Life Issues: Renewing The Three Rs
Life issues are spiritual issues. This simple concept forms the foundation for Lutheran churches in dealing with life issues. Yes, they are political, social, and moral, but at their core, they are spiritual.
I admit it. Everything I needed to know I did not learn in kindergarten. But a kindergarten principle still guides me: The importance of simple concepts. “One, two, three,” “A, B, C,” “Red, Yellow, Blue,” “Do, Re, Mi”—such simplicity forms the foundations of math, literature, art, and music.
Life issues are spiritual issues. This simple concept forms the foundation for Lutheran churches in dealing with life issues. Yes, they are political, social, and moral, but at their core, they are spiritual. So let’s examine the “three R’s” that flow from this principle—Responsibility, Relevancy, and Resources. A renewal of these simple basics will enable the church to affect life issues as never before.
The First R: Responsibility
Because life issues are spiritual, the responsibility to address them belongs to the church. They are spiritual because the dark thread that ties them together is death. The world promotes death as a god to turn to for help. Society says the death of the unborn solves a crisis pregnancy. The death of human embryos will supposedly solve the problems of chronic diseases. Society says that death through assisted suicide and euthanasia solves the problem of pain and suffering.
Society points people to a god who is the very antithesis of the God proclaimed in Lutheran pulpits. Every Sunday, Lutherans sit in pews after another week of being nudged toward idolatry. Satan remains faithful to his age-old deceit of turning darkness into light. Through words like choice, right, compassionate, cures, and therapeutic, he makes death look good, friendly, and a source of hope. He subtly influences those in Lutheran pews looking up at Lutheran pulpits.
This does not mean Lutheran congregations will be erecting idols to the god of death anytime soon. Sometimes, however, we bow to a less-obvious idol, “Godbut.” Most of us have professed to believe in Godbut at one time or another. “Well, sure, you know, I believe in God . . .” and the next word out of our mouths? “But”! “I believe in God, but it’s my daughter who is pregnant.” “I believe in God, but my husband has Alzheimer’s.” “I believe in God, but I can’t see any purpose for Grandma lying in the nursing home.”
Christ’s people in Lutheran pews looking up at Lutheran pulpits may not be praising the god of death. “Godbut,” however, gets a little homage. The church has the responsibility to deal with issues of life and death, pain and suffering, killing and harming. Lutherans face them, struggle with them, and seek direction in dealing with them. Society points them to death. What direction do they get from the pulpit? Click here to read the remainder of the article.
Be Informed
How can parents voice their concerns about theories or teachings they disagree with in public school settings? Joy Pullman of The Federalist explains.
Be Equipped
Abortion has played a major role in a recent alarming statistic: “More people died than were born in Michigan in both 2020 and 2021.” Click here to read more.
Be Encouraged
“But death isn’t a part of the life for which we were created—for we were created. You didn’t morph from pond scum into an intelligent hairless monkey; you were handcrafted by the Lord of the Universe.”
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