Why The "My Body, My Choice" Slogan Is a Sham Argument

The argument is often made by pro-choice folks that choice trumps anything else. But, we must expose this argument for what it is; it is a sham.

Matt Chandler points this out when he notes that there are scores of things the government has a right to say you cannot do with your body. For example, a woman is not legally free to prostitute herself. Neither are we free to choose to drive as fast as we want through school zones.

While reading John Piper on the issue of abortion I came across this quote from a 1992 sermon

It is hypocritical to speak as though choice were the untouchable absolute in this matter [of abortion] and then turn around and oppose choice in matters of gun-control and welfare support and affirmative action and minimum wage and dozens of other issues where so-called pro-choice people join the demand that people’s choices be limited to protect others. It’s a sham argument. All choices are limited by life.

Finally, the ultrasound and recent Center for Medical Progress videos have shown this is a sham argument. Both of these show that these fetuses have arms, legs, brains, faces, hearts. In other words, they have their own human body parts. Even if a woman had totally autonomy over her own body (which no person does), it does not follow that she has authority over the body of another person, and that is clearly what is inside of her.

It's easy to make nice sounding slogans, but we must be thoughtful people (especially as Christians). We must expose the works of darkness for what they are. We do it lovingly but forthrightly. 

Discipleship and the Need to Benefit from Older People

Stephen Nichols has an article at Ligonier's blog about "Youth Driven Culture." I thought it fit well with what we discussed on our retreat about the importance of discipleship and the role of older, more mature believers. Below are a couple quotes.

The trend of exalting youth and sidelining the elderly stems from a deeper problem summed up in the expression, “Newer is better.” We celebrate the new and innovative while looking down on the past and tradition. There is a compelling vitality to youth and to new ideas, but that does not mean there is no wisdom to be found in the past. It is a sign of hubris to think one can face life without the wisdom of those who have gone before. There is something about being young that makes the young think they are immune to the mistakes or missteps of those who have gone before. We all think too highly of ourselves and our capacities. Simply put, we need the wisdom of the past and of the elderly.

....

The way out of enslavement to this undue celebration of youth is to foster a genuinely diverse community in our homes and in our churches. Generation gaps can be awkward and barriers to both sides having genuine and authentic fellowship. But God has designed His church in such a way that we need each other. Paul specifically commands Timothy to have the older teach the younger (Titus 2:1–4). We miss out when we think we have nothing to learn from others at different stages of life.

I encourage you to listen and watch and learn from older, faithful Christians (and to learn from reading Christian biographies).  If you are interested in a more formalized discipleship, then email me and I'll be happy to help you find and older, godly man or woman to help (ben@gcot.org).

When an Assignment Asks You to Compromise Christian Conviction. Are You Ready to Look Foolish for Christ?

Recently, a firestorm erupted at Duke University. All incoming freshmen are required to read a book prior to the start of their first semester, and this year the book is one which several students conscientiously objected to reading. The book is a memoir of a lesbian and includes nude sketches.

One student who refused to read the book, Brian Grasso, stated that his Christian convictions prohibit him from viewing such images. He noted that he is not opposed to reading about diverging viewpoints, and he even expects his views to be challenged while at Duke. He wrote the following in an opinion piece at the Washington Post, 

I’m not opposed to reading memoirs written by LGBTQ individuals or stories containing suicide. I’m not even opposed to reading Freud, Marx or Darwin. I know that I’ll have to grapple with ideas I don’t agree with, even ideas that I find immoral.  

But in the Bible, Jesus forbids his followers from exposing themselves to anything pornographic. “But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart,” he says in Matthew 5:28-29.

Compare that to the response over at the Huffington post where Eliel Cruz writes that the images could not be "truthfully labeled pornographic." One of them simply "depicts two women naked reading books." I suppose that might not amount to an illicit image for Cruz, but I am not quite sure how Cruz can make that determination for another person's conscience. Cruz goes on to write,

If these freshmen hope to never engage things that'll challenge their sincerely held beliefs, they're in for a big surprise, as academia is exactly the place to be challenged and look outside your worldview. 

That is interesting given the fact that Grasso is not actually trying to avoid being challenged in his viewpoints (see his quote above). 

We need to realize that we are strangers in this land and that we will appear more and more strange to a world that increasingly worships at the altar of self and sex. Self-determination and erotic liberty are trumping other rights, and any who do not get on board are seen as "dangerous to our country's ongoing struggle for equality" according to Cruz. The new dogma is "if it doesn't bother the conscience of the elites then it ought not bother anyone else's." The demand is not for tolerance (which is a good thing), but hearty approval of and engagement in whatever the culture deems good. 

We must realize, as Christians, that no matter how kind and winsome we are, we will be called foolish for following our Savior. This has always been the case. Paul wrote to the Corinthians (facing a cultural climate much like our's) that "the word of the cross is folly to those who perishing" (1 Cor. 1:18). The message of the gospel will always offend the human mind that is at war with the God who gave the message. We are foolish or naive to assume that if we simply speak the truth winsomely that we will avoid persecution or accusations of being foolish or hateful. We ought to speak the truth winsomely, but my point is don't think you can follow Christ without following his being rejected and scorned.

So, what should we do (or not do)? I have five things (I am sure we could come up with more. Maybe you could note some in the comments).  

1. Don't be discouraged. Jesus promised to be with us, and he is all we need. 
2. Don't abandon or be ashamed of the gospel because "it pleased God through the folly of what we preach to save those who believe" (1 Cor. 1:21). This includes not making peace with the cultural worship of sex and self. We are to live at peace with all men even as we speak the truth in love. The gospel is our (and their) only hope. 
3. Don't own every insult. When insulted we ought to examine our motives and actions humbly and ask forgiveness when we have failed to love God and neighbor. However, there are many insults that we ought to be willing to correct. For example, when we are labeled as hateful (now if you are hateful you need to repent). Or that we are against equality. We can correct these if we are able. Though we must not demand the opportunity to do so. We entrust ourselves to God who will vindicate his truth. 
4. Do the costly work of loving others. Jesus made it clear that even unbelievers love those who love them. We, as his followers, are called to love even those who are enemies. We are to be merciful even as our Father in heaven is merciful (Luke 6:31-36). 
5. Pray for God's wisdom to navigate the decisions you will face each day. This is especially true for those of you who are students. You will find yourself in positions of having to honestly assess if what you are being asked to do is merely uncomfortable (or challenging your worldview) or if it is in fact compromising with the world. We need grace to evaluate these situations and to not let ourselves off the hook when we know our decision might result in being ridiculed by others.

One more thing that goes with each one of the points above. Be a part of a body of Christians- a church. Don't go it alone. All the five principles above are to be in the context of living in fellowship with other Christians. 

Facing Intellectual Challenges to Christianity in the College Classroom

A short (6 minute) video on how to face intellectual challenges to Christianity you might face in the college classroom.


How to Survive World Religions 101 from The Gospel Coalition on Vimeo.

Here is a summary of his five points (you should still watch it):

1. Come with realistic expectations- many assume that "if it is true then most people will believe it," but that is not the case.
2. Professors aren't neutral- they have a worldview
3. There are answers to your questions- don't confuse your lack of having an answer with there not being an answer. The objections you are hearing are not new, and there are those who have given answers.
4. Don't see opposition as a curse, but as a blessing- It can push you deeper and help you grow.
5. Don't face these challenges alone- be part of a healthy church and, if possible, a good campus ministry.

Showing Hospitality: "Keep on Welcoming"

As the college semester gets underway we have had several new faces. By God's grace, this is not just the case at the start of a semester (we regularly have new comers). I ran across a helpful article from Samuel Freney on the topic of welcoming new comers. He provides some helpful advice. The headings are

1. Weeks three, four, and beyond are also key (idea is to keep talking to the returning visitor)
2. Names are important (remembering some basic facts about the person helps them feel welcome)
3. Avoid conversation they've already heard six times that morning (instead talk about the sermon, etc.).

It is short article and worth a read.

Please, Don't Look Away: A Letter to the Editor

Here is my letter to the Tallahassee Democrat. It had to be under 200 words, so I had to focus on one issue. Praying the Lord will us all our words to prick consciences.

If you have not watched the videos put out by the Center for Medical Progress, revealing what is happening inside Planned Parenthood, you ought to consider it your civic duty to do so. The main reason is not to see if Planned Parenthood is doing something illegal (though that is under investigation).  

The reason you must watch the videos (or at least be informed about them) is that they prove that these are human beings. There are arms, hands, fingers, legs, eyes, spinal cords, and even the ability to announce "It's a boy." Planned Parenthood says that the videos have been edited, however, the most damning evidence has not, indeed cannot, be explained away- human body parts. If there are human body parts then these are human beings. Children are being slaughtered.  

We may choose to look away (as mainstream media is doing – focusing on panda cubs etc.), but we can never again say, “We did not know.” The "my body, my choice" argument does not work very well when we are talking about someone else's body and organs. Please, don’t look away. 

What Will You Say to Your Grandkids? On Abortion and Protesting

This Saturday, August 22nd, there will be protests outside of Planned Parenthood facilities across the nation.  There is not one scheduled for Tallahassee (though we do have a planned parenthood "clinic" which does not currently provide actual abortions - they refer people). 

I read two compelling articles from pastors planning to join in the protests in their areas. John Piper has some good thoughts on the issues here. J.A. Medders has some here. Below is the section I wanted to highlight from Medders' piece. It communicates so clearly where we are in history and challenges us to stand for the oppressed with love and courage. 

I’m going to the protest because I can’t stop thinking about Christians, especially pastors, during the Civil Rights Movement who did nothing and lament it. I refuse to do nothing. I refuse to walk on the other side of the street (Luke 10:30–33). I so admire the men who walked across that bridge with Dr. King. I admire Bonhoeffer as he opposed Hitler. I admire William Wilberforce and his resolve to end the British slave trade. When my children, my grandchildren, and future generations of Christians at our church ask what I did for the unborn, I want to look them in the eyes and say I did all I could. “I protested, I prayed, I evangelized, I spoke with politicians, I voted, I served at the pregnancy center, I loved, etc.”

Perhaps you could protest (if not this week perhaps in the future). We may not all protest, but may we all do everything we can to love women in need and the babies in their wombs. 

HT: Tim Challies