“Just as you cannot understand the path of the wind or the mystery of a tiny baby growing in its mother’s womb, so you cannot understand the activity of God, who does all things.”
Ecclesiastes 11:5, NLT
It’s no secret that I work for a pro-life organization– one that, albeit, is on the care side of the issue rather than the advocacy side.
For me, as I’ve often said, it’s about practical ministry, not politics. I’m a minister of the gospel, not a culture warrior. That is, I champion grace, mercy, and the forgiveness of sins, not weird, tribal, political games (what a week for that, huh?!!) that, as Phillip Yancy has observed, are steeped in the language of ungrace.
Additionally, any of you who read this blog regularly know that I promote listening conversations, especially on something that is so private, hidden, and overly politicized like abortion. When it comes to religion and politics, despite our questions, thoughts, or settled convictions, it is possible to treat each other with gentleness and respect. In fact and for those who claim to follow Christ, going about ministry in a Christian way requires it (the Beatitudes, 1 Pet. 3:15, etc.).
As a pastor, I do believe the Church is the primary steward of the theological view of humanity- The Imago Dei. In other words, I believe the Church is the primary voice to remind our culture that human life- from conception to natural death- is sacred and created in the image of God.
As this is Sanctity of Human Life Month, I sent an email out yesterday reminding pastors that January is a great time to begin the year championing life in ways that promote human dignity, healthy sexuality, and human flourishing. With that in mind, our team at Care Net put together this great 2023 Sanctity of Human Life Kit to enhance any church’s January services and 2023 ministry priorities.
Also, although Roe has been overturned, things are still pretty messy out there related to the abortion issue. Recently one prominent pro-life apologist weighed in on this “mess” as follows:
“Our fundamental problem right now is not the press. It’s not judges. It’s that the American people, by and large, do not agree with us. The worldview assumptions that make abortion plausible to millions of our fellow citizens are deeply ingrained in our deeply entrenched culture. And they’re not going to go away anytime soon.”
Scott Klusendorf as report in a recent World magazine article.
Do you agree with his assessment or not? If you do agree, why is this and what can be done to change things? Please let me know. And if you are one of those that Mr. Klusendorf says “do not agree with us,” please let me know your reasons. I would love to learn from you too. Seriously, we have a diverse group of amazing people who read this blog and I’m trying to collect a wide range of candid, thoughtful feedback specifically on the quote above. Would you kindly take a few minutes to send me your thoughts?
Thanks so much!
BTW, Pam took the great picture above of our grandson Theo last week at Longwood Gardens.