Last week we explored the division between Christians on political issues, many of which center on abortion. In the interest of dampening the divide, maybe we need to understand the reasoning of those with a different opinion. Understanding doesn’t always mean agreement, but that we “get” both what others believe and why they believe it. This statement, signed by thousands of evangelicals, some well known leaders and some you’ve not heard of, explain their position on abortion and being pro-life and voting for Biden. I don’t ask you to agree with this, but prayerfully ask to understand their hearts. Maybe we can begin to disagree more agreeably.
The segment below beginning with “pro-life evangelicals” explains their position, and a link below will allow you to explore the issue.
Again, this is not a political post, so please let’s not get into arguments. Political posts will be deleted, let’s focus on understanding. Just prayerfully strive to understand how biblically faithful followers of Jesus can validly come to a different position on who to vote for. Be respectful. Be loving. Understand. That latter is critically important, “May my cry come before you, O LORD; give me understanding according to your word” (Psalm 119:169).
“PRO-LIFE EVANGELICALS FOR BIDEN
As pro-life evangelicals, we disagree with Vice President Biden and the Democratic platform on the issue of abortion, but we believe a biblically shaped commitment to the sanctity of human life compels us to a consistent ethic of life that affirms the sanctity of human life from beginning to end.
Many things that good political decisions could change destroy persons created in the image of God and violate the sanctity of human life. Poverty kills millions every year. So does lack of healthcare and smoking. Racism kills. Unless we quickly make major changes, devastating climate change will kill tens of millions. Poverty, lack of accessible health care services, smoking, racism and climate change are all pro-life issues. As the National Association of Evangelicals’ official public policy document (FOR THE HEALTH OF THE NATION) insists, ‘Faithful evangelical civic engagement and witness must champion a biblically balanced agenda.’ Therefore we oppose ‘one issue’ political thinking because it lacks biblical balance.
Knowing that the most common reason women give for abortion is the financial difficulty of another child, we appreciate a number of Democratic proposals that would significantly alleviate that financial burden: accessible health services for all citizens, affordable childcare, a minimum wage that lifts workers out of poverty.
For these reasons, we believe that on balance, Joe Biden’s policies are more consistent with the biblically shaped ethic of life than those of Donald Trump. Therefore, even as we continue to urge different policies on abortion, we urge evangelicals to elect Joe Biden as president.”
You can see the site at https://www.prolifeevangelicalsforbiden.com/
Kick Starting the Application
Regardless of your current position, have you tried to understand why some Christians have a different position on pro-life and abortion and who to vote for? What is the tone of your language to those on the other “side?” Can you genuinely see how they might have reached a different conclusion? How can your social media posts change after reading this?