Opportunities in the Rubbish

We may not hear a loud crash. We may not feel the rush of wind as air is sucked into a deep pit of crumbling theories and ideas. But, the "world towers" of Darwinism, humanism, modern feminism, and relativism are falling. Nothing that is based on a lie can stand forever. That's because Truth overpowers even the most evil yet enticing of ideas.

The Word of God is a thunderbolt, said Martin Luther, "so powerful that its impact turned the whole Roman Empire with its wisdom, might, and sanctity into a pile of rubbish. Christ the Hero beat everything through the marvelous power of His Word!"

I think of Christ the Hero every time I remember 24 friends and family members who've shared their abortion story with me. At first, my involvement in the pro-life ministry called Lutherans For Life caused some of these women to feel uncomfortable or assume a defensive posture. They were convicted, you see, by their sin. It weighed heavy on them and threatened to separate them from God. In this vulnerable state, they were deceived by other sinful and harmful ideas. But, Lutherans For Life had nurtured in me the ability to properly distinguish Law from Gospel. I could remind these wounded, but precious souls that Christ is their personal Hero! He reaches deep into our pit of despair to pull us up into His light of promise and hope.

On my journey from youthful motherhood to more mature grandmotherhood, I've watched the lives of people change. I know my own life has changed. Sure, I've been told I'm much too focused on a "single issue." But, seeing the world through Biblical, pro-life eyes enables me to help make the world a safer place for all people - born or yet to be born.

I want to help the Church resist evil but, at the same time, find hopeful opportunity every time human ideas crumble. When Luther demanded that the Church be the Church, he helped to do more than reclaim the Church from cultural corruption. He helped reform education, government, the arts, and science. What are some hopeful opportunities for Christian men and women who love life? (I'm pleased you ask!)

To live counterculture. This won't be easy for an older generation that has denied being influenced by the "world towers" or may want to live the rest of its days socially secure and "comfortable." But, a younger generation that has witnessed the failures of its parents and grandparents may reject bad ideas in order to better guard and protect their own children. Such men and women aren't looking for a Church that mimics the culture, but a Church that is distinctively different. We are distinctively different when we refuse to wrap Jesus around worldly models. For example, education in purity contrasts education in sex. Biblical marriage contrasts same-sex unions or co-habitation. Adoption contrasts abortion. Use of adult stem cells contrasts use of embryonic stem cells.
To practice servanthood. Younger generations are sick of power plays and political pandering. They are more interested in rebuilding communities and meeting the needs of the poor, homeless, and those who have no advocate. The Church has a history of rebuilding communities and meeting the needs of others! Volunteerism and serving the needs of "the least of these" is a vocation for many pro-life Christians.
To practice traditional faith. There is a growing curiosity, particularly among younger Christians, about traditional faith. Pro-life Christians can explain that the traditional faith practiced by the early Church meant rescuing babies, caring for the sick, and engaging the culture with their Biblical worldview.
To love one another. Some people think Christianity is a bunch of "thou shalt nots." Christianity is not about what we cannot do but about what we can do! The two greatest commandments Jesus gave were about doing something: "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength" (Mark 12:30) and "Love your neighbor as yourself (v. 31)." Our neighbors are babies - and their mothers, fathers, and grandparents! God's kind of love is for everyone. It does not discriminate. It does not choose big over small, white over black, rich over poor.
To involve the young. An extraordinary young woman in my life once reminded me that many in her generation are ready to assume leadership, but they respect the present leadership too much to step in without being invited. Many young people are waiting for our invitation to help make a difference in the world! They want to love life and help defend it! They want to raise the culture to higher standards! They are ready and willing to be trained! But, they won't wait forever!
To show how to love life. 9/11, Katrina, and the shootings at Columbine and Virginia Tech are all reminders that life is precious, good and evil do exist, and we have heroes. Christians who love life can tell others that life is precious because God created and redeemed it, that evil exists because of sin, and that heroes are men and women who remember God's Word and use it in the daily battle for life.

No, we may not hear a loud crash. We may not feel the rush of wind as air is sucked into a deep pit of crumbling ideas. But, the "world towers" of paganism are falling. Worldly ideas are nothing but a pile of rubbish when Christ the Hero beats everything through the marvelous power of His Word!

This article by Linda Bartlett was first published in LifeDate, the quarterly journal of Lutherans For Life (Summer 2007). It is excerpted from Linda's booklet entitled Generations of Life for Generations to Come. The booklet may be ordered from www.lutheransforlife.org and used as a Bible study or topical discussion with your family or small group.