Unprecedented events in the 2024 United States presidential election have jarred us in recent weeks, sending shock waves through our society. First, on July 13, a would-be assassin nearly succeeding in killing Donald Trump. Then, only eight days later, President Joe Biden dropped out of the race. The AP reported this decision came “after a disastrous debate with Donald Trump that raised doubts about the incumbent’s fitness for office.”
Biden endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris to take his place, urging Democrats to rally behind her. After a contest between Trump and Biden seemed clear for months, Harris’s presumptive nomination has cast her as the new voice of Democratic Party. Even more recently, Harris announced her choice for Vice President, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz.
In an interesting turn, enthusiasm for the Democratic Harris-Walz ticket has grown alongside increasing disappointment in the Republican Trump-Vance campaign.
There are many reasons for this, of course, but as a Christian, the tragedy of abortion is of significant concern. And, thus, for both campaigns, we must take a sober look at abortion policy.
First, the Republican National Committee has abandoned its pro-life plank for the first time in decades, reminding us again that the party is committed to Donald Trump and his views, and quick to jettison positions that it held only weeks before.
When the party dropped the language (and ignored the pro-life leaders who spoke up), I said, “I’ve voted for a convictional pro-life candidate in every presidential election since I was allowed to vote. It’s not a political choice, it’s a moral choice. I’ll vote pro-life again this time, because the unborn still matter.”
I still will.
Most evangelical Christians will factor in the life issue, because for them, like me, life is a paramount issue. I encourage you to value the unborn as well.
Affirm Life Regardless of Party
I’ve written often about the importance of the pro-life position. After Dobbs overturned Roe v. Wade, something for which many of us worked and prayer, I said in USA Today, “In a sense, our work is just beginning…we still have to work to make abortion unthinkable, by helping people to see the value of unborn life and demonstrating consistent and holistic values of life.”
And, as Christians, we do need to speak up on these issues. When Massachusetts Senator Ed Markey posted a picture of himself wearing an abortion pin with a heart inside the first “o,” I noted the irony: “A tiny heart? Do they not even see the irony? Pastors, I encourage you to speak up on issues of life. Help build a culture of life that changes hearts and minds.”
I still think we should.
As I’ve said before, Christians should approach an election like an umpire approaches a baseball game. We don’t uncritically join or cheer for a team. We call balls, strikes, and fouls. We support a candidate when they speak for biblical values, and we call them out when they fail to do so. I’ve consistently criticized and commended presidents and candidates of both parties– which, it appears, bothers some peope.
I cried foul when Republicans softened their stance on pro-life matters this July. With the Republican Party becoming a pro-choice-by-state party and with the Democratic Party portraying Republicans as the radical side on abortion, it is important to know where the new Democratic ticket stands.
The Harris-Walz ticket’s views on abortion are completely unacceptable and quite radical, and Christians must say so.
