This week we saw a headline that for nearly 50 years seemed unthinkable, impossible… “The Supreme Court Overturns Roe v. Wade.” Thanks to an unprecedented leak the beginning of May, it seemed that this headline was a foregone conclusion. Even so, for those who have fought tirelessly to secure protections for the most vulnerable among us, there was a strong sense of anticipation previous to the actual ruling.
Yet, the very decision which has produced rejoicing among abortion’s foes, this last weekend of June, 2022, has resulted in angry protest among abortion’s supporters. If you listen for even a few moments to the rhetoric of these protesters, you find a consistent cry of the victimization of women, the annihilation of human rights and the ravaging of freedom. But the question which begs to be asked is whether this narrative is true or false. Ironically, this weekend also coincides with the so-called Pride weekend. Yet, this celebration of Gay Pride also raises serious questions about the veracity of the narrative. This blog is my humble attempt to help us see these false narratives for what they are and consider how we can speak truth in love into these stories as a means of pointing people to Jesus. ABORTION—A RIGHT OR A WRONG? From the moment the leak of the likely overturning of Roe v. Wade occurred, politicians in Seattle have been falling over each other to get in front of a mic to voice their absolute disgust with this decision. It’s the same rhetoric repeated this weekend in light of the actual ruling. One politician said the ruling reflected a “rigged court.” Another said, “It’s the first-time rights have been taken away” by the Supreme Court. Nancy Pelosi referred to it as “criminalizing health freedom.” And President Biden offered his two cents with, “Let's be very clear, the health and life of women in this nation are now at risk.” What you cannot help but see in all of this political commentary is the unbelievably slanted perspective it offers. It’s as if, with the publishing of the ruling, someone said, “let the gloves come off and the let the spin begin!” What is terribly evident is that spin is exactly what it is. For example, Biden’s statement that “the health and life of women in this nation are now at risk” makes it sound as though every woman in America should be taking out a life insurance policy. The truth is, the year prior to the legalization of abortion, 39 out of 130,000 illegal abortions resulted in the death of the would-be-mother. In other words, while three one hundredths of a percent of illegal abortions resulted in the death of the would-be-mother, one hundred percent of all abortions result in the death of the baby. Yet this is not a perspective you will hear voiced by such politicians. President Biden went on to state that this is the first time a constitutional right has been taken away. This statement is not just slanted, it’s an absolute falsehood. Abortion has never been a constitutional right. Instead, it was a law introduced long after the constitution and relevant amendments were ratified. But it isn’t just the politicians who have gotten in on the spin. It’s shocking how unabashedly biased our “unbiased” media has been in their remarks. Chuck Todd of Meet the Press fame has indicated that at stake in this decision is nothing less than the “future of women’s rights.” This came alongside the statement that in the Supreme Court “there are no black ropes, the ropes are red and blue.” Again, the spin is dizzying. First of all, it is astonishing that no one among the mainstream media gives even a moment’s consideration of the rights of the unborn. I guess it’s because they have concluded that the unborn have no rights. Second, the “red and blue” ropes remark portrays today’s Supreme Court as an entity that is all of a sudden making decisions based on political views as opposed to pure interpretation of the constitution. But, in truth, could this not also be said of the decision to take away the rights of the unborn nearly 50 years ago? Certainly, the mainstream media and politicians of all stripes have the right to their opinions. But I think it is imperative that we see these narratives for what they are…a reflection of a worldview that finds its center not in the Word of God but in the wisdom of man. I think it is fair to say that the overwhelming majority of rhetoric we find in the town square, these days, represents a narrative that is at odds with God’s Word. This needs to be said because I believe that we, as followers of Christ, are more susceptible to influence by these false narratives than we might imagine. PRIDE—THE INTOLERANCE OF TOLERANCE Another great example of the power of false narratives is that which indicates that if you are not a fervent and affirming supporter of the LGBTQ movement, you are a bigot, a hater, intolerant. But as was pointed out in my “Intolerant Tolerance” seminar some years back, the definition of tolerance has been changed. The old school definition of tolerance was, according to Webster’s Dictionary, “To allow; permit; not interfere with. To recognize and respect (others’ beliefs, practices, etc.) without necessarily agreeing or sympathizing. To put up with; to bear.” A more recent definition of tolerance, arriving at very different conclusions, can be found in the online dictionary, Encarta, “ACCEPTANCE OF DIFFERENT VIEWS – the accepting of the differing views of other people.” Can you see the difference? In the old definition, tolerance usually meant “I DO NOT agree with you, but I am willing to treat you respectfully, in spite of my disagreement.” But under the new definition, tolerance requires acceptance of the validity of the opposing viewpoint or affirmation. It is the more recent definition of tolerance that is enmeshed in the rhetoric of the LGBTQ movement. Yet, it must be said that genuine tolerance, as reflected by Webster’s above, does not require one to accept the LGBTQ lifestyle as a good or healthy choice. In truth, it is impossible to affirm this lifestyle and remain faithful to God’s Word. But this does not mean that we, as Christ-followers, are haters. To the contrary, we can disagree with this lifestyle while treating its adherents with respect. In fact, we are compelled to do so by the law of love. Yet we must not confuse love that flows from old school tolerance with the kind of love that chooses to ignore truth, or the truly inalienable right of God to determine right and wrong. Let’s turn to an even more specific question: Should we, as believers, support Gay Pride? It has become popular, in our culture, to vilify and demonize anyone who does not support Gay Pride, as if such individuals are mean-spirited, unkind. But it's helpful to clarify that you do not have to support Gay Pride in order to support the notion that all people, regardless of race, religion, creed or sexuality, should be treated in a courteous and kind manner. Once again, this is at the heart of old-school tolerance, that all people should be treated with dignity and respect. Why? Why should all people be treated with dignity and respect? First, because all people are made in the image of God. True, we have marred that image by sinful choices…something that is true of ALL OF US! But because we are all made in God's image, ALL OF US are also deserving of dignity and respect. Second, we should treat all people this way because of the law of love (think second greatest commandment, Mark 12:31). Jesus doesn't say love your neighbor if they think, speak, act or believe like you. In fact, Jesus takes it a step further when he argues that we should love our enemies (Matt. 5:43-44). So, does loving our neighbors, and even our enemies, mean that we, as believers, should support Gay Pride? Well, what does Gay Pride stand for? It stands for sexualizing preschoolers. It says that our public-school children should be exposed to sexually explicit topics and agendas which are in opposition to Biblical teaching. It stands for requiring Christian ministries that are founded on the Bible to hire individuals who are militantly opposed to the core beliefs of the organization. It stands for discriminating against companies or organizations that do not embrace the Gay Pride agenda, like the City of Seattle refusing to do business with Christian-based companies. Our culture paints anyone who does not support Gay Pride as mean, hateful. But you need to see through this false narrative and recognize that you can be against Gay Pride while being for kindness and courtesy to all people. I’ll take it a step further, if you adhere to the truthfulness of Scripture, you must reject Gay Pride as an agenda, but you must also seek to treat its adherents with respect. Again, this does not require that we are “affirming.” To the contrary, for the sake of the most vulnerable in our society, our children, we must seek ways to take a stand against such false narratives. I don't know how many companies I've unsubscribed from during the so-called Pride Month. As well, when I've had opportunity, I've let companies know that I don't appreciate the infusion of a sexual agenda into the market place. It has also impacted the places I patronize. It is good to support those who are not giving into this sexualization of our culture and our kids. I'm not saying we should refuse to do business with anyone who disagrees with us on these issues. That would be adopting the same discrimination that has been showcased by the Gay Pride agenda. But I am saying that for those companies who are in your face and intentionally antagonistic toward people of faith...we should avoid patronizing them, when possible. By the way, there is an assumption I've not made explicit here that probably needs to be stated. God's Word, that is what God has conveyed to us in the Bible, makes clear that sexuality outside of marriage between one man and one woman is against His law, in opposition to His design. This is not debatable. God's Word is very clear. Just read the last half of Romans 1. There are teachings in Scripture that are less clear and which leave room for differences of opinion. This one, however, is absolutely clear and leaves no room for differences of opinion among those who would treat God’s Word with integrity. If God's Word is our authority, then we must confess that sexuality outside of marriage between one man and one woman is sinful. If you reject that, then you reject our Sovereign Creator’s right to determine what is right and what is wrong. You, in essence, are embracing the lie that is as old as the Garden of Eden, that we can be our own gods and determine right and wrong for ourselves. SPEAKING TRUTH IN LOVE Does this mean we should mistreat those who disagree with us or who embrace a lifestyle at odds with God's Word? No. Does it mean that we should give into the "us vs. them" mentality propagated by those who practice intolerance toward people of faith? No. Truly, we must not ignore God's Word or compromise Biblical standards for the sake of the affirmation of a culture which has "exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator.” Yet, we also must not give into the temptation to see abortion and Gay Pride supporters as enemies. Our true enemy is the one who has blinded this world to God’s truth, the one who seeks to kill, steal and destroy (2 Cor. 4:4 and John 10:10). Believers, we must stand strong for both truth (as defined by the only One who has the right to define it) and love (as revealed in the character traits described in 1 Corinthians 13 and applied to all people). I'd love to chat more with you about these tough topics. It's hard, at times, to know how to apply such truths in a culture so militantly opposed to truth. Yet this makes it all the more important for us to be talking through such things with those who share our love and respect for God and His Word. My prayer for us is the same as Paul’s prayer in Romans 15:5-6… “May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
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Dan GannonDan has ministered at Renton Bible Church, with his wife Debbie, since 2003. Archives
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