Abortion
No Medical Evidence Finds Abortion Can Save a Mother’s Life by David C. Reardon
Doctors Push Abortion. Parents Push Back by Bradley Mattes
Should men have an opinion on abortion? by Anna Nienhius
Adoption
Christian couple barred from adoption over same-sex parent comments by Hannah Tooley
Fetal Development
Baby boy born weighing 13 ounces goes home from NICU after 356 days by Nancy Flanders
Political
Hungarian governments’ pro-life initiatives reduce abortions by nearly 25 percent by Fr. Mark Hodges
Is Voting Enough? by Tony Perkins
Defend Life – On Election Day and Every Day by John Stonestreet – “As you consider your presidential, state, and local vote, many issues are important. But a few, like the protection of innocent life, are essential.”
Let Not Your Heart Be Troubled. We’re Going to Do This Again in Four Years by Erick Erickson
Worldview and Culture
IT prof’s advice: quit social media by Michael Cook – “A brilliant TED talk on how fragmented attention harms us”
10 Ways To Help A Military Family Going Through A Deployment by Gracy Olmstead – “Deployments can be a lonely and fearful time for homebound spouses and children. Here are a few ways you can make those months of separation less difficult.”
We Don’t Understand the Difference Christianity Makes by Amy K. Hall
Don’t Stop Speaking the Truth in Love by Melinda Penner
Religious Liberty Bestowed by God or Government? – Understanding the First Freedom by John Stonestreet – “The problem isn’t just that we’re losing religious freedom. It’s that people no longer understand what it is.”
The Election Is Coming – So’s the Day After by John Stonestreet – “Chuck Colson often said, ‘Salvation won’t arrive on Air Force One.’ Ok, we all agree on that. So, how now shall we live?”
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Cyrus, Constantine or Nero?
by James M. Kushiner, Executive Director, The Fellowship of St. James
(Source: www.fsj.org email, 11/7/16)
As repulsive as this political season has been, I must consider what Scripture tells me about how a follower of Christ is to regard and engage the state and political realities. So here are some items that taken together constitute for me a voter’s guide. They present the Christian attitude in both narrative encounters and prescriptive teaching. Perhaps you will find something helpful here.
* “Teacher, we know that You are true, and care about no one; for You do not regard the person of men, but teach the way of God in truth.”…. And He said to them, “Whose image and inscription is this?” They said to Him, “Caesar’s.” And Jesus answered and said to them, “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” Mark 12:14-17
* … [Paul] answered for himself, “Neither against the law of the Jews, nor against the temple, nor against Caesar have I offended in anything at all.” Acts 25:8
* So Paul said, “I stand at Caesar’s judgment seat, where I ought to be judged.” Acts 25:10
* Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not…. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits. Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men…. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.
Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil. Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake. For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God’s ministers, attending continually upon this very thing. Romans 12:14-13:6
* Have your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation. Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme; Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well. For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men: As free, and not using your liberty for a cloak of maliciousness, but as the servants of God. Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king. 1 Peter 2:12-17
Commentary: One might argue that Caesar’s coin holds another form of voting in the sense that its use affirms the legitimacy of those in power. In another sense it is different from voting in that (at least outside of the City of Chicago or the old Soviet Union) it involves making a real choice between candidates.
Christians are called to bear witness to the truth and to do good in season and out of season. Christians may involve themselves, as they have from the beginning, in various activities of the government. There have been and will be intense conflicts between the state and the conscience of Christians.
Many Christians are running for office this year. Christians may serve as legislators, governors, judges, school board members, and teachers. As I consider voting for any candidate, Christian or non-Christian, I ask myself, “Am I able to affirm or advance the good to any degree?” Or, “Am I able to resist or witness against evil-doing to any degree?” The outcome is always far from perfect, and sometimes can even turn bad. I try to do the best I can.
I cannot know the future, but I do know that even as I write: there are many many children being slaughtered legally in the womb; my city this year so far has suffered more than 3,662 people being shot (more than 600 fatally): and Christians in various nations are being driven from their homes, beaten, and killed for their faith. I could list other plagues such as porn, drug addiction, euthanasia, surgical mutilation of minors, and sex trafficking. It’s all too much to take in.
But we as Christians must clean our own houses, while we also bear witness to the moral good in the public square. As long as the state claims to be upholding the good and punishing evil, there is a place in that square for a conversation or a debate or a protest. Or I could, I suppose, bury my talent in the ground because I either don’t like or don’t trust the bankers. I will try to keep shining whatever small light I can in the best way I know how.
Let us “pray for the king,” whether he be Cyrus, Constantine, or Nero.