We may not hear a loud crash or feel the rush of wind as air is sucked into a deep pit of crumbling theories and ideas. But, the “towers” of Darwinism, humanism, modern feminism, and relativism are falling. Lies cannot stand forever. That’s because Truth overpowers even the most evil, yet enticing, ideas.
The Word of God is a thunderbolt, said Martin Luther, “so powerful that its impact turned the whole Roman Empire with its wisdom, might, and sanctity into a pile of rubbish. Christ the Hero beat everything through the marvelous power of His Word!”*
I think of Christ the Hero every time I remember 22 friends and family members who’ve shared their abortion choices with me. At first, my involvement with Lutherans For Life (LFL) caused some of these women to feel uncomfortable or assume a defensive posture. They were convicted, you see, by their sin. It weighed heavy on them and threatened to separate them from God. In this vulnerable state, they were deceived by other sinful and harmful ideas. But LFL had nurtured in me the ability to properly distinguish Law from Gospel. I could remind these wounded, but precious souls that Christ is their personal Hero! He reaches deep into our pit of despair to pull us up into His light of promise and hope.
On my journey from youthful motherhood to more mature grandmotherhood, I’ve watched the lives of people change (including my own). Sure, I’ve been told I’m much too focused on a “single issue.” But seeing the world through biblical, pro-life eyes enables me to help make the world a safer place for all people—born or yet to be born.
LFL exists not only to help the Church resist evil but to find hopeful opportunity every time human ideas crumble. When Luther demanded that the Church be the Church, he helped do more than reclaim the Church from cultural corruption. He helped reform education, government, the arts, and science. What are some hopeful opportunities for Lutherans who love life? (I’m pleased you ask!)
To live counterculture: This won’t be easy for an older generation that has denied being influenced by the “world towers” or may want to live the rest of its days socially secure and “comfortable.” But a younger generation that has witnessed the failures of its parents/grandparents may reject bad ideas in order to better guard and protect their own children. Such men and women aren’t looking for a Church that mimics the culture, but a Church that is distinctively different. We are distinctively different when we refuse to wrap Jesus around worldly models. For example, education in purity contrasts education in sex. Biblical marriage contrasts same-sex unions or cohabitation. Adoption contrasts abortion. Use of adult stem cells contrasts use of embryonic stem cells.
To practice servanthood: Younger generations are sick of political pandering, but are interested in rebuilding communities and meeting the needs of the poor, homeless, and those who have no advocate. Volunteerism and serving the needs of “the least of these” is a vocation for many in LFL.
To practice traditional faith: There is a growing curiosity, particularly among younger Christians, about traditional faith. LFL can explain that the traditional faith practiced by the early Church meant rescuing babies, caring for the sick, and engaging the culture with their biblical worldview.
To love one another: Christianity is about what we can do! The two greatest commandments Jesus gave were about doing something: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength” and “love your neighbor as yourself.” Our neighbors are babies—and their mothers, fathers, and grandparents! God’s kind of love is for everyone. It does not discriminate. It does not choose big over small, white over black, rich over poor.
To involve the young: Many young people are waiting for our invitation to help make a difference in the world! They want to love life and help defend it! They want to raise the culture to higher standards! They are ready and willing to be trained! But they won’t wait forever!
To show how to love life: 9/ll, Katrina, and the shootings at Virginia Tech are all reminders that life is precious, good and evil do exist, and we have heroes. Lutherans who love life can tell others that life is precious because God created and redeemed it, that evil exists because of sin, and that heroes are men and women who remember God’s Word and use it in the daily battle for life.
No, we may not hear a loud crash. We may not feel the rush of wind as air is sucked into a deep pit of crumbling ideas. But the “towers” of paganism are falling. Worldly ideas are nothing but a pile of rubbish when Christ the Hero beats everything through the marvelous power of His Word!
*What Luther Says, 1-volume edition, item 4750, page 1469, Weimar Edition 34 II.
(Adapted from Generations of Hope for Generations to Come by Linda D. Bartlett)