Abortion Myths Still Strong in America

This week marks the 38th anniversary of the United States Supreme Court’s Roe v. Wade decision, which made abortion legal in America. Legal during the entire 9 months of a woman’s pregnancy. Millions of Americas have died through abortion, a term that has become a common part of America’s vocabulary, but a term that too rarely reminds us of the violence that it causes.

While abortion has its cold hearted advocates, most Americans prefer another option. However, these same Americans, who know in their heart there is something inherently wrong with the practice, have bought into one of the biggest lies of the abortion movement—the so-called “right to choose.”

Because Americans value individual freedom, it’s been an easy sell. I wouldn't have an abortion myself, they say, but what right do I have to tell someone else how to live? It certainly sounds very American. That was partly why we fought the War for Independence. British monarchs from London telling us how to live in Boston, Philadelphia and everywhere else up the colonial seaboard? So this abortion lie ties in easily to our entire heritage.

But Americans have forgotten to ask the ‘why’ question. Why wouldn’t you have an abortion yourself? Is it mere preference, similar to a beach lover not taking a vacation to the Alaskan tundra? Or is it something more? Maybe you wouldn’t have an abortion because it’s immoral. There is a vast difference between saying ‘I wouldn’t eat sushi myself, but who am I to interfere with another’s right to do so’ and saying ‘I wouldn’t physically abuse my children, but who am I to interfere with another’s right to do so’.

If abortion is a safe procedure, with no serious mental, physical or emotional problems for the woman to consider; if it is not illegal or immoral; if it is not killing a human being or an offense against society and our Creator, then why would you not have an abortion?

Too Much Silence

Today, of course, is Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, a federal holiday. And while we could (and probably always will) debate the merits of Dr. King getting a federal holiday in his honor, there can be little debate, if any, regarding the merits of his contribution to American betterment. Dr. King was a catalyst for incredible change.

One of the things I’ve been thinking about today is my reluctance to herald Dr. King as a truly great American. In case you don’t know me personally, I write from a white, conservative, Republican-leaning, evangelical, fundamental Christian perspective. And as much as I appreciate Dr. King’s work in the area of civil rights, his personal failures dampen my enthusiasm to embrace his life whole-heartedly. There seems to be credible evidence of his immoral sexuality, drinking, Marxism and Hinduism. I won’t go into all of these things but they seem to have been a part of his later life.

But I was awakened to some of my hypocrisy today when I thought of George Washington. Back to my first paragraph. If George Washington doesn’t get a day in his honor, why should Martin Luther King? So I’ve been thinking some about Washington and King. George Washington was a really good guy in my book—not perfect—but good. Washington’s big moral deficiency was that he was a slave holder. And ‘moral deficiency’ is way too benign. Slavery is repugnant; it’s an outrage and a horrendous sin against God.

So I have some questions for myself. Why am I hesitant to extol the greatness of King because of his adulteries but not hesitant to extol the greatness of Washington in light of his enslavement of other humans? Could it be that I have discriminatory qualities? Can I overlook Washington’s sin because it was more distant than King’s? Can I overlook Washington’s sin because it seems more bound to his culture than does King’s? Hmm. Some things for me to think about today.

Anyway, I do know two things. First, God does incredible works through imperfect people. And second, while King had many imperfections, his heart had been captured by Jesus who directed his mind and his life to this great quest of greater equality for black persons in America. His life is worthy of remembering. His memory is worthy of honor.


P.S. I’ve blogged in the past regarding two things.

First, that Dr. King’s “Letter from a Birmingham Jail” is one of the finest pieces of American literature. You should read it. Second, Dr. King’s statement: "Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter” is one of his finest, and one of my favorite all-time American quotes. We need to stop the silence.

A New Year Resolution

AW Tozer’s classic book The Pursuit of God is as relevant today as it was decades ago. If you’ve never read the work, put it on this year’s “to do” list. One of his most poignant paragraphs is the following:

The modern scientist has lost God amid the wonders of His world; we Christians are in real danger of losing God amid the wonders of His Word. We have almost forgotten that God is a Person and, as such, can be cultivated as any person can. It is inherent in personality to be able to know other personalities, but full knowledge of one personality by another cannot be achieved in one encounter. It is only after long and loving mental intercourse that the full possibilities of both can be explored.

I think, for the most part, the American evangelical church, has lost God. We do, in fact, want instant results for our zeal. We aren’t interested in fostering a relationship with God. And too often, we want a list rather than listen and learn. Don’t get me wrong. I’m not advocating a subjective faith in which we do whatever we want because we’ve “heard” from God, downplaying the role of Scripture. God does speak through His Word. What I’m highlighting is the danger of a Bible only-emphasis. The Bible is the Word of….GOD. It is not an end. It is a means to an end…knowing and understanding God (cf Jeremiah 9:24).

So don’t expect to know God by one encounter only. Don’t think there’s a quick route to communion with Him. Knowledge of the Holy One will only come through painstaking labor of lingering with Him. Won’t you make this a year of knowing God, whatever the cost?

I’m not much of a fan of contemporary music. I don’t just mean the sound of modernity. I mean the lyrics too. Even good sounding songs are typically poorly written (that’s another blog article). But one song has gripped my heart. It’s not perfectly written and I think certain portions could be strengthened, but it comes very close to perfection. Certainly, its sentiment is perfect.

All I once held dear, built my life upon,
all this world reveres and wars to own,
all I once thought gain I have counted loss,
spent and worthless now compared to this.
Knowing You, Jesus, knowing You.
There is no greater thing.
You're my all, You're the best, You're my joy,
my righteousness; and I love You, Lord.

Now my heart's desire is to know You more,
to be found in You and known as Yours,
to possess by faith what I could not earn,
all surpassing gift of righteousness.
Knowing You, Jesus, knowing You.
There is no greater thing.
You're my all, You're the best, You're my joy,
my righteousness; and I love You, Lord.

Oh, to know the pow'r of Your risen life,
and to know You in Your suffering,
to become like You in Your death,
My Lord, so with You to live and never die.
Knowing You, Jesus, knowing You.
There is no greater thing.
You're my all, You're the best, You're my joy,
my righteousness; and I love You, Lord.
Knowing You, Jesus, knowing You.
There is no greater thing.
You're my all, You're the best, You're my joy, my righteousness;
You're my all, You're the best, You're my joy, my righteousness;
You're my all, You're the best, You're my joy, my righteousness;
and I love You, Lord.

If you're into making "New Year's Resolutions" certainly put this one on your list--Knowing God more fully. I'm not into resolutions, but it tops my goals for this year. I'm on the heels of the Apostle Paul "that I might know Him..." (Phil 3:10).