It's been a while since I've posted, mostly gearing up for a new ministry opportunity and a move. But I want to link to a post from pastor Scott Sauls on this potentially incendiary issue. I believe he handles it with compassion and sensitivity and with the right biblical spirit.
http://scottsauls.com/2015/07/14/on-planned-parenthood-mother-and-child-and-justice-for-all/
One sentiment that I'll call out, specifically, because I think it is crucially important:
"...is it enough for you to look at [a pregnant] ten-year old girl and her parents
and say, “You shall not murder. Now that we have that settled, go in
peace, be warmed and filled—Take care of yourselves while I head off to the next picket line or political rally”—without giving them any of the things that they need (James 2:16)?"
The way forward, then, that Sauls rightly calls out, is that the Church is called to care for all...the unborn, the distressed and poverty-stricken mothers, the disabled...even those on death row. All life matters to God, period. We can't be pro-life and then care little for the needs of young single mothers or stand in favor of capital punishment...at least, not without being morally inconsistent. Our ethic should not be political position, but love and compassion and care for all.
This ethic is not easy, nor comfortable. But "love one another" is messy. It means rolling up our sleeves and taking the difficult path. It's easy to posture politically, or theologically. It's much more difficult to love in deed and in action.
