Living the
Gospel of Life -- Study Guide
Paragraph Thirty-nine
Reflection
The image of the two roads, one leading to life and the other to
death, is rooted in the book of Deuteronomy, and is later reflected in one of
the earliest First Century Christian writings, the
Didache (or The Teaching of the Twelve Apostles). That document
begins with the words, "There are two ways, one of life and one of death; and
between the two ways there is a great difference." In one of the earliest
Christian references to abortion, the document says, "Do not murder a child
by abortion or kill a newborn infant."
The Christian way, the way of the Church, has always been the way of freedom
and life. It is the way that has in fact established the foundation of freedom
for America and for the world. M. Stanton Evans establishes this point in his
book The Theme is Freedom. He explains, "In the conventional history
lesson, paganism is identified with the cause of liberty, Christianity with
oppression." But in truth the reverse is true. Evans continues, "One Pythagorean
writer expressed it: 'The monarch has an irrepressible authority (and is
therefore not limited by consent); he is a living law; he is like a god among
men'" (p.132, 141). The American vision was completely different, however,
declaring that governments "deriv[e] their just powers from the consent of the
governed" (Declaration of Independence). The dignity of the individual, created
by God and given unalienable rights from Him, is a Biblical and Christian truth,
not a pagan one.
Can one be a good Christian and a good American? Upon careful study, we
discover that the match is much closer than anyone thought. Indeed, the Church
from the beginning has nourished the very concept of "good American". With the
publication of Living the Gospel of Life, that process, by which yet
another generation of Americans is nourished, continues.
Discussion Questions
In the light of this paragraph, evaluate the accusation that some make
that the Church is "anti-choice."
What are some of the ways that we can "choose life" each and every day?
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