Navigating the Complexities of Abortion Through Faith

Summary

### Summary

Today, we tackled one of the most divisive and emotionally charged issues in our society and within the church: abortion. This topic is not only a political hotbed but also a deeply personal and spiritual matter that many wrestle with. My journey on this issue began with the beliefs I inherited, but over the past few years, I have intentionally wrestled with it from every angle—biblical, cultural, and personal. My goal today is not to tell you what to believe but to guide you in thinking about this issue as a Christ follower.

We began by acknowledging the complexity and loaded language surrounding the topic. Terms like "pro-life" and "pro-choice" carry significant emotional and ideological weight. We also recognized that extreme cases, such as rape or the life of the mother, while important, are not the focus of this discussion. Instead, we aimed to address the core issue: Is it morally wrong to intentionally kill an innocent human being, and does abortion do that?

From a biblical perspective, we examined the heart of God concerning life and morality. Scriptures like Exodus 23:7 and Proverbs 6:16-17 make it clear that God abhors the shedding of innocent blood. However, we also acknowledged that our culture operates on different worldviews—materialism, post-modernism, and critical theory—which complicate the national debate on right and wrong.

We then delved into the question of when life begins and what constitutes a human being. While science agrees that life begins at conception, the Bible provides deeper insights into personhood and the value God places on the unborn. Psalm 139 and Isaiah 49 reveal that God knows and values us even in the womb, bestowing purpose and meaning before we are born.

Given the uncertainty about when personhood begins, I urged us to err on the side of caution and holiness. Like the Israelites who offered guilt offerings for unknown sins, we should tread lightly when it comes to matters of life and death. The analogy of a child playing hide and seek in a pile of leaves illustrates the moral weight of our actions when potential life is at stake.

Finally, I emphasized that the story of Christianity is one of redemption. An unborn child should not be seen as a problem to be solved but as a life to be redeemed. Our church's ministries and personal stories testify to the transformative power of choosing life and offering support to those in difficult situations.

### Key Takeaways

1. The Complexity of Language and Perspective: The terms "pro-life" and "pro-choice" are loaded with emotional and ideological weight, making the discussion around abortion highly complex. It's crucial to recognize these biases and approach the topic with a heart open to understanding and compassion. [06:17]

2. Biblical Perspective on Innocent Blood: Scriptures like Exodus 23:7 and Proverbs 6:16-17 make it clear that God abhors the shedding of innocent blood. As Christians, we should align our moral compass with God's Word, understanding that His perspective on life and morality is absolute and non-negotiable. [23:52]

3. Different Worldviews Complicate the Debate: Our culture operates on various worldviews—materialism, post-modernism, and critical theory—that complicate the national debate on right and wrong. Recognizing these differing perspectives helps us understand why consensus is challenging and why we must anchor our beliefs in biblical truth. [24:52]

4. The Uncertainty of Personhood: While science agrees that life begins at conception, the Bible provides deeper insights into personhood and the value God places on the unborn. Scriptures like Psalm 139 and Isaiah 49 reveal that God knows and values us even in the womb, bestowing purpose and meaning before we are born. [38:19]

5. Erring on the Side of Holiness: Given the uncertainty about when personhood begins, we should err on the side of caution and holiness. Like the Israelites who offered guilt offerings for unknown sins, we should tread lightly when it comes to matters of life and death, prioritizing God's moral standards over societal norms. [43:52]

### YouTube Chapters

[0:00] - Welcome
[00:56] - Introduction to the Topic
[01:54] - Personal Journey and Wrestling with the Issue
[03:22] - Exegeting Culture and Scripture
[04:44] - Understanding Different Perspectives
[05:15] - Current Legal Landscape
[06:17] - The Complexity of Language
[08:03] - Extreme Cases and Exceptions
[09:55] - Ancient Israel's Legal System
[11:40] - The Gospel and Redemption
[14:10] - Defining Abortion and Moral Premises
[16:21] - Logical Fallacies in the Debate
[20:20] - Keeping the Main Thing the Main Thing
[22:21] - Biblical Perspective on Innocent Blood
[24:52] - Different Worldviews
[30:47] - When Does Life Begin?
[38:19] - God's Knowledge and Value of the Unborn
[43:52] - Erring on the Side of Holiness
[46:23] - Redemption and the Christian Story
[48:24] - Closing Prayer and Reflection

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
1. Exodus 23:7 - "Keep far from a false charge, and do not kill the innocent and righteous, for I will not acquit the wicked."
2. Proverbs 6:16-17 - "There are six things that the Lord hates, seven that are an abomination to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood."
3. Psalm 139:13-16 - "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."

#### Observation Questions
1. According to Exodus 23:7 and Proverbs 6:16-17, what is God's stance on the shedding of innocent blood? How does this align with the sermon’s discussion on the moral implications of abortion? [23:52]
2. In Psalm 139:13-16, how does the psalmist describe God's involvement in the creation of life? What does this passage suggest about the value of life before birth? [38:19]
3. The sermon mentioned different worldviews complicating the debate on abortion. What are the three worldviews discussed, and how do they differ from a theistic perspective? [24:52]
4. What analogy did the pastor use to illustrate the moral weight of our actions when potential life is at stake? How does this analogy help us understand the importance of erring on the side of caution? [43:52]

#### Interpretation Questions
1. How do the biblical passages Exodus 23:7 and Proverbs 6:16-17 inform a Christian's understanding of the morality of abortion? What does it mean to align our moral compass with God's Word? [23:52]
2. Psalm 139:13-16 speaks of God's intimate knowledge and formation of life in the womb. How does this passage shape our understanding of personhood and the value of the unborn? [38:19]
3. The sermon discussed the complexity of language and perspectives surrounding the abortion debate. How can recognizing these biases help us approach the topic with compassion and understanding? [06:17]
4. The pastor emphasized the importance of erring on the side of holiness when uncertain about when personhood begins. How does this principle apply to other moral and ethical dilemmas we face as Christians? [43:52]

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on the different worldviews discussed in the sermon (materialism, post-modernism, and critical theory). How do these perspectives influence your conversations about abortion with non-believers? How can you anchor your beliefs in biblical truth while engaging in these discussions? [24:52]
2. The sermon highlighted the importance of approaching the abortion debate with a heart open to understanding and compassion. How can you practice this in your interactions with others who hold different views on this issue? [06:17]
3. Considering the biblical perspective on the value of life in the womb (Psalm 139:13-16), how can you support and advocate for the unborn in your community? What practical steps can you take to promote a culture of life? [38:19]
4. The pastor mentioned the story of Christianity as one of redemption. How can you offer support and hope to those who have experienced abortion or are considering it? What resources or ministries can you connect them with? [46:23]
5. Reflect on the analogy of the child playing hide and seek in a pile of leaves. How does this imagery challenge you to err on the side of caution and holiness in your daily decisions? What specific actions can you take to prioritize God's moral standards over societal norms? [43:52]
6. The sermon emphasized the transformative power of choosing life and offering support to those in difficult situations. How can you be a part of this redemptive story in your church or community? What specific ministries or initiatives can you get involved in? [46:23]
7. How can you cultivate a heart that seeks to understand and align with God's perspective on life and morality? What spiritual practices or disciplines can help you grow in this area? [23:52]

Devotional

Day 1: The Complexity of Language and Perspective
Understanding the language and perspectives surrounding the abortion debate is crucial for a compassionate and informed discussion. Terms like "pro-life" and "pro-choice" carry significant emotional and ideological weight, often leading to polarized views. Recognizing these biases helps us approach the topic with a heart open to understanding and compassion. It's essential to acknowledge that people come from different backgrounds and experiences, which shape their views on this sensitive issue. By doing so, we can foster a more empathetic and respectful dialogue.

As Christians, we are called to engage with difficult topics thoughtfully and lovingly. This means listening to others, even when we disagree, and seeking to understand their perspectives. It also means grounding our beliefs in biblical truth while being aware of the cultural and ideological influences that shape the national debate. By approaching the abortion discussion with humility and compassion, we can better reflect Christ's love and grace in our interactions. [06:17]

Proverbs 18:13 (ESV): "If one gives an answer before he hears, it is his folly and shame."

Reflection: Think of a recent conversation where you disagreed with someone on a sensitive topic. How can you approach future discussions with more empathy and a willingness to listen?

Day 2: Biblical Perspective on Innocent Blood
The Bible is clear about God's stance on the shedding of innocent blood. Scriptures like Exodus 23:7 and Proverbs 6:16-17 emphasize that God abhors such actions. As Christians, we are called to align our moral compass with God's Word, understanding that His perspective on life and morality is absolute and non-negotiable. This means valuing all human life, including the unborn, and recognizing the sanctity of life as a fundamental biblical principle.

In a world where different worldviews complicate the debate on right and wrong, it's essential to anchor our beliefs in biblical truth. Materialism, post-modernism, and critical theory often shape cultural perspectives, making consensus challenging. By grounding our understanding of life and morality in Scripture, we can navigate these complexities with clarity and conviction. This approach helps us uphold the sanctity of life while engaging thoughtfully with differing viewpoints. [23:52]

Deuteronomy 27:25 (ESV): "Cursed be anyone who takes a bribe to shed innocent blood. And all the people shall say, 'Amen.'"

Reflection: Reflect on how you can uphold the sanctity of life in your daily interactions and decisions. What practical steps can you take to align your actions with God's perspective on innocent blood?

Day 3: Different Worldviews Complicate the Debate
Our culture operates on various worldviews that complicate the national debate on abortion. Materialism, post-modernism, and critical theory each offer different perspectives on right and wrong, making it challenging to find common ground. Recognizing these differing worldviews helps us understand why consensus is difficult and why we must anchor our beliefs in biblical truth. By doing so, we can navigate the complexities of the abortion debate with a clear and consistent moral framework.

As Christians, it's essential to be aware of the cultural influences that shape our views and the views of others. This awareness allows us to engage more effectively in discussions about abortion, offering a perspective rooted in Scripture. By understanding the underlying worldviews at play, we can better articulate our beliefs and respond thoughtfully to opposing viewpoints. This approach helps us remain steadfast in our convictions while showing respect and compassion to those who see things differently. [24:52]

Colossians 2:8 (ESV): "See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ."

Reflection: Consider how different worldviews have influenced your perspective on abortion. How can you ensure that your beliefs are grounded in biblical truth rather than cultural influences?

Day 4: The Uncertainty of Personhood
While science agrees that life begins at conception, the Bible provides deeper insights into personhood and the value God places on the unborn. Scriptures like Psalm 139 and Isaiah 49 reveal that God knows and values us even in the womb, bestowing purpose and meaning before we are born. This understanding challenges us to consider the moral implications of abortion and the sanctity of life from a biblical perspective.

Given the uncertainty about when personhood begins, it's wise to err on the side of caution and holiness. Like the Israelites who offered guilt offerings for unknown sins, we should tread lightly when it comes to matters of life and death. Prioritizing God's moral standards over societal norms helps us navigate these complex issues with a heart aligned with His will. By valuing the unborn as God does, we can better reflect His love and grace in our actions and decisions. [38:19]

Jeremiah 1:5 (ESV): "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations."

Reflection: Reflect on how you view the unborn in light of God's knowledge and value of them. How can this perspective influence your actions and decisions regarding the sanctity of life?

Day 5: Erring on the Side of Holiness
Given the uncertainty about when personhood begins, we should err on the side of caution and holiness. Like the Israelites who offered guilt offerings for unknown sins, we should tread lightly when it comes to matters of life and death, prioritizing God's moral standards over societal norms. This approach helps us navigate the complexities of the abortion debate with a heart aligned with God's will, valuing life as He does.

The story of Christianity is one of redemption, and an unborn child should not be seen as a problem to be solved but as a life to be redeemed. Our church's ministries and personal stories testify to the transformative power of choosing life and offering support to those in difficult situations. By erring on the side of holiness, we can better reflect Christ's love and grace, offering hope and redemption to those facing challenging decisions. [43:52]

Leviticus 4:27-28 (ESV): "If anyone of the common people sins unintentionally in doing any one of the things that by the Lord's commandments ought not to be done, and realizes his guilt, or the sin which he has committed is made known to him, he shall bring for his offering a goat, a female without blemish, for his sin which he has committed."

Reflection: Think about a situation where you are uncertain about the moral implications of your actions. How can you err on the side of holiness and prioritize God's standards in that situation?

Quotes

1. "I believe this is an issue that every single one of us needs to consider though. This should matter on probably a great level. What you believe is what you believe. So before we begin, I will let you know, I started off kind of being handed, I believed kind of what everybody around me believed and what I had been told my whole life. About probably four years ago, I intentionally started to wrestle with this issue just because as it grew and grew, and as Roe versus Wade was overturned, I decided I want to know what I think." [01:54] (36 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "My hope at the end of this sermon is that you will understand why I believe the way I believe. And that you will think about how to think about this. As a Christ follower, you'll have, you may not have a clear, definitive date of, hey, this is when life and humanity begins in the womb, but you'll at least have a clear understanding of this is how a Christian should think about this issue. And that's a very hard thing to do on issues, but I do hope that you can at least understand, I think this is how a Christian should, think about this issue." [04:44] (40 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "I also am very aware that it is highly likely that either somebody in this room or somebody listening to this maybe years later has actually had an abortion or, uh, has been a part of a family that's, that's had to make this decision. Um, and so I want to be clear if you get nothing else out of this is that the story that God gives us is one of redemption. This is not a, um, a, a sermon to make anyone feel guilty, especially if you are following Christ and you're, you have been in a different situation in your past and you're, you have found that shame and the guilt and whatever God has taken that away." [11:40] (39 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "When we think about church, when we think about the story of Christianity of what God is doing, it is one of redeeming brokenness and that story applies to all of us. Our heart is for the down and out. Our heart is for anyone who has been in a situation in their past that has been hard. It is hard for them and we do not want more condemnation on that. The gospel is an exchange. It is exchanging our shame, our past, our sin, our brokenness." [13:05] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "So anytime you're thinking about this and something else gets thrown about you, what about this? What about this? What about this? You've got to go back to this, what is truly at stake and you have to make a decision is it more morally wrong to intentionally kill a human being and is abortion killing an innocent human being? And if so, you'll come to the conclusion abortion is morally wrong. If you disprove any of those, then you would come to the conclusion, okay, then abortion isn't morally wrong. You understand? You've got to keep the main thing, the main thing in an issue like this that gets so muddied." [20:51] (37 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

6. "We have a theistic worldview, which means we believe that God has created us, and not just that he created us, he's bestowed on us a moral absolutes. God has said, this is right and wrong. God has said, you have purpose, you have this. God has given us these things, and they're not up for debate for us. So we believe certain things are right, and certain things are wrong. And we also consider holiness to be just as big a value as our freedom in these things. So we are, if God says it, we are going to submit our way, and we are going to trust in God's way." [22:52] (39 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

7. "When we think about the gospel, we never want to think about this issue on the worst case. Is this a problem to be solved? Instead, we want to make sure we are clear. This is an opportunity for redemption. Lord, as this church wrestles with hard things, as this church tries to wrap our minds around, how does this impact us? How should we vote? How should we think about this? How does this affect the people outside who are going to see this as a hateful perspective? Lord, how do we wrestle with this? I pray that you will give us confidence. To seek you and you alone when we look to issues like this." [48:24] (44 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

8. "The story of Christianity is God taking broken, awful, hard situations and redeeming them, exchanging the heart and making something beautiful. And I just want to point out I know of many families, there's at least four that I know of in our church where this is a direct issue. Mine included. My favorite person, one of my favorite people in the whole world, sorry. His mother had to wrestle with this issue. And she made a choice that has blessed my life beyond anything. And I just want us to take a perspective as Christians to not think about the worst case scenario in a broken world, but as Christians, we think about the redemption opportunities that are all around us on this issue." [47:23] (49 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

9. "I want to start off with the gospel and the gospel is this, is that all of us have a broken past. All of us have a broken past. I'm going to give us just a couple of verses to think about this Romans eight one. There's no condemnation for those that are in Christ. So let's make sure we understand there is no condemnation for those that are in Christ Jesus first Thessalonians five and nine for our God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation to the Lord Jesus Christ who died for us so that when, while we are awake, awake or asleep, we might live with him." [12:25] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

10. "When we are thinking and wrestling about what does it mean to be a human being, when does a human being begin, when we take the culture and knowing that there is nothing about the culture of ancient Israel or ancient Rome or Christianity that tells us that God might have been for this. Because the silence seems to speak volumes. And when we look at the heart of God and the heart of God seems unanimously to be for the next generation, for children in the womb and out, he speaks to the purpose and formation of them in the womb. I think this has to inform how we think about this issue." [40:52] (39 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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Transcript

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