Someone should read Matthew 5:14-16 to see the call of Jesus to believers is to serve in the world in such a manner that God's reputation is advanced.

Mat 5:14 “You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden.

Mat 5:15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.

Mat 5:16 In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.

Dr. Bock,

Technically I'm an unschooled (theologically speaking) heretic. But I'm there honestly. I ask, seek and knock. I dig for answers in scripture. I try to reconcile the scripture myself. I think that by asking seeking and knocking, no matter how challenging it can be at times a supernatural Spirit of God will help me find what I am to know.

I'm picking at myself a bit in fun in how I say what I say. But I don't claim to have your expertise or years of study. And I want you to know I know that to be the case. BUT, I still feel the comment above is error ridden and I want to address it. I must address it.

I'm the guy who engages people in talks about God and the church often. Atheists love to chat with me because I give them a fresh view and arguments they've not faced before. (their words, not mine.) I understand what they wrote about in unChristian as to why people are turned off from the Church. I'm the one who tries to answer for the Church's sins in the world, to help people reconcile those issues and unite with God.

So with respect I say this boldly, and with no reservation, that we should NOT make legislation part of our witness! It's of the flesh in so much as it causes division. It's against the tennets of "love your neighbor" as there is no love from me to someone because I pushed through legislation. The fruit is conflict and separation. There is nothing good from that. Saving a life at all costs is not good theology. And the cost to that position is grossly hubris ridden for the evangelicals pushing that agenda.

We stand against the deaths of children in the womb. We ARE united here.

We should reach them as we were taught by Jesus. Love our neighbors. How many people in the Church even know their neighbors? How many are involved with children or parents in their neighborhood? We avoid contact with people, period in our culture. We in the Church are not much different. Certainly I am not addressing every solitary believer. But I think you understand why I'm making the observation.

We should be involved with the children BEFORE they face a the consequences of their behavior. We should be actively developing relationships in our communities. If your Church left its community, would anyone other than the members miss it? Are the churches felt in community? Or do they sit huddled in their holy masses under the steeple of the building they congregate in?

If we want to stop abortions, we should face our failure at having relationships with those in our communities so we can help them to make better decisions in life. This isn't about preaching, its about living life. Being examples, mentors, and having relationships that go beyond trying to preach to them. If we'll just love them, that demonstrable love we study in the message of the Christ will be the catalyst He works with them through. Love them with free abandon and don't leverage our love to them, as contingent on them coming to church. Let them and God work that out, but be prepared to supply for their needs, even spiritually where we are given opportunity.

The choice to drive for legislation will cause more separation, not congregation. It will cause more anger than thankfulness. Its us moving against the movement of The Way, and moving to our way. It's not Loving our neighbor, its loving our moral superiority.

I beg you to reconsider your position.

Thank you for hearing me out.

Be His,

bd