With the United States Supreme Court decision to reverse Roe v. Wade, I’ve noticed that many pastors are already asking, “What about cases of incest? What about rape? What about…? These are important questions and we now have the opportunity to address serious and important questions as public moral theologians. That’s right pastor – in your preaching you are now required to become a public theologian in which you must offer a coherent explanation from the perspective of biblical exegesis and exposition, and theological reflection.
First, I would like to remind my colleagues in the Church of God that our practical commitments has a wise and useful statement that offers guidance:
God alone confers life (Genesis 1:1-31); therefore, we are responsible to God to care for our physical life and that of others. If the circumstances require, we must be prepared to risk our life in the service of our neighbor (John 15:13); but the general rule is that we must respect our physical life and employ every worthy means to maintain it. Since God alone confers life, God alone must decide when it is to be ended (Psalm 31:14, 15). Because a human fetus is sacred and blessed of God, we believe that we have the responsibility to protect the life of the unborn (Jeremiah 1:5; Luke 1:41). It is our firm conviction that abortion and euthanasia of aged, mentally incompetent, terminally ill and otherwise handicapped, for reasons of personal convenience, social adjustment or economic advantage, are morally wrong. Furthermore, we believe it is our Christian responsibility to care for the earth and its resources. In the beginning God gave man dominion over the earth (Genesis 1:26-30). This does not, however, give us license to pollute our natural environment or to waste the resources of the earth (emphasis added).
The Church of God has always recognized that there are some tragic instances in which an abortion is deemed necessary. Don’t misunderstand me – my view is that all abortions are the ending of human life, all abortions are tragic. If we must err, let’s err on the side of protecting the dignity of life. Abortion should never be used as a contraceptive, ending an unwanted pregnancy; it should never be used to destroy a child with mental or physical challenges. I am the grandfather of an autistic grandson. I love him as he is and will rise to help him meet any challenges he will face. Therein is the key – we must face each and every challenge with careful reflection and sacrificial love.
With the defeat of Roe, preachers no longer have the luxury to simply rant against the evil of abortion. We must speak clearly, thoughtfully, patiently, and with great love.
Finally, I offer this essay – Receive the Children: A Biblical Reflection on the Dignity of the Unborn Child – written in 2019, that may offer some help in negotiating the issues before us.
