The Horrible Case of Dr. Gosnell and the Forgotten Ones

[Trigger warning: abortion, murder, disturbing graphic details of Gosnell’s crimes]

In the last week, the Internet has been blowing up with shock, horror and outrage over the murder trial of Dr. Kermit Gosnell. A late term abortionist in Lancaster, Penn., Gosnell is on trial in Philadelphia for performing gruesome and illegal late-term abortions that led to death of a woman and seven infants (though in reality, he’s responsible for killing far, far more). During the trial, former employees provided gruesome testimony detailing how Dr. Gosnell frequently and illegally delivered live, viable babies in their 3^rd trimester of pregnancy and then murdered them by severing their heads with scissors. The grand jury report also details how his unlicensed staff illegally administered potentially lethal amounts of drugs to patients, how venereal disease was spread among his patients by reusing unsanitary disposable instruments, and even how he punctured and perforated wombs and bowels leading to the death of at least one woman. The conditions of the clinic can be described as a house of horrors; and according to the grand jury report, when public health officials searched the clinic, “the search team discovered fetal remains haphazardly stored throughout the clinic – in bags, milk jugs, orange juice cartons, and even in cat-food containers.” This place of horrors was Gosnell’s daily business.

 

Contextual Theology: The Didache and the Fight for Life

Last Wednesday, Ryan Mahoney introduced the readers of this blog to a new series we are running, entitled Contextual Theology. In short, this series is driven by our desire to see Evangelicals re-root themselves in the Great Tradition of the Church.  While many within Western Protestantism have been taught that “tradition” is a dirty word most commonly associated with Catholics, the Reformers of the 1500s would never have seen the Great Tradition in this light.  Indeed, it takes little more than a cursory examination of even a few of the writings of Calvin, Luther and Zwingli to see that these men were deeply invested in tying their theology to the teachings of the universal church that preceded them. So today, as we continue to walk in the footsteps of the Magisterial Reformers, our series continues by taking a look at the modern, pro-life movement through the lens of an ancient text called The Didache or The Teaching of the Twelve Apostles.[1]  

 

The Sunday Seven

March 18, 2012

Welcome to this week’s edition of “The Sunday Seven.”  As always, this post is all about sharing some of the more interesting news and insights that I have encountered throughout the week, as well as a little humor to lighten your day.  Hopefully, there’s a little something here that will peak your interest and give you pause to think.   Enjoy!

Questions without Answers?

The power of questions in the sharing of the gospel.  In this new series found on Scot McKnight’s Jesus Creed, Andrew Wilson explores the role of questions in a post-Christian culture.  Could be an interesting discussion to follow.

Best discussion yet on the Kony 2012 campaign …

Is Kony 2012 Good or Bad?  As is ususally the case, Rachel Held Evans brings her usual light touch to a sensitive topic, offering insights that are worthy of your consideration.  Hands down, the most balanced presentation I’ve seen on this issue.

How Should One Read Scripture?

An Evangelical and Critical Approach to Scripture.   A wise and timely piece on the need to read Scripture through the eyes of “critical faith.”

Here’s a Little Something to Tick Off Everybody …

Abortion: The Democrat’s “Muslim Obama.”  From J.D. Kirk’s “Storied Theology” blog, this will push buttons on both the left and the right, which is often, if not always, a sign of good thinking.

A Brave Piece on Human Sexuality and Spirituality …

Talk About Sex.  Again, from J.D. Kirk’s “Storied Theology” blog.  Even as I read the article, I find myself wanting to say, “But, but, but …”  And by the time I got to the end, I realized that my “buts” were exactly the point he was trying to make.

A Great Piece of Christian Satire …

Jesus Holds a Business Meeting.  Kinda painful if this describes your church (which it probably does!).  Credit to Ryan Mahoney for finding this.

Mathematical musings from our favorite Raptor …

 

The Sunday Seven

March 3, 2012

Welcome to “The Sunday Seven.”  This week’s edition is brought to you a day early, mostly because I anticipate a busy evening and an even busier Sunday afternoon.  Nevertheless, these articles represent some of the more interesting news and insights I encountered this week.  Hopefully, there’s something here that will peak your interest and give you pause to think.

From the Files of “Man, I Wish Tim Keller Was My Pastor” …

In this excellent article on creation, evolution and the intersection between science and faith, Tim Keller lays out a tremendously high call for pastors – a call few appear willing to take

Probably Would Have Seen a Few of these …

Six Insane Sequels that Almost Ruined Classic Movies.   Perhaps my favorite item on this week’s list. Just look at a few of the titles:  Ei8ht, Gladiator 2, Casablanca 2: Brazzaville,  and my personal favorite written by Spielberg himself, E.T. 2: Nocturnal Fears.  Don’t know how I stumbled onto this article, but you are welcome!

Are Contemporary Worship Leaders Undermining the Gospel?

Idolizing “Youth Culture” in Worship.  A great discussion on the disposable nature of contemporary worship and the damage it is doing to the presentation of the Gospel of Jesus the Christ.

Shifts in Public Opinion on Abortion Lead to New State Laws …

Public Opinion Polls Related to Abortion.  16 years of polling data that demonstrates a shift in how America perceives the moral status of an unborn child.

New Report Reveals Major Pro-Life Gains Undermining Roe v. Wade.  Significant shifts in public opinion related to the moral status of unborn babies have lead to a record number of states proposing pro-life laws in 2011.

What a Fantastic Question …

Go Beyond the Sex Questions.  In a secular and Christian culture that is saturated by sex, Trevin Wax offers an insightful question at the end of his article that should become the standard.

And Lastly, a Profound Question from our Friend the Philosoraptor …

 

Is Infanticide the Next Logical Step Beyond Abortion?

Several days ago, The Journal of Medical Ethics, which is an international peer-reviewed journal for health professionals and researchers in medical ethics, published a new article by Alberto Giubilini and Francesca Minerva.  In this paper, Giubilini and Minerva advance four major lines of argument, regarding the right of societies to abort newly born infants:

1. As a society, we have endorsed the moral acceptability of abortion even in circumstances where the fetus’ health is not at risk.
2. Because the fetus and the newborn infant both lack cognitive awareness, they do not share the same moral status as actual persons.
3. Any potential to develop into an actual person is irrelevant as their current cognitive development does not permit them to understand their own potential and thus they are not capable of experiencing a sense of loss in terms of their own future potential.
4. Adoption is “not always in the best interest of actual people.”

Therefore, Giubilini and Minerva find themselves in the position of advocating a stance long held by highly influential Peter Singer,[1] who is most famous for once having argued:

“Human babies are not born self-aware or capable of grasping that they exist over time.  They are not persons.  Therefore, the life of a newborn is of less value than the life of a pig, a dog, or a chimpanzee.”[2]

So what do you think?  Is there a moral difference between aborting a fetus in utero and taking the life of a newborn infant?  And if so, what is that difference?

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[1] Peter Singer is an animal rights activist who serves as the Ira W. DeCamp Professor of Bioethics at Princeton University and the Laureate Professor at the Centre for Applied Philosophy and Public Ethics at the University of Melbourne.

[2] Singer, Peter, Practical Ethics (Cambridge University Press, London: 2011).  This book was first published in 1979.