6. Pro Life

I’ve heard it said that Southern Baptists can be better defined by what they’re against rather than what they’re for. I think most people know the issues we’re against (at least officially): smokin’, drinkin’, and gamblin’. Then there are the “sex” sins: homosexuality, adultery, and any type of fornicating. Back in the ‘90s we were against Disney. And President Clinton (a fellow Southern Baptist). And dancin’. We threw a big fit in 1996 when Baylor (a Baptist university) allowed dancing on its campus. Yep, we’re against a lot of things.

Then there’s abortion.

You know the two sides to this issue: pro-choice vs. pro-life. Both sides desire to paint themselves in a positive light, so both sides are “pro.” The pro-life folks aren’t known as “anti-abortion,” but that might just be a more accurate term, because I’m not sure that all pro-lifers are “pro” all life.

Is it talking out of both sides of your mouth when you say that you’re pro-life, yet a zealous supporter of the death penalty? I find that most Southern Baptist ministers, and their active members, straddle the fence on this question of whose life is “precious” and whose is not. I’ll readily admit that I struggle with this issue myself.

You probably know some of the arguments for being anti-abortion:

1. Life begins at conception
2. All life is precious to God
3. Murder is wrong

I agree with all of the above. Believe it or not, I am pro life. Or at least anti-abortion.

But when it comes to the issue of the death penalty, many of the same people who picket abortion clinics are ready to put to death a convicted felon. Is his or her life not as precious to God as the unborn. I thought all life is precious. Where’s the grace among the deafening shouts for justice?

Let’s look at this from the angle of eternal life. According to Southern Baptist doctrine, the “positive” side to abortion is that these babies go to heaven, based on the belief of the age of accountability (perhaps we’ll delve into that topic in another post). However, criminals who are executed have no other chance to hear the gospel and be “saved.” Shouldn’t we want to extend their life on this earth as long as possible, to give them every chance to repent and come to Christ?

What about the homeless? We like to quote the “if you don’t work you don’t eat” verse, but where’s the grace? Where’s the love of Christ when we joke about AIDS patients getting what they deserve.

I believe that one of the reasons people waffle on this issue is because if you’re 100% pro life, it’s messy. It calls us to action, which gets our hands dirty. It calls us feed the hungry, love the AIDS patient, care for the elderly whose productive years are over, and yes, protect the unborn.

I applaud Christians who adopt. They are putting their faith into action. They are helping with solutions instead of condemning the problem.

I’m a pro life Baptist but more than that, I’m pro Jesus. I want to be known for being FOR Jesus, and not just against abortion. I believe that if I put Jesus first in my life and seek the mind of Christ, he will cause me to see people and situations through his eyes, and not just my own. It may be uncomfortable and messy, but it will be right.