“In 1988, another revolutionary ploy became the methodology of many churchmen, the demonstrations at abortion clinics designed to violate the laws of picketing and protest and ensure arrest for impeding access. It is questionable whether or not these demonstrations saved the lives any unborn babies: the women seeking abortions simply went elsewhere. Even more, the demonstrators set a precedent in violating civil laws of various sorts. What is to prevent pro-abortion people from blocking access to churches, or even entering them to disrupt the services? If we allow lawless protest to one side, we justify it for all.
No Scriptural justification is offered by these demonstrators. The closest thing to a text to justify them is Acts 5:29, the answer of Peter and the other apostles, “We ought to obey God rather than men.” What does this mean, however? There is no civil government anywhere which does not disobey God at some points, and, for that matter, there are no perfect churches either. The best of churches fall short of perfect obedience. Are we then justified in obeying only when we believe that God’s Word is faithfully observed? Then are those around us or under us entitled to rebel against our authority whenever they feel we fall short of or neglect God’s Word? Nothing in Scripture gives warrant to that. David’s respect for Saul, despite Saul’s sin, gives us another model.
Where freedom of God’s Word in the church, its schools, its families and members is denied, then we must obey God, not the state. We do not disobey to save our money nor even our lives but where God’s Word and its proclamation is at stake.
The moral anarchy which revolutionists advocate is being brought into the church by some men. Not surprisingly, they impugn the Christian character of those who criticize them, men such as Dr. Stanley, and Rev. Joesph Morecraft III.
To believe in the efficacy of violence to change society means to abandon peaceful means. Not surprisingly, peaceful, legal action is being neglected. A pro-abortion justice on the U.S. Supreme Court has said that, in a new case, abortion would lose. Such a case would require much funding and highly competent legal help. The money to do this is being spent in sending people from one end of the country to the other to take part in demonstrations, to bail them out of jail, so on.
The methodology of such demonstrations has been borrowed from non-Christian and revolutionary sources. From one end of the Bible to the other, no warrant can be found for this methodology. To us ungodly means is a way of saying that God’s grace and power are insufficient resources for Christian action. It means abandoning Christ for the methods of the enemies….
Such methodology can be effective, but not for the triumph of grace….
There is a long history of injustice at the hands of mobs. There is no Christian calling to create mobs and to violate laws to achieve a purpose.
The sad fact is that, once we adopt a position, the logic of that faith carries us forward. Thus, I am finding that those who approve of demonstrations, and of the violation of the properties of abortion clinics, find it easy to justify violence against the property (bombing) and against the persons who are abortionists (which means murdering them).
… Just as we believe that the spheres of the church and of the family should not be violated by the state, so we should avoid trespassing on the state’s sphere. The early church faced many evils in the civil sphere: abortion, slavery, and more. Paul spoke against a revolutionary move against slavery but counseled the use of lawful means (I Cor. 7:20-23). The early church took a strong stand against abortion and disciplined severely all who were guilty of it. It organized its deacons to rescue abandoned babies (who had not been successfully aborted earlier), and it took strong stands without ever suggesting violence.
Humanism gives priority to man and the will of man over God, and His Law-Word. If we place saving babies above obedience to God, we wind up doing neither the born nor the unborn any good, and we separate ourselves from God.
It is amazing how many people on all sides of issues are so prone to violence as their first and last resorts. They believe, when they see a serious problem, in taking to the streets, getting their guns, fighting the Establishment, and so on and on, without even using the many peaceable means which are at hand. For them, violence is not a last resort when all other means have been exhausted, but a first resort. Instead of providing answers, resorts to violence mean the death of civilization. The use of violence, whether by Christians or non-Christians, is a way of saying that voting, the law courts, mean nothing, or, that faith and the power of God are irrelevant to the problems of our time.
The resort to revolution or to revolutionary tactics is thus a confession of non faith; it means the death of a civilization because its people are dead in their sins and trespasses. They may use the name of the “Lord,” but they have by-passed him for ‘direct action.’… By assuming that everything depends on their action, they have denied God and His regenerating power.
And they have forgotten our Lord’s requirement: “Ye must be born again (John 3:7).” Regeneration, no revolution is God’s way.”
R. J. Rushdoony
Roots of Reconstruction
Chapter — Revolution or Regeneration, pg. 427-428
There is truth in what Rush says. I would make two observations: #1. There comes a time when the state is so lawless it is time to fight. We are not there yet,but there is a time. #2. Civil disobedience to make a point or to turn public opinion is a valid tool for the Christian in protesting lawlewss acts like abortion or religious freedom. The apostles preached the gospel, which was against Roman law, and were imprisoned and sometimes killed for their righteous actions.
re. #1- Apparently it is time when the black dude becomes president.
and 2# abortion IS a lawful act. We don’t leave it up to God, which would be beyond law.
Andi,
1.) I thought Obama was half white? How can he be black if he is half white.
2.) You can’t make something immoral, moral, by making it legal. Something maybe legal but still immoral. Abortion is one of those realities.
Amen OP. As a pro-choice Christian I am appalled at the horrid behavior that my fellow Christians have in front of abortion clinics. They do not spread the loving word of Jesus Christ, only hate.
Hope … you are so racist. I can’t believe that you have no problem with the genocide that is happening via abortion of the black people. Have you no feelings? I only see hate in your response and I am appalled.