Life-Affirming Engagement

There is a passage of Scripture in the 139th Psalm that was used in a recent online encounter to defend the sanctity of life.  This provides an important perspective in our support for the unborn. It says:
13 For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother's womb.
14 I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works, And that my soul knows very well.

I have talked about how the humanity of an unborn child, in some circles, has been buried under the weight of the appealing, yet misguided, message that abortion is an expression of some mythical entity called "reproductive rights."  In the Christian, pro-life community, it's important that we rid ourselves of this inferiority complex we have developed, being intimidated about sharing our Biblical, pro-life perspective.  And a YouTube influencer gives us some inspiration, as he has actually engaged a prominent entertainer, who just happens to possess a misinformed point of view on abortion.

It began with comments that pop singer John Legend made in a conversation with former NFL player now media host Shannon Sharpe.  Faithwire reports:

After initially telling Sharpe he “always” supported abortion, Legend said, “Actually, not always. I grew up in the church, and we were taught that, you know, we were supposed to be pro-life.”

“As soon as I became an adult, I just realized that we need that choice,” explained the singer-songwriter. “We don’t need the government telling us what to do, and women don’t need the government telling them what to do with their bodies. And life is complicated, and there are all kinds of reasons why people might want or need an abortion, and the government has no place in that decision.”

The article notes: "The former professional athlete asked Legend about Teigen’s 'life-saving abortion,' which the social media influencer used to characterize as a miscarriage but eventually shifted in 2022 to referring to as “an abortion to save my life for a baby that had absolutely no chance.” It went on to say: "Legend ultimately argued the pro-life position would outlaw the necessary medical treatment Teigen received upon learning her and Legend’s unborn child’s life was not viable."

Enter Christian YouTube influencer Ruslan. Faithwire stated: 

In a video reaction of his own, the well-known YouTube star said pro-lifers “are with” Legend and Teigen on medically necessary procedures, like the dilation and curettage (D&C) procedure often needed after suffering miscarriage.

After miscarrying, Teigen required a D&C.

“You know that the pro-life position is about elective abortions,” said Ruslan. “Your baby was tragically dying; your wife was miscarrying. She needed a surgical procedure called a D&C to take the tragedy of a dead baby inside of her out.”

That's a deception that the pro-abortion advocates use, saying that pro-life laws prevent medical treatment for miscarriages and ectopic pregnancies, which is patently false, according to pro-life research organization, the Charlotte Lozier Institute. 

Well, Mr. Legend responded to Ruslan's video, posted on Instagram, saying: “The ‘pro-life’ position is that the government should be involved in the most intimate decisions any woman could make. Making something illegal means the government has to enforce and adjudicate these intimate decisions and procedures. The government has the power to force someone to carry for [nine] months. It has the authority to adjudicate whether or not a woman meets whatever exceptions are granted by law.”  

Ruslan said: "‘Making something illegal’ is the same thing we do with murder, drunk driving and a variety of other laws that protect people...[S]o yes, the government enforces all sorts of laws.”

Legend said that the two men "were at a 'moral stalemate' because the YouTuber believes a 'fetus' — an unborn baby — has 'equal or more rights than that woman while Ruslan believes human beings have right beginning at conception, citing Psalm 139:13-14, which states, “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.” 

Legend said, "I simply don’t believe that...and don’t believe the government should force that belief on the public against their will.”

You see here the nature of the arguments between the pro-abortion and the pro-life positions. Those who champion so-called "reproductive rights" accuse lawmakers of invading private decisions. I would contend that engaging in activity that results in pregnancy authorizes government officials to step in to protect unborn life.   

Poll after poll show that the majority of Americans, including those who regard themselves as "pro-choice," believe that there should be regulation of abortion.  I think that shows that there is moral concern over this issue. Hopefully, the rejection of measures in three states that would allow abortion during the entirety of a woman's pregnancy will provide needed momentum in the fight to defend the sanctity of life.  

This encounter between Legend and Ruslan can show us that there is a need to discuss the issue, to engage in conversation about these very important principles. We can depend on the authority of God's Word and the power of His Spirit in order to engage with conviction and compassion.  We can also rely on valuable resources that can help us defend the unborn and discuss their humanity.