Dear Redeemer Family,
Unless you’re even more disconnected from the news than I am, you’ve no doubt heard that the Supreme Court recently reversed its decision on Roe v. Wade. This effectively removes a constitutional right to abortion and places abortion laws in the hands of the States, with some states quickly seeking to pass legislation banning abortions and other states seeking to secure abortion rights with the same urgency. As of now, to my knowledge, there has been no change to abortion laws in Virginia.
Now, one of the strange things about serving as a pastor in our current cultural moment is that it seems I am expected to weigh in and provide commentary on current events and political legislation. For the most part, as you’ve surely noticed, I tend to ignore this expectation—for two reasons:
I don’t read, watch, or listen to the news. I am far more interested in knowing, praying for, and responding to what is happening locally—in your lives, and in the lives of my neighbors.
I am thoroughly convinced that our attention as a parish is better spent caring for our literal neighbors, coworkers, and family members. I’ve previously written on this here.
Notwithstanding, whenever I sense concern, confusion, or angst within our Parish around a particular issue, then it seems appropriate to speak up and provide a bit of direction. So, with that in mind, since Redeemer is a politically diverse congregation, I want to help us all understand a few things regarding the recent Supreme Court ruling.
True to form, I have three points, and they all begin with the letter “C.” (I can hear some of you chuckling already…)
CLARITY
When the Bible doesn’t directly speak to an issue or scriptural interpretation seems a bit vague, then it is appropriate to leave an issue in the proverbial “gray area.” We would call these kinds of issues non-moral or amoral issues. For example, “What style of music should we play in a church worship service?” Of course, this is important and most people hold strong beliefs on this, but Biblically-speaking it is not a moral issue because scripture’s teaching is not ethically prescriptive on this.
However, the issue of abortion is of a different kind and order. According to the Bible, abortion is a moral issue because all human beings are made in the image of God, human life is sacred, and abortion ends a human life.
For you formed my inward parts;
you knitted me together in my mother’s womb.
I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.
Wonderful are your works;
my soul knows it very well.
My frame was not hidden from you,
when I was being made in secret,
intricately woven in the depths of the earth.
Your eyes saw my unformed substance;
in your book were written, every one of them,
the days that were formed for me,
when as yet there was none of them.-Psalm 139:13-16
If you have the time, you might also consider looking up the following verses. I won’t put the full text in this post in order to keep it reasonably short.
Exodus 20:13
Jeremiah 1:5
Psalm 127:3-5
Genesis 1:27
Proverbs 6:16-19
Psalm 8:5-7
Job 31:15
Psalm 22:10
The very same Biblical theology that undergirds our belief that we are to labor for racial healing, mercy for the poor, and justice for the oppressed also leads us to believe that all abortion is evil and that we are to work for justice and life for children.
If you are a member at Redeemer or someone considering membership, it would be good for you to know that we seek to be absolutely clear in our Biblical anthropology (what the Bible teaches about human beings). We want to be clear that, because all human beings bear the dignity of God Himself, racism, abuse of the poor, violence against women, and yes, abortion, are evils that are to be opposed on all fronts.
Let me also be clear that we hold these beliefs based upon an unswerving loyalty to the Bible as the Word of God and not to any particular political party or tribe. If you’re reading this and you’re thinking that somehow I’m tipping my hands towards the right or the left… you really don’t know me very well. Let’s get coffee and change that!
CONVICTION
Now, a word about how we hold our convictions. Two people can believe the same doctrine, and yet hold their convictions with very different attitudes: one prideful, the other humble. We, at Redeemer, seek to embody the latter. This means that, while we hold our Biblical convictions about a comprehensive ethic of human life, we do so acknowledging our own sinful complicity in the injustice and corruption of our society and world. In other words, we do not keep our distance, imagining ourselves standing on some sort of culturally neutral ground, and pridefully condemn the wickedness of others while proclaiming our own righteousness. Rather, we admit and confess that we live out our days embedded and intertwined with this sinful world.
None of us is innocent. No one. Not one.
All of us have, pardon the graphic metaphor, blood on our hands. I know that I am not only guilty for wrong things I have done - for ways I have actively (knowingly or unknowingly) participated in injustice (I suspect the cotton T-shirt on my back as I write this came from a sweatshop in Vietnam… yikes). But I am also guilty for all the good things that I have not done! The help I did not give. The love I did not extend. The refuge I did not provide.
Therefore, my conviction about the Bible teaching a comprehensive ethic of human life must also be held along with my convictions about my own sin and need for the grace and mercy of Jesus. I am not better than a woman who chooses to have an abortion or superior to the doctor who performs the violent procedure.
As the Apostle Paul writes, “The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost.” - 1 Timothy 1:15
When you and I truly know the depths of our own brokenness and sin, we will lose any and all feelings of superiority towards others. This will transform the attitude with which we hold our convictions about abortion. This will not weaken our convictions, not at all! If anything, humility should make our convictions all the stronger and more resolute. This is because they will be founded, not upon personal feelings of moral superiority, but upon the Word of God in the Bible and the Word made Flesh in Christ Jesus. This is a far firmer foundation.
COMPASSION
As we move forward to greet whatever future the Lord has in store for us, we must be prepared to compassionately care for mothers (and fathers) who find themselves unexpectedly pregnant and do not have the desire or the resources to raise a child. This kind of compassionate care may take many forms. It certainly includes, but is not limited to:
Prayer.
Giving financially to and volunteering at crisis pregnancy centers.
Being trained and serving as foster parents.
Adopting a child.
Supporting couples and families who serve as foster parents or adopt children.
Some of you may know that Redeemer has a number of Justice & Mercy Partners, one of which is Anglicans for Life. If you’re ready to get involved in compassionate care for mothers, children, or families in need, I would highly recommend contacting either:
Redeemer member contact for Anglicans for Life: Johnston Moore.
Justice & Mercy Coordinator: Rachel Yowell.
Redeemer family, if anything that you’ve read today causes alarm, frustration, concern, or surprise, please know that you are always welcome to reach out to me. More than writing an online blog post, I prefer to talk about these things over a cup of Colombian Finca El Obraje at Blanchard’s on Broad St.
First cup is on me.
In the Father’s love,
