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What is a Fetus Worth?

Jan. 22, 2008 marks the 35 year anniversary of Roe V. Wade. It will also be acknowledged as “Life Sunday” in many churches across the land, where our attention will be brought to reflect upon the sanctity of human life and pray for the unthinkable act of abortion to be abolished. Scott Peterson was found guilty for double homicide of his wife Laci Peterson and yet born baby Conner. This case was front and center in the media for some time and I hope awakened people’s evaluation of the value of the unborn baby in the womb.

Scott Peterson was a man who loved the wild life and fought against the reality of growing responsibilities. He was engaged in an adulteress affair at the time of the murder and many think that the very reason he murdered his wife was to escape the responsibilities of fatherhood. Others suggest that he wanted to cash in on a life policy. Either way you look at it, the baby Conner was seen as a hindrance, because say even if he wanted cash from the life policy, he certainly didn’t want it with the responsibility of raising a child all by himself. There was certainly a motive to kill his wife before the baby was born. Scott Peterson was ultimately convicted on first degree murder for his wife and second degree murder for the fetus; which begs the question:

Why the inconsistency on the value we place upon the unborn fetus?

First of all, how can you say that the murder of the fetus was second degree compared to the first degree conviction of his wife? If anything, the murder of his wife was in every way prompted by the presence of the baby Conner in her womb. It was just as first degree as can be. Secondly, the state of California got it partly right in holding Peterson accountable for the baby, albeit second degree. The state even has enough sense in this case to realize that the baby has some value and couldn’t persuasively argue that Conner had no intrinsic value, nor was a factor in Peterson’s plotting. We see therefore a huge inconsistency in how the state views the value of human life. If Laci Peterson, herself, even without the consent of her husband, were to undergo an abortion of the fetus the very same day she was murdered, the state could care less and a large portion of the country just views it as something that is acceptable. But if Scott Peterson takes the baby’s life, without the consent of the mother, it is held against him as murder of a person.

I am in no way suggesting that Scott Peterson shouldn’t be held accountable for the murder of baby Conner. What I am questioning is how does the state have any authority to render a verdict that paints such an act as cold blooded murder in one case and would actually fight to protect the choice of the mother to perform the same act in another situation? Obviously, this country is divided on this issue and even our emotions are divided on this issue when confronted the complexity of the situations that prompt the murder of a baby. As one who is opposed to abortion, we alone are consistent in our position. Can you imagine Planned Parenthood protesting the conviction of Peterson because in their eyes Conner is only really a “non-viable tissue of mass”. I’m sure that Planned Parenthood, along with other pro-abortion groups were having a hard time hearing the media refer to Laci and Scott’s child as: “Conner”, “Unborn Son”, etc. they have fought long and hard to term the baby in other clinical tags, as the once mentioned “mass of tissue”, “zygote”, etc.

The media would have a field day and crucify Planned Parenthood if they protested the usage of the words “Conner” or “Baby” and lined up at the courthouse painting Scott Peterson as a victim of double homicide when it should rightly be single homicide. Pro abortion groups are smarter than that and stayed home biting their tongues. They can’t be consistent in their position because it would make them look cruel and inhumane. They exalt the judgment of the mother as being the sole determining factor of a baby’s viability and perpetuate the new ideals of convenience, a false freedom that binds, shamelessness, on and on. They know it, but want us to believe a lie…they would rather we close our minds and our hearts to the issue at stake in the Scott Peterson case. It is bad PR for them.

It is also ironic that as my wife was expecting our second little girl, my wife qualified for state assisted health care on the account of the little one in her stomach. I am grateful that the state deems our baby worthy of health care even though a couple of months into the pregnancy, when most pro-abortion groups would say that the baby is of no significance and has no inherent value. In fact, Mimi herself doesn’t qualify for health care, but the state will provide care throughout the pregnancy because the baby is deemed as precious and worth caring for. So, the state does recognize our baby as valuable, recognized Conner as valuable in convicting Peterson of murder, but fails to recognize unwanted babies as valuable.

As the media continues to perpetuate an image of Christians as brainwashed zealots, they only do so in their own blindness and complete disregard for the consistency in how we value human life: wanted or not, convenient or not, deformed or not, murdered or aborted (which is murder). Christian, may it never be said of us that we are cold-hearted. If you meet someone who has had an abortion, love them, love them, love them and exalt in the incredible mercy of God that forgives ALL sin. May our neighbors see us as anything but the red-faced angry religious zealots the media paints us to be, and instead encounter within us a loving embrace and hear from our lips and hearts truth spoken in love. Keep also in your prayers the many little ones right now who face an appointment with death in the name of convenience.

Bridge to Terabithia a Bridge to the Gospel?

This movie surprisingly engaged some theological themes. Leslie attends church with the Burke family and on the way home comments that the "Jesus" stuff was interesting. Jess' little sister said that it was all true because the Bible taught it and if you didn't believe it you were going to hell. Jess was a little bit tentative in asserting such, most uneasy over what Leslie's thoughts might be. Leslie basically disagrees and says that they believe this stuff because they have too. This scene really does contrast Leslie's imagination and fantasy, which seems all so real, with the dull out of touch "truth" that the Bible teaches. Basically Leslie's imagination is more gripping and praiseworthy in contrast to Jess' religious convictions.

I basically think that the screenwriter was trying to simply show that Leslie was a free spirit and that she was guided by her imaginations and thoughts in a way that is more attractive in comparison to the Bible-believing faith of Christians. I must admit that while watching this movie, I am drawn to Leslie's character and find it hard to refute her hesitations about a rigid belief system. This is where I had hoped that Jess would be able to share his faith about the Biblical story in an even more awe-inspiring fashion that Leslie's imagination, but such was not the case. Instead we see an unsure tentativeness of basically asserting stuff like a parrot because we were told that such things were true.

I instead am captivated by the Biblical story and think that therein lays great truth and mystery. Truth actually leads us into a tension of asserting God's transcendence in a way that is truly inspiring and full of wonder.

The world of Narnia is guided by this truth, whereas the world of Terabithia is not. I love the world of Terabithia and even think that it parallels the truth of a Satan figure who seeks the destruction of creatures and intruders. The redeemer is a king and princess. These themes are great and awesome, but only because they reflect the one true story of Jesus as king ruling over the dark forces that seek our destruction. The gospel is portrayed in Terabithia, yet rejected in its conceptual theological fashion, at least from Leslie, in the conversation about faith. What Terabithia offers as an alternative to Christian faith is in fact the gospel illustrated. The movie would have been much more glorious in affirming the glorious truths in both, rather than conceptually treating the Bible as a rigid rule book and contrastly portray Terabithia as a free minded expression of fantasy.

Why Keep a Journal?

Jonathan Edwards

There is no definitive right or wrong way to keep a journal, but I just wanted to offer some ideas on what I am doing in my journal taking and would love to hear what some of you do.

First off, I am making reference more to a journal of a devotional nature, containing reflective thoughts on texts of Scripture, prayers, questions for God, etc. I try to journal everyday, but sometimes skip a day. I do realize that one can get in the habit of skipping days and they add up to where you just give up. I try to be careful about that, but have had those experiences as well.

Anyhow, right now, I am simply reading a single chapter of Scripture and then dialoging with the text in my journal. I will often offer praise and thanksgiving for something in the text that causes doxology in my soul and note it. I will also make comments about new insights received from the text or even jot down a question I have for further review. I usually end the journal entry with a written prayer that is related somehow to the text. While journaling as such, I am not using a study Bible or commentaries of any sort. I am simply dialoguing with the text of Scripture on my finite understanding of it.

I mark down the chapter read and the date. If you keep up with one a day, you will journal the whole Bible in about three years. I suggest purchasing a hardcover journal (book bound) from a local bookstore. They will run for about $5-10 for a cheaper one. It will last for a longtime and you can store it in a personal library or pass it down to your children someday.

Another type of journaling that I like to do is write poetry or prayers. I have purchased a nicer leather bound journal for these entries. Maybe once a week or so, I would recommend putting your artistic skills to use and compose a poem, a song, or a prayer. You can compose a nighttime prayer for a child of yours, a mealtime family prayer, a poem for a special occasion or holiday. Imagine having a special journal with written out prayers for every thanksgiving meal, poems for every Christmas, prayer/poems for relatives birthdays and more. You can encourage family members to contribute to this journal and reference it for future prayers at special occasions.

Lastly, I want to mention another type of journaling, which is very special and will require much patience. Buy a large leather bound journal and write out the entire Bible in it. Again, if you write out a chapter a day, it will take 3 years. You can even take turns in your family and it can truly become a “family Bible”, one that adorns a special place in your home. You can read from this Bible for family devotions, holidays, etc. I have yet to do this, but hope to one day accomplish such a task. It will also serve as a touching gift for your children when you will pass on…of much more value than a family heirloom. It would be awesome if I had a written out Bible from an ancient relative.

Well, I would love to hear what your thoughts are and what some of you do for your personal journal time.

Good Times In California

The Hogaboam family went to Cali for a vacation in August and had a wonderful time. We hit the theme parks, the beach, and hung with family and friends. It was great. Anyhow, I just now feel like I am returning to normalcy and even so, I am still catching up with work and stuff.

Well, I hope to be offering up blogs more frequently and look forward to hearing from you!!!

My Response to Recommendations from PCA Committee on " Federal Vision"

I am pasting below a published article and my response is in red italics below the article.

NEWS FROM THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY
OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN AMERICA
MEMPHIS, TENN
JUNE 14, 2007

35th PCA GA Approves Recommendations of Federal Vision Study Report
MEMPHIS, TENN – The 35TH General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in America, meeting in Memphis, Tenn., on Wednesday, June 13, approved the recommendations of its Interim Committee on Federal Vision.

After the committee made its report, a motion was made to postpone taking action on the recommendations at this GA, to add two new members to the committee, and to direct the committee to include more exegesis of relevant biblical passages in its report. This motion failed. After further debate the General Assembly voted overwhelmingly to approve the recommendations.

The recommendations included the following:

1. That the General Assembly commends to Ruling and Teaching Elders and their congregations this report of the Ad Interim Committee on NPP, AAT and FV for careful consideration and study.

2. That the General Assembly reminds the Church, its officers and congregations of the provisions of BCO 29-1 and 39-3 which assert that the Confession of Faith and the Larger and Shorter Catechisms of the Westminster Assembly, while “subordinate to the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments, the inerrant Word of God,” have been adopted by the PCA “as standard expositions of the teachings of Scripture in relation to both faith and practice.”

3. That the General Assembly recommends the declarations in this report as a faithful exposition of the Westminster Standards, and further reminds those ruling and teaching elders whose views are out of accord with our Standards of their obligation to make known to their courts any differences in their views.

4. That the General Assembly reminds the Sessions and Presbyteries of the PCA that it is their duty “to exercise care over those subject to their authority” and “to condemn erroneous opinions which injure the purity or peace of the Church” (BCO 31-2; 13-9f).

Recommendation 3 dealt with nine declarations proposed by the study committee. It asked the General Assembly to recommend that the declarations in the report be considered a faithful exposition of the Westminster Standards. The declarations are:


In light of the controversy surrounding the NPP and FV, and after many months of careful study, the committee unanimously makes the following declarations:

1. The view that rejects the bi-covenantal structure of Scripture as represented in the Westminster Standards (i.e., views which do not merely take issue with the terminology, but the essence of the first/second covenant framework) is contrary to those Standards.

2. The view that an individual is “elect” by virtue of his membership in the visible church; and that this “election” includes justification, adoption and sanctification; but that this individual could lose his “election” if he forsakes the visible church, is contrary to the Westminster Standards.

3. The view that Christ does not stand as a representative head whose perfect obedience and satisfaction is imputed to individuals who believe in him is contrary to the Westminster Standards.

4. The view that strikes the language of “merit” from our theological vocabulary so that the claim is made that Christ’s merits are not imputed to his people is contrary to the Westminster Standards.

5. The view that “union with Christ” renders imputation redundant because it subsumes all of Christ’s benefits (including justification) under this doctrinal heading is contrary to the Westminster Standards.

6. The view that water baptism effects a “covenantal union” with Christ through which each baptized person receives the saving benefits of Christ’s mediation, including regeneration, justification, and sanctification, thus creating a parallel soteriological system to the decretal system of the Westminster Standards, is contrary to the Westminster Standards.

7. The view that one can be “united to Christ” and not receive all the benefits of Christ’s mediation, including perseverance, in that effectual union is contrary to the Westminster Standards.

8. The view that some can receive saving benefits of Christ’s mediation, such as regeneration and justification, and yet not persevere in those benefits is contrary to the Westminster Standards.

9. The view that justification is in any way based on our works, or that the so-called “final verdict of justification” is based on anything other than the perfect obedience and satisfaction of Christ received through faith alone, is contrary to the Westminster Standards.

Byfaithonline – The Web Magazine of the PCA
Make sure to visit www.byfaithonline.com regularly to read articles and news for and about the PCA. To subscribe to the print edition of the Byfaith magazine go to https://giving.christianity.com/donatenow/pca/offers.php.

Dominic Aquila, Editor
Byfaithonline Newsletter
daquila@byfaithonline.com
www.byfaithonline.com

I agree with just about everything…although I have some minor qualms with point #2 The view that an individual is “elect” by virtue of his membership in the visible church; and that this “election” includes justification, adoption and sanctification; but that this individual could lose his “election” if he forsakes the visible church, is contrary to the Westminster Standards.

I understand what is at the heart of this statement…but my understanding of such a text as 2 John 1, where the epistle is addressed to the “elect” lady and her children; would seem to me to be an endearing designation of those who are the “ekklesia” by means of their confession, baptism, and participation in the covenant community. When such people go out from the church in apostasy, John says that they were never really a part of us…meaning that they proved themselves to be insincere in their faith. Even so, while participating with all marks of a true believer, they would be addressed as the “elect” presumptively…and contingently, based on persevering faith in the redemption in Christ. In this sense then, the covenant community would all be addressed as the “elect” although some would fall away, not making their calling and election a sure thing…and therefore no longer be addressed as the “elect” in such an apostasized state, but would regain such an endearing term if they were to be restored to the church. In this sense, I do believe in a broad use of the term, “elect”, to refer to the local body. I would even argue that the word church, meaning “called out”, even carries with it much the same identity of “elect”.

Though I would not necessarily say that one loses their election, one must at least admit that they are forsaking the elect community and the saving benefits found in her (I am sounding like a sacramentalist, but that is okay, I think) and such a person would no longer be assured of the salvivic benefits they once enjoyed while participating in the “elect” community…they would be cut off…but of course welcomed back if genuine restoration takes place. Basically, being part of the “elect” is contingent on several things: repentance, baptism, fruits of repentance, a lively faith. One shows themselves elect based on only these visible evidences that we have to judge and administer discipline accordingly. We can only presume and never claim to be infallible in our judgment as a church. We are left to press on and make our calling and election a sure thing…a final reality.

John Piper’s, “Future Grace”, was very helpful and influential in some of my thinking in this matter and it may very be that I adapt more of Federal Vision than I am aware. My understanding all stems from Scripture, to which my conscience is captive…even if I should die a heretic.

Any thoughts?

"Cumorah Hill, Mormonism, Joseph Smith" (All in my backyard)

A picture of the Cumorah Hill, where legend has it that Joseph Smith befriended an Angel named Moroni, who entrusted him with golden plates full of Egyptian Hieroglyphics, containing the Book of Mormon. Anyhow, this is located right near me in Palmyra, New York (where I happen to get Chinese food quite a bit by the way). The hill also is a perfect sledding hill in the winter. Also, this serves as the site of a yearly pageant that includes a huge cast and special effects, quite a show I hear. It is also frequented by a professing group of Christians whom I have heard dress up like Joseph Smith and Satan, depicting Satan having his way with the tormented Smith... I, however, object to such a drama and would probably much prefer the Heretical pageant for purely entertainment purposes...but don't deny the truth that Smith may in fact be suffering such a horrible fate. I have yet to meet a Mormon who has cited this expedition as wooing them to the Evangelical faith....can you figure why not? I think Paul said something about truth in love, right? Anyhow, this concludes the longest picture caption you have seen in your life.

Growing up, I befriended quite a few Mormons and actually considered a couple to be my closest friends for a time. I was welcomed by their families into their homes and was even asked to lead a devotion and prayer before dinner on one occasion. I would engage in numerous theological discussions and found myself doing more research than the typical high school student. One thing became painfully clear in my research: the LDS Church was no church of Jesus Christ. I attended their services, their Sunday school, and conversed with the local bishop (who was my friend’s father) and realized that their theology was not Biblical. We were both convinced in our beliefs and thought the other was in error, which prompted a loving disposition of winning the other over.

I am well aware of the accounts of Joseph Smith obtaining the gold plates on the Cumorah Hill in Palmyra and was very interested in visiting the hill when Bob Young (elder at my church) was giving me a tour of the area in my first visit to the Church. I continue to be astounded a hill in Palmyra is the source for the faith of millions in one of the fastest growing religious sects in the world. It all comes down to whether or not Joseph Smith received plates on that hill, and I am convinced not. It is interesting to note that when Joseph Smith was a young adolescent, a traveling magician and diviner came through Palmyra and drew the curiosity of the young Smith. This diviner carried along with him magic stones that he said would allow him to find buried treasure. He would offer his services to the locals at $3 a day to search their property. No treasure was found, but the young Smith remained intrigued by the thoughts of magical stones and became a clone of sorts. He offered his own services and once traveled to Damascus, New York to find treasure that he said was buried by the Spaniards. Many joined in the excavation work and no treasure came up…Smith said to keep digging because an enchantment lowered it deeper. At this, people labeled Smith a charlatan and ceased their digging. By the way, Smith was getting paid quite well from this venture.

Smith later details how magical rocks aided him in his translation of the words found upon the gold plates that he received from the angel Moroni on the Cumorah Hill. I wish not to assault Joseph Smith and his now many followers, but rather point out the great danger that exists in fascination with the occult. The young Smith was fascinated by the itinerant diviner that came through Palmyra and it birthed within him an ongoing search for the mysterious and hidden. This venture was unfruitful for the young Smith, so he went on to create a fable that would lend credence to his professed abilities and in doing so, founded a religious movement that has so recklessly banked their faith upon Smith’s credibility and reliability.

Whether Smith’s story is a mere fabrication or his occult fascination invited the adversary as an angel of light to actually encounter him and lead him in his findings…we can clearly say that Satan was at work, as he is both the author of all lies and the one whose presence is found in occult pursuits. It was not surprising to hear, after moving here, that Palmyra has a history of occult incidents and Satanic worship. It has also been brought to my attention that the Wayne County region has a whole has given place to occult practices and falsity (including the Fox sisters and the rise of Spiritualism). It is my prayer that God would bless Palmyra and rid it of all occult fascination and bring forth the light of His Son, who is the eternal truth. May Wayne County behold the truth in Christ and turn from the darkness that would seek to bind her. May we prove faithful in our defense of the one true gospel and call our Mormon friends back to the church of the one and true Jesus Christ.