A few posts ago, I commented on Brian McLaren’s “abortion isn’t one of the biggest issues out there” quote. I also observed that this attitude has been going mainstream in evangelicalism. If you had any doubts about that, meet Adam Hamilton, Oral Roberts University grad, megachurch pastor, and author of Seeking Grey in a World of Black and White.
Ironically, Mr. Hamilton was himself the son of a single, teenaged mother whose parents pressured her to seek an abortion.
Newsweek reveals that 1/3 of evangelicals support abortion rights. Mr. Hamilton “believes abortion should be available and legal, that there are instances in which it might be necessary and that those instances should be very rare. Further, he says, the abortion debate has been too hot for too long, and that, as a Christian minister, his job is to try ‘to support people no matter what decision they make.’”
And, the same Newsweek article notes:
[T]he abortion rhetoric has faded somewhat as evangelicals turn their attention to other things: AIDS, the environment, Darfur.
Hmmm.
Newsweek Link: http://www.newsweek.com/id/130710
You are the salt of the earth; but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trodden under foot by men.
Derek
April 11th, 2008
Amen.
Administrator
April 11th, 2008
I think the problem for the evangelicalism and for the church in general is that it could be influenced by the world easily if the church leadership is not influencing themselves. The church leadership is not saying much about abortion anymore. In my generation, Keith and Melody Green was probably one of the greater voice against abortion…he was very influential in this musical arena and thus his message carried through.
I cannot think of anyone in the evangelicalism speaking forcefully against abortion except for Prophet Lou Engle (I happened to be there when he was anointed a prophet! Oil was literally poured down his head!). Lou Engle speaks to relatively select few, those who are considered on the ‘extreme’ in following God. He started The Call and I understand that there are quite a few younger generations involved in it. The challenge is this, is the rest of the generation also being impacted and changed or even know about it?
So when you have the secular / anti God media and education influencing our next generation of evangelicals, it would not be surprised that it would result in the results. Although coming from Newsweek, one should also check the statistics and how it was conducted and how it was asked.
Dr. Paul Yoh
April 11th, 2008
Great points, Paul. I can still remember, as a young person, seeing Keith and Melody speaking out against abortion on a video. Even then, it had a major impact on me.
The danger is always when Christians allow their surrounding culture to dictate the terms of engagement. When that happens, we’re left responding to things rather than leading the conversation. The drift from the fundamental issue of human dignity and saving life from violent death has been co-opted by the language of “planetary emergency” (i.e., global warming).
I think Christians can and should deal with more than one issue at a time (Darfur involves issues of life too!), but our first calling is to speak with a prophetic voice to the UNDERLYING issue: God is the creator of every life. From this fundamental, worldview conviction we then can address the issues of the day.
Administrator
April 12th, 2008
Great posts so far.
I think that the reason for the lack of initiative is due to the fact that we don’t see the face of abortion. I can drive in my neighborhood in the western ‘burbs of Chi-town and see homeless people, seeing wooded areas being torn down for buildings, or flip on the tv and see Darfur or other problem areas. Unfortunately, the tragedy of abortion is not nearly as visible. However, that does not make it any less important.
I will admit, once upon a time, even though i was personally against abortions, I didn’t feel it was my say if it should be legal/illegal. And, i have discovered I was wrong. Those kids can’t fight for themselves, so we have to speak up on their behalf. It is sad to see the ‘church’ turn a blind eye to this. Although, in this day of age, I guess I can’t say I’m too surprised.
We may feel that because it is okay by governmental law, that we can’t do anything at this point. Well, that’s a wrong viewpoint. I’m sure many people told William Wilberforce that there was no hope in removing slave trade when that was part of global society. Was he able to change it overnight, no. But, he did press on and was able to change society’s norms eventually. And with that, we can have hope for change to the system by who we pick as our government officials. There is no doubt in my mind that if certain individuals get elected come november, that the stance on abortion will not ‘change’ and there will be no short term hope of having abortions outlawed. We do have a choice in this. We can give these kids hope.
I would encourage you to check out abort73.com
It has alot of information about the true facts of abortion. Horrible stuff.
Rom 12:2-And do NOT be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
That pretty much sums the whole consumer/creator argument that Adam brings forth. Are we just going to shaped by the world around us or are we going to stand up for what is right? And yes, we can and should stand for more than one fight at a time.
hopefully i wasn’t too long winded on that post.
peace
brick
brick
April 13th, 2008
Sweet tie-in with Wilberforce, brick. After all, he was essentially fighting the same battle as we are today. And he had the perspective to realize that the issue isn’t just about “the issue.” The issue is always about how people view the world generally.
As long as we cede the rights-making power to elected officials, unelected judges, or “the majority,” then status-quo will define rights in utilitarian terms. But if rights are God’s gift, a God who judges, then we have a sure foundation from which to judge cultural practice.
Administrator
April 17th, 2008