It is no secret that our culture denies authoritative truth and promotes moral relativism. What’s true for me is not necessarily true for you. Who can say what is wrong or right? Albert Mohler, President of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary sums it up like this:

"Moral relativism has so shaped the culture that the vast majority of Americans now see themselves as their own moral arbiter. Truth has been internalized, privatized, and subjectivized. Absolute or objective truth is denied outright. Research indicates that most Americans believe that truth is internal and relative. No one, the culture shouts, has a right to impose truth, morality, or cultural standards."

As Lutherans, we know that this world is filled with sin and is in rebellion against God. But what about the church?

A recent devotion from Our Daily Bread put it this way:

"Randall Peterson, a retired autoworker, thinks there could be an interest for a new kind of Bible. He sarcastically says that a publisher ought to create an electronic Bible that would allow for editing from the pew. That way individuals and churches could make the Bible say what they want it to say. He says it could be called the "LAME" Bible: "Locally Adaptive Multifaith Edition" and "could be sold to any church regardless of what it believes."

Many in the church have been so influenced by the culture that they deny the Word of God as absolute truth and authoritative. Moral relativism has crept into the Church. We are no longer willing to speak about sin because that might offend someone. The church has gutted the power of the Gospel by refusing to recognize the need for a Savior.

What does all of this have to do with Lutherans For Life? We are a counter-cultural educational movement both within society and our Lutheran church that witnesses to what God has to say through his Word to life issues. Look at our five core values:

• God’s Word informs and God’s Spirit empowers our work and witness.

• Faithfulness to biblical truth and integrity of witness are more valuable than politic expediency.

• Response to life issues is with the mind of Christ; prayerfully with humility, compassion, selflessness, speaking the truth in love.

• Education remains our focus, trusting the Holy Spirit to change hearts and minds.

• We uphold the sanctity of human life because all people are created by God whose intent for them is to bear His image for time and for eternity.

Lutherans For Life knows that only God gives value to life—created and redeemed. Only the truth of the Gospel sets us free—called, forgiven, and transformed.

This message is what makes Lutherans For Life unique. We are not about changing laws or the one-on-one care offered by crisis pregnancy centers. Lutherans For Life is about changing hearts and minds through the power of the Gospel. We want to produce a spiritual transformation that changes behavior. We know that God’s Word has power and when hearts and minds are changed, different choices are made. We want to reach the pregnant teen before she goes to a crisis pregnancy center. We want her to know that God’s Word speaks to her about the value of her child and the options she can choose to deal with her unplanned pregnancy. We want to reach families dealing with the crushing news of a life-changing prenatal condition or an Alzheimer diagnosis with the good news that God is still in control of the situation and He is at work, bringing good out of apparent evil.

What a message we have—one of trust, hope, and peace. Here are a few "front line" stories of lives saved and changed through the power of God’s Word.

"A woman who thought she was calling an abortion clinic, got our CPC’s number instead. She came in to talk with our counselors and after hearing what God’s Word had to say about life from LFL’s GOD’S WORD for Life Bible she decided not to abort."

"Please put me on the list to receive your quarterly journal. Our 20-year-old daughter is unwed and pregnant. Our pastor gave us the LifeDate issue which highlights adoption. She decided to make an adoption plan for her unborn daughter."

"I had an abortion 20 years ago. I’ve heard many life sermons over the years. They always made me feel guilty. Yours was the first to make me feel okay and forgiven. I called because I wanted you to know that my life and my husband’s life have been changed."