Lesson 1:  Gianna Jessen

Last year I posted a couple of videos of Gianna Jessen speaking in front of the Australian parliament.  I encourage you to go back and read that post and watch those clips, if you haven’t already.  They’re here.   You can read my reaction to her speech, and I would love to hear yours; comments are still open.  This time around, though, I want to point out something a little different than I did then.

What I want you to notice this time is that Ms. Jessen has an extremely high (and humbling) view of God’s sovereignty.  That’s most evident by the fact that she calls her physical disability (cerebral palsy)–which is a result of both a sinful choice and medical ineptitude (a botched saline abortion)–a gift from God.  And she not only calls her disability a gift from God, she radiates joy when she says it.  For her joy; for her humility; for her exalted view of Almighty God, I give thanks.

Lesson 2:  Jonah

I’ve heard a lot of people say that God never violates our free will.  I don’t believe that statement can be supported by Scripture.  In fact, I think there are many passages that flatly contradict it.

The story of Jonah provides a case in point.  A while back my friend David at “A Boomer in the Pew” shared some thoughts about Jonah that made me think in a slightly different way than I ever had before about Jonah’s unscheduled trip to Ninevah, by means of something a little… hmmm… lower-than-third-class travel accommodations.

David’s post was primarily about repentance.  Mine is primarily about God’s sovereignty.

Was Jonah willing to go to Ninevah?  Absolutely not.  In fact, he did everything in his power to resist going.  He had no compassion for the people in that city, and no intention of going to preach to them.  Yet, go he did; forcibly transported to Ninevah, very much against his will.

God’s sovereignty in Jonah’s life (and over Jonah’s will) are unmistakable in a story that would be humorous, if not sad.

A Parting Confession

In thinking about those two lessons in God’s sovereignty, I realize that I often tend to be more like Jonah than Gianna.  I hope, by God’s grace, to live to see that tendency completely reversed.

I’m extremely busy for the next few days, and won’t have time to post much, so my next couple of entries may consist of random videos that I like.

Technically this isn’t a video, but a slide show set to the song “Little Ones” from Phil Keaggy’s 1980 LP “Ph’lip Side”

Who will speak up for the little ones,
Helpless and half abandoned?

If you’ve never done so before, please take a moment after listening to the song and browse through my posts on this topic:  Abortion

I’ve got to speak up; won’t you?

This will be all over the blogosphere soon, but it’s just too good not to post.  It’s John Piper’s passionate response to President Barack Obama’s position on abortion.

HT: Abraham Piper

This is a quick follow-up to my last post.  Today, wedged between Sanctity of Human Life Sunday and the anniversary tomorrow of Roe v. Wade, Ligonier Ministries announced they are offering free streaming video of R.C. Sproul’s series on abortion.  Sproul believes abortion is the moral issue of our day.  I agree.  You can watch his six 30-minute videos here.

• Related articles on this blog:  Abortion

For many years now, the third Sunday in January has been widely recognized as Sanctity of Human Life Sunday.  President Bush issued a National Proclamation last week, which began with these words:

All human life is a gift from our Creator that is sacred, unique, and worthy of protection. On National Sanctity of Human Life Day, our country recognizes that each person, including every person waiting to be born, has a special place and purpose in this world. We also underscore our dedication to heeding this message of conscience by speaking up for the weak and voiceless among us.

There is abundant biblical support for that first sentence.  “All human life is a gift from our Creator” because we are knit together by God in our mother’s womb, and all of our days (no matter how violently short they’re cut) are known to God even before conception (Psalm 139:13-16).  “All human life is a gift from our Creator” because all men are His offspring (Acts 17:29) and consequently bear His image (James 3:9).

The last line I quoted from the proclamation urges us to speak up for the “weak and voiceless among us.”  There are none weaker and more voiceless than those “waiting to be born.”  Many churches have chosen to use Sanctity of Human Life Sunday as one small opportunity to speak up for the unborn.  That’s what our pastor did yesterday, as he encouraged our congregation to fight against abortion by fighting for adoption.  You can listen to the sermon or read the manuscript here.

Russell Moore went on record yesterday as saying that he hates Sanctity of Human Life Sunday:

I hate Sanctity of Human Life Sunday because I’m reminded that we have to say things to one another that human beings shouldn’t have to say. Mothers shouldn’t kill their children. Fathers shouldn’t abandon their babies. No human life is worthless, regardless of skin color, age, disability, economic status. The very fact that these things must be proclaimed is a reminder of the horrors of this present darkness…

I hate Sanctity of Human Life Sunday because I’m reminded that as I’m preaching there are babies warmly nestled in wombs who won’t be there tomorrow…

Who wouldn’t hate being reminded of that?

The embedded video has been removed due to an unintentional misuse of it on my part.  Please follow the link after the film synopsis to watch the movie.  It’s excellent.

//FILM SYNOPSIS
Volition (n)- The act of making a choice. Sometimes the choice of inaction has consequences stronger than we could ever imagine. Throughout history, men have been faced with difficult choices in a world that makes it easy for them to conform. This film explores the hope that lies behind every decision made in the face of adversity; the hope that is buried in the heart of those that look beyond themselves and see something bigger worth fighting for (from The Doorpost Film Project)

This film has a simple message.  In matters both great and small, we’re constantly faced with a choice between moral courage and moral cowardice; and the choices we make cannot be divorced from their consequences.

This is a morality tale.  Don’t mistake it for the gospel, or think that I’ve done so.  No one will be saved by moral courage.  No one has ever been good enough to atone for their own innate resistance to God.  No one can know God except through Jesus Christ. “Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you had known me, you would have known my Father also.” (John 14:6-7)

And there is more to be said about the choices we make than what this short film attempts to say.  But what it does say, it says well.   The choices we make really matter, and often have far-reaching consequences.  Do what’s right, even when it’s hard.

HT: Randy Alcorn

The church must never sacrifice its prophetic voice. As long as evil exists, the church must oppose it. As long as abortion is sanctioned in this country, you can rest assured that I will speak out against it.  I will both work and pray for its abolition.

I agree with Al Mohler:

Count me among those who believe that we cannot now step back and negotiate how many abortions we are willing to settle for in order for this issue to just go away. I reject the argument put forth by those who say we should now just step back and accept legal abortion on demand as a permanent reality and move on.

My friend Mark Dever put that argument in its place in his comments included in the article:

“It’s like saying, ‘Let’s work to make sure they kill fewer Jews in the concentration camps this year,”‘ said the Rev. Mark Dever, a pastor in Washington D.C.

Who could live with that? We should rejoice when any mother chooses to keep her child, but this is not where we can stop. Fewer abortions is not good enough.

The legally sanctioned slaughter of the unborn is unacceptable.  I appeal to you–be vigilant in your opposition to abortion.

As Christians who also happen to be under the authority of civil governments (Romans 13:1-7), we belong to two kingdoms–one earthly, one heavenly.

As good citizens of the earthly kingdom, we are commanded to pray for those in positions of civil authority (1 Timothy 2:1-4).  As good citizens of the heavenly kingdom, our ultimate allegiance belongs to Christ; so that even as we pray for our leaders, we’re to “take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them” (Ephesians 5:11)

The Fight FOCA petition is about exposing the dark, unfruitful work of abortion, and opposing it.  I urge you to prayerfully read and sign the petition, and contact your legislators.

The Freedom of Choice Act (FOCA) is a disastrous piece of legislation.  Here is a blurb from the Fight FOCA website:

FOCA Would Wipe Away Every Restriction on Abortion Nationwide

This would eradicate state and federal laws that the majority of Americans support, such as:

• Bans on Partial Birth Abortion
• Requirements that women be given information about the risks of getting an abortion
• Only licensed physicians can perform abortions
• Parents must be informed and give consent to their minor daughter’s abortion

FOCA would erase these laws and prevent states from enacting similar protective measures in the future.

I hope and pray that you respond like men and women of courage, faith, and conviction to this potentially tragic overthrow of 25 years worth of pro-life gains.

The king’s heart is a stream of water in the hand of the Lord;
he turns it wherever he will.  (Proverbs 21:1)

King Nebuchadnezzar’s story is told in Daniel 4.  He learned the hard way that God “does according to his will among the host of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth; and none can stay his hand or say to him, ‘What have you done?’” (Daniel 4:35)   Likewise Job, at the height of his suffering and despair, recognized that God’s sovereign purpose and power were irresistible; “I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted.” (Job 42:2)

One of the ways God accomplishes his purposes is by turning “the king’s heart” (and the president’s) “wherever he will.”  Yesterday I urged you to pray sincerely for President-elect Barack Obama.  Today I urge you to pray specifically for the Lord to turn his heart.  I’ll explain that in a moment.

First, I want to point out that this election clearly created somewhat of an inner crisis for many pro-life African-Americans.  I’ve come to the conclusion that very few white Americans, myself included, really understand how difficult that dilemma was for some African-American conservatives.

I think the closest I’ve been able to come to understanding it is by looking through the eyes of Eric Redmond.  I listened to him describe his conflict back in July.  I really tried to understand his turmoil, but frankly struggled to identify with certain aspects of it.  Today Eric opened his heart again, and what I read this time encouraged me tremendously.  In spite of tremendous pressure (from within and without) to do otherwise, he voted pro-life.  Although his vote was swallowed in defeat, and will probably cost him some friends, it was a personal victory.

The reason Eric Redmond could not vote for Barack Obama, when it came right down to it, was because of Obama’s radically pro-abortion agenda.  He’s already announced that he will make signing the horrendous Freedom of Choice Act a top priority.  It is tragically ironic that the specter of black genocide casts a pall over the historic election of this nation’s first African-American president. According to recent statistics, nearly half of all African-American preganancies end in abortion.  Nearly half! What breaks my heart even more is that the percentage of black abortions is likely to increase under the administration of our first black president.

That brings me back to the purpose of this post.  I am asking the Lord to turn Barack Obama’s heart, like a stream of water, away from the disastrous course he currently intends to take.  The Lord can do that.  In an instant.  That’s what I’m praying for today, and that’s what I’m asking you to pray for.

John Piper wrote the article I mentioned in Part 1 in order to elaborate on a point he only touched on in this short video clip, which is not mainly about women in government at all.  (Continue reading below the video.)

Justin Taylor is a friend of John Piper’s and has tremendous respect for him.  After watching that video, however, he thought that some of the things Piper said could easily be misconstrued.  He felt that he had to respond.

And his response is excellent–clear, thorough, biblical, and passionate.  He outlines the issues, identifies several points of concern, and then writes:

Now with all of that said, you may be surprised to hear me say that I really do resonate with Piper’s underlying point. Politics can easily become a source of idolatry… And yes, there will be something enormously significant, historic, and amazing if we elect our first black president…

But I want to plead with fellow evangelicals to recognize that this is a watershed election with regard to abortion.

The rest of the article is a passionate plea for action.

Part of the disagreement between Piper and Taylor (if there really is a disagreement when all is said and done) centers around the practical implications of God’s sovereignty.  Can the belief that God “works all things according to the counsel of his will” (Ephesians 1:11b) lead to an unhealthy indifference and inaction?

I agree with John Piper that God is sovereign over all the affairs of men; He is sovereign over nations and governments, and over the hearts of every man.  Any hand-wringing over the outcome of an election is probably a sign of unbelief.  God is firmly in control, no matter how the election turns out.

At the same time, a misunderstanding or a misapplication of God’s sovereignty can lead to deadly passivity.  I agree with Justin Taylor on this point–God’s sovereignty is a poor excuse for inaction.

Listen to Piper and read Justin’s response. To what extent do you agree or disagree with each of them?  How does God’s sovereign control over all that happens impact your thoughts and actions?