Abortion, The Church, and Her Holy Calling

I write this just after the State of New York expanded abortion to any point up to birth. Christians are horrified by this step backward in the effort to end legalized infanticide. I am especially appalled that the effort was pushed by professing Christian Governor Andrew Cuomo, a member of the Roman Catholic Church.

Where has been the voice of that church? She speaks often about the sanctity of human life. I have seen her priests at protests in front of abortion clinics. And no one can claim that Cuomo's pro-death views appeared suddenly out of the air. Could it be that Rome enjoys the prestige of being able to claim high public officials among her membership over real defense of the preborn? That is how this looks to me. 

It made me think of these words of God: "If even lifeless instruments, such as the flute or the harp, do not give distinct notes, how will anyone know what is played? And if the bugle gives an indistinct sound, who will get ready for battle?" (I Corinthians 14:7-8). One of the callings of the Church is to be salt and light in culture: "You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet. You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven" (Matthew 5:13-16). However, I would suggest that Rome has put her light under a basket, lest she risk her social standing. 

Presbyterian Theologian James Henley Thornwell said this of the Church: "She is of God, and if she forgets that it is her divine prerogative to speak in the name and by the authority of God - if she relinquishes the dialect of Canaan, and stoops to babble in the dialects of earth - she must expect to be treated as a babbler. Her strength lies in comprehending her spiritual vocation. She is different from all other societies among men. Though, as a society, she has ethical and political relations in common with the permanent organizations of the Family and the State, yet, in her essence, her laws, and her ends, she is diverse from every other institute [sic]" [Theology as a Life in Individuals and in the Church].