***NEWS RELEASE***
Recognizing and Respecting Life Are Keys for the Church to Be Part of Abortion Recovery
Author and Pastor Dr. Paul Chappell: ‘God Leaves No Room for Man to Question Where He Stands on the Issue of the Inception of Life’
LOS ANGELES—April is Abortion Recovery Awareness Month, and many who have been through the pain and trauma of abortion often want to turn to the church for help healing, but carry shame and regret that prevents them from seeking healing.
Dr. Paul Chappell, author, senior pastor of Lancaster Baptist Church and president of West Coast Baptist College, said the church is a place where both women and men should be able to start an abortion recovery process, and where all involved in the church can learn more about how to respect life.
Chappell’s commentary on “The Biblical Sanctity of Life: What the Bible Says About Abortion” is part of Striving Together Publications’ series on contemporary issues and seeks to answer the question, “When does life begin?”
“Nobody wants to answer this question,” Chappell says. “Our courts cannot decide. Our government cannot decide. Our educational institutions cannot decide. Even our pulpits are growing more and more silent on the value of life in the womb. But God answered this question a very long time ago.”
In the booklet, Chappell gives biblical directives for both recognizing life and respecting life, and says that God’s grace is sufficient for those who may have already had an abortion. These women may not have known the Lord or may not have understood biblical truths at that time. They already know firsthand the great pain abortion brings to the life of a mother, but going forward, those scarred by abortion can recognize life the way God does.
“God leaves no room for man to question where He stands on the issue of the inception of life,” Chappell writes. “He looks at the pre-born as a child. Recognizing life as God does simply requires adopting God’s viewpoint. Embracing God’s truth is the most simplistic, joyful way to live. Many studies confirm that women who have had an abortion experience tremendous emotional anguish afterward. Women who give birth, however, have the joy of investing in a life God created with special significance and purpose.”
Secondly, Chappell adds, respecting life involves several components: believing God’s Word on the matter; teaching children the biblical basis for the sanctity of life; providing shelter and support for women
in need; adopting unwanted children; voting for political candidates who support the sanctity of life; and praying for leaders.
“Instead of looking at the vast number of babies aborted since Roe v. Wade, when we hear about abortion stories, we should ask ourselves, ‘How would God view this situation, and what would God’s response be?’” Chappell says. “The vast majority of abortions in this nation are simply self-centered acts.”
He lists these statistics on why women have abortions:
Social Reasons (given as primary reason)
- Feels unready for child/responsibility—25%
- Feels she can’t afford baby—23%
- Has all the children she wants/Other family responsibilities—19%
- Relationship problem/Single motherhood—8%
- Feels she isn’t mature enough—7%
- Interference with education/career plans—4%
- Parents/Partner wants abortion—<1%
- Other reasons—<6.5%
TOTAL: 93% (Approx.)
“Hard Cases” (given as primary reason)
- Mother’s health 4%
- Baby may have health problem 3%
- Rape or incest <0.5%
TOTAL: 7% (Approx.)
“Children are God’s gift to us,” Chappell says. “The Bible says in Psalm 127:3, ‘Lo, children are an heritage of the Lord: and the fruit of the womb is his reward.’ Our culture is slaughtering these precious gifts from God. Who will fight for these innocent children? Pro-abortion advocates were children once. They have had their chance to speak. Who will speak for the unborn who cannot speak for themselves?”
Chappell and his wife of 37 years, Terrie, are also the authors of the new travel-themed marriage guide “Are We There Yet? Marriage—a Perfect Journey for Imperfect Couples,” which contains truth for husbands that will help them clarify their destination, communicate their needs and grow as a couple.
Read more about Lancaster Baptist Church, West Coast Baptist College and the Chappells here. For more information on Dr. Paul Chappell and Lancaster Baptist Church, visit paulchappell.com or www.lancasterbaptist.org, or connect on Facebook, Twitter or the church’s YouTube or Vimeo.
###