Well, first it is good to be back after a couple of weeks off visiting family and friends in the grand ole city of Chicago, Illinois. As always there is plenty of things happening that should be of interest to Evangelicals.
Since I have been away an interesting case arose in England. A British court ordered an abortion for a mentally disabled woman against her, and her mother’s wishes. Let me state again in case it did not register the first time. A British judge ordered the termination of a human life 22 weeks old growing in a mentally disabled woman against her, and her mother’s wishes.
This story is tragic on multiple levels: the mental disability of the young lady in question, her mother’s single parenthood , the murky questions behind the young lady’s impregnation, and the state’s attempt to interfere with her reproductive and parental rights.
It is clear we live in a fallen world, there is no escaping that reality but we are still expected to aspire to the greatest level of “human flourishing” that is within our power to attain. Doctors still take the Hippocratic Oath, lawyers are still expected to zealously defend accused offenders, men are still expected to valiantly embrace a “woman & children first” mentality when danger arises. All of this and more is expected and practiced on a daily basis, even as we fully live in a fallen and depraved world.
One of the ubiquitous refrains of pro-choice adherents is, “no one is forcing anyone to get an abortion.” Well, I guess that was then but is now a claim that is no longer true. Now of this should come as any surprise. The moral revolution will never be satisfied with the status quo. They will only demand more and more. Evangelicals are only being naive if we believe more and more of our religious liberties will not be chipped away piece by piece.
First, it was civil unions so it would allow for things like insurance coverage and other legal implications but it should have been readily apparent it was never going to stop there. Now, we have a full redefinition of marriage, within one generation.
First, it was the legalization of abortion but Evangelicals were promised the American Taxpayer would NEVER be expected to publicly finance abortions. Yet, we have every major Democratic Presidential candidate for the 2020 election calling for the repeal of the Hyde Amendment which prohibits the Federal Government from using taxpayer money to pay for abortions.
Again, so much for no one forcing people of faith, be they Evangelical or people of other faiths, to violate their conscience in the facilitation of the act of abortion, implicitly or explicitly. Whether implicit or explicit the involvement of “people of faith” in the enterprise of abortion is morally reprehensible and I know I speak for many Evangelicals when I state in the strongest terms possible “we want NO part” in this morally deplorable act.
Yet, we have a judge in Britain declare it was her judicial wisdom it was in the best interest of the women to order the state-sanctioned termination of the life of a child. Granted, a mentally impaired young lady raising a child is problematic but that is why it must be noted the mother of the young lady in question has committed to “raising” the child. I concede these are not easy issue to manage but we have a primary obligation to ensure “life, liberty and pursuit of happiness” is granted to every human because that is what the Founders regarded as an inalienable right.
Legitimate questions can be raised behind the societal dynamics at work here in this sordid story. The maternal ability of the mother of the mentally retarded child, the circumstances behind how the mentally impaired young lady became pregnant, the ability of the mother to continue having parental oversight over the mentally impaired daughter and her “granddaughter” are legitimate issues that need to be vetted.
Yet, one thing should and must remain crystal clear: every life is precious and a gift from God. Every life is created in the image of God. Only God has the right to give and to ultimately take life. If a duly instituted governmental agency reaches the decision the mentally impaired woman or her mother are unfit to raise the child in question there are other options available like foster care or adoption. I readily grant these can be less than ideals solutions but they easily beat the alternative.
I am happy to close with some good news: The appeals court of judges in the United Kingdom has at least temporarily reversed the lower court’s ruling concerning the coerced abortion for the woman identified as being mentally challenged.
Yet, we must know the battle will continue. We live in a world that is hostile to the things of God. This world system will continue to kill, steal and destroy. Only the most naive and uniformed posit any hope for man to raise above his station in life. The only hope for mankind is the acknowledgment of our rebellion against a holy God and to cling to His Son, Jesus Christ of Nazareth.
Someone commented regarding a recent post “this seemed to be the only thing I am concerned about.” I assure that is NOT the case. Ultimately, the issue is not abortion, or marriage or any temporal issues. These are only the symptom of a much larger problem. The problem is, in fact, a disease, a spiritual disease, for sure but a disease nonetheless.
The only elixir for that disease is the ‘blood” of the Lamb of the world who can take away all of your sins. I commend Him to you today.
Please let me know what you think by dropping me a line. Until then keep your hand to the plow and seek to serve for Audience of One!