LEADERSHIP LINE
Dr. David D. Swanson
Fall, 2024
Over the years, I have used the Leadership Line to address important social or cultural issues faced by the Christian community, often issues far too complex to be adequately discussed during a regular worship service or formation class. As I mentioned in worship this past Sunday (10.06), we are in a significant season as we approach a major election this November. Given the stakes around one critical amendment, our elders believe it is time to speak out and educate.
As you know, it is not my aim to “tell you how to vote.” My task is to lead you more deeply into the presence of Jesus, and I trust that from that relationship, God will guide you in making your own voting decisions. Even so, the case being built by those supporting Amendment 4 is one of such deception that I feel compelled to provide some context so that you can make an informed decision when voting.
At first glance, the plain language of the proposed amendment makes it seem innocuous. The real danger is that the language is actually vague and ambiguous, almost certainly leading to outcomes that most people would oppose, regardless of their position on the sanctity of life.
First, let me be clear: First Presbyterian Church is and has always been a church that believes in the sanctity of human life. From Genesis 1, when God creates us “in His image,” to the poignant verses in Psalm 139:13-16 “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb…when I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be,” God has been the author and sole creator of life and, as such, controls when it begins and ends. Therefore, our task as His disciples is to honor life, uphold it, and defend it when necessary. This applies from the moment of conception until a person’s last breath. We love and protect what flows from the creative hand of Almighty God.
I am also deeply aware of the realities of this life. I know there are a number of women in our church and beyond who have had abortions in the past, and who now navigate the tender path of moving forward through the grace and love of God. What I am sharing here is by no means a condemnation of those on that journey.
Second, Amendment 4 warrants serious thought because it moves from the political realm into a spiritual and theological one. Our church’s first core value is Truth. We stand on the truth of God, revealed in His Word, and we act accordingly. Amendment 4 is misleading and deceptive, so let me bring the light of truth to bear. Here is the text of the amendment:
“No law shall prohibit, penalize, delay, or restrict abortion before viability or when necessary to protect the patient's health, as determined by the patient's healthcare provider. This amendment does not change the Legislature's constitutional authority to require notification to a parent or guardian before a minor has an abortion.”
Let’s review the problems therein:
The opening declares, “No law shall prohibit, penalize, delay, or restrict abortion . . .” This means abortions – all the way up to full-term – would not be prohibited or restricted in any way, presumably setting aside even the most basic safety precautions that currently protect the woman.
The phrase “before viability” is deeply troubling because it is not defined. When is a child viable outside the womb, and who makes that determination? According to the amendment, anyone could make that determination, which opens the way for late-term abortions.
Abortion would not be restricted in order to “protect the patient’s health.” Again, there is an astounding lack of clarity or definition. There is no mention of a doctor or physician, only a “healthcare provider.” Presumably, a healthcare provider could be anyone in an office who is part of the healthcare operation, meaning a patient’s health could be determined by someone other than a doctor. Further, there is no definition as to what constitutes the patient’s “health.” If a patient is simply depressed by the pregnancy, could that be a reason to approve an abortion? Or the financial stress a child might present to the overall health of a family? The list could go on and on.
Perhaps most concerning is this statement: “This amendment does not change the Legislature’s constitutional authority to require notification to a parent or guardian before a minor has an abortion.” At first, you would assume that statement is perfectly clear. Nothing is changing. Parents will be notified. What they are NOT telling you is that the amendment DOES change the requirement for parental consent in cases involving a minor. Requiring that a parent be told is a wholly different matter than obtaining their approval. A minor in any high school in Florida cannot take so much as a Tylenol without parental consent, but if this amendment passes, they could get an abortion.
As a reminder, the common refrain of “my body, my choice” is contrary to the Christian gospel. Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 “You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore, honor God with your body.” We have been purchased by the blood of Christ. As such, we are not the owners of anything in this life, including our bodies. We belong to the Lord, so our task is to always ask him what He would desire we do with what belongs to Him, including the wholly separate life of any child growing within a woman. Through simple DNA analysis, the child is not part of the woman’s body, but an entirely distinct body, a creation of the Lord. Correctly put, it is “His body, His choice,” and His choice is the honoring and protection of life.
For more information, please WATCH THIS VIDEO from a physician's perspective. You might also appreciate this article from The Gospel Coalition.
As we all head toward the upcoming elections with a desire to honor God’s Word and our convictions, I implore you to “love your neighbor as yourself,” and approach every interaction in the wisdom of Colossians 3:12-14:
Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
Our Heavenly Father loves you deeply and rejoices in every life – from conception to eternity. We must respectfully stand for His Truth in love as we shine light into our post-Christian culture. I pray that the Holy Spirit leads you in your quest and fight for Truth and Justice in our fallen world. May our good Father protect His children and revive our heavy hearts.
Watch our weekly Newsletter to participate in 24 Hours of Prayer as we near the election in November. Please feel free to direct any questions/concerns, to SrPastorOffice@fpco.org.
In His Love,
Dr. David Swanson
Sr. Pastor, First Presbyterian Church of Orlando