On Reformation Day, Wednesday, October 31st, I took a group of eleven people from my congregation to the movie “Gosnell: The Trial of America’s Biggest Serial Killer.” The title sounds like a horror film, not something that sanctified Lutherans should be watching. It is, in fact, a horror film about the carnage of abortion, and Lutherans should definitely see it so that they may know what is happening in this unholy industry and that they may tell others.
The film does not use a whole lot of shocking images of death, just shocked faces. That was the biggest impact for me in viewing this very important film: the faces of people who didn’t know but now knew. From the detectives to the prosecutor to the jury members, nobody had any idea what went on inside Gosnell’s abortion clinic or any other abortion clinic. They didn’t know until they heard the testimony of the workers and saw for themselves, or saw the photographs.
Perhaps the movie’s most damning argument against abortion is the testimony a of doctor who sits on the witness stand and describes the legal way to kill and remove an infant in the womb. This doctor’s face is also telling as she is in horror that Dr. Gosnell would kill moments after birth. It is a powerful display of rationalizing shades of evil.
There were many things I didn’t know prior to seeing the movie. One particular piece of information I didn’t know is that the Grand Jury concluded “political reasons” accounted for why the Pennsylvania Department of Health stopped mandatory state inspections of abortion clinics. This is how Gosnell operated his clinic illegally for so long.
Many people have never heard of Gosnell or the case that resulted in his conviction. That’s why the movie was made. If you are not completely in the know, then I urge to you to do a little research. Start with the two articles in the LCMS Reporter and the LCMS Statement on the conviction:
Movie review: ‘Gosnell: The Trial of America’s Biggest Serial Killer’
https://blogs.lcms.org/2018/movie-review-gosnell-the-trial-of-americas-biggest-serial-killer/
The Kermit Gosnell Verdict: Implications for Pro-Life Lutheran Christians – A statement by LCMS Life Ministries
https://blogs.lcms.org/2013/the-kermit-gosnell-verdict-implications-for-pro-life-lutheran-christians/
Also consider hosting a movie watching event when the film comes out on Netflix, Amazon, or DVD. It is important that people know.
Life Sunday on January 20, 2019
In our ongoing effort to proclaim life as God’s gift and to proclaim the fullness of life in Christ, I also encourage you to observe Life Sunday on January 20, 2019. Lutherans For Life has materials available. This year’s theme is “From Age to Age the Same,” based on Isaiah 46:3b-4: “[You] have been borne by me from before your birth, carried from the womb; even to your old age I am he, and to gray hairs I will carry you. I have made, and I will bear; I will carry and will save.” You can find all the free downloads here: http:// https://www.lutheransforlife.org/store-life-sunday-2019/
The Lord bless your proclamation that many may know the Truth and be set free!
Rev. Philip Young
Mid-South District Life Coordinator
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