As I prepared my sermon last week on abortion, I avoided some of the political realities surrounding this subject.    Still, I prayed and prepared with the realization that there are members of our church with pro-choice political views.  Which leads me to some questions:

Can someone be anti-abortion personally and pro-choice politically?

Can someone be pro-choice politically and evangelical?

Can the pro-choice and pro-life camps ever work together to reduce abortions?

These are questions I wrestled with last week, but did not make my sermon.  So here are some of those thoughts:

As an evangelical, I have strong anti-abortion convictions that play a huge role in my political participation.   So, I consider myself a strong anti-abortion proponent in public policy.

With that being established, let me give short answers to the questions I’m considering.

Can someone be anti-abortion personally and pro-choice politically?

Yes.  It’s hard for me to imagine how someone can be anti-abortion and pro-choice.  However, for those with libertarian leanings, I can somewhat understand their reasoning.  Still, I disagree.

Can someone be pro-choice politically and evangelical?

Yes.  An evangelical is someone who believes the Bible is the inspired Word of God, Jesus is the only way to heaven and the message of Jesus should be spread to unbelievers.   Can you believe those evangelical beliefs, and still be pro-choice?  Yes.  For pro-choice evangelicals, I think you are wrong, but you’re still an evangelical and part of our family.

Can the pro-choice and pro-life camps ever work together to reduce abortions?

Yes.  This is a new concept growing in popularity.   Most pro-choice politicians claim to be personally anti-abortion.  If this is the case, what are they doing to reduce the amount abortions in America?  This concept emerged in 2007, when Dr. Joel C. Hunter, senior pastor of Northland Church (www.northlandchurch.net), served as a panelist during a live CNN discussion with leading Democratic presidential contenders.  In a brilliant question, Hunter asked Hillary Clinton if the pro-choice and pro-life camps could work together to reduce abortions.  Watch what happened here:

A movement towards this reality has started, though I don’t seen anything very substantial five years later.   Regardless, this humble approach to work together to reduce abortions could make a difference in saving many lives.

I pray that God will change America’s heart towards abortion.