One of my most memorable seminary classes was talking through different models of cultural engagement. When we got to the Two Kingdoms model—which distinguished the kingdom of God and kingdom of this world, I found myself nodding along. Until, that is, we got to slavery.
Preachers from the South leaned heavily on a Two Kingdoms philosophy—one that emphasized the spirituality of the church. The church needed to be about God’s kingdom, the argument went. Church leaders were to address issues of sin and salvation, not create stumbling blocks by entangling itself in the kingdom of the social and political. This philosophy enabled at least a tacit approval of slavery by most pastors, as they simply never addressed the issue.
Today, there’s much we can gain in rediscovering this biblical teaching—that there are two kingdoms. We need to not confuse the triumph of God’s kingdom with earthly power, i.e. Christian nationalism. The gospel is still the good news of Jesus saving sinners, not Christian laws in the country of America. But there are political and social issues that rise to such a level that they should cause an outcry of conscience.
Abortion is the slavery of our day. We are talking about the lives of over 63 million people in America who have been killed since 1973. Not just in some tragedy, or some unjust war, but in a practice that is legally protected, codified, and funded by our government. I hope and believe that three hundred years from now, our descendants will look back on the institution of abortion with the same befuddled embarrassment that we now view slavery.
For a while, it appeared to me that faithful pro-life efforts combined with common sense were slowly winning the day. This past election season, however, I watched in dismay as both parties swung hard towards protecting more abortions.
As we approach the 52nd anniversary of Roe vs Wade (in my next blog), I wanted to lay out the case for greatly restricting abortion. I’m naturally coming from a Christian perspective, but like with William Wilberforce’s anti-slavery campaign, there are arguments to be made that don’t require religious alignment, but focus on how our country legislates basic human rights.
Maybe formerly passionate pro-lifers have simply forgotten what this issue is about. There are certainly great costs and deep emotions involved. Christians should speak with compassion, but that doesn’t rule out objectivity. As Dwight L. Moody said, if you preach about hell, you should do it with tears in your eyes. We should do the same about abortion because of its weight, especially on women. But our consciences should not permit the tacit approval of complacency.
12 comments
mikez zieglersrv.com
Thank you for writing this article against abortion.
We do need more pastors speaking out against abortion.
Although, we need to go further than restricting abortion. US abolished legalized slavery not restricting it which would have allowed some conditions to allow slaves.
A few of us at WPC through 40 Days for Life 365, still meet weekly on the sidewalk in front of Planned Parenthood to pray for the end of abortion and to witness to the mothers and vehicles passing by.
Is your church active with the 40 Days for Life campaigns?
Hope you had a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Mike Ziegler
WPC attendee
Justin N. Poythress
Thanks Mike, we’re not currently part of this. It’s good to remember and highlight all the good grassroots pro life efforts that continue faithfully. Happy new year!
Robert Aguillard
Great piece! Neal Aguillard
Justin N. Poythress
Thanks Neal!
Mark Makinney
Great job Justin. I love your passion and bravery. Abortion is wicked.
Justin N. Poythress
Thanks Mark!
Ela Saxena
Thanks Just
Justin N. Poythress
Thanks Ela
William Edgar
This is brilliant. Thanks so much.
Happy New Year
Bill
>
Justin N. Poythress
Thanks, Bill. Happy New Year!
Jacob Pritchett
So true. I’ve been saying this same thing for a long time now, specifically that abortion is the slavery of our era, and that I imagine (and pray) that future generations will one day look back at it with the same disgust we all have towards slavery today.
We must keep praying!
Justin N. Poythress
Thanks, Jacob. Prayer is definitely the key. God is merciful and gracious and slow to anger.