Faith without deeds
From Jimmy Akin:
I'm watching the third presidential debate right now, and CBS moderator Bob Schieffer just raised the question of abortion. In answering the question, Sen. Kerry quoted the following from James 2:
What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? . . . faith without deeds is dead (Jas. 2:14, 20).This was a dumb thing for several reaons. First, this passage was totally irrelevant to the question he was answering. Second, this is a flashpoint passage for Protestants, and quoted by a Catholic, it was guaranteed to send shivers up the spines of numerous Protestants in the audience (though many who would have the most strongly negative were not voting for Kerry already). Third, and most importantly, KERRY WAS OBLIVIOUS TO THE BITTER, HOWLING IRONY OF THIS PASSAGE AS APPLIED TO HIS OWN POSITION.
Kerry has professed--as a matter of his personal faith--a belief in the humanity of the unborn and his personal opposition to abortion, yet he has REFUSED TO UNDERTAKE ANY DEEDS TO PROTECT THE UNBORN.
Senator, faith without works IS dead. Your faith on this point INCLUDED.
It is not enough to say to the unborn "Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body" (Jas. 2:16).
One of the things that is "needful to the body" for the unborn is the legal protection NOT TO HAVE THEIR BODIES RIPPED APART BY AN ABORTIONIST.
Senator, YOUR faith, without YOUR deeds on this point, is DEAD.
What a shame, then, that it is left to a Texas Methodist (Sen. Kerry's opponent in the debate) to repeatedly quote John Paul II's phrase in saying that he supports "a culture of life."
posted by David at 4:50 AM
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How about Bush's deeds in stopping chemical abortions by banning contraceptive use? How about Bush's deeds in stopping fertility clinics from practicing their genocide by throwing away human embryos?
One thing at a time. Medical abortions are the priority now. The ultimate goal is accepting all children into life and protecting them in the law. In time we will get to the issues of chemical abortions and embryo destruction. The Holy Father wrote in Evangelium vitae that "when it is not possible to overturn or completely abrogate a pro-abortion law, an elected official, whose absolute personal opposition to procured abortion was well known, could licitly support proposals aimed at limiting the harm done by such a law and at lessening its negative consequences at the level of general opinion and public morality. This does not in fact represent an illicit cooperation with an unjust law, but rather a legitimate and proper attempt to limit its evil aspects" (John Paul II, Encyclical Letter Evangelium vitae [25 March 1995], n. 73). I believe that the president, though not a Catholic, is loosely following this guidance. The same could not be said by Senator Kerry.
A key point to remember is President Bush is doing much to limit the governmental role (i.e. taxpayer money) in abortion and ESCR. Changing the culture will take a much greater effort than can be done by the government alone. That effort will come from education and witness of our Catholic faith to others. This could entail speaking out about things like Natural Family Planning (NFP) programs. And supporting other efforts by donating to pro-life organizations and volunteering to help women and their unborn children at pregnancy centers. There is much more we can and should do. And we will. President Bush is doing his part. Senator Kerry has and will not. It will take time, but we will win.
>>One thing at a time. Medical abortions are the priority now.
It always has been... that is the problem. Ignore the massive killings perpetrated by fertility clinics and contraceptives...
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