I have been thinking about the social issues facing our country. I recently shared a story about baby Jackson and how his simple story led one mom not to have an abortion. But abortion is not an issue we can divorce from the larger debate about life itself. Albert Mohler frames the discussion this way on his blog.
In the 20th century we can look at the long parade of horrible terrors, and one of the easiest to identify is the medical ethics of Germany before and during the Third Reich. There, the Germans actually had a medical philosophy – Lebensunwerten Lebens – “life unworthy of life,” that formed the foundation for their murderous atrocities. The Germans actually came up with a gradation of life, from life that was definitely worthy of life to life that was definitely unworthy of life. And the life that was worthy of life was Aryan life. It was the life of those who were considered to be physically and genetically superior, who could contribute to the welfare and the defense and the policies of the Third Reich. And the life unworthy of life: Gypsies, homosexuals, the mentally retarded, the physically disabled, Jews.
It is an undeniable truth of history, great tragedy begins with incremental and acceptable compromise. Mohler goes on to paint a picture of how history could repeat itself in our lifetime.
You can’t just talk about abortion, for these days we also have to talk about euthanasia. When we talk about the sanctity of human life, we speak of it not only at its beginning and its middle – but also at its end. The state of Washington, by referendum, the vote of the public, on November the 4th of this past year – the citizens of Washington voted to do what the citizens of the state just to their south, Oregon, did over ten years ago – they voted to legalize physician-assisted suicide. Life unworthy of life. You see, it is not only in the beginning in the womb. It is now at the end, where we are deciding incrementally, state-by-state, and as a national movement – we will speak of people at certain stages at the end of life now as too expensive to maintain, as life too meaningless to be protected.In Nazi Germany, the “right to kill” became a “duty to kill,” and the “right to die” became a “duty to die.” We can see that same kind of logic creeping in this country, even in the cost of health care. In debates over health care, we hear conversations like this: “Well, just think about the fact that X percentage of the medical costs in this nation are devoted to persons in the last two years of their life. You see, if we could shorten that two year period, we could save a vast percentage of our medical costs.”
So here are my questions for those who read and are bold enough to comment.
- Is Mohler right to make this connection between Nazi Germany and our America? Why or why not?
- How should we, as disciples of Jesus, address the issues of life in our culture? Abortion? Euthanasia? Capital Punishment?
- I read a lot of blogs but very few address this issues. Why is that? Why are so many Christian-bloggers willing to write endless blogs judging other Christians for not doing church the “right” way and at the same time reticent to talk about the topic of life?
- Has the church become so consumed with being “hip”, “relevant” and “relational” that we no longer have a persuasive voice in this debate about life?
- Where do you draw the line? When is life unworthy of life?
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You wrote: Has the church become so consumed with being “hip”, “relevant” and “relational” that we no longer have a persuasive voice in this debate about life?
I think as a whole, the answer is Yes. We have turned Christianity into just that, Christianity. It is no long about the saving grace of the cross, but it has been turned into the latest club. We are now just a group of nuts who think we’re better than everyone else. Who wants to listen to a know-it-all? We’ve let ourselves become white noise.
Hi Joe, I like what you have posted on abortion and actors post about his views on the subject. Abortion is a huge issue on my heart. I tell others I’m a republican, when they ask why I tell them it is basically because of one issue, I could never support anyone who votes “women’s rights” (that term, by the way, as a women makes me sick!) I don’t understand how Christian can vote or support democrats when one of the main issues for democrats is legalizing abortion rights. It has always confused me. How do Christians support a president who is on the furthest left wing then any other president the US has had thus far? He supports partial birth abortions for goodness sake! How do Christian’s rationalize that away? I do agree that this starts in our Churches but because of the political attachment abortion has often been skipped over. Why are we letting this huge atrocity pass down to our next generation as ok or the accepted norm? Are our churches becoming politically correct too? Are we reflecting society? Didn’t Jesus tell us to live in the world but not of the world so doesn’t that mean churches need to speak out about political issues and not shy away from them? Isn’t that what Paul teaches in the letter to the Corinthians? I think this is what you are getting at in your sermons about Paul, the Corinthians being influenced by outside politics and issues. I believe as Christians we must obey the law but we obey God’s law first. Soon if our current political trends continue there will be no room in America for God’s law, for what the fore-fathers founded our country on. What will Christian do then? Will we rationalize our way back into society? I feel sickened that my tax dollar fund abortion or “family planning” as Nancy Pelosi likes to say. Or that my daughter can have an abortion without my knowledge to protect her rights. I am so frustrated at what our society is coming to that I’m scared for my children and their future. What lies will our government feed them? If they are not taught God’s laws at Church or at home how will they survive or cope? Sorry to vent on you Joe but you put it out there I don’t know what the answer is or what I can even do to make a difference. I pray though that the millions of Christians in America will wake up and see with open eyes what is happening in our government and our society. Newsweek just released a front cover article about how we are all socialist now. Why hasn’t there been a huge out cry from evangelical Christians? Don’t Christians understand that socialism takes our personal rights away and gives it to the government? What can we do as individuals to stop this, especially when our fellow Christians are buying into it? I’m extremely frustrated Joe and sorry to take it out on your board but it feels good to purge it somewhere!!
Kree
Katie,
I think you are right that we have let ourselves become “white noise”
Kree,
FYI, as we walk through the Scripture together, I am sure we will discuss the issue of socialism you bring up and our response to it as Christians.
Thank you so much for taking the time to share your thoughts and concerns for the future. You are always welcome to “vent” on my blog
Hi everyone, I just got a comment that I refuse to post and need to make the following statement.
To the “Anonymous” poster. I rejected your comment because it was nothing more than a personal attack expressing anger and hatred. If you care to rephrase your comment AND do so without hiding your identity, then I will gladly post your counterpoint. Maybe you are not sure where to start. Let me give you a hint. I ask a series of questions in the original blog, if you care to give a thoughtful and reasoned answer, I will gladly post it.
Mr. Miller:
This is so typical of every “christian” I have encountered – you can express anger and hatred, though no one else is permitted to do so without censure. Do you people expect to attract the heathen with your condescending approach? Maybe the term “whited sepulchres full of dead men’s bones” resonates with you.
As to Mohler’s nexus to Nazi Germany – preposterous.
Mr. Price,
Thank you for making a better post without the personal attacks against my other posters.
“preposterous?” Aside from presenting your opinion as an assertion of fact, can you substantiate your viewpoint with any sort of reasoned argument?
That, of course, is only one of six questions I asked. Can you answer the last question? In your opinion, when is “life unworthy of life”? When is it acceptable for society or government to make the choice, or pay for the choice of others, to take life? When is it not acceptable?
oops, sorry Mr. Prince I typed “Price” instead of “Prince”
The Terri Schiavo case is the ultimate object lesson in bioethics – the case that became a lighted stage for “christian” moralists and political manipulation. Her life was not “taken” – she was allowed to pass by removing all “artificial” medical mechanisms keeping her body from deteriorating.
Here was a women that essentially was the catalyst for her own demise, when in 1990 she began an “iced tea diet” which led to a catastrophic potassium deficiency, which was the causal factor for her irreversible brain damage, after which she entered a vegetative state – and remained in that condition for 15 years.
Both Schiavo’s and court-appointed physicians were in consensus regarding the fact that there was no hope of rehabilitation – in fact, neurological tests indicated that her cerebral cortex was in a liquid state. Unfortunately, her parents created a circus of this woman, and the media vilified Michael – and absolute travesty. The emotional, financial, and political cost of this entire fiasco was an abomination. Every pathetic pro-life group, church, politician, preacher, etc. jumped onto the “Save Terri” from the evil Michael bandwagon – it was sickening to watch, and showed the true lack of civility that most “christians” exhibit on a daily basis.
From what I have encountered with self-proclaimed disciples of Jesus is not an indication of actions to be taken in response to any ethical issue. All of you are way too busy deciding which suit or dress to wear on Sunday morning, or what dish to prepare for the upcoming pot-luck in the church gymnasium, or how much each church member gave to the building fund.
I would love to meet a legitimate “man of God” – I doubt that will ever be the case.
As best I recall the case, I had no problem with the family and physicians deciding to remove TS from all the machines that were keeping her body “working”.
Mr. Prince, regarding your last paragraph.. it seems you have a lot of anger toward some Christians that has made you a bit judgmental toward all Christians and closed to God.
I would like to encourage you to treat people as individuals and understand that everyone, even Christians, comes with their own flaws. As a follower of Jesus, I recognize that my shortcomings are the very reason I need Jesus.
I don’t know your experience Ron (may I call you Ron?), but if you are really looking to have a meaningful discussion on matters of Faith in Jesus, I would encourage you to set aside your assumption about me (and others) made on a differences of opinion about one single issue. Spend some time reading my blog on some different issues, search for some commonality between us and lets move forward from there.
Is that possible?
Mr. Miller:
As I have stated, my experience with “christians” – effectively with all self-proclaimed followers of Jesus has been a costly one. I have been berated, had my character and integrity assasinated, financially assaulted, including countless other instances of personal attacks by “followers of Jesus.”
Snce I am a sucker for good discourse, I would be open to reasoned exchanges of ideas.
And yes, you may call me Ron.