Category: Abortion

Abortion, Christmas, Guest Posts

Guest Post: Mary’s “Unplanned” Pregnancy

Michelle Lesley

If your theology pretty much matches up with mine (as outlined in my “Welcome” and “Statement of Faith” tabs in the blue menu bar at the top of this page) and you’d like to contribute a guest post, drop me an e-mail, and let’s chat about it.

Mary’s “Unplanned” Pregnancy
by Charlotte Staudt

Have you ever heard Jesus’s birth described as an “unplanned” or “unexpected pregnancy”? Unfortunately, I’ve heard that description several times, and it seems to be gaining traction among some conservative Christians. I first heard it when I worked for a Christian public policy group, but I’ve also seen it on Focus on the Family’s website, a pregnancy care center, and even on a car magnet. During this Christmas season, you may come across this description yourself, so I would like to offer a few points as to why this description is wrong and why we can’t use the Biblical account of Mary or any part of Luke 1 to form pro-life arguments. 

Unhelpful, Cultural Euphemisms 

In today’s culture, “unplanned” and “unexpected” are usually used as euphemisms for pregnancies resulting from illicit relationships. There are exceptions, of course, but for the most part, this is the case. Since those words are generally used to describe pregnancies resulting from sin, should we use them to describe Mary’s pregnancy with Jesus, the Son of God, by the Holy Spirit? Of course not! Using such descriptions is unhelpful to say the least, and it is certainly disrespectful of God’s sovereignty. While such disrespect is probably not intentional, it simply isn’t beneficial to use cultural euphemisms to describe a part of God’s perfect plan of redemption for His people, which had been planned since before the beginning of time. 

Ignoring Biblical Context

When reading the Bible, we know that context matters. As we begin a book of the Bible, it’s important to ask and understand answers to some of the classic grade school questions of who, why, when, etc. For this point, I’d like to focus on Luke’s reason for writing, his “why.” He states this himself at the very beginning of his work: “to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, that you may have certainty concerning the things you have been taught” (Luke 1:3-4). In other words, Luke is simply writing a complete account for a brother in Christ. He wants Theophilus to have “an orderly account” or a reliable record of the life of Jesus, and in this account, he starts at the beginning, first with the announcement of the coming of John the Baptist, and then the announcement of the coming of Jesus. 

While using cultural euphemisms was merely unhelpful, using Luke 1 to argue a pro-life position is eisegetical, the practice of eisegesis. Merriam-Webster defines eisegesis as, “The interpretation of a text (as of the Bible) by reading into it one’s own ideas.” Costi Hinn expands on this idea, writing, “Eisegesis takes a specific passage from the Bible and isolates it from its original meaning, the author’s original intention, and God’s original purpose.” Thus, when reading this account, or any Bible passage, we can’t make the text say anything the original author didn’t. As we read about Mary, we can’t project our 21st-century ideas and emotions onto the text. That would be eisegesis. We can’t cast Mary as a scared young woman facing an “unplanned pregnancy” and wondering what to do about it. There is no indication of that in the text. In fact, the text indicates quite the opposite. She was “troubled” when the angel first appeared to her, but once she hears his message, she asks one question, and simply responds, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word” (Luke 1:38).

Additionally, some pro-lifers will also cite Luke 1:41, “And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the baby leaped in her womb,” to argue their position. In fact, Roland Warren, president and CEO of the pro-life ministry Care Net, states the following, “If you’re a pro-choice Christian, what this actually does in Scripture is it tells you that late-term abortion and early-term abortion are both killing a life.” Does the Biblical text give any indication of any of this? No. Remember, this is an account, a record of the life of Jesus. Thus, John the Baptist’s leap is simply an action, not a foundation for an argument. 

Missing the Biblical Lessons 

Since Luke 1:26-45 does not provide us with pro-life arguments, what does it teach us? What lessons can we glean from the text? First, everyone in this passage recognized Jesus as God. Gabriel tells Mary that Jesus “will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High” (Luke 1:32). In other words, Jesus was God. John MacArthur explains this by saying, “to identify Jesus as the Son of the Most High is to declare that He has the same essence as the Most High God.” He also states, “Gabriel’s announcement also affirms the deity of Christ.” According to Luke’s narrative, Mary asks no questions regarding this and simply takes the angel at his word. Elizabeth and an unborn John the Baptist also recognize Jesus as God. In verse 43, Elizabeth calls Mary, “the mother of my Lord,” meaning she realized the baby Mary was carrying was the Son of God. Elizabeth’s explanation of John the Baptist’s leap in verse 44 shows that he also recognized Jesus in Mary’s womb. How would they both know this? Verse 41 tells us that “Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.” Thus, her understanding “must be attributed to the illuminating work of the Spirit,” according to John MacArthur.1 Likewise, the response of John the Baptist was “supernaturally prompted by the Spirit of God.”2

The story of Mary also teaches us about trusting and submitting to God. Her reply, “Behold, I am the servantof the Lord; let it be to me according to your word,” shows complete submission to the will of God. John MacArthur uses “willingly” and “gracefully” to describe her submission. R. C. Sproul refers to it as “subjection,”3 which Merriam-Webster defines as, “one that is placed under authority or control.” In other words, Mary not only recognized God’s authority over her, but she also trusted it. She didn’t ask for a sign as Zechariah did (Luke 1:18), or doubt as many of us may struggle with from time to time. She understood Who God is and trusted Him because of it.  

In conclusion, as we read and ponder Luke 1 this Christmas, that reading shouldn’t inspire us to pull verses out of context and argue our position. Rather, the accounts of Mary and Elizabeth should inspire us to glorify God for Who He is and what He has done. As we celebrate and enjoy the Christmas season, perhaps we would all do well to remember these words of R.C. Sproul, “We come at Christmastime, not to celebrate the birth of a baby. We come to celebrate the Incarnation of God.”  

1-2 MacArthur, John. “Luke.” In the John MacArthur Bible Commentary, 1274. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson. 

3 Sproul, R.C. “The Annunciation.” In Luke: An Expositional Commentary, 22. Sanford, FL: Ligonier Ministries. ePub. 

Charlotte Staudt happily calls the South her home. On any given day, you’ll most likely find her reading and researching, with her calico cat and a cup of tea close at hand. She doesn’t have any social media to share, but she hopes you find her writing encouraging and helpful. 

Abortion, Mailbag

The Mailbag: Potpourri (Ectopic pregnancies… Selfie vanity… Staying single… Devotionals)

Michelle Lesley

Welcome to another “potpourri” edition of The Mailbag, where I give short(er) answers to several questions rather than a long answer to one question.

I like to take the opportunity in these potpourri editions to let new readers know about my comments/e-mail/messages policy. I’m not able to respond individually to most e-mails and messages, so here are some helpful hints for getting your questions answered more quickly. Remember, the search bar (at the very bottom of each page) can be a helpful tool!

Or maybe I answered your question already? Check out my article The Mailbag: Top 10 FAQs to see if your question has been answered and to get some helpful resources.

A question on your post regarding abortion if I may. I am most definitely pro-life. You stated that every attempt should be made to save the life of the mother and child — including in cases of ectopic pregnancies. Can you direct me to articles of the professionals you mentioned who have stated publicly that ectopic pregnancies can be saved?

My first and only pregnancy was both an anembryonic pregnancy and a tubal pregnancy. I was told that I was 5 minutes until death, and that the tubal pregnancy could not be saved. I have wondered about this for many years but cannot find any information regarding a tubal pregnancy that can be saved. Thank you.

My deepest condolences for the loss of your baby. May the Lord continue to comfort you and give you peace.

I’m so sorry, but I think you may have misunderstood that part of the article. Here’s what it says:

“Abortion is never necessary to save the mother’s life. Numerous OB/GYNs and other medical professionals have stated this publicly. In cases in which the mother’s life and/or health are at stake (including ectopic pregnancies), the biblical and medically ethical approach is to make every attempt to save both the mother and child (which can often be done through early delivery, not abortion). If the child dies during the attempt to save him and his mother, that is a grievous tragedy, but it is not an abortion. Abortion is the intentional, proactive killing of a child.”

The statement, “Numerous OB/GYNs and other medical professionals have stated this publicly,” refers to the previous sentence (“Abortion is never necessary to save the mother’s life.”) and link. In other words, these medical professionals have stated that abortion is never necessary to save the mother’s life, not that babies in ectopic pregnancies can be saved.

With ectopic pregnancies, “the biblical and medically ethical approach is to make every attempt to save both the mother and child…”. As I understand the situation, at this point in medical technology, it is not possible for a doctor, while attempting to save the mother with an ectopic pregnancy, to also save the life of the baby. However, it is my understanding that, through research, an attempt is being made to discover ways to save these precious babies, possibly through re-implantation or other means.

I think you will find the video below to be helpful as well as its companion article:

What about Ectopic Pregnancies?

One of the things Sarah mentions in the video that I found enlightening is that ectopic pregnancies are fairly rare, and that it is rarer still for the ectopic pregnancy to be nurturing a live, normally developing embryo.

She says that in every case she has personally seen in her career, either the baby in the ectopic pregnancy has already died by the time the mother is treated, or the cells in the blastocyst are so aberrant that normal development of a living fetus would be impossible, or both.

Is there a Biblical way to approach Christian friends about the appearance of vanity when they regularly post pictures of themselves on social media?

It is so kind of you to care about your friends’ reputation in the eyes of others.

There is a biblical way to approach them. There is not a way to approach them that comes with a guarantee that they won’t get mad. Those are two different things. In fact, it is likely no matter how gently and kindly you biblically broach the subject, they will get mad. That’s just how people respond to what they perceive to be criticism these days – even professing Christians.

And (assuming that what your friends are doing actually violates Scripture and isn’t just a matter of opinion – which I have no way of knowing) that’s OK. The fact that they get mad doesn’t automatically mean you weren’t being loving or biblical. As Christian women, we’ve been taught by society and by most of the popular evangelical women celebrities that the cardinal, unforgivable sin is hurting someone’s feelings. And that is what’s not biblical. You won’t find a single passage of Scripture that says, “Confront sin … unless it would offend somebody.”

Since the appearance of vanity is a highly subjective and sensitive issue, and one most Christian women aren’t familiar with, I would suggest broaching the subject privately and gently, keeping in mind that there’s always the possibility that you may be misreading the situation:

“Suzy, you know I love you and care for you, and I love looking through the pictures you post on social media. That picture of your dog last week was really cute! I’m just wondering if there’s a reason why you’re posting so many selfies? I know you love the Lord and I wouldn’t want others who see your pictures to get the impression that you’re vain or self-centered, but rather to see the godly young woman I know and love.”

If she’s teachable and willing to discuss the issue, you might wish to work through these Scriptures with her. (For the 1 Timothy 5 passage, I highly recommend listening to the section of our A Word Fitly Spoken podcast episode, Biblical Women’s Ministry, that explains this passage.)

You might also find the podcast series Amy and I did on modesty to be informative. “Modesty” doesn’t just mean refraining from dressing in a sexually provocative way. It also means dressing and conducting yourself in a way that doesn’t make you the center of everyone else’s attention.

Modesty: part 1 part 2 part 3– at A Word Fitly Spoken

Would you be so kind as to help me Biblically on the single/divorced woman. I would like to know if it’s OK to make my own way in life without remarriage. I am very successful in my profession, and content in my walk with the Lord and being single. (Or direct me to one of your articles)

It’s a great question, and one I’m sure a lot of single and single again Christian women wonder about.

There are a few different possibilities of how you might have arrived at the state of being single:

  • You’ve never married
  • You’re a younger widow
  • You’re an older widow
  • You initiated a divorce for unbiblical reasons
  • You initiated a divorce for biblical reasons (adultery, abandonment)
  • Your husband initiated an unwanted divorce (abandonment)

If you’ve never married, you’re an older widow, you initiated a divorce for a biblical reason, or your husband initiated an unwanted divorce, my general counsel would be to get up every day and serve the Lord faithfully wherever He has planted you – in life, in your church, in your job, and in your relationships. God says being single can be a good thing:

To the unmarried and the widows I say that it is good for them to remain single, as I am.

1 Corinthians 7:8

But never say “never”. There’s no requirement for you to pursue marriage, but don’t tell God “no” if He seems to be leading you toward marriage at some point in the future. Marriage is a good thing, too, especially if you struggle to control yourself sexually:

But because of the temptation to sexual immorality, each man should have his own wife and each woman her own husband… But if they cannot exercise self-control, they should marry. For it is better to marry than to burn with passion.

1 Corinthians 7:2,9

If you’re a younger widow, 1 Timothy 5:14 encourages you to remarry (a godly man, under godly circumstances, of course). In our culture, I think the principles behind this particular passage would also include younger divorcees who either initiated a divorce for a biblical reason or whose husbands initiated an unwanted divorce.

If you initiated a divorce for an unbiblical reason Scripture seems to indicate that you should remain unmarried:

To the married I give this charge (not I, but the Lord): the wife should not separate from her husband (but if she does, she should remain unmarried or else be reconciled to her husband), and the husband should not divorce his wife.

1 Corinthians 7:10-11

If you have not repented for initiating an unbiblical divorce – whether before or after you got saved – you should definitely not remarry, and you need to repent. However, if you have repented, there is some disagreement among reputable Bible scholars as to whether this prohibition on remarriage applies to any divorce you’ve initiated for unbiblical reasons (pre- or post-salvation), or only to post-salvation divorce, since Paul is speaking to Christians in 1 Corinthians 7. If you initiated a divorce for unbiblical reasons, it is imperative that you seek godly counsel from your (doctrinally sound) pastor if you’re considering remarriage.

In fact, in any situation in which marriage or remarriage is being considered, pastoral counsel is a must. And even if you’re contemplating lifelong singlehood, I would encourage you to seek pastoral counsel as well.

Whatever your future holds, while you’re single, steward your singleness to the glory of God.

Additional Resources:

All the Single Ladies at A Word Fitly Spoken

Imperishable Beauty: A Study of Biblical Womanhood (lesson 13 deals specifically with singlehood)

The Mailbag: Is it all right for a Christian to get divorced?

The Mailbag: Potpourri (Remarriage after divorce…

The Mailbag: Potpourri (…Remarriage Forbidden?)

I read your articles on recommended women to follow but could not find that any of them had a devotional book. I am involved in a ministry at our church and put together goody bags for them. I’d like to give them a devotional book. Do you have any recommendations?

That’s awfully kind of you to make these women feel special and loved. Thank you for serving your church.

On principle, I do not make recommendations for Bible study books or materials, or devotionals. Instead, I encourage women to study straight from the text of Scripture (see my article The Mailbag: Can you recommend a good Bible study for women/teens/kids? for more information).

May I recommend instead that you give them a lovely copy of “God’s devotional” – the book of Psalms or Proverbs? Here are a few I found (I didn’t vet all of these websites, so I’m not recommending them, just suggesting a few books to consider):

ESV Scripture Journal: Proverbs

Psalms for Joyful Living

Proverbs for your Daily Path

Mini Book of Psalms

Vest Pocket New Testament with Psalms and Proverbs

Or if you’d like to go with a copy of the gospel of John, check out these designs from the Pocket Testament League. (I would strongly recommend the ESV versions.) You can even design your own cover!

If you have a question about: a Bible passage, an aspect of theology, a current issue in Christianity, or how to biblically handle a family, life, or church situation, comment below (I’ll hold all questions in queue {unpublished} for a future edition of The Mailbag) or send me an e-mail or private message. If your question is chosen for publication, your anonymity will be protected.

Abortion, Southern Baptist/SBC

Abolition or Pro-Life?

Michelle Lesley

Originally published June 8, 2022

Sanctity of Life Sunday is this Sunday, January 18.

Do you know the differences between the abolition movement and the pro-life movement? It’s a good thing for all Christians to be informed about.

Watch A Storm Comes Rolling Down the Plain, then listen in to our A Word Fitly Spoken interview with Brett Baggett, one of the key figures in the documentary.

The position of the abolition movement is that it should be spearheaded by the church, and so most of the leaders of the movement and activities are pastors and other men. But women play a vital role in the abolition movement, too. Listen in as Susan White tells us how to get involved.

I also thought this interview with Samuel Sey, Nathaniel Jolly, and Ekkie Tepsupornchai on the Truth Be Known podcast was insightful and helpful:

Additional Resources:

Basic Training: Abortion

Movie Time: Babies Are (Still) Murdered Here

Guest Post ~ On the Subject of Abortion

Rescue Those

Free the States

Abortion, Movies

Movie Tuesday: Babies Are (Still) Murdered Here

Michelle Lesley

 

What’s really going on behind the scenes in the pro-life movement? Why incrementalism instead of abolition? What’s the real solution to the tragedy and outrage of abortion?

Recently released from Apologia Studios, Babies Are Still Murdered Here is the follow up documentary to Babies Are Murdered Here (see below – you may want to watch it first if you haven’t already seen it). It explores the inner workings of pro-life politics, explains more efficient ways to work through the system to end abortion, and demonstrates why the gospel is the real solution to abortion. You’ll hear from pastors and politicians, parents and practitioners, as they point us to the urgent need to do away with abortion altogether, now.

Babies Are Murdered Here was released almost six years ago. It is an overview of abortion culture, BAMH clinic ministry, and a biblical response to abortion.

(For those like me who have a more sensitive nature, there are no visual images of aborted children in these films. There are a few, very brief verbal descriptions of abortion technique and a brief news clip of the Kermit Gosnell story.)

To find out more about these films and how you and your church can get involved in helping to completely end abortion in your community, visit End Abortion Now.

Abortion, Guest Posts

Guest Post: On the Subject of Abortion

Michelle Lesley

If your theology pretty much matches up with mine (as outlined in the “Welcome” and “Statement of Faith” tabs) and you’d like to contribute a guest post, drop me an e-mail at MichelleLesley1@yahoo.com, and let’s chat about it.

On the Subject of Abortion
by Lisa Matthews

A Brief Word from Michelle:

When Lisa first contacted me about writing a guest post on abortion, she sent me this video of a speech she made at a recent pro-life rally. I thought it was so powerful and inspiring that I wanted to include it with her article. Lisa’s speech starts around the 16 minute mark.

 

We are the only creation of God’s with “choice” or free will. Our animal friends have natural instincts and generally do not have the mental capacity to change their behavior. Human beings do. We make decisions and act based on those decisions. As believers, we understand that our behaviors should freely be submitted to the will of God. However, in our society today, we are led to believe that all choice is autonomous; in the world’s view we are under our own authority. This is one of Satan’s many lies.

Unbelievers have not placed themselves under the subjugation of the Lord. They are blinded and live as subordinates to the god of this world, that god being Satan. Dear brothers and sisters, we must not be blinded; we are children of the King and must live as such. Our birthright establishes freedom in Christ and freedom from the bondage of the lost. Therefore, you and I are required to manifest outwardly what we have inwardly become.

The church overwhelmingly assists the poor, hungry, widowed and homeless. We have school supply drives, Thanksgiving dinners and celebrate our Lord’s birth with gifts to the fatherless and single mothers. We exist, in part, to show the love of Christ to a dying world. However, on the subject of abortion, our silence is deafening. The third Sunday in January is “National Sanctity of Life Sunday”, but a drive around my large city sadly reveals a mere handful of the more than 1,500 churches participating in this solemn day. The scourge of abortion has ravaged our world and has silenced our church. Where are we? As a body, do we even know the “National Sanctity of Life Sunday” exists?

Abortion is unquestionably the murder of the unborn; it is the biblical equivalent to the children sacrificed to the pagan gods. It is a life created by God and taken unlawfully by man. The 6th Commandment states, “Thou Shall Not Murder” (Exodus 20:13). It seems straightforward as Christ followers to recognize the cruel and vicious act of abortion. Sadly, our inactivity is revealing; it’s revealing of our hearts and our relationship with Jesus. How can we justify what God condemns? How can we remain silent when the blood of innocents cries out?

I come from a place of experience and not of condemnation. I was a young woman afraid and ashamed. That shame silences many of us and the guilt keeps us in the shadows when we are given the opportunity to stand for life. False teachings and the church’s unresponsiveness to the harsh reality of abortion provide justification. Our guilt and shame stems from being complicit. We have family, friends and church members who have played a part in the death of an unborn child. We hide our faces in humiliation and remorse. We’ve also suffered trauma and consequences stemming from our actions. I admit and accept responsibility for the sin of abortion. Thank God for His grace, mercy, forgiveness and a post-abortive healing Bible study.

As a Christian and a Black American, it’s personal to me. In the United States of America 36% of abortions are performed on Black women while they make up less than 7% of the population (source, source). The act of abortion in our nation would be considered genocide in any other context. Our children are being murdered at an alarming rate; we can no longer remain silent or indifferent.

On June 4, 2019, the fourth abortion mill was opened in Charlotte, North Carolina. This Planned Parenthood is located squarely in a historically Black neighborhood. Today, Planned Parenthood is continuing the racist and eugenics policies of their founder Margaret Sanger. In New York City, more Black children are aborted than born.

Ephesians 1:7 says, “In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgives of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace.” There is hope! We can turn from our sin and stand in the gap for the unborn. We can reject the sin of indifference and join our hardest hit communities and protest. The body of believers does not have the option to be reticent. Titus 2:3-5 tells older women to teach to younger women. The truth about abortion is no exception. We are tasked to speak to our sisters and friends, our daughters and neighbors, our discipleship partners and mentees. The testimony of our lips should mirror the testimony of our lives.

With regard to abortion, society of today’s message is loud, forceful, unrelenting and false. Pray that our message continues to be hope and love solely based on the gospel. When our hearts and minds agree with God, He will equip us for every task He places before us. In Esther chapter 4, Mordecai warned Esther about being silent. We too, are in precarious times. As residents of the United States, we live in a constitutional republic. We are afforded rights and access to real participation in government. Use your voice to speak for the voiceless, comfort the broken-hearted and vote for protections for our unborn children.

If you have been through the trauma of abortion, thankfully, you are not alone. If you have an unexpected pregnancy, want to get involved in the pro-life movement or need healing for post-abortive trauma, there is help. There are many godly organizations and resources available to you.

Surrendering the Secret, founded by Pat Layton, directs those heart broken by a past abortion to Biblical healing. God’s Ballot provides a resource for Christians “to honor God with their votes during every election.” Love Life is committed to “creating a culture where families stop running to abortion centers and start running to the local church.” Lastly, Care Net provides a national directory of pregnancy resource centers. Local pregnancy resource centers provide real alternatives to abortion and connect expectant mothers with churches, individuals and other organizations to assist with any needs that may arise in their lives.¹

Jesus was clear in Luke 12:48, “Everyone to whom much is given, of him much will be required…”. Our salvation and adoption into the family of God is a tremendous gift. It’s more than we deserve and more than we can ever repay. Jesus has paid our debt; out of gratitude we live a life of service. Please join me in supporting the broken, protecting the unborn and appointing legislators who respect our God’s design.

¹Note from Michelle: I am not very familiar with any of these organizations/resources and do not endorse any of them which deviate from Scripture or my theology as outlined in the “Welcome” and “Statement of Faith” tabs at the top of this page. As with any organization/resource, please thoroughly vet the theology of these before joining or using them.

Lisa was a single mother for 15 years before meeting her husband of 7 years, David. They are parents to one adult daughter. A Volunteer Chaplain at the Mecklenburg County Jail, an Area Coordinator for the Search for Jesus Internet Evangelism ministry, President of the Mecklenburg Black Republican Club and a Voter Registration Chair for the Mecklenburg County Republican Party.