Abortion/Theology of Life
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Hope you all had a great Easter weekend, and were able to enjoy the week break! We’re picking up where we left off, continuing our series on Salt and Light. We have 2 weeks left of the series, and are talking about how we as Christians should live in our culture. We’ve talked about many different topics, and I’ve been enjoying the conversations that have started because of them!
Tonight, we’re going to talk the way we view people’s lives. One of the phrases I’ll be using is ‘theology of life’; which As we talk about the way we should view other people, we’ll also talk about the topic of abortion. There have been some new laws that have made the news over the last couple of months, which involves the potential ability to terminate a pregnancy after 24 weeks, killing the unborn child. I want to spend time addressing this topic, and how God views life in general.
But first, I’d like to take a look at the passage this series is based off of. We’re to be the salt of the earth and light of the world.
13 “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. 14 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
Matthey 5:13-16
I’d like to talk about abortion first, tonight.
I’d like to talk about abortion first, tonight.
First, what is it?
An abortion is a medical or surgical procedure to end a pregnancy, done by a licensed health care professional. In our Christian view, abortion is murder, as it’s the killing of a human being who is created in the image of God.
Abortion
There’s 2 main choices as it relates to where people stand on this issue in politics. Around election time, you’ll probably hear 2 terms.
Anti abortion vs. pro-life. Is is the same thing?
Pro Choice vs Pro Life
Pro choice - “the belief that a woman should have the legal right to abort her unborn child at any point in the pregnancy.”
Pro-choice advocates believe abortion is a personal decision and should not be limited by the government or anyone else.
Pro-choice advocates believe abortion is a personal decision and should not be limited by the government or anyone else.
Pro-choice advocates believe abortion is a personal decision and should not be limited by the government or anyone else.
Pro Life- “the belief that every human life is sacred and no one, including the mother, has the right to end an innocent life.”
Pro-life advocates hold the view that life from the moment of conception should be protected.
Should a Christian be pro choice or pro life?
Pro-choice advocates state that the Bible does not address abortion, so the decision should be the individual’s. While it is true that the term "abortion" does not appear in the Bible, the principles about the value of life are there.
I’d like to look at a passage together, and talk about how God considers the life of an unborn baby.
22 “If people are fighting and hit a pregnant woman and she gives birth prematurely but there is no serious injury, the offender must be fined whatever the woman’s husband demands and the court allows. 23 But if there is serious injury, you are to take life for life, 24 eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot,
In God’s eyes, an unborn baby is as important as an adult. In this passage, we see the same death penalty for causing the death of a baby inside it’s womb as a murder of an adult. The phrase "life for a life" says a lot. God considers the life of the unborn just as valuable as that of a grown man.
A couple other passages that address the value of a human being before being born. This passage in gives us the clearest picture of God’s viewpoint on the unborn. This is what David writes:
13 For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. 14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. 15 My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth. 16 Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.
you knit me together - this shows so much care. Does anyone knit here? It takes a lot of intentionality to knit something. It doesn’t just appear, right? It takes a lot of love and care to knit something together. This passage is very clear about how God views the unborn.
Your eyes saw my unformed body - again; God sees the unborn. He cares for the unborn. He counts the unborn as humans; he sees the unborn as people made in his image.
Psalm 139
We can even have a better picture in this passage.
5 “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.”
God knew us before we were even formed in the womb. He set us a part. I believe that if God loved us so much before we were even formed in the womb, that killing a baby up to 24 weeks of him or her being formed is absolutely against everything He’d hope for. The Bible is clear that all human life is created by God for His purpose and His pleasure.
44 As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy.
I set you apart
The Bible is clear that all human life is created by God for His purpose and His pleasure
16 For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him.
ALL THINGS created through him and by him!
The Bible is clear: since God is the Creator of human life, only He can determine who lives or dies. And every person who claims the name of Christ has the obligation to make certain his or her views line up with His Word. Is it possible for a born-again Christian to be pro-choice? Yes. Is it likely that they’ll remain pro-choice? Not if he or she is allowing God’s Word to transform and renew his or her mind (). Remember how we talked about that several weeks ago? That as we spend time in the Word, our minds will be transformed and our actions will follow!
I personally don’t find it difficult to stand firm in my belief that abortion is wrong. What makes it tough for me, is how the life I live lives this belief out practically? How do I respond when I find out someone has had an abortion and is okay with it? How do I respond when someone is mourning their decision earlier in their life?
Anti abortion vs. pro-life. Is is the same thing?
Back in my restaurant days, I encountered a situation that I’ll never forget. When I was working downtown, one of my employees came to me and told me that she’d need a couple weeks off. She was sad and ended up crying, so we went into my office to talk about it. I found out that she had gotten pregnant, but that she was planning on getting an abortion. She was almost 20 weeks along, which is the same amount of weeks along where someone typically gets to find out if they’re having a boy or girl. Although I talked to her about it and offered encouragement and support, she was sure that she was going to go through with it. She didn’t want my advice, she just wanted to let me know what was going on.
Story about a co-worker
When I was working downtown, one of my employees came to me and told me that she’d need a couple weeks off. She was sad and ended up crying, so we went into my office to talk about it. I found out that she had gotten pregnant, but that she was planning on getting an abortion. Although I talked to her about it and offered encouragement and support, she was sure that she was going to go through with it. She didn’t want my advice, she just wanted to let me know what was going on.
I’m curious, if you were in this situation, how would you react? What kind of things would you say?
What’s our role as Christians in a situation like this?
For those wondering, I did the best to encourage her. I let her know what I believed, and that I would be there if she had any questions. She said ok, went through with it, and we never talked about it again. I cared for her as much as I could when she came back, but never brought up the subject. I believed that she needed people to love her in that moment more than she needed to hear how wrong of a choice I thought she made.
Just as with any topic, everyone lives a different story. You’ll come across people that experience very different things. When you sit in the main service, you’ll most likely sit next to someone at some point that has gone through with abortion, or struggles with same-sex attraction, or attempt suicide. We never know what people are going through or have gone through, and just as I talked about a couple weeks ago, we need to be very careful about assuming people have or haven’t experienced something specific.
I want to spend the rest of our time tonight talking about theology of life.
Theology of Life
I’d like to talk about the importance of us defining a theology of life, dealing with pre-conception, conception, life in the womb, the care of those who are alive outside the womb (children, orphans, the sick, elderly, widows, the refugee, those with disabilities, welfare, system and governmental practices of care, and the whole human condition of being alive).
What I’d challenge you with tonight is to spend some time thinking through how you would define your theology of life. Based on Scripture, how should you think about life all the way from before a baby is born to the elderly. What should our attitudes be? How should we treat the different people and situations? How will you decide how to treat people and what your stance is on different topics as it relates to how it affects people? What I’d like to do is actually give you some time to read through a story in the Bible. I’m going to give you some time to actually read through it a couple times. This story should be somewhat familiar, but even if it isn’t it will be a fairly easy to grasp the main idea.
The passage is found in - Read 3 times to yourself
HAVE EVERYONE READ AND REFLECT 3 times
Questions to consider:
- What kind of things did the good Samaritan do?
- Who does Jesus say is our neighbor?
- What does 'having mercy' practically look like?
- How should this parable shape how we think of others?
- Did the priest respond how he should've responded?
25 On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” 26 “What is written in the Law?” he replied. “How do you read it?” 27 He answered, “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” 28 “You have answered correctly,” Jesus replied. “Do this and you will live.” 29 But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” 30 In reply Jesus said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. 31 A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. 32 So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33 But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. 34 He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him. 35 The next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’ 36 “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?” 37 The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.” Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.”
the lessons of the Parable of the Good Samaritan are three-fold:
Ok,
(1) we are to set aside our prejudice and show love and compassion for others.
(2) Our neighbor is anyone we encounter; we are all creatures of the creator and we are to love all of mankind as Jesus has taught.
(3) Keeping the law in its entirety with the intent to save ourselves is an impossible task; we need a savior, and this is Jesus.
Other passages to consider:
3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves,
- Don’t do things based on what only you want to do; value other’s first
10 In his hand is the life of every creature and the breath of all mankind.
Second, implement a practice of your theology of Life within your ministry. It is meaningless to have a theology, that doesn't influence our daily decisions on how we follow Jesus and live out his commands. If your group creates a healthy theology of life, then your group should have some healthy practice of that theology. Such as supporting a pregnancy center. Developing an action plan on how to respond to and support a girl or guy in their youth group who finds themselves in a difficult position because of their unplanned pregnancy. Advocating for adoption within their church or any other unique thing that allows your group/teens to live out their theology. A systematic approach to meeting the healthcare needs of people in your community. Creating a pathway for quality elder care and the list goes on.....
Every church, family, and person must shape their theology on life. So for starting ground as you begin shaping your own theology of Life I offer these 3 passages.
9 Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 10 Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.
Phillipians 2:3, "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves,"
- In his hand is the life of every living thing and the breath of all mankind.
, "Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord. On the contrary, “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him a drink."
17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. 18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19 Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. 20 On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.” 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
19 Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. 20 On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.” 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Live at peace with everyone
Through our actions and words. We should be people that are seeking peace. This means that we’d be the first to forgive. If there are conflicts, that we’d lean into them to bring peace to the situation; to the relationship.
Don’t take revenge
Don’t take revenge
If someone does something behind your back, what’s your response?
Take care of your enemy
Back in junior high, there was a bully that constantly took my chocolate milk. After a while, I got fed up, pushed my tray across the table where he was sitting, and all my food went everyone. This passage means that not only should I have not done that, but that I should’ve bought him a chocolate milk. This is opposite of what we want to do.
Overcome evil with good
I believe that we need to be better at walking towards the darkness. Starting a conversation with the people that we typically wouldn’t associate with. Pay attention to the tragedies in the area, all the bad and sad news. This reminds us of the darkness that is in the world, and helps us be aware of how we can realistically be the salt and light.
The Good Samaritan
25 On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” 26 “What is written in the Law?” he replied. “How do you read it?” 27 He answered, “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” 28 “You have answered correctly,” Jesus replied. “Do this and you will live.” 29 But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” 30 In reply Jesus said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. 31 A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. 32 So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33 But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. 34 He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him. 35 The next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’ 36 “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?” 37 The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.” Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.”
Luke 25
the lessons of the Parable of the Good Samaritan are three-fold: (1) we are to set aside our prejudice and show love and compassion for others. (2) Our neighbor is anyone we encounter; we are all creatures of the creator and we are to love all of mankind as Jesus has taught. (3) Keeping the law in its entirety with the intent to save ourselves is an impossible task; we need a savior, and this is Jesus.