wfn.org | PCUSA - Speaker tells Presbyterians Pro-Life to 'promote life'

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Speaker tells Presbyterians Pro-Life to 'promote life'
Offer ?safe place? for those who have had abortions to heal
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> Posted at
> July 4, 2010 11:58 p.m.

> by Sandy Sweep

A birthday song for the Rev. Philip Keevil of First Presbyterian Church in 
Reading, Penn., started off the Presbyterians Pro-Life (PPL) luncheon Sunday as 
part of the 219th General Assembly (2010).

This celebration of life remained the focus throughout the event. In his 
opening statement, guest speaker the Rev. David Swanson, pastor of First 
Presbyterian Church, Orlando, Fla., referenced Jer. 1, saying, ?Before I formed 
you in the womb, I knew you ? I appointed you as a prophet to the nations ?. ?

Swanson emphasized that our culture is one bent on devaluing life and has 
become focused only on the individual and thus goes against God?s calling for 
us ? a calling that came to us even as we were in the womb.

Calling to attention the matter of abortion, Swanson offered four points to 
consider:

* By biblical definition, all life flows from God.

> * God?s purpose for us must be considered.

* Reaction from us as Christians must be to protect life and bear witness to 
God?s word.

* While we do have certain rights in regard to our individual bodies, this is 
not absolute and does not include an unborn child who is a separate individual 
with its own rights.

Swanson stated, ?Your body was bought by the death of Jesus Christ. Seek his 
council on how to honor him with your body. ?

Swanson continued with an appeal to the Presbyterian church, that it ?needs to 
counsel the thousands of young people out there who have had abortions ? 
pointing our fingers at them and calling them sinners is not going to bring 
them to God.?

?Abortion is not the unforgivable sin. As Christians, we need to affirm they 
are loved. We need to promote life, but also offer a safe place to begin 
healing,? concluded Swanson.