Bonhoefferian Radicality

The following is an except from an article by Robert W. Yarbrough in the most recent issue of Themelios.

We might note that Bonhoeffer seemed to have an eye for what one could call the apocalyptic dimension of his era in the run-up to Axis hegemony (recall, e.g., the rape of Nanking in 193711) and World War II. It is in tragic hindsight of what he glimpsed and what most denied that his work takes on special poignancy. Surely we are not on the cusp of some analogous international cataclysm? We could wish for Bonhoeffer's prophetic instincts; it might put fire in our bones when we are prone to be at ease. 

Might this help? It has been plausibly estimated that since the early 1920s, around the world there have been nearly 1 billion abortions-about 950 million, actually.12 At current rates we will have reached 1 billion very soon. I wonder if that alone constitutes enough of an affront to God to justify Bonhoefferian radicality in our work, if I may coin a term. This would be in response, not to political usurpation in one nation most relevant to us, as terrible as the Nazis were and the Holocaust was, but because we realize how richly this world as a whole deserves divine retribution. Six million Jews is horrendous, but 950 million is about 158 times the Holocaust. Scripture seems to indicate that God is slow to anger, not bereft of the capacity. If justice exists in or around this cosmos, how short the time may be for us to extend the good news of redemption in whatever ways granted to us! (And to be quite clear: I have in mind here radical and engaged gospel-ministry and legal political activity where warranted, not physical aggression of any kind against abortion clinics or doctors.)

Read the whole article here.

At the end our days, may we be able to say along with Bonhoeffer: "This is the end. For me the beginning of life."

To God Alone be the Glory

What are we doing? (updated, again)

Update 2: A couple more links at the end. One that is worth your time is 180movie.com. It is a 33 minute YouTube video that is part apologetic and part person on the street interview. As you watch, pretend the questions are being asked of you. Or better yet, imagine you really had to face the issues the video raises. SDG.

Update: I have added several more links to the end of this post. Piper said it best. Citing Acts 4, he said "all Christians should stand up and tell it like they see it. Let the chips fall where they will. Don't worry if the public doesn't even agree with your most basic assumptions. Your job is not to win. Your job is not to control this society. Your job is to say what God wants said."  SDG

I write this with fear and trepidation. In part, unfortunately, my fear and trepidation rises from what some readers might think of me after reading this post. I could list the potential responses, but that will only fuel a false, man-centered fear. The other part of my fear and trepidation is that I am not saying nor doing enough. I am not praying enough. I am preaching or teaching enough. I am not honoring God and extolling Christ enough to help remove the cultural scourge that has ravaged our nation for 39 years.

For those of you who know me, you know that I am not an extremely political person. I care about elections and I care about how my representatives and governor and president enact public policy. But, if the leader at the moment (whether I voted for them or not) goes against what I think is correct, I don't get too worked up about it. After all, that is the nature of governance in the United States. However, there is a growing exception to this "live and let live" political philosophy of mine. That is in regard to abortion.

There, I've said it. Any nay-sayers can start their naying. But I am becoming more and more convinced that from my side of the room, saying nothing to avoid a rebuke is no longer an option. Besides, if I am resting in Christ's perfect love for me, what are man's angry words anyway? And, if Jesus was annointed by the Spirit "to proclaim good news to the poor, to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor,” shouldn't I have a similar vision?

All of that is an introduction to say that I have been personally negligent in my responsibility before God to defend the defenseless. I know this is ultimately in God's hands, but He uses us as his instruments in this world. So by His grace and the power of the Holy Spirit, I want to pray a risky prayer. God use me, whatever it takes, to put a dent or maybe even an end to abortion in this country. And Father, do it not primarily through political means, but through gospel-driven means. May we all stand amazed as you work in our midst to turn the tide some of think can never be changed. Let life (all of life) matter to us as much as it matters to you.

I have one last risky thing to say. I do not think my apathy is unique. I know there are mature, devoted Christians who have had the cause of life on their hearts for years or even decades. But I'm grieved to consider how many of us who name the name of Christ have allowed abortion to flourish unimpeded even in our prayers.

What follows are several links to posts I have read over the weekend. These men can express themselves on this issue better than I can. Please read some (or all) and allow the Spirit to do His work in your heart.

http://www.desiringgod.org/blog/posts/five-things-we-can-do-for-the-unborn

http://www.desiringgod.org/blog/posts/the-day-john-piper-was-arrested

http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/tgc/2012/01/19/moving-pro-life-legislation-forward-the-need-for-prudence-and-civility/

http://gospeldrivenchurch.blogspot.com/2012/01/gospel-shaped-pro-life-passion.html

http://www.abort73.com/blog/factories_of_death_lessons_from_auschwitz/

http://www.abort73.com/blog/eulogy_for_the_martyred_children_what_mlk_has_to_teach_us_about_abortion/

http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/justintaylor/2012/01/18/an-actual-pro-life-conversation

http://www.desiringgod.org/blog/posts/racial-slavery-and-abortion-in-america-how-history-repeats-itself

http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/tgc/2012/01/20/one-month-for-life/

http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/justintaylor/2012/01/23/roe-v-wade-radical-legally-untenable-and-immoral

http://www.desiringgod.org/blog/posts/its-the-christians-duty-to-speak-the-truth

http://www.desiringgod.org/blog/posts/eight-ways-to-live-as-pro-life-christians-under-a-pro-choice-president

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970203718504577176641699224320.html

http://www.desiringgod.org/blog/posts/five-ways-to-fight-abortion-and-serve-the-unborn-and-their-moms

http://180movie.com/

http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/justintaylor/2012/01/23/healing-after-an-abortion

http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/gospeldrivenchurch/2012/01/23/what-does-job-3113-15-tell-us-about-abortion/

I now send forth this post with a deep sense of its many defects; but with an earnest prayer that it may do some good. (JC Ryle)

To God Alone be the Glory