A wise man once said that you know that culture has gone off the deep end when we start to call good things evil and evil things good.

For example, as a culture we have long since sold out to the idea that abortion is a prized part of american female freedom.  In doing so we have labeled a good thing - unborn life - as evil and an evil thing - murder - as good.  See what I mean?

The other day Planned Parenthood released its business report for the 2006-2007 fiscal year, in it trumpeting the idea that the numbers prove that they are reaching their goal of fighting for the “freedom of men, women, children, and families.”

Here’s what successfully fighting for all of us looks like according to Planned Parenthood:

• $1.0179 BILLION in revenue
  • An 11% increase
• 289,750 abortions of pre-born human beings
  • An increase of 27,000 from the previous year
• Just 2,410 people referred to adoption agencies
• 1.4 million “emergency” birth control kits
  • These kits can be ordered over the phone and on the internet and given without prescription or an exam.  They consist of an abortifacient drug that terminates a fertilized egg.

Some, in the name of individual liberty, personal rights, and freedom from responsibility look at these numbers and call them good.  And yet, as followers of Jesus, and students of Scripture we must compassionately, lovingly, yet forcefully speak the truth.  This is evil.  Rather than end life we must embrace it.  Not just in its most productive, vocal, and cognitive stages but at every stage from the unborn child to the elderly grandparent with dementia.  We must embrace life and call it good not only when it is a blessing to me, but also when it seems a burden.

As this same wise man once said, people who follow Jesus must call things “what they are.”

On a side note, perhaps what is most interesting about the abortion debate is how the argument has shifted over the last several years.  Some time ago the debate raged over whether or not an unborn child should be considered “life” or a “human.”  However, with the ever-increasing advance and availability of pre-natal technology the pro-abortion movement has all but conceded the argument that an unborn child is a viable life. 

Now, the argument has shifted to the issue of love.  Pro-abortion arguments now seem to center around the idea of “protecting” both mother and child from a life where the child may be unloved and unwanted and a situation where it may be very difficult - because of financial, social constraints - for mom and dad to foster a good, loving home.  Thus, “love” is the trump card for life.  If love is present then life should go forward, if it is not then we can feel free to press the “stop” button.

Notice how this same argument is used to justify other social issues - such as gay marriage.  The presence of “love” becomes the trump card in arguing for two dudes to get hitched.  “But they love each other” and “who are you to say how love should look” are common arguments in favor.  A lack of “love” is also used as argumentation for divorce.

And yet, again, as Christians our call within culture is to champion Truth above all things.  Such as the truth that all life has inherent value, and all life has an inherent design and pattern.  Just how to do this is the tough part.  But my guess is that it will happen not through blogs but personal, loving, compassionate conversation.

*As a side note, please let it be known that statistically 1 in 4 Christian women has had an abortion.  This is an epidemic that touches us all.  Behind every abortion are men and women who are struggling, wondering, and feeling broken.  But the good news is that there is restoration, forgiveness, and new life in the work of Jesus.