs and relationships that must be acknowledged and considered.  Like all of us, these women have a variety of motives.  Some use their power to selfishly get their way, whatever it costs.  Others are convinced they are powerless, and have lost their way.  None of this negates the reality that the child they are carrying is a precious human being, but the humanity of that little one does not cancel out the need of the mom. Then when you add in all the societal pressures in our world, it gets even tougher.  Speaking forthrightly in defense of the unborn while at the same time showing compassion for those in need, requires nuance.  We aren't very good at that.  We gravitate to extremes.  Our truth needs to be wrapped in love, and we dare not cheapen our love by offering it in a container of falsehood.  I don't think you do that on bumper-stickers, parade banners, or in sound bites. Holy Spirit guided nuance--that's what we need. It's STTA. Over at The View Through My Keyhole, I'm posting some further thoughts and links on this.

Abortion: Let's at least try to talk.

Something To Think About, At least trying to talk about Life:

I don't know about you, but one of the--maybe simply the--frustrating thing(s) about the abortion debate is, it is so often like two people, wearing blindfolds, standing on opposite sides of the street yelling at each other in two different languages.  One side shouts over and over again.  "It's a baby!  Can't you see that?"  The other side yells back,  "It's my body (or her body) you have no right."  Both lines of rhetoric have long ago ceased to have any impact on the other side.  So instead of getting all red in the face, how about if I tell you about two absolutely wonderful young men, and then make an offer.   One of these young men is a passionate musician.  He's not only passionate about his music, but it is his passion to use his music to communicate the message about his savior, Jesus Christ.  He's an artist at heart.  He can do remarkable things with pen and paper, but lately his medium of choice is sod and stone, mulch and plants.  He turns barren places into refuges of beauty. The other young guy is also involved in landscaping, only his impact on his world is often made from the seat of a big zero-turn mower.  He's a young business man, the kind preacher-types, like me, really love.  He is a generous business man.  He wants to use what he has to God's glory.  That includes his talents and abilities.  He's tried his hand at preaching a few times.  He enjoys going to the County Fair and sharing the Good News with those who stop by his booth to receive a yardstick that tells the greatest story ever told. One of these guys is my grandson and the other my nephew.  Both of them could very easily have become one of those little lives that ends before they see the light of day.  Wow! Am I ever glad their moms chose a different route. Part of the reason those two moms felt they were able to choose life for those two little guys was, even though their circumstances were less than ideal, there was someone who said, "I'll help."  When one side stops hurling words like mortar shells, and instead packages them in love. And when the other side shows a willingness to take the hand of help that is offered--well--you end up with somebody outstanding, like my nephew or my grandson. Here is my offer.  I'll do what I can to get the two sides together in a celebration of life rather than a surrender to death. How about we begin here; It's Something To Think About. Over at The View Through My Keyhole, I'm posting some further thoughts and links on this. I don't want the graphics in this article to confuse you.  I am prolife.  I do think we should talk sensibly about the life of the unborn.  I used these graphics to illustrate the polarized positions that have been staked out in the debate.

The Need For Balance

Something To Think About, Balance:

Recently, I've been working on the skill of being old. For instance I had to work through the transition from encouraging young people to show appropriate respect to their seniors to being comfortable with young people--when did fifty get to be young?--"Sir"-ing me. Much of growing old has to do with balance.  We've all seen folk who spend their social security checks on clothing that looks good on teenagers, but on them--not so much. Aging athletes are famous for overdoing it.  Yet on the other extreme are perfectly healthy folk who just quit.  They become couch potatoes or coffee shop squatters.  They have a lot of living to do, and much to offer, but they just check out. Balance! Maintaining equilibrium is a complicated process.  It involves processing input from eyes, inner ear, and feeling from feet and legs.  That somewhat primal data is mixed with memory--"I remember that stair-tread is loose"--and reasoning--"that grass is wet and the ground is sloping. . . ."  Then a millisecond later that information is transmitted to muscles that need to instantly tense or relax, but not too much, and often one needs to do one thing while another the opposite, then that floods the brain with a whole new wave of data and. . . . Some of you fellow oldsters know what comes next.  The processor doesn't process as fast as it once did, and the left leg got the signal but wasn't up to the emergency task.  One thing that hasn't slowed down is the speed with which the ground rushes up to meet you. Bones that are less flexible, skin that is less resistant to impact, and the slowing of the healing process make the loss of balance more costly than it used to be.  So we find ourselves looking for more sensible shoes, and using hand-rails with more frequency.  Even those choices involve a measure of balance.  I've got enough metal in my body to stock a modest hardware store, but I plan to ride my bike later today.  I didn't say this would be easy. I've noticed that a lot of folk, young and old, struggle with balance.  The finely honed balance of a premier athlete or dancer produces a flowing smoothness.  Those who struggle with balance tend to herk and jerk from one awkward position to the next.  I see that a lot. Example:  Recently the terribly disturbing videos released by The Center for Medical Progress, have provoked a needed conversation.  Unfortunately the tone has often been needlessly, and unproductively shrill.  Precarious positions are being occupied.      I think we need to reach for a handrail and make sure that we keep our balance.  If you are willing to lace up your prudent footwear, we'll walk together for the next few days.  I'll warn you, there are some narrow planks we have to traverse, and we don't have safety lines, but don't get the idea that just hunkering down where you are is the wise choice.  I smell smoke. Like I said, "I didn't say this would be easy." It's STTA.

Erosion

Something To Think About, Erosion:

When I was in college at Baptist Bible College of PA, I had the privilege ofattending the Osterhout Bible Church, near Tunkhannock.  The church was near enough the to the Susquehanna River that it flooded a time or two during major floods.  Right next to the church was a lovely farm, run by one of the church families.  One time when my dad was visiting he had occasion to chat with the patriarch of this farm.  It was only a few months after a major flood.  Huge ditches had been gouged out of some the exposed earth on the farm.  "What do you do about it?" my dad inquired.   "Well, if you tried to fill in the eroded places, you'd just have to rob topsoil from some other part of the field, and that wouldn't be any good," said the farmer, "so we'll just do what we can to control further erosion and begin to fertilize the area with manure, and, in time, we'll again build a layer of productive soil."  Clearly my agri-friend was thinking long-term. We live in a time in which we have seen moral/ethical erosion.  Standards that once kept bad things from happening, or at least slowed them down, have been knocked down, or allowed to deteriorate over time.  There have been a deluge of rhetoric and cultural influences that have left jagged fissures in the moral landscape. What do we do? We don't have the power or the resources to fix years of decay in one fell swoop.  Forgetting the specifics of the previous illustration, we need to add that which is worthwhile, even if it is just a little.  To change the image--gladly, by the way--Jesus said we are to be salt and light.  Anytime we can cast the light of God's truth and His presence through our lives onto the rutted moral surface of our culture we should eagerly do so. This Sunday at CBC we'll take time to do that in regard to the way our culture views the life of the unborn.  Join us in person or via our Truthcasting channel. It's STTA. Here is a site where you can find out about Jesus Christ and His plan for you.  You'll find several opportunities to explore.  If we can help you, let us know.  covingtonbiblechurch.com

Fact of Life:

Something To Think About, A Fact of Life:

I've been privileged to function in several roles in which I have sought to influence the way people think, perhaps, more importantly, the way they feel, about what is right and wrong, acceptable and unacceptable. What people believe--really believe in the core of their being--has life and death consequences in the real world.  I just read the remarkable story of Louis Zamparini.  Part of his account is told in the movie, Unbroken.  The movie and more so the book chronicle the inhuman way World War Two prisoners of war were treated in Japanese prison camps.  Statistics clearly indicate that prisoners held by the Empire of Japan died at rates far, far higher than inmates in any other World War Two era prisons.  Why? It has been impossible to not hear about the recent tragic murders in France.  The news from Paris has amplified reports of other atrocities.  Again, when civilized people hear of such horrors we ask, "Why?"  I just read about a documentary filmed seventy years ago.  It was never finished and released.   The subject of the movie is what many regard as the greatest atrocity of the Twentieth Century, The Holocaust.  How could civilized people perpetuate such a horror?  Why would others choose to suppress a film that exposed the degradation? In each of these cases, and countless others like them, at the bottom of these horrid actions is not a lack of laws but a system of belief that provides justification for the horrid action.  Japanese were taught that one who surrendered in battle rather than fighting to the death had dishonored himself and was thus unworthy of humane treatment.  The killers who murdered the staff of Charlie Hebdo shouted the justification for their killings.  Protecting the honor of the prophet justifies virtually any action.  The antisemitism of the Nazi regime was key in producing the death of Millions of Jews. We tend to think that the key to changing our culture is politics, legislation, and judicial appointments.  Indeed we can identify many politicians and political movements that have made significant differences.  As the presidential campaign ramps up to 2016 we will see and hear ads, and get phone calls that indicate that the saving of our nation, and indeed our way of life, depends on the election of candidate X.  I'm not saying elections aren't important, they are, but they are not most important.    Moms and Dads who teach their children are far more important.   Religious leaders who mold the consciences of those who hear them have powerful impact. Public leaders who lead not primarily by coercion but by persuasion and even more so through inspiration--think of the powerful words of Abraham Lincoln--will change culture in ways that will last for generations.   Let's remember that as we approach the anniversary of the Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision that established the current state of the law in regard to Abortion.  Our task is not stop abortion.  What we need to do is to clearly establish the sanctity of human life.  If we believe the fact that human life belongs to God, and that we cannot take it without His sanction, then we will see abortion for the abhorrent act that it is. It's STTA.

Something To Think About, The Value of Human Life:

This Sunday many churches and individual Christians will take note of, and attempt to deal with an unpleasant reality in our nation, and, indeed, much of the world.  Abortion has become an integral part of our culture.  Abortion is a big business, there are those who make their living through its continued practice, and there are political and educational groups that exist to see that the "right for a woman to choose"  is not in any way diminished.  Abortion is embedded in our society.  It is not something that is forced on us.  It is a practice that we have come to accept or at least tolerate.  When I say "we" I speak of the collective voice of our culture.  There are those of us who clearly don't accept the taking of young human lives, we accept it only in the sense that we find ourselves unable to deal with it decisively.  We may be able to make the case that a majority of Americans oppose, or have serious problems with our current laws and practice concerning the life of the unborn, but still, on that level where "we the people" speak with authority, we approve. What do we do? While many, especially younger Christians, are tired of the culture war, and the divisiveness it has brought, we shouldn't remove the pro-life question from politics.  We speak most clearly when we choose those who will represent us.  We cannot act as if what a candidate believes about the protection of the life of the unborn is irrelevant.  It matters. We need to reach out with compassion and practical kindness to those who find themselves in difficult circumstances.  My extended family includes several children who were adopted instead of aborted.  A number of my friends are involved professionally, or informally, in providing care, love, and guidance to children who would otherwise be ignored.  I'm glad to say that I see friends working with at risk moms--trying to help them do the right thing--most generally, what their heart tells they ought to do, that is, decide for life over death.  We need to do more. This is a battle for the heart.  Our emphasis needs to be on persuasion rather than coercion.  Our goal is not merely to force people to do what is right, rather we should seek to make our case so that We will choose to do what is right. I'll have more to say Sunday at 8:30 & 10:55. It's STTA.