When Alabama Governor Kay Ivey signed one of the nation’s most restrictive abortion laws she said, “To the bill’s many supporters, this legislation stands as a powerful testament to Alabamians’ deeply held belief that every life is precious and that every life is a sacred gift from God.” I’m curious if that means those who oppose Alabama’s abortion laws hate life. Or do they believe children are a gift from the devil? Or is the abortion battle actually about something else entirely?
I stand with the majority of Americans who believe some type of abortion control should be in place to protect the lives of mothers and children. I also stand with the Christians who believe that life is sacred and that one abortion is too many. Where I disagree, however, is in how to fight against abortion without fighting against people that I agree with.
We have all witnessed Pro-Lifers fighting Pro-Choicers, Liberals fighting Conservatives and Democrats fighting Republicans. What we have not seen is any real victory that can be claimed by either side and some questionable practices all around. I think the system is broken and the practices are suspect. But I’m willing to take a cue from Governor Ivey and ask one more question, “What does the Bible say about how to treat a ‘Gift from God'”?
I want to make sure that I am clear on what God said on the matter, Beyond that, I want to see what God did in relation to the woman of all women – Mary, Mother of Jesus.
What Mary Can Teach Us About Abortion
26“Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, 27 to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. 28 And having come in, the angel said to her, “Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women!” 29 But when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and considered what manner of greeting this was. 30 Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 31 And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name JESUS. 32 He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. 33 And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.” 34 Then Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I do not know a man?” 35 And the angel answered and said to her, “ The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God. 36 Now indeed, Elizabeth your relative has also conceived a son in her old age; and this is now the sixth month for her who was called barren. 37 For with God nothing will be impossible.” 38 Then Mary said, “Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.”
Luke 1:26-38 NKJV
I had to read this scripture a few times and many others relevant to it. I didn’t come away with the answer but, thank God, I came away with something better. The passage in Luke presents an example of how God approached a woman about an unexpected, unrequested and unwanted pregnancy. In doing so, He presents a step-by-step method on how we should approach the question of abortion.
Step 1 – Go to the source.
Notwithstanding Gov. Ivey’s support of the abortion bill, much of the abortion debate comes from men. This goes back to 1973 when an all-male Supreme Court voted on Roe v. Wade. That makes it important, and counter to how things are done in the U.S. that, in verse 27, the Angel Gabriel comes to Mary. In a day and time when women were betrothed to men, the Angel of God appeared to Mary to talk about Mary’s body. He didn’t go to Joseph, he didn’t go to Mary’s father. He went directly to Mary, honoring the woman as the only one entrusted with carrying life.
Step 2 – Have a conversation.
I think everyone with an opinion on a matter also has an emotional connection to that opinion. Right or wrong, we’re reluctant to expose our valued opinions to the light of truth that comes from conversation. An angel, sent by God, would seemingly have no reason to engage in conversation, just deliver the message and go. But, in verse 29, the Angel Gabriel engages Mary. He is sent from God with a specific message yet, in the process of delivery, he converses, he explains, he listens and he answers questions.
Step 3 – Ask for Permission.
More important than the conversation between Gabriel and Mary is that it culminated in a request for permission. In verse 35, he asks Mary’s permission for her body to be used to carry the Lord, our Savior. I always missed this because earlier in the scripture it appears as if the implantation of Christ has already happened. But in verse 35 it’s clear that it hasn’t happened yet and, in verse 38, Mary gives her permission. The Angel prophesies the birth of Jesus, but he asks Mary to decide if she will be that vessel. In this, God does not force his will or his intention. He is the ultimate Gentleman.
Step 4 – Trust the decision.
In verse 38b, the Angel Gabriel leaves Mary on Earth to facilitate the most important mission of God for our salvation. This seems like a minor historical fact, not worthy of much consideration. But I think it’s amazingly telling that the Angel didn’t stay and guard the seed that was Christ. He didn’t kill all of the doctors or set Mary on a perch with an armed guard until she delivered. In leaving, it’s clear, to me, that Mary was trusted to hold, guard and protect the seed.
But All Battles Need an Enemy
The more I think about the departure of the Angel Gabriel the more I believe it has implications to the abortion debate. I side with the Evangelicals on the horror of abortion but I don’t feel the need to impose that opinion on every pregnant woman. I also don’t know who that means I should be fighting.
Some would say the enemy is the Democrats, the Liberal Left and the far Left who want federally-funded abortion on demand and available at every pharmacy with no copay. It’s easy to hate those fictitious characters but less than 20% of the nation believe in abortion-on-demand. And even most liberal Democrats believe there should be controls in place over when and how abortions are performed.
Some would say that the enemy is Planned Parenthood and any similar agency. Yes, Planned Parenthood performs abortions and, as an African American it’s not lost on me that they have roots in the eugenics movement. But their current position is that they wholeheartedly object eugenics. I also can’t deny the wealth of services that they offer while hating the one service for which they are most known.
Some would say that the enemy is women. This isn’t said in words but expressed through very loud actions that treat women like they’re too stupid to make logical decisions for themselves and their babies. Like forcing a woman to have an ultrasound or requiring a man’s permission for an abortion, even in cases of rape and incest.
So Which Side Are You On?
I am pro-choice because I believe God is pro-choice. God, through the Angel Gabriel, gave Mary the choice of how her body could be used. He gave that same choice to every one living on this Earth born with the physical ability to reproduce. I am also anti-abortion because I believe God is anti-abortion. In all cases, abortion is the elimination of life after it has been conceived. Even when the mother’s life is threatened, abortion may be necessary but never preferable.
I don’t think the enemy is the Democratic Party, or Planned Parenthood or women who choose abortion as a birth control option. I am anti-abortion and pro-choice because I think God is anti-abortion and pro-choice, at least that is the interpretation I get from the first chapter of Luke. The Angel Gabriel used four clear steps to convince a virgin to carry a baby to term that would be miraculously conceived. Maybe we can use those same steps to convince all women, those ordained by God to carry life, to do the same.