Truth and Love or Hate?

Written by Rev. Calvin Lindstrom

I am a pastor and board member of Illinois Family Action (IFA). I am happy to serve with IFA because I believe that Christian principles have an application for politics and society. Man’s main problem is not political. All men and women enter the world as sinners and need a Savior and salvation. The main thrust of God’s Word is to show the only way of salvation that is found in Jesus Christ, but God’s Word also gives guidance and direction to families and civil governments.

Two weeks ago, Teri Paulson, wrote an article on abortion. The article made a bold comparison between the policies of Nazi Germany and the policies of the modern U.S. Democratic Party. That article started a firestorm. It appears now with the title “Why Is Legalized Abortion Called a Holocaust?”

This article led members of the Illinois General Assembly to propose a resolution (HJR 55) calling for the state to investigate Illinois Family Action and the Illinois Family Institute for hate speech and threats.

I don’t question the reading ability of State Rep. Bob Morgan (D-Highland) and the 9 co-sponsors of HJR 55, but there is absolutely no threat in Paulson’s article. Neither does it include hate speech. It is, however, a powerful article.

Here are the three most powerful paragraphs of Paulson’s article—the article that ignited the debate:

We don’t have to wonder anymore. If we as a society allow this abortion holocaust to continue, we will have a front row seat to the answer. Make no mistake, the spirit that is animating support for this legislation is the same spirit that animated the creation of the killing fields, the gulags, and the concentration camps. Human life is either sacred or it isn’t. We dare not be naïve. If a newborn baby’s life isn’t sacred, neither is yours or mine.

Consider the fact that most Nazi leaders didn’t actually kill Jews personally. Like Democrat leaders, they simply advanced the policies, changed the laws, and signed the papers that dictated the genocide. If there is a significant moral difference between the Nazi leaders’ participation in the slaughter of the Jewish people during WWII and Democrat leaders’ participation in the slaughter of babies I fail to grasp it.

Here’s the critical question: What will the rest of us do? Will we follow in the footsteps of the average German citizen during WWII? Most of them shut their eyes, closed their ears, and sang a little louder in church when the cattle cars full of Jews on their way to the concentration camps rolled by. Will we do the same? Will we simply allow this to blow over in a few weeks, or will we learn something from history and resist?

Paulson does not call anyone a Nazi in this article. Instead she raises compelling and essential questions. Those who have responded negatively understandably hate being compared to Nazi’s.

I want to make several theological points regarding this controversy.

First, from beginning to end, God’s Word testifies that men and women are not basically good. They are affected by sin in all areas of life and capable of incredible evil.

“So God looked upon the earth, and indeed it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted their way on the earth” (Gen. 6:12).

“The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick.” (Jer. 17:9)

“For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder…” (Mark 7:21).

Second, the Bible shows that all men fall short of God’s perfect standard and deserve death as a result.

“for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Rom. 3:23).

“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord (Rom. 6:23).

Third, the only way of salvation is not in seeking to do more good than evil but, rather, is found in Jesus Christ, who came to earth to die for sinners.

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).

Fourth, God has also given us a standard for right and wrong in His Word, a standard that explains the revulsion people feel for the suffering the Jewish people endured through the horrors of World War II.

 “You shall not murder” (Ex. 20:13).

“Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man shall his blood be shed,
for God made man in his own image” (Gen. 9:6).

Fifth, Scripture shows repeatedly that even though God has given a standard and conscience to all men and women a conscience, people are capable of doing wicked things, and sadly many people stand silent in the face of evil. Who wants to be called evil and wicked? I don’t. But in my own heart and according to my own actions, I have sinned greatly against God and others.

“You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgment.’ But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be liable to the hell of fire” (Matt. 5:21, 22).

So, when I agree with Terri Paulson’s article in connecting the evil of World War II with what most leaders in the Democratic party support, I do so, not because of my own righteousness but because God has given us a standard in His Word.

The shedding of innocent human blood is wicked. It is wicked to support others who kill. It is wicked to remain silent.

It is true that the Christian church has not always treated the Jewish people properly. On what basis can I say this? I say this based on the standard of God’s Word.

And on this same basis I condemn the shedding of blood of unborn children. It is an evil that must be stopped!

I fully realize that Representatives Bob Morgan, Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz, Yehiel M. Kalish, Sara Feigenholtz, Daniel Didech, Robyn Gabel, Jonathan Carroll, Kelly M. Cassidy, Will Guzzardi and Sam Yingling will hate this comparison.

I speak not out of hatred for them. I speak that which they do not want to hear out of Christian duty and an attempt to love them by speaking the truth.

Am I guilty of a hate crime? I would protest such a charge.

Am I making a threat against any of them? Absolutely not.

Am I willing to be silent in the face of HJR 55? No, I must speak.

I call on them to stop their threats and abuse of power. Absolutely no investigation of Illinois Family Action and the Illinois Family Institute is warranted. Am I willing to engage in a discussion of the issues? Of course. I would be happy to testify and explain why I count it a privilege to serve on the board of Illinois Family Action.

I pray most of all that they will come to know the truth and the only way of salvation found in Jesus Christ.

I close with the testimony of the Apostle Paul: “This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief” (1 Tim.   1:15).

A bold voice for pro-family values in Illinois!

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