Partial Birth Abortion examined

By REV. MATT TREWHELLA, Missionaries to the Preborn

Recently, some well-meaning pro-life legislators at the behest of some well-meaning pro-life strategists introduced a measure on Capitol Hill to outlaw D&X abortions. Having seen dismal fruit when it comes to nearly two decades of half-measure legislation, the pro-life movement has decided to go for minuscule -measure legislation. D&X abortion is the method used to kill less than 1 % of the preborn babies killed by abortion, yet that is where they have decided to stand and fight.

The Christian Coalition and National Right to Life have decided to join in this miniscule-measure strategy by coordinating the D&X measure. Christian Coalition also declares this strategy in their Contract With America where their defense of the preborn only extends to those killed by D&X and tax-funded abortions. The pro-life strategists have moved from half-measure strategy to miniscule-measure strategy because the half-measures haven't been successful. The national leaders have been telling everyone for years we need half-measures because that's all we can win. Since that hasn't worked, now they're telling us we need miniscule-measures because that's all we can win. Who wants to fight with men who have raised such a miserable standard as that? The question of the hour is: why have we moved to a miniscule-measure strategy rather than a complete abolition strategy?

William Wilberforce, the man credited with having the slave trade abolished throughout the British Empire by Parliament, never advocated the half-measure strategy, not to mention the minuscule-measure strategy. He advocated complete abolition of the trade. He constantly had to combat his allies in the abolition movement who wanted gradual reforms. He said to do it gradually is to give away the moral high ground. That to introduce half-measures against this "man-stealing," would lead the public to no longer view it as raw evil, but rather, just a bad thing which needed to be regulated. After introducing his motion for total abolition every year for twenty years, he won!

Missionaries to the Preborn is not just pointing the finger, but has embarked on a long term plan to raise a no compromise standard in our legislative halls in Madison. There are thousands of good pro-lifers around the state who are sick of the compromise; are sick of being told they can't do this and they can't do that because we can't win. 'They're sick of being told by the pro-life strategists "go home; your ideas are unrealistic."

Missionaries to the Preborn has joined with other good prolifers in establishing a 100% pro-life P.A.C. (Last month's mailing) to see a new breed of pro-life statesman raised up. We have helped in writing pro-life legislation that will cut the heart out of the killing industry in this state. We will do more, by God's grace, as He leads because we are sick and tired of seeing our preborn neighbor get slighted by these wine and cheese strategists. We want the preborn to be shown some honor and dignity by statesmen of courage who will speak for them passionately.

Does this mean we are abandoning our ministry on the streets to these voiceless ones? Not at all. Our focus will remain with ministry to our neighbor out on the streets, but now our ministry has simply expanded. We are tired of seeing good people sacrificially act on behalf of their neighbor out on the streets, only to see their efforts and the preborn they love spit upon by the strategists who love to parley with the king back at the legislative halls.

We need your financial help to make our voice heard. It is a voice of no compromise. It is a voice of impassioned love for the preborn. Join with us in educating the pro-life movement and the Church in principle, not pragmatics. Rally to this standard. Deo vindice!

Is it illegal? Or, What about "Bible smuggling"?

By TOM WHITE

A Perspective
So often the Church confronts the work of the pro-life activists with the question, "Is it legal?". We offer this well worded pamphlet by Voice of the Martyrs director, Tom White as a thought provoking essay on the time tested activity of Bible smuggling. If you insert the idea of rescue as a substitute you may see why it is so important for us to continue to help the helpless preborn children.

What About Bible "Smuggling"?
In some countries around the world today, it is against the law either to print or sell or import or distribute the Holy Bible or other Christian literature. How should Christians react to this? The words "against the law' disturb us. Some Christians claim that Bible "smuggling" is wrong because it dishonors scriptures concerning obedience to the government. How far and into what areas does that obedience extend? The following contrasts are presented to illustrate the gap between historical reality and uninformed judgements.

When the mother of Moses was lovingly hiding her baby in the basket (Exodus 2), one of her church officials knocked on her door and convinced her that her act was "illegal." Realizing her sin, she surrendered Moses to the authorities. He was killed and the Jews remained in slavery.

When Joseph and Mary, the mother of Jesus were sneaking Him out of Bethlehem at night (Matthew 2),their friends, representing various religious institutions, reminded them that King Herod would be displeased by their illegal act. They surrendered Jesus. He was murdered with the rest of the children.The angel who had warned and instructed them was informed upon by some irate seminary professors and was tried in absentia and given a five-year prison sentence.

During two Godly authorized jail breaks (Acts 5and 12), the Apostle Peter told surprised angels that he must respect the authorities and return to jail. The Christians praying with Rhoda never learned of his miraculous release.
When the jailer took the Apostle Paul into his home after the earthquake (Acts 16), Paul told him that God had made a mistake and they must return to the jailhouse.

When Paul was being lowered in the basket over the wall (Acts 9), one of the men above had second thoughts and grabbing the rope said, "Wait a minute fellas, are you sure this is legal? Didn't Paul want us to give the authorities our spiritual rights, too?" Paul didn't get a chance to answer. When the basket jerked to a stop, he had fallen out and broken his neck.

The first few centuries of Christians were very embarrassed that their movement was a totally illegal institution. They listened to some theological experts who unrestrictedly embraced a few passages about government authority. They turned in their lists of members, gave up their secret (scroll copying) print shops, revealed the addresses of their catacomb meetings and stopped smuggling Bible texts out of respect to the emperor who claimed to be God. In a few months Christianity ceased to exist.

The above illustrations may sound ridiculous or even blasphemous. They are not meant to be. They are based on prevalent attitudes among some Christian circles today about secret Christian work.

ISN'T THAT ILLEGAL?
I recently gave some high school students a tour of our building describing our work and our five main goals. One of them kindly asked, "Isn't that illegal?"

A representative of one of the largest Bible printing agencies tells an inquirer at a church service that smuggling Bibles to China is "illegal." China is a nation that everyone admits will never have enough Bibles, where there is an estimated 20,000 conversions to Christ per day, a nation where pastors are still beaten and some vomit blood. ( Ask us for the China Report.) Giving the Word of God is illegal? We seem to have forgotten that God is legal. Satan is illegal.

A seminary professor in Indiana told all of his students that Christians in prison in Cuba deserve to stay in jail (for distributing Christian literature)because they "broke Cuban law."

Many Christians know little about the survival techniques of two thousand years of Christianity under conflict. Some patently reject persecuted Christians as not the "right kind" from their own denomination. Others have the luxury of relatively comfortable, non-confrontational positions and over generations have fallen victim to religiously compartmentalizing their thinking and living in a theologically "perfect world", refraining from facing the fact that each Christian is called to be a "partaker of Christ's sufferings"(I Peter 4:12).

THE LAW OF LOVE
In an imperfect world there are soul-wrenching questions' We might agree to the fact that WilliamTyndale had to hide pages of the Bible in bales of cotton to smuggle into England. He was burned at the stake. That is history.

Hindsight is comfortable. There is no risk or embarrassment. But what about hiding a Bible today? This is when the law of Christ's perfect love takes effect.
What would we say to a Vietnamese schoolteacher who hid her Bible under her skirt when police began confiscating Bibles at a meeting in her home? She had brought many non-believers to Christ using the Word of God. Should she submit? Give the authorities her Bible? The police "represent" the law. We are not discussing Greek and Hebrew and "interpretations" in an air-conditioned Bible class. We are discussing real life situations, today. This school teacher is a friend of mine. I have met many such Christians in several visits to Vietnam.

We would probably agree to Christian shortwave radio broadcasts which "smuggle in" the Word of God in spite of the hostile North Korean jamming stations.That is an "easy" decision. No permission is needed. No life is threatened. Smuggling in the printed Word is not so easy. Korean Christians hide rolled-up hymn sheets inside the walls of their houses. How easy is it for them? Smuggle is a negatively loaded word which makes us think of drugs or weapons. Think again.

It is not "legal" to distribute Scriptures or witness about Christ in certain Muslim nations. Jesus said,"Go unto all the world." What will we do with that? Can we visit a few "international church buildings" for foreigners or worship only on protected oil company compounds while millions die in the streets without Christ? What does ALL the world mean? Currently there is one missionary per one million Muslims.

Paul finally went the legal route to execution and God received glory in Rome. Thomas was speared to death in India. He evangelized "without permission" understanding his spiritual authority when he stepped off the ship. Almost all of the disciples died violent deaths with approval of the authorities. Might we risk a statement saying that their acts were considered"illegal"?

What would we say to Christians (in nations where Bibles are totally forbidden for nationals) who secretly use government controlled presses to print Christian literature? In such situations (not "situation ethics")there is only one law, the law of love which begins and ends with God and His sacrifice on the cross.Those who do not receive this message are condemned to Hell. Would we tell the Christians to stop printing?

OFFICIAL- UNOFFICIAL
When "official" churches or one printing press exists, many outsiders are deceived.

China has a huge Bible press. Yet no other Christian presses are allowed in a nation of one billion two hundred million people. Christians discovered with their own press in Northern China in the early1990s were tortured and killed. Their homes were dynamited. If the American government only allowed one Christian press in the USA, would we then raise our spiritual noses in the air and call all other printing"illegal"?

North Korea has two church buildings, Catholic and Protestant in the capitol. No other churches exist in the other cities with an estimated underground Christian population of 60,000. If only one Baptist church was allowed in Dallas, Texas (as was in Moscow for decades) would we call all the other Baptist churches "illegal"?

We hear about "registered" churches and"unregistered" churches in countries where Christians are restricted. We are told that even in America all churches must be registered with the government.That is not true. The IRS has a fourteen point criteria for registration to qualify as a "tax exempt"organization-church. Even without exemption, anyone, anytime can have a church. There is no compulsory church registration in America the way there is in China, Vietnam, Cuba, etc. There is no need to feel guilt when describing the "unregistered church" in some countries. We do not realize that churches in America go through most legal establishment procedures on a voluntary basis.

Many large denominational operations in the West could receive a greater measure of fellowship and love and a more completed view of Christ if they risk forming contact with the persecuted church, even in areas where they have no official representation. Fidel Castro, the Communist leader of Cuba, had 100,000 Bibles taken to a sugar mill where they were ground up. The leather covers were kept for making purses. A Cuban denominational leader joyfully revealed that at least fifty percent of all Bibles brought into Cuba these last decades were smuggled by many who dared to intervene. It takes both official and "unofficial". We thank God for both.

TOILET PAPER BIBLES
In the 1970s, even though we produced photos showing how "officially presented" Bibles had later been made into toilet paper by the Communists in Eastern Europe, some organizations refused to sell Bibles to us for smuggling. Therefore, our presses in Europe printed 200,000 Bibles for smuggling to four Eastern European countries.

Some groups still publish that Bible smuggling is"wrong." A few engage in insufficient legal printing inside restrictive nations. We encourage anyone to give also to their worthy efforts, but feel that some of their publicity tells only the "official" story. They cooperate with religious and political officials who beat, kill and imprison Christians now, today. Our news speaks for that other part who have no voice and no Bible. We are thankful that the Lord uses different parts of His Body to complete His work.

BREAKING THE "LAW"
Can a Christian use deception when confronted with evil? Certainly such situations are plentiful in Scripture. Rahab hiding the spies, etc. Do we write "tourist" on our visa application when our purpose is to deliver the Word of God or do we write "Bible Smuggler"? Do you tell a rapist where your daughter is hiding? We do not need to feel guilty about such deception, just as King David did not feel guilty for acting crazy and slobbering in his beard so that his enemies would release him.

In Cuba, I was sentenced to a twenty-four year prison sentence under a literature law which had a maximum fifteen-year penalty. They abused their own law. Do we have such Christian/political literature laws in our country? Those who feel that secret Christian work in restricted nations is "illegal" do not realize that those nations laws themselves would be illegal in our own nation.

Many restricted nations have wonderful religious freedom laws on their books for their publicity value.The former Soviet Union had such laws while imprisoning or murdering Christian leaders. On the other end, police in Vietnam confiscate Bibles in homes, when no such anti-Bible law exists.
We come from 1,000 years of respecting English law. To make statements that smuggling Bibles is breaking "the law" of another nation simply reflects our ignorance of their situation.

GODS ATTITUDE/ANGELIC ENCOURAGEMENT
It is good to review and realize the purpose of all of the "illegal" acts in Scripture which God Himself ordained. The purpose is not to protest having a driver's license, or paying taxes. It is not to focus all our energy on a government as the great enemy. In the light of centuries of humanity and millions dying without Christ, such a focus can easily become a waste of Christian energy.

Paul in Romans 13:5 wrote that the principle in submission to government was to have a good conscience, citing civil obedience. Would you have a good conscience if you were against getting God's Word to those who have not heard in closed countries? We are accountable to God and the government, but to God first. Early Christians respected Caesar's authority in civil matters but did not submit in matters of worship/spiritual freedoms.

For those of us who truly understand this foundation, the statement that "Bible smuggling is illegal" has the same effect as water running down a ducks back. We are usually too busy to worry about it. The idea that it could be illegal to give the Word of God to anyone, anytime, anywhere, any way who needs and wants it, is sad and a trick of the real author of illegality - the Devil.

Acts 5:19-20, 29 clearly demonstrates God's attitude,God's actions and our response. The angel disobeyed the authorities telling the apostles to continue to speak " the words of life." The apostles, greatly encouraged, said to the council, "We ought to obey God rather than men." Angels throughout the New Testament encouraged men and women to circumvent restrictive situations for the sole purpose of spreading the Gospel the same way the Holy Spirit enlightens us today.

Some theologians will argue that these Scriptures were special cases for special times. That argument hides the main point. Gods attitude is revealed. What do these few of many such Bible "legal-spiritual confrontation" sections reveal about God's attitude and adaptation towards authorities when they inhibit the spread of the Gospel perverting the program of Christ's Great Commission in Matthew 28? God, who is legal, "bypasses" the devil who is illegal and continues with His program.

Perhaps those who declare secret work in restricted countries illegal do not realize or know about the immediate imprisonment or death today, stretching from North Korea/China across Saudi Arabia over to Algeria for Christians. David Barrett reports in The International Bulletin of Missionary Research, January 1994, that there are now about 156,000 martyrs for Christ each year, more than any time in past centuries. We must remember those in bonds as bound with them (Hebrews 13:3). We must "weep with those who weep." But those who "sow in tears will reap with joy."

May God enlarge our vision to reach our neighbors around the world. We encourage all Christian institutions, all believers to follow Christ's greatest commandment--Love your neighbors as yourself. Your neighbors are waiting.

Tom White, a former prisoner for Christ in Cuba, is Director for The Voice of the Martyrs, USA, an international organization founded by Reverend Richard Wurmbrand. Reverend Wurmbrand, a Romanian Lutheran pastor, was in prison under the Nazis and the Communists for fourteen years. The Voice of the Martyrs aids Christians in restricted nations who are persecuted for their faith.

How many Republican-appointed Supreme Court justices does it take to overturn Roe V. Wade?

From WHERETHETRUTHHURTS.ORG.

Every four years, Christian people in this nation are stampeded into voting for the Republican presidential candidate based on the mantra - “whoever is elected President will appoint Supreme Court justices!” Republicans insist that we must vote for their presidential candidate in order to insure that liberal justices are not appointed to the Supreme Court.

The historical facts however, show that their assertion is absolutely false. We believe it is time for this charade to be brought to an end and let the facts speak for themselves.

Stenberg v. Carhart
In the year 2000, in a 5-4 decision, the Supreme Court overturned Nebraska's
‘partial birth abortion ban’ declaring it ‘unconstitutional.’ (3 of the 5 justices who overturned the ban were Republican-appointed)

National Organization for Women v. Scheidler
In 1994, the Supreme Court upheld without comment a lower court ruling allowing the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations act to be used against pro-life organizations. (unanimous decision and 7 of the 9 justices were Republican-appointed)

Planned Parenthood of Southeastern Pennsylvania v. Casey
In 1992, in a 5-4 decision, the Supreme Court strikes down laws which would have greatly damaged Roe v. Wade and affirms a woman’s “right” to abortion. (all 5 of the justices are Republican-appointed)

Roe v. Wade has been upheld by a majority of Republican-appointed Supreme Court justices for the last 32 years! This should not surprise us however, given the fact that it was a majority of Republican-appointed justices which gave us Roe v. Wade to begin with back in 1973! Six of the seven justices which voted in support of Roe v. Wade were appointed by Republican presidents!

Since the Roe. v. Wade decision, Republican-appointed justices have always been in the majority by a margin of at least 7-2. Currently, 7 of the 9 justices are Republican-appointed. Which begs the question, “How many Republican-appointed Supreme Court justices does it take to overturn Roe v. Wade?”
Remember also, it was a Republican-appointed majority Court which banned school prayer in the 60’s; which opened the floodgates of pornography in the 70’s; and which declared anti-sodomy laws ‘unconstitutional’ just a year and a half ago.

Contact your U.S. Senators and tell them only confirm clearly pro-life justices!

Paul Hill executed

By REV. MATT TREWHELLA, Missionaries to the Preborn

In light of all the disparaging things being said about Paul Hill by pro-life and Christian leaders, I thought it only right to share what I know of the man. Unlike those who never met him yet disparage him, I did meet Paul Hill. The first and only time we met was about a year ago when I visited him in prison.

What I learned is that he is not a madman or a flake as some have tried to dismiss him, rather he is a brother in Christ who has rational, biblical reasons for his actions which landed him in prison. After having met, we wrote back and forth a few times. He always mentioned in his letters that he was praying for a personal request which was dear to me. His letters were always Scripture-laden.

On September 3rd, 2003, Paul was executed in Starke, Florida. I traveled there to try and visit him one last time and to stand outside the prison when he was killed. I did not go there to advocate or condemn what Paul did, rather I went because I did not want to abandon someone I love just because the current socio-politico-religio climate says that what he did was unthinkable and wrong. Quite frankly, I believe that when abortion is outlawed, as it surely will be, future generations will view Paul Hill as the sanest and bravest man of our age.

Paul Hill used force in order to defend helpless preborn babies from a killer, abortionist John Britton. It has long been established in law, not to mention Holy Scripture, that it is legitimate to use force in order to defend other persons from bodily harm. Therefore, this idea that the use of force or violence on behalf of the preborn is “unthinkable” or “wrong” is nonsense. However, it is legitimate to question whether Paul used the proper amount of force or too much. But we will never know how a jury would decide on that question because Paul Hill was never given a fair trial.

Paul was not allowed to discuss “why” he shot the abortionist at his trial. He was not allowed to discuss his intent. Judge Frank Bell denied his right to do so. This would be like telling someone who was ticketed for speeding that they could not tell the jury they sped because they were rushing their sick and dying child to the hospital. This is unprecedented in American jurisprudence.

Never before has a man who is on trial for his life been denied the right to explain why he did what he did. For example, even Colin Ferguson (whose case was tried around the same time as Paul Hill’s), who shot and killed a number of people on a subway in New Jersey, was allowed to explain to the jury why he did what he did even though his reason was that he received messages from aliens that he was to kill white people.

Judge Frank Bell also denied Paul Hill to be represented by the attorney he wanted to represent him in his case and instead told Paul he had to take a government appointed public defender or represent himself. Paul Hill was denied due process. Hence, for these two reasons, Paul Hill sat mute through his trial. His blood has now been added to God’s cup of wrath on this nation.

You can obtain a video containing an interview with Michael Hirsch, the attorney who was denied representing Paul Hill by Judge Frank Bell. Call LIFE DYNAMICS INCORPORATED at 940-380-8800 and order the August 2003 issue of the LIFETALK video.

For those who may be wondering, we here at Missionaries to the Preborn remain committed to non-violent action on behalf of the the preborn, but that does not mean that we will disparage those who use force, for to do so is to repudiate the humanity of the preborn.