The ELCA Social Statement on Abortion , adopted by the 1991 Churchwide Assembly, acknowledges the issue's complexity, noting that it "evokes strong and varied convictions about ... human life and responsibility, freedom and limits." The statement also offers useful guidance: "A developing life in the womb does not have an absolute right to be born, nor does a pregnant woman have an absolute right to terminate a pregnancy. The concern for both the life of the woman and the developing life in her womb expresses a common commitment to life."
A last resort
"The strong Christian presumption is to preserve and protect life," the statement says. "Abortion ought to be an option only of last resort. Therefore, as a church we seek to reduce the need to turn to abortion. ...We also deplore the circumstances that lead a woman to consider abortion as the best option available to her."
The statement adds: "The church recognizes that there can be sound reasons for ending a pregnancy through induced abortion." These are the threat to a woman's physical life; when pregnancy has resulted from rape, incest or sexual violence; and fetal abnormalities incompatible with life.
Basic faith convictions undergird the ELCA statement. Created in God's image, we see all of life as a mysterious, awesome gift. As a community of forgiven sinners, Christians are free to make just and caring choices. In fact, the statement says, "we have both the freedom and the obligation to engage in serious deliberation on moral matters." A compassionate community, praying and standing with those in struggle, is called neither to judge nor justify but to support people making difficult moral decisions.
The Lutheran | August 2000 | Since You Asked
By Norma and Burton Everist
The ELCA is the leftist-extremist/politically-correct Luthern want to be. They embrace many non-Biblical principles.
Only the "Lutheran Church Missouri Synod" and "Wisconsin Synod" Lutherans are true to Lutheran Doctrine.
"Woe to the rebellious children," declares the LORD, "Who execute a plan, but not Mine, And make an alliance, but not of My Spirit, In order to add sin to sin; (Isaiah 30:1)