Why Would Three Pastors from Bethlehem Get Arrested?

From Gospel Translations

On December 19 eight of us from Bethlehem were among the 92 arrested while participating in a rescue at Planned Parenthood on Ford Parkway in St. Paul. Tom Steller, David Michael, David Amundson, Bruce Nelson, Chris Torkelson, Norma Warrick, Laura Johnson, and I simply sat in front of the door to say by our action: without violence we will do what we can to stop child-killing here today. 

Is that remarkable? Not very. But here’s something that is.

Liberty Ann Hinkle was born 3 and ½ months premature March 1987. She weighed 1 lb. 3 oz. She lived. I have a picture of her when she was born and one a year later. She is sitting up and smiling with a very lady-like bonnet.

Last week in St. Paul a woman 21 weeks pregnant paid to have the medical people kill her baby. What was the difference between these two babies? Perhaps a week in age. In one case the mother and medical people bent every effort for life. In the other they used their know-how to kill.

Wouldn’t you sit down in front of a door to separate a baby from a killer? But someone will say, “Are they really babies?” If you truly are willing to consider the evidence, come to Bethlehem Sunday evening (January 15) and watch “The Silent Scream”.

Ultrasound and intrauterine photography have opened a window on the womb that will be Exhibit A at the judgment seat of God. There is no more excuse. “If you say, behold we did not know this, does not he who weighs the heart perceive it?” (Proverbs 24:12)

Already in 1980 Moody Monthly said, “The Catholics have called abortion, ‘The Silent Holocaust.’ The deeper horror is the silence of the evangelical.”

That’s us. And I want to publicly confess a great blindness and indifference and apathy in my own life and ministry. I am in no position to point my finger at any of you. I bear a greater responsibility as a leader. My silence has been more shameful than yours. I am praying now that I would be forgiven and granted another chance to do my part in ending “the silent holocaust” of abortion.

This Sunday (January 15) I will deliver a message entitled "Rescuing Unborn Children: Required and Right!" (Proverbs 24:10-12). After the evening service we will have an open forum so that you can ask any questions of us you like.

On Tuesday, January 17, from 7:00 to 9:00 PM in the fireside room there will be a meeting for all people who are considering participating in an upcoming Rescue. Participation in a rescue does not imply the necessity of risking arrest. There are other important support efforts. If you want to be a part of the Tuesday meeting stop by the pro-life table on Sunday and get an admission card to sign. Or you may call David Michael at the church Monday or Tuesday. The next rescue will take place Friday, January 20th. The place will not be disclosed until then.

I close with a quote from Dr. James Dobson from Focus on the Family. “Even though we don’t say it, we will take a position that the law is the law and somehow we must respect it, and what that must say is we don’t really believe we’re killing babies, because you can’t take that position if you’re killing babies, because you can’t take that position if you’re actually slaughtering human beings. It doesn’t make sense as a Christian.”

With slowly opening eyes,

Pastor John