Innocent Blood

                                                                                                                                                                        Vol. II, No. 4, September 1989

Proverbs 6:16-19 states that, "There are six things which the Lord hates ... hands that shed innocent blood..." And yet every year in the United States we slay some 1,500,000 unborn babies. We have murdered more people this way than Hitler killed in all his concentration camps. Have we not then made ourselves the object of God's hatred? Is it not high time that our nation be cleansed from this death plague? Is it not long past the time when Southern Baptists should speak and act vigorously with a clear and definite stand in accord with God's unmistakable love of the life only He can create?

Within Southern Baptist life one of the problems has been that agency staffs have ignored the repeated pro-life resolutions passed at annual conventions. That is gradually changing as new trustee majorities require staffs to be accountable to the majority judgment expressed at the annual convention and as new agency heads move into these influential positions. For example, in Larry Lewis at the Home Mission Board and Richard Land at the Christian Life Commission we have two agency heads who stand strong on this issue. But much more needs to be done.

Southern Baptists for Life is an entirely Southern Baptist organization though not funded by the Cooperative Program. SBL is a private organization comprised of pro-life Southern Baptists who cooperate to proclaim the sacredness of human life, support candidates for public office who favor a human life amendment to the Constitution, and oppose giving tax money to organizations which perform or promote abortion, support local crisis pregnancy centers, minister with compassion to those women who have been victimized by abortion, teach abstinence before marriage and faithfulness after marriage, and pray earnestly for God's direction as we work against the atrocity of abortion.

The first branch of SBL in Virginia was formed in Northern Virginia in July. At present most participants are members of Fairfax Circle Baptist Church, but the group is seeking the prayers and help of like-minded Southern Baptists from throughout Northern Virginia.

The 15 August meeting heard a pro-life update from Gary Bauer, a member and President of the Family Research Council in Washington. Various organizational matters were discussed including outreach, pastoral sponsors, and the needs of crisis pregnancy centers in that area. Members met in four action-oriented small groups (education, ministry, publicity, and fund raising) to begin planning activities.

The next monthly meeting of the North Virginia SBL group will be Thursday, 21 September, at 7:30 p.m. at Fairfax Circle Baptist Church, 3110 Chichester Lane, Fairfax (corner of Arlington Boulevard and Chichester Lane, halfway between the Beltway and Fairfax Circle on Route 50). Members of Southern Baptist churches who are interested in the pro-life movement and want to become better informed are invited to this and subsequent meetings.

Those in other parts of the state may wish to write SBL, Box 470050 Suite 128, Tulsa, OK 74147-0050 for further information about the organization and help in establishing a branch in your area. Nationally this is a critically important moment when we have the opportunity to stop or greatly reduce the slaughter of babies. Politicians listen to voters, and the pro-death side is making a maximum effort. Pregnant women need godly counsel. Unborn children need protection.

A dozen SBL chapters in Virginia might well tip the political and moral balance in our state. Won't you pray about what the Lord would have you do on this issue. If you don't help the unborn babies, who will?