The Biblical Perspective of the Pro-choice, Pro-Life Debate

     Perhaps the most passionate division between political ideologies is the pro-choice, pro-life debate.

     The pro-choice argument advocates, favors, or supports the (legal) right of women to control their own bodies by choosing whether or not to continue a pregnancy to term.

     Pro-life on the other hand advocates the (legal) protection of human fetuses…by outlawing abortion on the grounds that it is the taking of a human life.

     The Bible reveals that many significant people were pre-named before their birth, or even their conception.  The primary example was Jesus Himself.

     “And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son and shall call His name JESUS.”  Luke 1:31

     The conception and birth of Jesus was the culmination of an earthly genealogy first announced in Genesis.

     “And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her Seed…”  Genesis 3:15

     Several examples of the family tree of Jesus are provided in the Bible.

     “Now Isaac pleaded with the LORD for his wife (Rebekah), because she was barren; and the LORD granted his plea, and Rebekah his wife conceived.  But the children struggled together within her…So when her days were fulfilled for her to give birth, indeed there were twins in her womb.”  Genesis 25:21-22a, 24

     The Hebrew base for ‘children’ in the above scripture is Ben defined as a son, child, boy, or young one.  And the Hebrew base for ‘womb’ is Beten meaning belly, within, or inmost part.  In other words, Rebekah had two living sons within her body.  One of those sons was subsequently named Jacob who was later renamed ‘Israel’. 

     Jacob had twelve sons, one who was named Judah.  The Bible presents a detailed account of Judah’s offspring through his incestuous relationship with his daughter-in-law Tamar. 

     “Now it came to pass, at the time for giving birth, that behold, twins were in her (Tamar’s) womb.  And so it was, when she was giving birth, that the one put out his hand; and the midwife took a scarlet thread and bound it on his hand, saying, ‘This one came out first’.  Then it happened, as he drew back his hand, that his brother came out unexpectedly…Therefore his name was called Perez.”  Genesis 38:27-29a, 29b

     Once again, the Bible describes two brothers living together in their mother’s womb. 

     How important was it that both Rebekah and Tamar went full term with their pregnancies and delivered the children within their wombs?

     “The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the Son of David, the Son of Abraham:  Abraham begot Isaac, Isaac begot Jacob, and Jacob begot Judah and his brothers.  Judah begot Perez…by Tamar…”  Matthew 1:1-3a

     The lineage of Jesus was established before the foundation of the world.  What would have been the consequences if any mother in the lineage had chosen to interrupt that lineage even if her pregnancy was attributable to incest?

     The Bible taught that God gave Rebekah conception.  This truth was also highlighted later in the story of Ruth.

     “So Boaz took Ruth and she became his wife; and when he went in to her, the LORD gave her conception, and she bore a son.”  Ruth 4:13

  Her son was Obed who was the grandfather of King David.  Boaz and Obed are also listed in the genealogy of Jesus.

     “…Boaz begot Obed by Ruth, Obed begot Jesse, and Jesse begot David the king.”  Matthew 1:5b-6

      Another example of one being pre-named is John the Baptist.

     “But the angel said to him, ‘Do not be afraid, Zacharias, for your prayer is heard; and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John.’…Now after those days his wife Elizabeth conceived.”  Luke 1:13, 24 

     Apparently John, while still in his mother’s womb, was aware of his surroundings:

     “For indeed, as soon as the voice of your greeting sounded in my ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy.”  Luke 1:44

     There are others pre-named in the Bible as far as 400 years before they were born.

     An interesting question arises from this discussion, i.e. why is the percent of professed Christians different than the percent of professed proponents of pro-life?

    

    

    

     

Best Provider - Government or God?

     Many think of God as the sovereign God of the universe and the Savior of the soul, but seldom think of Him being involved in economic issues.  Very little is said about God as being the answer to the economic woes presently being experienced by this great nation, and in fact around the world.

     The Bible, however, isn’t silent on the issue but does in fact say much about both the macro and micro economic benefits of looking to God for solutions.  When God chose Israel to be the model nation of the world, He listed in great detail the economic benefits He would provide, but with certain stipulations.

     “Now this is the commandment, and these are the statutes and judgments which the LORD your God has commanded to teach you, that you may observe them in the land which you are crossing over to possess.”  Deuteronomy 6:1

     Recall that Paul in the New Testament stated that what happened to Israel as a nation was to serve as examples for this present age.

      Many do in fact compare Israel’s gifted land to America breaking their ties with Britain and traveling west for a new beginning; however, America will never achieve the status of Israel.  America’s role is to support Israel and help her live up to and fulfill God’s expectations for her.

     “So it shall be, when the LORD your God brings you into the land of which He swore to our fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to give you large and beautiful cities which you did not build, houses full of all good things, which you did not fill, hewn-out wells which you did not dig, vineyards and olive trees which you did not plant…”  Deuteronomy 6:10-11

     The above passage contains several significant points.  The immutable promise was for Abraham’s offspring through Isaac and Jacob.  God would give riches to Israel for which they did not labor.  There are some who believe that President Obama recently applied these verses out of context in a campaign speech in reference to small business owners.  The president’s application was out of context because he substituted government for God as the provider.

     Then the Bible continues to list more of what God would provide for Israel.

     “For the LORD your God is bringing you into a good land, a land of brooks of water, of fountains and springs, that flow out of valleys and hills; a land of wheat and barley, of vines and fig trees and pomegranates, a land of olive oil and honey; a land in which you will eat bread without scarcity; in which you will lack nothing…”  Deuteronomy 8:6-9a

     The land would provide food ‘without scarcity’ so Israel wouldn’t need to depend on any other nation for its sustenance.  But that’s not all.

     “…a land in whose stones are iron and out of whose hills you can dig copper.”  Deuteronomy 8:9b

     The land would also provide natural resources to be mined and used for other needs without, once again, depending on others.

     Well, so far so good, God would provide for Israel’s needs, but how about the ability to prosper over and above the necessities?

     “And you shall remember the LORD your God, for it is He who gives you power to get wealth…”  Deuteronomy 8:18

     The present administration believes that everyone should share equally in a nation’s wealth.  However, Solomon was given extraordinary wealth by God, and on the other hand:

     “For you have the poor with you always…”  Matthew 26:11

     Thus the scriptures reveal that God deals with individuals as well as nations and is intimately involved in each individual’s role in the total picture.

     And lastly, what stipulations does God place on a nation in order to receive His bountiful provisions?

     “Beware that you do not forget the LORD your God by not keeping His commandments…then you say in your heart, ‘My power and the might of my hand have gained me this wealth.’”  Deuteronomy 9:11, 17

     If the Bible is true, and if in fact America is a Christian nation, why aren’t these great truths part of the political rhetoric during this election season?

      We’re missing a grand opportunity.

    

Iran - Past, Present, and Future

     Until about 75 years ago, Iran was known as Persia.  The land was originally occupied by Madai and Elam, sons of Japheth and Shem respectively.  A significant fact about Iran is that it is located east of the Euphrates River.

     Iran (Persia) has a rich Biblical history as well as a profound Biblical future.  The area also has a significant future according to Islamic teachings.  Using both sources of information will help paint a broader picture of that geographic area and its future.

     When one thinks about Iran today, their current president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad comes to mind.  He is a Shia Muslim and believes in the twelfth Imam, or the coming Islamic Mahdi.  In fact he has stated publicly that he believes he has been called to usher in the Islamic savior by initiating a period of great unrest and conflict in the Middle East.

     Perhaps Ahmadinejad is better known for his hatred of Israel and the great Satan, i.e. the United States of America.  His agenda coincides with the Hamas charter in that it centers on the total destruction of Israel.  He has no reservations about sharing his intentions.

     Iran is presently developing nuclear technology and missile delivery systems.  Many believe their goal is to use such technology to develop weapons to use on Israel as a means to usher in their Mahdi.  The Bible also confirms Iran (Persia) will be involved in an attack on Jerusalem in the latter days.  This situation is perhaps the greatest challenge facing America’s foreign policy makers today.

     God, however, even uses those who don’t know Him to perform His will.  Recall that God called the Persian King Cyrus by name 140 years before he was born to free the Jews from Babylonian captivity in 539 BC.  Likewise, Ahmadinejad is in the palm of God’s hand.

     Another reference to the nations east of the Euphrates River in the latter days is found in the book of Revelation.

     “Then the sixth angel poured out his bowl on the great river Euphrates, and its water was dried up, so that the way of the kings from the east might be prepared.”  Revelation 16:12

       There is a very prolific writer and speaker on Islamic affairs named Sheikh Imran Hosein.  He specializes in world economic/political issues.  He recently paraphrased a profound Islamic prophecy.

     “According to the prophecies of Prophet Muhammad…a non-stop army will rise from the land of Khorasan holding black flags of Islam in the end times.  This army will conquer several occupied lands of Muslims till it reaches to Jerusalem.  Then it will pledge its allegiance to Imam al Mahdi.”

     The black flags carried by Muslim armies are called ‘flags of Jihad’.

     Sheikh Imran Hosein went on to define the geographic area known as Khorasan.  He said it included the northeast area of Iran, the northwest area of Pakistan, and all of Afghanistan.  He went on to say that the British had failed in Afghanistan three times, Russia failed after a twelve year attempt, and he predicted that the United States will also fail in their attempt to change, tame, and democratize Afghanistan. 

     Therefore, both the Bible and Islamic teachings tell of the upcoming confrontation between the kings of the East and the future King of Jerusalem.  A major difference, however, is the prophesied outcome of the conflict.  Both Islam and the Bible agree there can only be one victor.  The Biblical version:

     “And this shall be the plague with which the LORD will strike all the people who fought against Jerusalem: Their flesh shall dissolve while they stand on their feet, their eyes shall dissolve in their sockets, and their tongues shall dissolve in their mouths.”  Zechariah 14:12

       Americans have both the opportunity and responsibility to discuss such significant issues.  Recall both our Secretary of State and the head of the OIC have publicly stated that such open dialogue is healthy and will promote democracy.

     Owing to the significance of Iran’s present actions and the heightened violence in Afghanistan, it is believed that the current administration will ‘double down’ on their Middle East policy as soon as the polls indicate it would be politically expedient to do so.

What Chick-fil-A Said and Didn't Say

      Dan Cathy, COO of Chick-fil-A, stated very plainly that he subscribes to the Biblical definition of marriage first revealed in Genesis.

     “Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they (the two) shall become one flesh.”  Genesis 2:24

     The word ‘wife’ is from the Hebrew ishsheh which unequivocally means female.

     The above verse was subsequently reinforced by Jesus Himself as well as the Apostle Paul.

     What Mr. Cathy didn’t say was that he condemned any other position.  He just stated where he stood on the matter.  Perhaps he had additional teachings of Jesus in mind when he spoke.

     “Judge (condemn) not, that you be not judged (condemned).  For with what judgment (condemnation) you judge (condemn), you will be judged (condemned)…”  Matthew 7:1-2

     While many believe the issue is political or a matter of freedom of speech, it is clearly an example of religious persecution.  Such persecution is to be expected according to Paul.

     “…and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution” 2 Timothy 3:12

     Mr. Cathy did exactly as the New Testament teaches, i.e. he took a stand for Biblical principles without condemning those who don’t.

     “Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong.  Let all that you do be done with love.”  I Corinthians 16:13-14

     “Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.  Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth…”  Ephesians 6:13-14

     The Greek term for ‘stand’ in the above has many synonyms including steadfast, continue, endure, persist, and remain.  Mr. Cathy no doubt realized God would be pleased with his stand.

     “If you are reproached (reviled) for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you.” I Peter 4:14

     Mr. Cathy, being knowledgeable of the scriptures would be confident that the persecution he experienced would be reckoned with in due time.

     “…since it is a righteous thing with God to repay with tribulation (affliction) those who trouble you, and to give you who are troubled rest…” 2 Thessalonians 1:6

     Thus Mr. Cathy has done well according to the Bible.

     There are several interesting subsidiary issues accompanying the Chick-fil-A story.

     The Mayor of Chicago, Rahm Emanuel, the former Whitehouse Chief of Staff in the Obama administration, announced nationally that Mr. Cathy’s values were not the values of the people of Chicago.  Therefore, Emanuel clearly acknowledged that he and the people of Chicago were either unaware or didn’t care about Biblical teachings.  Does he really think he is better off by coddling Louis Farrakhan?

     And how about Tom Menino, Mayor of Boston.  Mr. Menino wanted no part of Chick-fil-A in Boston but was more than willing to court imam Yusef al-Qaradawi to build a mosque in his city.  Yusef al-Qaradawi believes that gays should be stoned.

     Even the ACLU sided with Chick-fil-A.  There is no doubt Mr. Cathy was well within his first amendment rights.

     President Obama, a self professed Christian, began his presidency by espousing the Biblical definition of marriage.  However, just three months ago he changed his mind on gay marriage and openly voiced his support for such.  There will be those who will say that the President’s change of heart was politically motivated to stimulate his base.  A recent Pew Research Center study indicated an overall increase in favor of gay marriages, i.e. 48% favor while 44% oppose compared to 2004 statistics where only 31% favored while 60% opposed.  According to the study 65% of democrats currently favor gay marriage while 29% oppose.  Republicans on the other hand favor gay marriage by just 24% while 70% oppose. 

     The bottom line is that Christians had better prepare for religious persecution to increase drastically.

      According to the Bible there will be a steady decline in reliance on scriptural teachings until God’s patience runs out as it did with Israel prior to their deportation to Babylon.  Israel’s problem?  They strayed from God’s commands and thought they could do better on their own.

     Note: My blog has been reactivated in an ‘easier to read’ format.   Comments welcome www.bibleandcurrentevents.blogspot.com