Why Lutherans For Life?

Why is there a group called Lutherans For Life? What makes LFL different? In a word—the Word! LFL exists to equip Lutherans to connect the Word of Life with the life issues. Here’s how they connect:

First, the Word of Life gives value to life. Many pro-life groups talk about the "intrinsic value" of human life: Humans have value because they are humans. At LFL we teach the "God-given" value of human life: Humans have value because they are created and redeemed by God.

The Word of Life creates every human life and gives special value to human life. God handcrafts Adam (Genesis 2:7) and Eve (Genesis 2:22) into His image (Genesis 1:26-27). Created just a "little lower than the heavenly beings," God crowns humans with "glory and honor" (Psalm 8:5). Even after the rejection of this glory and honor and the devastating effects of sin, the original lofty position still calls for value (Genesis 9:6). God’s handcrafting of human life continues through the pro-creative biology He set in place. (Job 10:8-12, Psalm 139:13-16). LFL teaches that the value of human life comes not from the creature, but from the Creator.

The Word of Life redeemed every human life. From the beginning, God sought and found the disgraced and frightened lost (Genesis 3:8-9) and promised salvation (Genesis 3:15). God loved what He made with His hand so much that the Word of Life "became flesh" (John 1:14, Hebrews 1:14), starting from the moment of conception (Luke 1:31), born "under the law" (Galatians 4:4), suffering its curse (Galatians 3:13), dying its death (Romans 5:6-8), and shattering both curse and death in victory (1 Corinthians 15:54-57). LFL teaches that the value of human life comes not from the sinner but from the Redeemer.

Second, the Word of Life calls us to value human life because God does. The prohibition against taking human life (Exodus 20:13) is not restricted by the size of that life or the residence of that life or the health of that life. The admonition to speak up especially applies to those who cannot speak and those weak and vulnerable (Proverbs 31:8-9). God’s truth about life can never be shared with silence but must always be spoken in love for the growth of God’s people (Ephesians 4:15). God’s forgiveness of sins is never conditioned by the "size" of the sin (Romans 8:1). LFL teaches that we value life, not because life is precious, but because it is precious to God.

Third, the Word of Life gives value to living. The life we live, we live by faith (Galatians 2:20). We live by faith in the Word of Life who makes His love known, not in our circumstances or in our feelings, but on a cross (1 John 4:9). Therefore, nothing can separate us from that love (Romans 8:35-39). We live by faith in the Word of Life who, since He "Who did not spare His own Son but gave him up for us all" (Romans 8:32), will not abandon us. We live by faith in the Word of Life who works in all things for our good and according to His purpose (Romans 8:28). We live by faith in the Word of Life who Himself gives purpose to our living and our dying (Philippians 1:20). We live by faith in the Word of Life who remains faithful even in our faithlessness (2 Timothy 2:13). LFL teaches that God gives purpose and meaning to life:

These points of connection move the life issues from merely being controversial issues of concern to being issues of Christian concern. They move the life issues from being merely political issues to being spiritual issues. They move the life issues from being options that the church may engage, to being opportunities to share the Word of Life that the church must engage. LFL exists to help Lutheran churches see this responsibility and to equip them to joyfully assume it. In short, LFL exists to make For Life Lutherans! What a difference they could make!

Pro-life groups speak of the value of human life. For Life Lutherans point to the Creator and Redeemer and the value He gives to life. Pro-life groups offer hope to those in crisis. For Life Lutherans point to an empty tomb and the certain and living hope the Risen One brings. Pro-life groups offer empathy and support to the guilt ridden. For Life Lutherans point to the objective forgiveness purchased by Christ—total, free, received richly and daily through His means of grace. Pro-life groups say to the desperately ill, "Something good will come, you’ll see." For Life Lutherans point to the cross and say, "Someone good has come, and He is at work whether you see it or not." Pro-life groups work to change laws. For Life Lutherans point to the work of God’s Spirit who changes hearts and minds and through changed people transforms society.