The Light Shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it. John 1:5 Recently, I read a book entitled, The Choices We Made in which over 20 women defend their decision to abort a child at some point in their life. I picked this volume up to attempt to understand the thinking of one who would justify ending the life of their own child living within them. What I found has helped me to adjust my strategy in proclaiming God’s truth concerning the preciousness of human life. I trust these observations will be helpful to you.

1. The question, When does human life begin? haunts many who strongly support abortion. But I feel very strongly that there’s a cutoff point where it’s just morally wrong to abort that baby (italics mine) at six months, for sure. When a woman makes that decision that late, it does become murder to me. Then again, someone on the other side can say, ‘Yeah, but she was just an ignorant girl; she didn't know any better.' It’s a very, very difficult question, but I’m absolute in my feeling about that cutoff point. Actress Rita Monreno, page 49 So I have seen it from all three sides. I have two living wonderful children, I had a legal abortion, and I had an illegal abortion. I am the mother of two or the mother of four, depending on how you look at it. About the question ‘Does life begin at conception?’ I don’t know. Life in a certain sense probably does begin at conception. But one must make tough choices in this world, harder choices than abortion. News Anchor and author, Linda Ellerbee, page 81 I don’t feel that there is life in the first four weeks. Some scientists and other people will dispute that, but that’s just my belief. I have a problem with second-trimester abortions because that’s a person. You can look in those sonograms and see a person. Actress Whoopi Goldberg, page 120

2. The issue of abortion is purely THEOLOGICAL. Either human life is magnificently sacred because God created us uniquely in His own image or human life is merely significant because we are the highest expression of evolution. If we are created in God?s image, then only God can rightly intervene in the timing of our death. If we are evolved, then one person can decide on another?s life based on the concept of the highest good. Getting back to the abortions, do you want to know if I thought of the fetus as a living being? At that time, it never crossed my mind. What I really feel today -- and this is not a popular pro-choice point of view -- is that a fetus is alive from the moment of conception. I don?t think that we should say it isn't?t alive until such and such a week or month, it's always alive. You?re not a little bit alive, and a little bit dead. The position is not about whether or not it?s alive; it?s about whether or not someone wants to give birth and have the responsibility of another human being with them for the rest of their life. Actress Jill Clayburgh, page 57

3. If people would understand who God is, they would think differently about abortion. Even more than the unfairness to women, though, is the unfairness to the unborn child. If a woman finds herself pregnant with her sixth child and her husband has just walked out on her, I think that child is going to have an unfortunate life. If you believe that man is a spirit, as I do, better the spirit of the child should wait and find another body, one that really wants the child to be there. Actress Anne Archer, page 108 I have this deep belief that God understands whatever dilemma you?re in and will forgive it if you make a choice that He or She doesn't?t think is right. Actress Whoopi Goldberg, page 122

The abortion issue is truly a battle for the spiritual soul of our land and its people. As we continue our struggle, let us remember that spiritual battle will only be won through spiritual means. The greatest victories are when men and women are converted to Jesus Christ through His Gospel. If the Gospel is not central to our mission, then we have lost before we begin. The words of the apostle Paul are amazingly relevant to our twentieth century context, This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom, but in words taught by the Spirit, expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words. The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned.

May we ever be vigilant to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ which sets men and women free. Let freedom ring!!!

Pastor Rich Boerckel

Pastor of Bethany Baptist Church in Peoria, IL 05/96