May 13, 2009
John Piper addresses President Obama on Abortion
Here’s a clip of my dad responding to Obama’s statement that abortion protects women and freedom, and that it’s a private matter:
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[...] HT: Abraham Piper [...]
This presentation made me weep….as I am sure our precious Lord weeps…..God, forgive us, that we have taken your value of life so lightly….
One of the many things I like about your dad is his unwavering commitment to speak out against abortion.
Amazing.
Tremendo! (Awesome!)
Thanks God for your dad.
What admirable courage! Preach it, brother Piper!
Thank you for a well designed, smartly produced video to coincide with your father’s eloquent, powerful words.
That’s why I love John Piper.
Prophetic proclamation.
Prophetic typesetting as well.
Did you make this Abraham? It is powerful. I love the simplicity of the black and white and the sparing use of red.
I hope that this video is passed around and viewed by MANY.
[...] HT: Abraham Piper [...]
Abraham,
Thanks so much for posting this. It is stirring, to say the least, and has given me greater perspective on where I need to be on this issue as a follower of Christ. (I’ve wavered.)
My husband put it well in saying that it’s not just about ‘WHEN’ life is conceived (although that is vital!), but in the greater issue that your father addresses: Our culture is deceived to think that we have a ‘say’ in life (whether it’s ours or those in the womb), that if we’re not personally affected then it must be at least ‘alright,’ and that we determine the intrinsic value of life on our own.
I’m thankful for your father’s boldness, and for your posting this video. It’s been a ‘stake in the ground’ sort of thing for me this afternoon.
Powerful, stirring and so typical of the man: Bold, forthright and true.
One discordant note: Those who ‘wept for joy’ at Obama’s inauguration should in no wise be surprised at the continued murder of our sons and daughters made possible by this man’s position. His intentions, despite pathetic attempts at obfuscation, have always been clear: Unmitigated obeisance to the purveyors of abortion on demand; and more: easier access, fewer restrictions and more federal funding.
You might have had reasons for supporting his candidacy, but please: No feigned shock now that he’s making good on campaign promises in this critical area.
I think Jeff, that what Piper is referring to as weeping for joy is not related to voting for our president. In my own experience, I did not vote for him or support him but did find myself the day of his inauguration excited for our country in our steps against racism in electing our first black president…also in the peaceful transition of power and strengths of democracy that were shown. I certainly wish the first black president had greater moral fortitude and I will always vote in that direction. But I think for many Christians the inauguration was a bitter-sweet day…seeing one injustice symbolically eradicated but knowing another injustice will only grow worse. Tears of joy mixed with tears of sadness.
I agree with Jeff and R Hall.
Tears of joy…but also tears of sadness.
Happy that one wall was coming down.
Sad that one wall was further fortified.
Mr. Obama’s actions come as no surprise…yet they are still bitterly disappointing.
(BTW, great video presentation. Hard to imagine that Dr. Piper was once too terrified to speak in front of his classmates. Now he directly challenges the rulers of this world.)
[...] From: Abraham Piper [...]
Not to continue a conversation in Abraham’s comments section, but: I take R Hall’s point and recognize one could be glad for Obama’s election without having supported or voted for him. Moreover, it should not be construed from my earlier comment that I believe Dr. Piper had, in any way, feigned his magnificently articulated outrage.
[...] Read more: John Piper addresses President Obama on Abortion « 22 Words [...]
Truth.
I am sure that God is very proud of Pastor Piper as well as those who helped put this message into this format.
And to you, Abraham, for sharing it with all of us.
God bless you all, and God bless the unborn.
How do we send this to Oprah?
This is indeed a moving message, and one that makes my pro-life heart rejoice. God has blessed John Piper to speak with an incredible strength, and I have been blessed in turn by the several times I have heard him speak. Yet I find myself slightly troubled that Piper can criticize President Obama so strongly for his hypocritical treatment of women/little girls, and yet continue to interpret the scriptures in a way that supresses women in the church.
Wow. That was great. I am glad you posted that. I am passing that one around.
I am very curious as to who is the author of the video. Anyone know?
Eva,
I was struck by your comment about Pastor Piper interpreting “the scriptures in a way that supresses women in the church.”
I have sat under Pastor Piper’s teaching for five years now and not once have I ever heard him express views that “suppress women in the church.” I’m just curious as to where you have heard him express such views?
A very impassioned video (and very well done). I believe that the crux of the matter lies within the last couple of sentences: “We will pray for the President – and we will trust in our GOD.”
I rarely listen to John Piper and do not cry !!
I wrestle so much with dear Pastor Piper’s perspective on President Obama. I confess that I am mystified by how his perspective on race clouded his judgment to the point of being able to weep with joy over this man’s election. Is racism truly so much more an abominable sin than abortion that it is alright to weep with joy at the election to the White House of a man of color,
when that same man is so committed to the legalized, unrestrained slaughter of the unborn, and even the newly born?
I do not understand. But I trust God, and I am still eternally thankful for the impact of Pastor Piper on my life, and for his passionate declaration of the truth about this issue.
And I pray for President Obama’s salvation.
John, forcing your own religious beliefs on to another is the worst of human crimes. President Obama is saying people should have a choice (thank you the people of America for voting for him…not thank you god as no celestial beings vote, not to mention he/she is not an American citizen so is not eligible).
Your saying people should have NO choice and that President Obama should force that upon people.
Why?
Not because of any reasoning, but because it goes against YOUR religious beliefs and YOUR BLIND view (see below) of humanity and our origins.
This is not a choice to kill a child (as even in your bazaar country that is against the law) but to abort a fetus that may or may not become a child.
Now some facts…there is not one million (or even close to it) abortions in America each year.
We are not in the image of some higher being, we are animals. If your god is perfect (which surely he/she must be) how can we be in his shape. So your god has nipples, a belly button (who’s the Daddy?). Does he have to shave each morning? Have periodic hair cuts. Surely a god has not need to eat, drink, walk ?
Isn’t it an amazing coincidence that all mammals have four limbs, two eyes, two ears, heart, lungs, blood, kidneys, a spine, nipple, teeth…just like us!!!!
WOW!!!
Your saying there should be no choice as abortion is killing a creation of god in the image of god (again great reasoning). So if a woman is pregnant through rape, or we know the baby will be highly deformed, or the pregnancy was a mistake and neither Parent has the will or means to look after the upcoming child…no choice.
Let’s hope the President is all America hope for and not the sort to bullied by some blind bigot.
“pregnant through rape”
so a child is worth less because of an act by another person? would you say that one could kill a one yr old that was concieved through rape?
@David – Saying that humans are in the image of God has absolutely 0 to do with our physical appearance. And your argument doesn’t make any sense. You say we should have the freedom to choose how we live. My sister annoyed the crap out of me as a child. Should I have the right to kill her in order to have enjoyed my own freedom and pursue my own happiness? I was unhappy. Did she deserve death from that? I genuinely don’t understand your argument (and I have pro choice friends whose arguments I DO understand, albeit I don’t agree with. Your argument doesn’t make any sense to me though.)
@Abraham, Is there any way to get the full copy of this sermon?
Amber, here is the full message.
[...] HT: Abraham Piper [...]
Amber – please do not feed the troll. David’s logic is so incredibly flawed it hurts my brain to read his comment.
[...] (h/t 22 words) [...]
@Rachael Starke:
What a beautiful comment you wrote. Thank you for writing all of that.
I’m not exactly sure how I feel about abortion rights, but I do know I’m not convinced by a man yelling while big words flash on and around a screen. Or by a condescending tone towards the president.
Just using the term “abortion rights” already speaks volumes about how one feels about abortion.
Hi, Ben:
I would be curious as to how you would speak about former President Bush?
I ask because a lot of people had no trouble using a condescending tone with regard to him but now that we have President Obama in office it seems to be an attitude by those same people of “Show the President some respect!”
Is it a case-by-case, person-by-person basis or not?
Also, for people who know that 1 million babies are aborted every year, the cause is quite urgent day-by-day, wouldn’t you think? I mean, you blink, and there goes another baby…
And that just plain hurts a lot of people who grieve for those babies and those families. Not really a way around that if your heart is soft for them.
I have a 14-month-old son who is napping right now. We struggled with infertility for years before we were able to conceive him. As a mom, and as an older mom (I’m 43 now), it has become more sensitive to me and not fathomable to me what abortion is and that anyone could know what it really is and still go through with one.
So yeah, it’s just a really sad thing for so many. I guess that’s why someone might perceive the language as strong.
Jeanie, if I were trying to convince people I thought President Bush was wrong about one issue or another, I would probably try to be respectful, or at least not feel the need to talk about rejoicing when he was elected, as that’s not relevant at all.
Oh and Dawn, given that the Supreme Court has said women do have a right to abortion (like it or not), I can’t fathom how that’s a controversial term. That is the main issue in that video, since Obama supports the right to abortion. He’s not personally performing them.
I appeal to a higher authority than the United States Supreme Court regarding human rights. In the Dred Scott decision, the United States Supreme Court ruled 7 to 2 that slaves had no claim to freedom and that they were the property of their owners. Using the term states rights or civil rights during that period would speak volumes about how one felt about slavery. It is the same today. There is no controversy in the term, however, I believe you have misled the readers by saying you have not formed an opinion on the issue.
Hi, Ben:
Thanks for the answer. You and I agree that respect should be shown to the person who has been elected President of the United States…whether we agree with that person’s politics or not.
I appreciate your answer. Thank you.
Probably a little late to comment, but oh well:
I agree that one should be respectful when talking to/about our president, however I fail to see how this video is disrespectful. Disagreeing with someone, and even stating that their position, in your opinion, is not godly, tenable, or right, does not mean you are being disrespectful. In fact, one might perhaps find it disrespectful if you did not voice your dissent.
Would you assist with the context of this quote?
This clip was posted as Piper “responding” to President Obama’s statement on abortion, but was any effort made to actually relay this heartfelt position/ plea to the person of the President? Or was it just intended as as rhetorical address- to appeal to those who hear it and agree? Is it part of a potential dialogue, a letter already sent or yet to be written?
When I assisted with constituent mail on Capitol Hill, I was impressed by the time set aside by everyday folks to write a personal account and plea for the elected officials action on legislation. Notes expressed gratitude for service, prayer offered on the officials’ behalf, criticism, and encouragement.
St. Paul took the time to write letters to the divided and problem- ridden people God loved deeply. We study his letters to glean lessons about ministry and the Source which drives the Followers. A personal letter can be powerful. Forwards are often deleted, but people save caring birthday/ wedding notes. I hope if Dr. Piper’s letter/ thoughts have not yet reached Mr. Obama, that one of the everyday folks will relay in writing on his behalf.
I have a letter to write. It may exceed 22 words, though.
Bull Crap!!!! Double Bull Crap!
Watching this did something in me and I have never been more moved by such a specific plight. I’m making it my number one objective. All things are possible for those who believe – let’s believe together for this to end. Let’s do it in a way that loves everyone involved though, eh?
As for respect/appropriateness of video. Perhaps there is more than one way to communicate with, to motivate the world? Perhaps there is more than one target audience? President Obama is a pretty public figure, I think that invites public response, it’s the “firing line” he stands in and I don’t think this is offensive or unloving. It takes a stand and that is something that Jesus did a lot of. Modern media can be a beautiful thing and diversity is no bad thing… I think.