Abortion and Politics: Not!
There seems to be an impenetrable dark cloud forever looming over the heads of much of American church culture, and that is: the threat of being seen as “political.”
By Tom Sterbens
We seem to have no problem responding when grave matters of our faith are before us. But when grave matters of our faith are made to be a political issue by others, what do we do? Now enters “Abortion,” and the dark ominous clouds begin to gather…you know, “hear the thunder, a storm is coming, close the doors and windows, retreat to the basement…”
Here’s the deal, I am a passionate follower of Jesus Christ and my faith certainly informs my values. One of those values is: I stand for the value and significance of human life. Period.
Again, as a follower of Jesus Christ, my faith certainly informs that value. Now we live in a culture where things such things as this—namely, abortion—have become political issues. I didn’t ask for that, it just happens.
What now?
“Christians Should Not Get Involved!”
It is asserted that Jesus refused political process as a means of advancing God’s plan of redeeming humanity. I would agree with that. And yet it is worth noting He was falsely accused and crucified by those (whether Roman or Jew) who were driven primarily by political agenda. They conjured political motivation against Jesus with such effective spin it would become the label fueling the passion and fear to nail him to cross. You know, “He wants to be king!” So convinced were they, they even nailed this false political label to the cross on which He was crucified. The world-view of those who crucified Him was unfortunately limited to the scope of political concerns of the day, and driven by fear of “losing their place” (cf. John 11:48). But Jesus refused to be pulled off mission of the bigger picture…and larger world-view…humanity must be rescued.
Such seems to be the reality today. People in fear of “losing their place,” and in the process what we lose, is sight of the bigger picture.
For those of us who would simply stand “FOR” something, which we hold to be an eternal value, the very inclusion of the term “eternal,” demands a larger world-view than just the prevailing social consciousness, and most certainly a larger world-view than current political agenda. We should not be surprised when the reaction is still to crucify those who take such a position. Neither should we be surprised when the routine rebuttal includes nailing a false political label to that cross as justification.
The Irony of It All
Because our world-view is concerned with matters beyond the scope of political concerns (not to mention all of human history)—we are labeled “small minded.”
Because we believe we should stand as an advocate for an unborn human life—who cannot stand for their own rights,—we are labeled as those who do not respect the rights of others.
We are informed by a faith that presses us to act assertively in a matter that only benefits an unborn human life,
-whom we do not know,
-whose race does not matter
-whose gender is of no consequence to us
-and whose life is of no benefit us personally in the least…
And yet, “we” are called selfish religious bigots…
Amazing.
The Frosting
In all these things those who stand for the right to terminate human life without exception, allege themselves to be the voice of ontological enlightenment. You know what I mean: the “humanitarians” who affirm a superior view of what it means to care for our fellow human “being,” yet so quickly terminate the right of a human “to be.”
I’m still amazed.
I’m standing for the right of a life to live and have expression. It’s not political, it’s eternal.
So……..Nail whatever label you like…crosses are just a thing.
At least that’s what Jesus said.
That’s how we roll…
Tom Sterbens is senior pastor of New Hope Church in Kodak, Tennessee.
