Resisting the normalisation of killing

The ultimate source of every human life is God. Every human being is loved by God, and precious in his sight

In the sixth commandment, God tells us not to kill. In the New Zealand Parliament, however, a majority of MPs in the last Parliament decided it was okay to destroy an unborn baby (if the mother asks for that) and okay to kill terminally ill people (if the ill person asks for that).

Those women seeking abortion may feel they have no option, or may be under great pressure, or may be in a state of significant distress.

In the case of voluntary euthanasia, at least the person concerned requests an early death. In the case of abortion, the unborn baby does not give consent. No unborn baby ever asks to be “terminated”, or to miss out on living their life, with love and joy. No unborn baby ever asks to be clinically destroyed in the womb.

Abortion law “reform” in 2019 has led to a 37% increase the number of New Zealand abortions: in 2024 there were 17,785 abortions (about 50 every day).

Under the current legislation, if babies survive abortion (as about one per week does), they are denied medical care, and just put aside and left to die.

Many medical personnel and hospices who on conscience or other grounds do not want to have anything to with abortion or euthanasia find themselves under increasing pressure within the health sector.

Should we just accept all this, and move on? Should we adapt our beliefs, values and consciences to align with majority views, and the new legislative status quo? Should we decide that at this time nothing can be done, and just keep our values to ourselves?

Or should we continue to hold (and give peaceful, respectful, compassionate witness) to our biblical convictions that life is the sacred gift of God? Should we work and pray for such outcomes as much better (and less pro-abortion) education for young people about choices and options, less bias in government funding, strong support for mothers who choose against having an abortion, mandatory life-saving medical care for those babies which survive abortions, and robust rights of conscience for those medical staff and hospices who do not want to have any part in abortion or euthanasia?

Later this year we should vote for candidates who genuinely respect both the sanctity of human life and medical practitioners’ freedom of conscience, and who will seek possible ways to improve the current situation. Also, after the election, we must resist the inevitable attempts of some to liberalise the scope of the current euthanasia law.

Meanwhile, some readers in or around Auckland may want to join the National March for Life this Saturday, beginning at 1.00 p.m. at the bottom of Queen Street.

Also, praying about the war in the Middle East

Likewise, war is about killing, and war very often results in much loss of life, destruction, suffering and sadness, and sometimes evil behaviour occurs. In our sinful world, all governments are called by God to protect their people, restrain evil, and promote justice and righteousness, and wars can at times be difficult to avoid.

How might Christians pray about this particular conflict?

Here’s some suggestions…

• Pray for that the conflict will end in a genuine and lasting peace
• Pray for all those caught up in the conflict, especially children and civilians
• Pray for the small Christian minority in Iran, and in all Middle East countries
• Pray for a possible change of government in Iran, and freedom from tyranny
• Pray that at this time people in all these countries may turn to Christ
• Pray that the Lord’s will be done

Author: Dr Stuart Lange

Dr Stuart Lange is the National Director of the NZCN and is a Senior Research Fellow at Laidlaw College, where he was formerly Vice Principal. Stuart wrote and presented the historical DVD documentary Te Rongopai: 200 years of the Gospel in New Zealand, 1814-2014.