I Believe I Am Being Of Some Use

We had a thought-provoking and emotional DECODER RING last time as we watched the film adaptation of the John Irving novel, "The Cider House Rules." Set in the Maine of Hollywood Americana, young Homer Wells works in an orphanage run by his mentor, Dr. Wilbur Larch. Tutored in all aspects of gynecology, Homer balks at performing one type of procedure, what Dr. Larch calls "a simple D&C."

Homer leaves with a young couple who visited the orphanage for an illegal abortion. He is introduced to a whole new set of characters while working at an apple orchard. Homer learns to work, falls in love, and gets into "trouble." When a horrible incident occurs, he intervenes by performing that which he never had before. An abortion.

Homer returns to the orphanage to take up the mantle of Dr. Larch, under false credentials but with a renewed "compassion." Everyone welcomes him with open arms and they await the time when the rest of the country catches up with their medical philosophy.

The Cider House Rules has, within its New England setting and compassionate exterior, some incredibly insidious ideas. It's no surprise that this pro-abortion tale would contain other worldviews that conflict with God's plan for life. The rejection of rules, the lack of physical restraint, and the seemingly benevolent use of lies permeate the film. In the midst of so much confusion, we turned to God's Word for clarity.

To put it bluntly, abortion is the murder of an unborn person. The Bible talks about how God has created each and every one of us:

"your eyes saw my unformed body.

All the days ordained for me were written in your book

before one of them came to be."

PSALM 139:16

We discussed the 5 main arguments used by those who prefer women to have the choice of abortion. These points have not changed since Roe V. Wade in 1976. But it all comes down to this: Does life, any life, have intrinsic value simply because it is life? How you answer that question says a lot about you.

Thankfully, the Bible has plenty to say on that subject as well. In fact, there is no one who has a higher view of man than God. God loves us so much that,

"While we were still sinners, Christ died for us."

ROMANS 5:8

That "us" as all of us! So, as always, we ended our time together with prayer for John Irving, Lasse Hallstrom, Tobey Maguire, and the rest of the cast and crew, that they would be impacted by God's love and use their talents to honor Him.

Thanks for coming to THE DECODER RING. We'll see you next time.