From The Crucible (by Pastor Linda Pugsley)

Where do you stand regarding the value of life? As Dr. Koop noted (in previous blog), we certainly are in a battle between those who see individuals as some sort of expendable raw material only to be exploited and then, like old rags, just discarded vs. those who see each person as unique, special, worthwhile and irreplaceable.

I can agree with those statements, for sure. Somehow though, our legal and educational institutions are making laws and choices that are tipping the scale in this battle on the side of those who have devalued the sanctity of life. What was morally unthinkable in the 1950s is now par for the course in today’s culture.

And I put the blame squarely on two things: First, the proliferation of a secular, humanist viewpoint which has permeated and, in my opinion, stained our entire fabric of life. Second, there is reluctance or, should I say, blatant absence of the Christian community in voicing their opposition to non-Biblical views and laws. Even worse, there is even the encroachment of liberal theology into much of the Christian church which has added to the conflict and confusion.

Don’t get me wrong, many Christian organizations have worked hard to inform the public regarding these controversial issues, and offer Christ centered alternatives to abortion, euthanasia and infanticide. But unfortunately, many Christians have been busily occupied trying to raise a family and keep their heads above water financially. I fear the adversary has taken great advantage of these trying times and has helped humanism to replace Christianity as the consensus of Western civilization.

A slow, creeping philosophy of “by chance” has bored a hole into the heart of our country. The end result, whether recognized or not, with this pervasive mantra of “by chance” life began; “by chance” it became more complex, is that this “by chance” philosophy just screams out that there was no plan, no reason for life to start and exist, therefore...no God! With this viewpoint splattered all over our lives, there is only one thought process that can emerge. That thought process is a devaluation of each one’s self-worth as well as the value of others. It can be nothing else if we all are just accidents of the universe!

How sad of mankind to lose sight of its intrinsic and holy value to God. The knowledge of His love for each and every one of us individually and as a whole is the beginning of our sense of love, joy, peace, generosity, forgiveness, cooperation and all those positive, constructive themes that are the bedrock of a stronger, kinder, gentler and wiser human race.

When we let go of the standards of God as the basis of our country’s laws, we are doomed to the unpredictable, ever-changing whims of either the majority or the elite. I shudder to think of what lies ahead. Stay ever so prayerful! Endure the fire…it’s producing pure gold!

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