The document announces a new 6-week Sunday school curriculum from The Bethlehem Institute called "Abortion Is About God: Reframing a Moral Issue". The curriculum aims to provide a biblical and theological foundation for the pro-life cause by asserting that abortion is fundamentally an offense against God as the Creator and that it belittles His glory. It will also celebrate God's sovereignty over life, uphold the goodness of children and parenthood, and proclaim the gospel's offer of mercy. The goal is to awaken the church to see abortion as an assault on those made in God's image and a denial of His supremacy.

1. Coming in August 2008:
A New Sunday School Curriculum from The Bethlehem Institute
Abortion Is About God: Reframing a Moral Issue
The issue of abortion is arguably the most debated As John Piper has said:
and controversial social issue in America today. As Abortion is about God, the Creator of the universe, the
an issue which deals with such core concerns as the Giver and Sustainer of all life, the Judge of the living and the
personhood of the unborn, the rights of women, and dead, the Father of our Lord, Jesus Christ, and the Redeemer
human sexuality, abortion has millions of avid sup- and Forgiver of all who trust him. Abortion is about God.
porters and ardent opponents. Though those for and
against abortion disagree on many things, the magni- To leave God out of the picture of abortion is to trivial-
tude of this issue is indisputable. Since the Supreme ize it. All things are trivial without God. God is the
Court’s decision in Roe v. Wade in 1973, over 40 mil- ultimate reality over the universe. All other reality is
lion abortions have been performed in this country. derivative and dependent and has no ultimate meaning at
all without reference to God the ultimate reality. In him
For followers of Jesus Christ who are active in the pro- we live and move and have our being. If we leave him out
life movement, there are encouraging signs of progress: of account, we know nothing of any lasting significance
Christian crisis pregnancy centers are multiplying; new about ourselves or the world. (From the sermon, “Where Does
ultrasound technology is vividly portraying the human- Child Killing Come From?” available at www.desiringGod.org )
ity of the unborn; pro-life sentiment appears to be
growing among many in the next generation; the ban To that end, we have designed a unique six-week
on partial-birth abortions has recently been upheld; Sunday School curriculum advancing the truth
and even pro-abortion politicians are talking about the that the deepest evil of abortion is that it defies
need to “limit” the number of abortions. Nevertheless, God’s supremacy over life in the womb. Entitled
as the old hymn says, “the battle is not done.” It is Abortion Is About God: Reframing a Moral Issue, the
discouraging that at this crucial time the pro-life cause course will aim to provide a biblical and theologi-
is being marginalized within certain evangelical circles; cal foundation for the pro-life cause. Moreover,
multiple Supreme Court appointments are just on the the course will aim to bring a God-centered
horizon and could entrench the pro-abortion majority; perspective to bear on this contested issue.
and, worst of all, the death toll continues to mount. In addition to asserting that abortion is fundamen-
For decades Christians have stood against the tide of tally an offense to the glory of the Creator, the cur-
injustice and evil that has swept away the weak and riculum will celebrate the sovereignty of God over all
the voiceless. They have also reached out in compas- of life, will lift up the good gifts of children and par-
sion to mothers and families, offering assistance in enthood, and will proclaim the mercy freely offered
the name of Jesus and proclaiming God’s forgiveness to all through the gospel. Students will gain a deeper
and grace in the gospel. Many in the pro-life cause understanding of this issue by closely examining key
have sensed that the time has come to redouble our biblical passages, answering provocative questions,
prayers and efforts, pleading that God would cleanse and considering sermons and writings from the min-
our land from this unspeakable tragedy. In this urgent istry of John Piper. It is our prayer that this course
moment, it is our conviction at The Bethlehem Institute would be used by God to awaken the church afresh
that the church needs to be reminded that abortion to the horror of abortion as a belittling of the glory
is primarily and ultimately an injustice against God. of God and an assault on those made in His image.
Additional Information About The Bethlehem Institute missionaries, pastors and teachers.
For more information or to place an The Bethlehem Institute, as a minis- One of the primary means by
order, please visit our website at try of Bethlehem Baptist Church, which we accomplish our mis-
www.TheBethlehemInstitute.org exists to spread a passion for the sion is through the production
and click on “Curriculum.” For supremacy of God in all things for and distribution of God-centered,
questions, comments, or other the joy of all peoples through Jesus church-based training curriculum.
requests, you can email us at Christ by equipping men, women, For more information about
info@TheBethlehemInstitute.org and young adults to serve as family, The Bethlehem Institute, visit us at
or call 612.455.3455. This course will business and community leaders, www.TheBethlehemInstitute.org.
begin shipping on August 18, 2008. full-time Christian workers,