How To Use The Book of Revelation In Biblical Counseling

by 02501 | Mar 10, 2017

In the previous post we explored how people interpret, or explain, the Book of Revelation. On one side you have those who interpret the Book of Revelation using an allegorical method. This method is finding the hidden (or spiritual) meanings within the words themselves. On the other side you have those who use what has been known as the literal-grammatical method. This method describes Christians who take the words of the Book of Revelation, in their context, and their normal, and plain sense. After examining some of the characteristics of the Book of Revelation it was shown the Book of Revelation demands to be read using the literal-grammatical method.

How would a Biblical counselor use the Book of Revelation in counseling? Let me share four ways that a Biblical counselor could use the Book of Revelation in a counseling session.

• The Book of Revelation can be used to instruct repentance of active sin: In the Book of Revelation, Jesus gives John a message concerning seven churches. Jesus rebukes each of them regarding their sin and tells them each to repent. Jesus then tells five of the seven churches about the discipline they would receive if they did not repent (Rev. 2:2-5; 2:13-17; 2:20-23; 3:1-4; 3:15-17) and the rewards they would receive if they did repent (Rev. 2:7; 2:17; 2:26-28; 3:5; 3:20-21). A Biblical counselor can examine how sin places one at risk of being disciplined by God for the purpose of encouraging repentance and restoration. The Book of Revelation can also be used to show that repentance can lead to eternal rewards.  

• The Book of Revelation can be used to show that God is sovereign in a troubled world: John gives an account of God holding a book that no one is worthy to open, and John begins to weep that no one is found worthy to break the seals, due to the unworthiness of creation as a result of men’s sinfulness (Rev. 5:1-4). One of the elders proclaims that the Lion from the tribe of Judah and the Root of David is worthy to break the seals (Rev. 5:5-9). A Biblical counselor can explore, and share, with a counselee that the struggles one has will not last forever because Jesus has taken on sin and the punishment for sin in place of mankind, has been exalted, and has been given the authority to judge mankind.

• The Book of Revelation can used to show that God is merciful: Also in chapter 5 John tells the reader that the elders sang to the Lamb a new song. This song mentions that the Lamb that was slain and purchased (through His blood) for God His people from every tribe, tongue, language, and nation (Rev. 5:9). A Biblical counselor can investigate and explore the truth from sacred Scripture and what it means that God has purchased the counselee with His own blood.

• The Book of Revelation can be used to comfort one who is troubled and grieving: John, through inspiration of the Holy Spirit, writes about the coming Millennial Kingdom, and the New Heavens and New Earth (Rev. Chaps 20-22). For a counselee who is struggling with adversity, or is hopeless in their present state, pointing them to the reconciliation of all things. This can also be used to comfort the heavy heart of those who have lost loved ones in the faith, with the wonderful promise they will be united with them forever.

The Book of Revelation is a great book that tells us about God’s holiness, justice, wrath, and righteousness and peace. It is also a book that reminds us God will restore all things. A Biblical Counselor can use this book to highlight the severity of active sin, the mercy of God, and the blessed future for all those who trust in Him. The Book of Revelation can also be utilized as an example to show the mercy of God found in the gospel of Christ that was given to all tongues, tribes, languages, and nations. In addition, the Book of Revelation can be used to show God is in control of all the things that take place under heaven. Lastly, the Book of Revelation can be used by the Biblical counselor to highlight the fact that the future is bright for the Christian. May we observe the eternal truths found in this glorious book, and guide the counselee as they are corrected, strengthened, and encouraged to see God more clearly. Amen.

Until next time…

Soli Deo Gloria!

Dr. L.S.

If you would like to read other articles relating to theology, counseling, and current events, from a Biblical worldview please visit my personal blog page, which can be found here.

Allegorical or Literal? How Christians Should Read (and explain) The Book of Revelation

by 02501 | Mar 1, 2017

The Book of Revelation has vivid imagery and interesting characters as you read through its pages. There are details of four horsemen, strange creatures with faces like eagles, men, and calves, and is a dragon with feet that are shaped like a bear that come out of the sea. These images have caused many to scratch their heads and speculate about what these things may, or many not be, and how to explain their meanings.

There are those in Christianity that say we should interpret (or explain) these vivid images found in the Book of Revelation using what is known as the allegorical method of interpretation, which is defined below:

A representation of an abstract or spiritual meaning through concrete or material forms; figurative treatment of one subject under the guise of another.

To those who believe in an allegorical (or spiritual) method, the images and events in the Book of Revelation are figurative. This means the language of this book goes beyond the literal words that are written so a person can come to an even deeper meaning of spiritual truth. Alan Piper notes this when he comments:

The Book of Revelation is full of symbolic numbers. Since we have seen that Revelation is a book of prophetic visions, the elements of which are symbols of spiritual realities, it makes sense that the numbers present in the book would be symbols of something else, not just random quantities.

Leo Checkai. Dominicana.com. Opening the Book of Revelation. Retrieved February 24, 2017 from http://www.dominicanajournal.org/opening-the-book-of-revelation-x/

This type of interpretation is found in the writings of Augustine, who believed that every passage of sacred Scripture contained four different interpretations (or meanings): the “literal,” the “allegorical,” “the moral,” and the “eschatological.”  For example, according to Augustine Israel in the “litera”l sense was a nation called of God, and given a land. Israel, in the “allegorical” sense, also refers to the universal church, which would be the “true spiritual Israel” that would inherit the earth in the age to come. In a “moral” sense, Israel had the 10 Commandments, but the universal church is morally bound to them, but not the other 600 laws because those were fulfilled by Christ. In an “eschatological” sense, Israel refers to the New Heavens and the New Earth when the people of God will finally inherit the earth.

Others in Christianity state we should interpret (or explain) these detailed events in the Book of Revelation using what is known as the literal-grammatical method. This means the words that are in the Book of Revelation should be taken in their plain and normal sense, in relation to the context of the paragraph. This does not mean that a person who observes a literal-grammatical method of reading the Bible does not recognize figurative language, as website explains:

This means that we start out by taking the words in their most normal meaning. If I say My house is red, you will understand what I mean. There would be no question about it. However, if I say Listen to this parable about the Homeowner, or used comparative words like the word like as in like a roaring lion, you would understand that my words might not be meant to be taken literally, but possibly figuratively.

Endtimes.org. The Literal Grammatical Historical Method. Retrieved February 24, 2017 from http://www.endtimes.org/grammat.html.

When it comes to God’s word, what is the best method of interpretation one could use in observing the author’s intent in the Book of Revelation?  Let us examine some of the biblical reasons why the historical-grammatical method is not only the best way, but is the way of interpreting the Book of Revelation.

• The Book of Revelation is prophetic: John, inspired by the Holy Spirit, points out that book is prophecy in verse three:

The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show to His bond-servants, the things which must soon take place; and He sent and communicated it by His angel to His bond-servant John, who testified to the word of God and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, even to all that he saw. Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of the prophecy, and heed the things which are written in it; for the time is near.

Revelation 1:1-3 NASB

Prophecy in the Old Testament did have figurative language (e.g., Joseph’s dream, Nebuchadnezzar dream, the prophets of Israel, etc.). However the images and figures were always explained by the one who was interpreting the prophecy. In short, because John describes this book as prophecy, the reader does not have to hypothesize, theorize, allegorize, or spiritualize, the meaning of the events laid out in the Book of Revelation. We should expect the interpretation of the book be laid out in order for us by the author who gave us the prophecy, so that we may understand and be blessed by it (Rev. 1:3).

• The numbers and times in the Book of Revelation are specific: When a person observes the numbers in the Book of Revelation in their plain meanings one can see these numbers are extremely specific. For instance, the numbers mentioned concerning Israel and how God will pour His Spirit on a specific amount of people (i.e., 12,000) from each of the 12 tribes (Rev. 7:4-8). When the Lamb (who is Jesus) breaks the seventh seal, there is a specific amount of time that the heavens are silent (i.e., a half hour)(Rev. 8:1). The scorpions of the earth are given the ability to torment people who rebel against God for a specific period of time, which is five months (Rev. 9:3-5). There is a specific number given to the army after the sixth trumpet has sounded, which is 200 million (Rev. 9:16). The two witnesses are allowed to prophesy for a specific number of days, which is 1,260 (Rev. 11:3).

How would one who uses the allegorical method interpret these specific numbers mentioned here? There would be no reason to explain the specific numbers and times in the Book of Revelation any other way, other than in their plain literal sense.

• The images that are seen in the Book of Revelation are explained by the author: There are many images found in the book of Revelation and these images are explained by the writer with much detail. For instance, the Lamb, having seven horns and seven eyes, that took the book from God is Christ because the image of the lamb appears as if it was slain (Rev. 5:1-3). This is also proclaimed by the twenty-four elders who sing that the Lamb is worthy to take the book because of His death He purchased men from every tribe, tongue, language, and nation (Rev. 5:9). At the beginning of the seal judgments, the four horsemen are also described in detail (Rev. 6:1-8). The red dragon described in the Book of Revelation, we are told by the author, is Satan (Rev.12:1-9). Even the beast that comes out of the earth in Chapter 13 is described in clear terms (Rev. 13:1-10).

How would one who adheres to the allegorical method explain these passages when the images are already explained to us by the author?  One need not find a “spiritual,” “moral,” or “eschatological” meaning in any of these passages because the meaning of these symbols have already been given.

The literal-grammatical method is the way we should read, and interpret, the Scriptures because the Book of Revelation according the qualities mentioned above demands to be read this way. To attempt to find a more “spiritual,” “moral,” or “eschatological” meaning in this book is missing the intent of what John, through inspiration of the Holy Spirit, wanted to communicate. Let us observe the words in their plain, normal sense, paying close attention to the surrounding context of the passage. By doing this, we will honor the intent of the author, and glorify our God, giving Him due recognition for all of His future works. Amen.

Until next time…

Soli Deo Gloria!

Dr. L.S.

If you would like to read other articles relating to theology, counseling, and current events, from a Biblical worldview please visit my personal blog page, which can be found here

What Biblical Counseling Truly Addresses

by 02501 | Feb 15, 2017

One of the degree programs offered at Calvary University is Biblical Counseling. A person who attends Calvary University to pursue a degree in Biblical Counseling, is a person who desires to be trained so they can help people address their problems, and conflicts, from a Biblical worldview. The result is the person would conform their attitudes, actions, and behavior to God’s word, as a website defines below:

Biblical Counseling is the process where the Bible, God’s Word, is related individually to a person or persons who are struggling under the weight of personal sin and/or the difficulties with suffering, so that he or she might genuinely change in the inner person to be pleasing to God.

Faith Ministries. Retrieved February 10th from: http://www.faithlafayette.org/counseling/about/what_is_biblical_counseling.

In addition to this definition above, there one true quality that must be highlighted concerning this field of study.

Biblical counseling is all about assisting, and helping, a person transform their worldview.

A worldview, is defined as, “a comprehensive or apprehension of the world, especially from a specific standpoint…” (“Worldview.” Merriam-Webster.com. https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/worldview). All observations, from an individual concerning the world around them, come from a person’s worldview. Even the thoughts, actions, and behaviors of a person are carried out because of the person’s perspective of the world around them. There is not one person that operates in thought, word, or deed, apart from their worldview.

What Biblical counseling truly seeks to address, is not just moral change, or a behavioral adjustment. The Biblical counselor seeks to address an individual’s faulty worldview. The Biblical counselor uses God’s word to confront a person’s perspective that runs against Scripture, and challenges the person to submit themselves to be transformed by God’s word.

Paul mentions this type of transforming to the churches in Rome when he writes:

Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. 2 And do not be conformed to this world , but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.

Paul explained how Jew and Gentile have all sin against God (Rom. chaps 1-2), and how all mankind is shown to be sinners and transgressors before God (Rom. chap. 3). Paul then explained, in great detail, how one is saved: By grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone (Rom. chaps 4-5). Paul then wrote how we are to walk, which is by the Holy Spirit, and by doing so one will mortify the deeds of the flesh, which displease God (Rom. 6-7:1-13).

Paul continued, sharing his personal struggle in the Christian life (Rom. 7:14-24). He ended this lament declaring there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, and how a Christian is not to live according to the sinful nature, but according to the Holy Spirit (Rom. 8:1-17). Then Paul wrote to the saints in Rome the most glorious reality: Nothing can separate the believer from the love of God that is in the Lord, and Savior, Jesus Christ (Rom. 8:18-39). Paul then spent another three chapters discussing his burden for Israel, and how ultimately Israel as a nation will be delivered, and restored by God Himself (Rom. chaps. 9-11).

It is in all of these mercies mentioned above, which were laid out by Paul, that believers were to present themselves a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God (Rom. 12:1-2). By Christians offering up their bodies to God, this was a spiritual act of worship (such as a priest offering up an acceptable animal to God to be sacrificed in the temple). Paul told the Christians in Rome they were not to be conformed to the world (i.e., “the spirit of the age”), but be transformed by their minds being renewed (Rom 12:2).

When people come for Biblical counseling three possibilities are likely: They need their minds renewed by Scripture, they are refusing to have their minds renewed by Scripture, or they need skills that will assist them, as they have their minds renewed by Scripture. It is in this manner, they are unable to discern what God’s will is, because His will for them is found in God’s word, which they have not allowed Scripture, in conjunction with the Holy Spirit, to renew their minds. On the other  hand, they may know God’s will in sacred Scripture, however they may lack the skills necessary to bear fruit in keeping with God’s will. The Biblical counselor understands that it is not just a change of behavior, or even a change of thoughts that is the issue. The Biblical counselor knows it is the transformation of perspective, or worldview, which must take place, in order for the thoughts, and behavior, to change.

 Biblical counseling is unique, and important, not just for the counseled, but for the counselor. The counselor must continue to have their worldview renewed by the Scriptures, so they will be able to use techniques, interventions, and skills they have learned, in accordance with a Biblical worldview, to guide the counseled so the person’s worldview is transformed, by the authority of God’s word.

While other counseling modalities, and theories place their trust in only altering the external environment (such as Person-Centered theory), or looking within to restore oneself (such as Psychoanalytic theory), the Biblical counselor begins at the primary Source, understanding it is God who has created mankind, knows the problem of mankind, and has given mankind the solution to the problems that mankind faces. The Biblical counselor trusts in God’s word, and God’s word alone, to illumine a darkened conscience, and to bring transformation by the truth of Scripture. The end result would be that the counselor, and the counseled, “may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect” (Rom. 12:3b).

Until next time…

Soli Deo Gloria!

Dr. L.S.

What Are The Qualities of A True Revival?

by 02501 | Feb 8, 2017

In recent times, many have discussed how the world desperately needs revival, and how this phenomenon appeared to be happening. In April of last year, there was a story done by a Christian news source, which reported West Virginia was experiencing a revival. The writer even stated this revival could prompt “end times events” like those found in the Book of Revelation. Matt Hartley said of this event:

“This is not man-made, charismatic, hyper spiritual…This is the presence of God that is overwhelming us, that is being released upon hungry people that are tired of just stagnant Christianity and “safe” church.”

Another event that occurred the previous year, which supported the idea of revival among Christianity was put on by author, and speaker, Anne Graham Lotz, daughter of Billy Graham, who promoted the “8-8-8 God Speaking” plan. From August 1st to August 8th one could go online and hear Scripture read in over 900 languages (which is pretty impressive). Her motive for this project, explained by a reporter, is described below:

Lotz said the event is hoped to ignite revival, which she describes… as “an outpouring of God’s Spirit, where God’s people wake up.”

There are also individuals, and groups, among Christianity that assert revival would not only be a return to God’s word, but a return of the “sign” gifts found in the early church (i.e., tongues, interpretation of tongues, miracles, prophecy, etc.). Some are even of the perspective that Donald Trump, the 45th President of the United States, would be indifferent from such charismatic revivals from detractors, as Larry Sparks comments:

I love the fact that Trump is evangelically un-biased. In other words, he will not fight you over cessationism (discontinuation of miracles and the gifts of the Spirit) or continuationism. He will not argue for or against the continuation of the power of the Holy Spirit. He will not look upon the charismatic, Spirit-empowered community with a suspicious eye, the way that perhaps a more pastoral candidate would (who might come with theological baggage).

So what constitutes a true revival? The qualities of a true revival can found in His written word.

Before we explore the qualities of revival it is imperative the actual word revival be defined. The root word for revival comes from the word revive. The prefix re meaning “again,” and vive, which derives from the Old French word vivere, meaning “to live.” So, the word revive literally means “to live again.” However, the word revive, in various contexts, has many definitions. Yet, there is one definition that is relevant when discussing the topic of Christian revival, which is noted below:

[Revive is defined] to quicken or renew the mind; bring back.

revive. Dictionary.com. Dictionary.com Unabridged. Random House, Inc. http://www.dictionary.com/browse/revive (accessed: February 5, 2017).

This type of reviving involves the renewing of the mind, or a bringing back of one’s state, or memories. In short, revival among Christianity, is a meeting, or gathering, which involves the quickening, or an awakening, of the conscience (or mind) to God’s word. With this particular definition above the qualities of true revival can be observed.

1. True revival involves proper preaching God’s word: This quality can be found in the book of Nehemiah (chap. 9:1-38), where Ezra, a scribe who was highly trained in the Law of Moses, stood at a wooden podium that was made for this purpose (vs. 1-5). It was at the wooden podium where Ezra spoke the Law to all of Israel, while they sat attentively listening to Ezra (v. 7). In similar fashion, Peter, on the day of Pentecost, gave the first sermon to the Jewish people pointing from the Old Testament that Jesus was Messiah sent by God, to be crucified (Acts 2:14-36). A true revival has with it true preaching from God’s word in context.

2. True revival involves proper explanation of God’s word: In the account of Nehemiah, as Ezra read the Law of Moses before Israel, the elders translated (the word in Biblical Hebrew literally means “explained”) what Ezra read so those who listened understood what was being read to them (v. 8). True revival involves a proper explanation of God’s word, so there is proper understanding of what is being proclaimed. In another instance, this is what Jesus told the disciples concerning the Great Commission. They were to go out into all the world, and make disciples of all nations. The disciples were also to baptize in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and teach all that Jesus commanded them (Matt. 28:18-20). In the same manner, the disciples of the early church continually “devoted themselves to the apostle’s teaching”(Acts 2:42). True revival is not just a proclamation of the truth, but also a proper explanation of the truth that is proclaimed, so all understand, and are edified.

3. True revival involves conviction, confession of sin, and repentance: In Nehemiah chapter 9:1-37, the entire nation of Israel, after the Law was read, and explained properly to them, confessed their sin before the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (v. 2). They had seen in the historical account of their Israelite history the grace and the long-suffering of God, and their rebellion against Him (vs. 9-38). In the New Testament, there are also several verses that highlight this truth. Jesus explained to His disciples it is not what goes into the body that makes mankind unclean, but what comes out of mankind’s corrupt heart that makes mankind unclean (Matt. 15:15-20). Peter, when proclaiming to the Jews that Christ was crucified at their hands they were “pierced to the heart,” showing contrition by what they heard (Acts 2:37). Paul reminded the churches in Ephesus that all men were born “dead in trespasses and sins,” and were by nature children of wrath like all of mankind (Eph. 2:1-3). In this dispensation there is the active work of the Holy Spirit, in conjunction with God’s word that convicts, and illumines, one’s conscience of their sin and unbelief (Jn. 16:7-8). True revival has the characteristics of conviction, confession of sin, and repentance.

4. True revival is qualitative rather than quantitative: There were whole groups of people whom recognized the holiness of God, and repented of their sins. The entire nation of Israel was called to repentance by Ezra, who read the Law to them (Neh. 8:8). At the start of the church, the Lord daily added to the number of those who being saved from their sins, and the wrath of God, by repentance (Acts 2:47). However, there were also examples of individuals who had also been revived in their conscience concerning the merciful works of God. One example is the Ethiopian eunuch, who Philip instructed while the Ethiopian was reading a portion of the Old Testament, which pointed to Christ (Acts 8:25-33). The Ethiopian eunuch received Christ Jesus, and shortly thereafter was baptized (Acts 8:34-39a). Another similar instance was during Paul’s preaching in Thyratira. The Lord opened up the heart of a woman named Lydia, who understood the message of what Paul was teaching, and believed in Christ Jesus (Acts 16:14-15). True revival is not just relegated to a large group of people, but also can happen to one person.

5. True revival is progressive, not just static: True revival is not only an event, or experience that takes place at a certain time in a certain arena, tent, conference center, or stadium. True revival continues throughout a person’s life, because their mind is being constantly transformed by the Holy Spirit, though the word of God, according to God’s grace and mercy (Rom. 12:1-2). Christians are commanded by Jesus to abide in Him constantly, so they may bear much fruit (Jn. 15:4-9). Christians are commanded to consistently be filled with the Holy Spirit (Eph. 5:18), and to walk by the Spirit, which results in a believer exhibiting the fruit of the Holy Spirit (Gal. 5:16-26). A believer is to have the word of Christ dwell in them richly (Col. 3:16), and to meet with saints often to encourage, and be encouraged (Heb. 10:25). Revival is not just a one time event at a specific location, nor is revival a mystical experience that brings a believer “close” to God, but it occurs regularly in a persons life who has received the forgiveness of sins in Christ Jesus, and is dedicated to studying God’s word.

When it comes to the word revival, we as believers who hold to a Biblical worldview must be cautious how we use and define this word.  A true revival, according to Scripture, has proper preaching, proper explanation of God’s word, the confession of sins, and repentance to the gospel.  A revival can occur in the consciences of a group of people, or in the conscience of one person. Finally, a true revival is not just a one-time event, or an exclusively emotional experience, or even a return to the “sign” gifts of the early church, but it is a progressive practice of the Christian life, as one meditates constantly on God’s word, and is filled with the Holy Spirit. Let us be a people when we discuss the concept of revival to do so with what God has revealed in Scripture, and not from opinions, logical presuppositions, or theological positions.

Until next time…

Soli Deo Gloria!

Dr. L.S.

The Underlying Reality of Abortion

by 02501 | Feb 1, 2017

The March For Life, an event that began in 1974 in Washington D.C, had its annual march January 27 2017, marking the 44th year of its celebration. In years past, there have been many influential people that have spoken at this event from Ronald Regan in 1987, to Presidential candidate Rick Santorum in 2013, and Vice President Mike Pence in 2011, and 2017.

The March For Life in Washington D.C. was created by Nellie Gray in 1974 to protest, and bring awareness against the act of abortion, when the Supreme Court in the Roe v. Wade decision, made abortion legal in the United States. Coincidentally, the 2017 March for Life protest came on the heels of the Women’s March, which was placed in the national spotlight just last week. The Women’s March, in contrast with the March for Life, celebrated the act of abortion, declaring abortion as a “woman’s right” that must be protected in the United States, and all across the world.

In light of these two marches we must not forget the underlying factor of abortion:

Abortion is legal genocide on minority children and women, the intellectually disabled, and the poor.

The main provider of abortions in the United States is the organization Planned Parenthood (formerly known as the American Birth Control League). This organization, was founded in 1921 by a woman named Margaret Sanger, who was a nurse, sex educator, lecturer, and writer. In 1914, she released her first publication titled, “The Woman Rebel,” and in 1917 she wrote another publication titled “Family Limitation.”  Margaret Sanger was an avid proponent of birth control, and believed in a process known as eugenics, which is described below:

Eugenics is the philosophy and social movement that argues it is possible to improve the human race and society by encouraging reproduction by people or populations with “desirable” traits (termed “positive” eugenics) and discouraging reproduction by people with “undesirable” qualities (termed “negative” eugenics) (http://pged.org/history-eugenics-and-genetics/)

Margaret Sanger believed minorities, poor people, and the intellectually disabled, carried with them “undesirable” traits that were not a positive contribution to the human race.  In a book titled Pivot To Civilization, concerning those who she described as “feeble-minded” Margaret Sanger wrote:

When we learn further that the total number of inmates in public and private institutions in the State of New York—in alms-houses, reformatories, schools for the blind, deaf and mute, in insane asylums, in homes for the feeble-minded and epileptic—amounts practically to less than sixty-five thousand, an insignificant number compared to the total population, our eyes should be opened to the terrific cost to the community of this dead weight of human waste (emphasis mine).

Concerning exterminating the Black race Margaret Sanger commented:

“We should hire three or four colored ministers, preferably with social-service backgrounds, and with engaging personalities. The most successful educational approach to the Negro is through a religious appeal. We do not want word to go out that we want to exterminate the Negro population,” she said, “if it ever occurs to any of their more rebellious members.”

Margaret Sanger’s December 19, 1939 letter to Dr. Clarence Gamble, 255 Adams Street, Milton, Massachusetts. (emphasis mine)

In writing about infants in large families, in a publication titled Eugenics and The New Race, Margaret Sanger penned the following statements:

““[Our objective is] unlimited sexual gratification without the burden of unwanted children… [Women must have the right] to live … to love… to be lazy … to be an unmarried mother … to create… to destroy… The marriage bed is the most degenerative influence in the social order… The most merciful thing that a large family does to one of its infant members is to kill it.”

The Woman Rebel, Volume I, Number 1 (1922) (emphasis mine)

In an article titled “A Plan For Peace,” Margaret Sanger explained in detail that the government should set in place a sterilization, and segregation, program “whose progeny is already tainted” (Sanger, 1932). In addition, Margaret Sanger argued the government should offer the parents of “feebleminded” (i.e., intellectually disabled) children the option to either be sterilized, or segregated, so they would not “infect” the general population (Sanger, 1932).

The ideology behind Margaret Sanger drives the actions behind Planned Parenthood. It is no accident about 80 percent of all Planned Parenthood centers are in minority neighborhoods. It is also a reality, “more African Americans die from abortions than from AIDS, accidents, violent crimes, cancer, and heart disease combined” (www.studentsforlife.org, 2016).

Since 1973, Planned Parenthood has decreased the Black American population by more than 25 percent (www.studentsforlife.org, 2016). Even if Planned Parenthood claims on their website, out of all the services they provide, abortion makes up 3 percent of the services they offer, this does not change the worldview behind the philosophy of Planned Parenthood. The organization has within its core a worldview of genocide to minority women and children, the intellectually disabled, and the poor who Margaret Sanger believed to be “undesirable.”

The Bible gives a very different view of people no matter if they are minorities, poor, or if one is intellectually disabled. According to Scripture all human beings, male and female, are made in the image of God (Gen. 1:26-27). David in the Psalms, wrote he was “fearfully and wonderfully made” by God (Psalm 139:13-14). Job acknowledged how all men were fashioned personally by God, in the womb of their mothers (Job 31:13-15). Those who embrace abortion are hostile to the Biblical worldview. They refuse to see the intrinsic worth of a person as mankind has been created by the Lord God, in His image and likeness. Instead, those who embrace abortion declare the value of some human beings are arbitrary, and for the benefit of other human beings, they must be eliminated.

If we are believers who hold to a Biblical worldview, we must observe minorities, the intellectually disabled, and the poor the way God observes them. We must not neglect the underlying, terrible truth behind abortion: Its objective was, and is, to exterminate minority women and children, the intellectually disabled, and the poor among society. As believers in Christ, let us stand up for the truth of God’s word concerning human life, which does not discriminate against any race, age, sex, socioeconomic status, or ethnicity. Let us with compassion proclaim the gospel, and serve our neighbor, revealing the God who has died for all those who are born, and unborn.

Lastly, there may be one reading this who has experienced an abortion in the past, and perhaps experiences guilt as a result of this action. Yes this is a sin, but it is a sin that Christ Himself has died for, and by His death you have been forgiven.  It is my hope you would repent, and receive His forgiveness. Jesus Christ took on your (and mine) sin, and the wrath that you (and I) deserve in your (and my) place. As a result, you (and I) have received a full, and complete, pardon from all of your sins past, present, and future. May you find comfort in the love of God, found in Christ, for you. Amen.

Until next time…

Soli Deo Gloria!

Dr. L.S.