ABORTION PROTESTS by Dave Brown

The Christian is faced with somewhat of a dilemma when it comes to our subject. Certainly we can sympathize with the intent of those who are willing to take a stand on this issue by publicly demonstrating their protests to the slaughter of the innocent unborn. The question is: are we to join them?

The answer is not one of conjecture; it must be based firmly upon biblical principles (2 Tim. 3: 16-17). Is it a good work? If so, the bible will provide us with the command, example or necessary inference to lead us to engage in it. And if it does, it is a sin for us to fail to respond (James 4: 17).

In seeking an answer, let us first recognize that abortion cannot be isolated from any of hundreds of other moral causes for which similar protests could be organized. To name just a few: the wholesale genocide being practiced in dozens of countries throughout the world, homosexuality and other sexual perversions being taught in our public schools, the political powerbase generated by the sale of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs, the wholesale display of pornography on TV, the degradation brought about by legalized gambling, etc., etc., etc.

[Indeed, a perplexing question might be: against which of these do we organize our efforts, since they are all of the devil? Recognize that the conversion of one soul is the only effective frontal attack upon all of them collectively.]

Second, it should be recognized that Christians have both the right and the obligation to influence public policy in a righteous way (as defined by the New Testament). However, this means that they cannot surrender their individual consciences to the collective will of any power group.

Finally, when the activities of collective actions are clearly detrimental to the original cause, there can be no justification for them. Clearly, the killing of abortion doctors is not going to sway public decision-makers to look favorably upon the righteousness of those who oppose abortion. Other less extreme measures might be arguable, but the principle is clear.

There is no command, example or inference that the first century church organized protest marches for anything, even against a government so overtly wicked as to allow the slaughter of born infants (Mt. 2: 16). However, we thank God that they "turned the world upside down" (Acts 17:6) by teaching the truth.

It is a matter of faith that truth alone has the power to stop the killing (Rom. 1: 16). But it must be preached, believed and obeyed (Rom. 10: 17). The heart of the individual must come first; the heart of the nation will follow. (Convert one soul, and the chances are quite good that you will save at least one fetus (whether directly or indirectly).

Without this, the cause is indeed hopeless, and the means applied are counterproductive. For, as long as we have a near majority, or even a vocal and influential minority, who view their unborn as a mere inconveniences, the killing will continue, whether legal or not.