What Is An Abolitionist?
1. Biblical
We strive to bring the truth revealed in God’s Word into conflict with the worldly wisdom of man. Rather than leaving the Bible out of our engagements, we are determined to that it should be the foundation for everything that we do. The concept of abolitionism (the removal of evils) is derived from the word of God. It follows from the call to do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with our God (Micah 6:8). God’s people are explicitly instructed to wash themselves, make themselves clean, and remove the evil of their deeds from his sight, to cease to do evil, learn good, seek justice, reprove the ruthless, defend the orphan and plead for the widow (Isaiah 1: 16-17). The Bible does not merely command believers to abstain from evils but also to “expose them” (Ephesians 5:11). Abolitionism also follows from the practice of “pure and undefiled religion”: to look after the orphans (abandoned children) and widows (women in need) in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained by the world (James 1:27).The work of abolition is also required if we are to consistently keep the two great commandments in a culture that dehumanizes and destroys our fellow image bearers and neighbors (Luke 4:18-19). Abolitionism also stands or falls on the truth of two interrelated theological propositions derived from the Bible and nowhere else.1. Human beings are created in the image of God and reflect His image.2. The Creator Himself became a man in order to rescue mankind from sin, self-destruction, death, and eternal separation from God. Historically, these two propositions have laid the foundations for all human rights movements and campaigns for human equality. They have been a bulwark standing between humanity and the monstrous inhumanities of history. Slavery abolitionist William Lloyd Garrison called the belief that God created man in his own image “a death-blow to all claims of superiority, to all charges of inferiority, to all usurpation, to all oppressive dominion.”
Providential
We rely on the Providence of God, not the pragmatism of man. Abolitionists do not trust in war-horses or chariots. We trust in the spiritual means and methods God has given to us in His Word. Abolitionists have always cried, “duty is ours, the results are God’s!” We look to the Spirit of God to lead us, believing He is our ever present guide and that He is not silent.We depend upon the Providence and Sovereignty of God. “… He giveth to all life, and breath, and all things.” (Acts 17:25) It is the power of God working through His Holy Spirit that changes hearts. Yet we acknowledge that God has deemed men active participants in this drama. He gives us choices, and these choices have consequences. (Matt. 9:38, Acts 27:22, Acts 27:31) We are called to be faithful – to walk in righteousness – to speak the truth in love -and to trust in him above our own understanding.
Gospel Centered
We recognize that the chief weapon we possess in the fight against abortion is the gospel. Abortion is sin and the only answer for sin is repentance and a saving faith in the finished work of Christ. The Gospel alone can truly and permanently mobilize human action, motivate moral behavior, and mandate consistent, compassionate social justice. It brings redemption from destruction; it is the wellspring of love, hope, and joy, and the real answer to abortion.Christ’s Great Commission to the church is not limited to evangelism, but also requires discipleship. Christ told his disciples to “Teach… them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you.” (Matt. 28:20) Christian, faithfully obey the Great Commission! Love God with your all your heart, soul, and mind. Call all men to faith and repentance. Teach and exhort obedience to all that Christ has commanded. Make disciples that love what God loves and hate what God hates. Make disciples who desire – along with their Father in Heaven – to seek justice, to correct oppression, and to take up the cause of the 3,500 abandoned children who are murdered every day. If we love our preborn neighbors as we love ourselves, we will not rest until abortion is abolished.We are committed to an uncompromising adherence to the good news that God stepped down into human history as Jesus Christ. He was conceived in the womb of a young, unmarried woman who did not choose to be with child. He lived a sinless life, and by His death redeemed a lost, wandering, and wicked people from sin, punishment and eternal separation from God. The fullness of the Gospel of God is supreme above all philosophies and ideologies and without the Gospel there would be no call for, or means of, Abolition.
Body Driven
We believe that Abolition is an Obligation of the Church. We seek to awaken the Church to fulfill her ordained purpose to be salt and light in this sin spoiled and darkened world. The primary means God has ordained to display his manifold wisdom to the world is through his people, his body and bride. The church must take the gospel to the ends of the earth and bring it into conflict with every dark deed of man.Christians are to “abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good” (Rom. 12:9), to expose evil (Eph. 5:11), and to destroy the ungodly thinking that defends evil (2 Cor. 10:5). We are exhorted to rescue the weak from death, snatch the falling from flames, and hold back the stumbling from the slaughter.
Immediate and Uncompromising
Abolitionism is just the Christian response to entrenched evil.
The evil of abortion will only be overcome by the people of God conquering the deeds of darkness “by the blood of the Lamb, and the Word of their testimony”, loving not their lives even unto death. (Rev. 12:11) Just as Christians in 19th century America would have been hypocritical and callous to hold an anti-slavery position while doing nothing to end the practice, we believe that all Christians are called to the (non-violent) task of working to end abortion rather than merely believing that abortion is wrong. “…Faith, if it hath not works, is dead” (Jam. 2:17)