The Highway Forums General Discussion Open Forum Class lecture - Christians, Abortion & Sin...

...This was not the title of today's lecture in Infant Development but a topic we touched upon. As we discussed the topic of abortion in class today our instructor voiced her view on abortion in so many words...she's anti as it seems. However, she also stated that she gets upset with Christians who call abortion a sin and who also call the mother who has a child out of wedlock a sinner as well. As you can imagine, when I looked around the room after the statement was made I found almost unanimous head nods of affirmation. I then spoke up and stated that as a Christian I and the Scriptures would consider both sin. I did agree, however, in the statement that some Christians leave no room for redemption for the sinner in either case (whether the unwed mother aborts or keeps the child). She then responded, "well if you say that you make the child a sinner too in a sense," My response: "Yes, the child is both conceived in and born sinful. We find in the Scriptures the doctrine of Total Depravity." I quoted Psalm 51:5, she somewhat agreed with this in that she said basically we're all sinners... no one can deny that but in the sense that we shouldn't judge one another. <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/rolleyes2.gif" alt="" />

Ok, this is where it gets shaky on my part...I then stated that we can use our sinfulness as a point towards redemption. Once our eyes are open to the fact that we are sinful from birth, we can then be pointed to the solution.

Did I blow it on this one or not? What do y'all think? How would you have handled it differently?

I think you did fine. <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/BigThumbUp.gif" alt="" />

TJ,
Before I say anything else, PLEASE tell me this did not take place at a Christian school. PLEASE...

tj,

Feminists again?


Since when are Christians not allowed to judge according to the clear proclamation of Scripture? "Thou shalt not Kill"


I think this is another very good example of the relativism that is creeping into our churches.


How hard it is becoming, even in our churches and "Christian" schools to stand for the Word of God.

Denny

Roms 3:22-24

No. I attend a secular state university.

Looks like you did good. Nice one there at the end about once we know we're sinners we can do something about it. That probably jarred some noodles loose.

Thanks for the encouragement everyone. I often second guess myself as to whether or not I've got my "theology" right when I try to communicate on the subject. I guess what's disheartening is that either the subject gets changed quickly or the hearer doesn't have that A-HA! moment as I would like them to. However, I am reminded that "Salvation is of the Lord," my role is to live out my faith and proclaim the truth when I have the opportunity...and I'm not always faithful in either of those areas. May God continue His work in me.

I had a pastor once who told me that in situations like that, wherever you start, make a beeline toward Jesus and you'll do fine. He was talking about preaching but it'd work in situations like your's too.

You and me both <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />

Just this morning over the phone I was talking to a lady who was praising me up and down for having the courtesy to leave her a note on her vehicle after I had accidentally scratched her truck with my car door.
All I told her was I was just treating her the way I want to be treated, when I could have used the occasion to share my faith, but I didn't.
As you said, may God continue His work in me.

Tom

Perhaps, Tom, you have a less than correct understanding of what it means to "share my faith" and thus the reason for your guilty feelings for not doing so? All too often I have perceived people holding the view that "sharing one's faith" to mean a direct proclaiming of the Gospel message, i.e., all men are sinners by nature with no desire nor ability to rectify the situation so as to be reconciled to God by repenting of their sins and believing upon the person of the Lord Jesus Christ. This is not necessarily correct. In many instances, one's words in general conversation, a kind act, the avoidance of retaliation against one who has harmed you, etc., speaks volumes about that "faith" which dwells within you. We should take seriously Paul's words where he speaks about one "planting", another "watering" and God giving the increase. Following through with Paul's agrarian illustration, a farmer knows that his plants need to be fertilized. However, if he were to dump an entire truck-load of fertilizer on one plant, it would surely kill it. In short, it is prudent that one assess each situation individually and carefully so as to determine how much "fertilizer" (planting or watering) should be applied. <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

In His Grace,

...More nonsense yesterday and today. Yesterday we were "taught" that fathers basically have no significance in the life of the child; facts and research shows that 1) Fathers about 20% as much time w/children than mothers. 2)Women say they are more attracted to their husbands when they spend time with the children and 3) Husbands who encourage their wives increase the longevity of breastfeeding in a society where breastfeeding is frowned upon.

Today we were "taught" that, "children do not need really need two-parents. They only need an "attachment figure", namely the mother, to breastfeed, nurture, love etc. . The single parent only needs to insure that they display both masculine and feminine qualities because a child needs both influences in their life, not necessarily both parents."

On the first day of class the instructor drew a "timeline" on the board to represent the practices of our ancestors and the practices of today. She often refers to the timeline when discussing the lack of attachment parenting, breastfeeding, significance of the role of the mother, etc. that is occuring today. "Our ancestors did not do it this way so why are we changing things." So in response to the degrading of the father I asked her to refer to her timeline and tell me where and when the role of the father became so insignificant because surely our ancestors didn't downgrade the father as we're doing today did they? Her response was that, "the father never had a significant role in the life of the child because he was out hunting, providing etc. The mother has always been the main influence in the child's upbringing and nurturing." Now in saying all of this I will admit that some of us fathers may have put ourselves in this position. However, I don't think that my provision for my family is insignificant in influencing and shaping my children. Nor will I settle for this role of breastfeeding supporter, non time spending, let me love the kids so I can get some lovin' from mama, bend my wrist because I shouldn't be too masculine...gimme a break <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/puke.gif" alt="" /> I just want to tell her look in God's Word and that'll show you what to do with all of your so called research. Dump it! The role of the mother and father are equally significant and necessary for the upbringing of children, and that's no disparagement against single-parent families, but it is God's design. Fathers are called to provide for, nuture their children and teach them the ways of the one true God. Tell me that's insignificant and I'll tell you how you've let feminists and so called researchers brainwash you.

...ok I'm done venting. Thank you.

This sounds like what we were talking about over in the feminism thread.