I write this in response to an article I read this week by James Silberman titled "Hillsong Pastor Provides Moral Cover For Abortion On The View"
Being a Hillsong enthusiast, I read the title in disbelief and was convinced somebody made a bait title to get more views. To my dismay, Carl Lentz, a pastor of about 7,000 in one of the biggest cultural hubs in the country, chose to cower from the truth.
While being interviewed on The View he was asked by Joy Behar if abortion was sinful and he responded: "That’s the kind of conversation we would have finding out your story, where you’re from, what you believe. I mean, God’s the judge. People have to live tp their own convictions.... I'm just going to preach what I feel is right."
Sir, I agree with you that God is the judge, however, He's already made it clear that taking the life of another is murder. I also agree that not every case of abortion is done out of the same reasoning.
That does not change the fact that IT IS killing another image-bearer of the King of the universe.
I am infuriated by his timid and lukewarm answer. He's taking a topic that has a solid boundary line and blurring it. This is a prime example of the scary lie we are being more and more encouraged to believe. We can't pick and choose what parts of the Bible we believe.
It is, as a whole, complete truth and the truth is not relative. Regardless of what you or I believe, it is absolute. The Bible is clear. I’m not here to argue the fact that abortion is wrong. It is… scientifically, theologically, and morally.
When Lentz spoke those words the audience at The View erupted in applause. If we are speaking the truth, most times the world’s response will be that of the opposite. The Bible clearly states that believers will face persecution. We are not here to gain the approval of man. The purpose of the church is not to be "hip" or "appealing" to the world.
If we love our neighbors, families, and enemies, we will yearn to tell the truth (with a heart of love and not condemnation) so that one day we will be in eternity with them. Our call to support young mothers… ALL mothers for that matter is overwhelmingly important.
Sure, it may be appealing to some to believe in something that allows humans to do whatever they want, but what we don't realize is that selfishness results in pain. I can speak on account of that. It causes us to suffer.
The Lord set these rules in place for a reason. We’re never going to perfectly follow them (I’m certainly not) but if our eyes are on Jesus He will empower us through the Holy Spirit to accomplish what we can’t.
A critic said, "@CarlLentzNYC is what a non-biblical squish looks like & pastors who play footsies [with] culture at truth’s expense."
I've never met Carl Lentz personally and I certainly don't know his heart but I can say this... He will be held accountable in eternity for the false doctrine he is teaching. His lack of a public voice for the unborn is a voice in support of their helpless destruction.
That's a scary thought and he's not the only one.
We're all sinful. I'm a sinful wreck but I can tell you one thing, I’m chasing after my Savior. No sin is greater than another, they only have different forms of consequences.
No matter what you've done... even if you think there's no forgiveness for something so terrible… Jesus died and took that burden away from you. You don't have to carry the weight anymore. Live in freedom!
The reason why I chose to address something of such gravity is that I’m called to speak out. YOU are called to speak out. I’ve recently seen this bandwagon cultural Christianity like never before. This is a call to all Christians: Know the Word so that you can discern truth from non-truth.
Even the most God-fearing pastors and teachers are only human beings. Biblically back up what you hear. Seek that personal relationship with Jesus! His actual Word, the words of the one who created the stars, is at our fingertips! (That still blows my mind.)
