Reflections on Life and Spirituality 101: The Bible speaks on a modern day issue

Monday, February 27, 2006

The Bible speaks on a modern day issue

There are some who hold the opinion that God's word in the Bible is somehow less relevant for modern day issues. We often think that things change and we "progress", but there are many things that change in form but not in essence. This weekend I received a perspective which I didn't see before - let me explain: I used to read verses in the Old Testament about how pagans conduct child sacrifices to their gods to appease them, and think, "Why would a mother even think of sacrificing and killing their own child?"

This week past, with new eyes, I realised that this abomination has not changed after thousands of years past. People still sacrifice their children on the altars. How? You may ask.

It's called abortion. The sacrifice here is of course children. The god to be appeased is self - my 'rights' as a women to live the way I choose to. The altar is the seedy corridors of so-called doctors, and in some countries within a legal backdrop.

(Click image to read)

You can always argue "rationally" for the case for abortion and of course, many do. But I think that if you're rational, then it is entirely reasonable to consider the implications of pregnancy and not getting pregnant in the first place if one is not ready to be responsible for a baby. In other cases, whatever the 'good' reasons - of rape, incest, fetal handicap, financial challanges - the case for abortion as a principle cannot be justified.

The bible does not talk about abortion directly, but implies against it. It gives a view on the baby in the womb and the sanctity of human life, as the Psalmist expresses here:

"For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother's womb. I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works, And that my soul knows very well. My frame was not hidden from You, When I was made in secret, And skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed. And in Your book they all were written, The days fashioned for me, When as yet there were none of them."

Ps 139:13-16

As the above UK news article says, the majority of women (where are the fathers?) are seeking the termination of their babies out of convenience. This is scary: with the compromise and removal of the compass of God's word in people's hearts/minds, none of the government's measures at this stage will cure these 'diseases of the soul'. In God's word, it says that without revelation, people perish. The implications here are that if we trample on God's revealed wisdom and first principles to us, that is our choice. However, this choice is not without consequences -- we will evetually perish by the folly of man's wisdom and reap what we choose to sow. It's akin to a navigation system of a plane that goes astray -- it will fly for a while, but eventually it will crash. All nations need to get back to first principles.

In relation to myself (and others who follow Christ), it is a reminder: Have I been too "clever" and are there portions of God's Word which I have implicitly relegated to the "not relevant for today" category? What first principles do I need to get back to? Have I compromised?

Labels: Current Affairs, Truth

# posted by Sal : 8:54 a.m. | Be notified of new blogs | Forward to a friend

Comments:

I couldn't agree with you more here. It is tragic how many pregancies end in abortion--up to 50% among unmarried women and a shocking number among married women who just don't want a baby at that point, even by their significant other. The cases of rape and incest are less than 1% but it is the card continually trumpeted to appease the horror of such a death machine. You would think from all the times this is referenced that most abortions were a result of this which couldn't be further from the facts. We even try to take away the humanity of babies in the womb by calling them "fetuses" or ebryos" only. Ultrasounds and brain wave measurements, etc, show human life, feeling, thought begins within a few short weeks of conception if not earlier, in a very measurable, tangible way.

In the U.S. the numbers are even more tragic. Another flip side to all this is how little is diccussed by these clinics about the post abortion syndrome and the continued guilt and shame women often feel in the end, teh betrayal they feel, aside from all the medical complications that can result and the increase in likelihood of reduced fertility.

The church needs to stop being complacent out of fear of whatever the lifestyle, me first death mongerers want to label those who defend the sanctity of "innocent" life.

-d.

# posted by

Anonymous : March 05, 2006 11:40 p.m.

Hi Duncan -- thanks very much for your candid thoughts. Appreciate it.

You are absolutely right - some avoid calling the spade a spade by "renaming" them embryos or foetus cause it makes it easier to commit this murderous act.

Recently unfolding events in South Dakota I pray will pave the way somewhat:

BBC - US state takes aim at abortions

I know that there is no way to legislate abortion out completely. To achieve this, people's hearts have to be changed first, and that can be the tallest of mountains to climb.

~Sal

# posted by

Sal : March 07, 2006 7:08 p.m.

Updates, more here:
BBC -- S.Dakota abortion ban challenged

~Sal

# posted by

Sal : April 11, 2006 6:59 p.m.

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