Another Reason Why Words Are Important – Women, Children, Abortion and the Church

Saturday evening. Kentucky just fell to West Virginia. Butler bested Kansas State. Patty is not feeling well. I am reading through a manuscript for a friend. I needed a break. I popped over to see what my FB friends are up to and was drawn to an update that Apple giving away a free MacBook Air to its first 100,000 fans. If you are not familiar with Fan Pages on Facebook, don’t sweat it.

Drawn into the web of advertising gimmicks I played along. Once sucked into the web, I discovered it was indeed one of those subscribe to this or to that and we will send you a MacBook Air. For all of my gullibility, I am reminded words mean something. It is not until you get to the page attempting to hook you do you discover the use of Apple in the ad was simply a way to “hook” you. Apple was not giving away a laptop to its fans. Instead a group of businesses conspired with a “reward” company to give one if you will sign up for their offers. While it said 2, it is really something like 13. Words mean something.

Frustrated by my gullibility I decided to read a few articles by friends – we call them blog posts. For a history lesson on my personal gullibility on the “it’s too good to be true” front, please do not ask Patty. In my Google Reader I found a piece by Emily Hunter McGowin. If you have not read anything by Emily, you should stop and do so. She is a fantastic thinker and writer. In the piece that attracted my attention, Emily points out that words do mean something when Christians attempt to influence cultural norms.

Here is the teaser –

I think it is wrong for the Church to frame the debate about abortion in terms of the woman’s “rights” versus the child’s “rights.” It is wrong from a rhetorical perspective and an ethical perspective. Let me explain.

Inspired by reading a piece by Hauerwas, Emily writes with a great insight. Now if you read her as saying she is pro-abortion, read it again. If you read it a second time and come away with that opinion, I am not sure you can be helped. For dear friend, you are making words mean what you will. Now if that does not entice you to run over and read Emily, I am not sure I care to be more provocative. I must get back to reading this manuscript and send the report to its author.

Remember, words mean something. They often shape our understanding of the way the world works.

About the Author
Husband to Patty. Daddy to Kimberly and Tommie. Grandpa Doc to Cohen, Max, Fox, and Marlee. Pastor to Snow Hill Baptist Church. Graduate of Oklahoma Baptist University and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Reading. Photography. Golf. Colorado. Jeeping. Friend. The views and opinions expressed here are my own and should not be construed as representing the corporate views of the church I pastor.

2 comments on “Another Reason Why Words Are Important – Women, Children, Abortion and the Church

  1. Emily says:

    Thanks for the props, Todd. I appreciate it. 🙂

    1. Keep writing. I will keep reading.

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