This Sunday, one of our deacons emailed me a message that a college student had submitted on our church web site. The student was looking for a “church home” and wanted to know our beliefs regarding “a woman’s right to an abortion.” After much prayer and thought, I emailed this response to that student.
Thank you for letting us know about your search for a church home. Last summer, the Central Church of Christ began a campus ministry (called Campus Christian Community) that specifically focuses on reaching out to college students and providing opportunities for them to grow in relation to God and each other, while remaining connected to the rest of the church, the college campuses, and the surrounding communities. Thanks to God, we have many opportunities for college students: Bible classes, small groups for prayer and discussion, social activities, retreats, and service projects.
The question you asked is somewhat complex because of the personal, emotional dynamics that can be involved. However, we believe that God does indeed have a couple of things to say about abortion, although we recognize that the Bible does not directly address this specific topic as we know it today. I will respond with two basic beliefs and a simple recognition of reality. The first and third points summarize a few insights from scripture but do not cite particular biblical passages. If you would like to study the subject in more detail, please let me know.
First, we believe that God is the Creator and Sustainer of life in all its forms.
This includes babies who have not been born. We celebrate babies prior to their births, and we pray for them even while they are still in their mothers. Recognizing that life belongs to God, we wish to protect and treasure all life from the point of conception. In more common language, we could be called “pro-life.” In light of this, we believe that the willful and deliberate termination of life before birth is a sin.
Second, we recognize that abortion sometimes seems necessary for the wellbeing of a mother.
Such a situation could involve various factors, such as physical and/or psychological complications. We are not in a position to pass judgment on such situations, for we value the health of both mothers and unborn children. When people are forced to choose between mother and child, we acknowledge the difficulty and complexity of that decision and pray for God to guide and comfort the people who must make it.
Third, we believe that God is forgiving and redemptive.
Nothing is bad enough to keep us from God’s love and acceptance in Jesus Christ if we accept His grace. If someone has willfully and deliberately terminated a life before birth, that person is still welcomed in this family of Jesus-followers. We all are imperfect and have pain in our pasts (and even in our presents). That is part of being human. God accepts us as we are and desires to transform us more and more into His image. There are college students in the campus ministry here who have dealt with some serious hurt in their lives, and they are finding healing.
In summary, we would never tell someone, “Yes, go ahead and abort your baby. No problem.” However, we would never let a willful and deliberate ending of life prevent us from accepting someone as God accepts that person, and of course we would not want to pass judgment on a complex and difficult decision that someone made as responsibly as possible.
I hope this answers your question. Feel free to ask any follow-up questions. I would also be interested in knowing what you believe about this subject.
Thank you again for contacting us. We hope to meet you soon.
In the divine embrace,
steven
Now, after reading my response, what do you think?
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