The Works of God

Look out for the dogs, look out for the evildoers, look out for those who mutilate the flesh. Philippians 3:2

As I’ve been reading and reviewing the connection between some church leaders and the abortion movement, I have begun to see why Paul called out specific leaders for us to avoid:

But avoid irreverent babble, for it will lead people into more and more ungodliness, and their talk will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus. . . 2 Timothy 2:16-17

Vincent Lachina is one to be avoided.  On page three in the Spring 2008 edition of Voices: The Choice Debate Newsletter, he describes himself this way:

I am an Evangelical Christian and an ordained Southern Baptist minister working as a Chaplain for the Planned Parenthood affiliates of Washington State.

For me, faith and choice are completely compatible, and can – and often do – live in harmony.  In truth, clergy involvement in family planning has a long and significant history.

That history apparently includes a proud association with the racist and eugenicist Margaret Sanger.

Rev. Lachina also provides no specific biblical warrant for his viewpoints, but does make broad-sided, critical swipes at the Bible.  He provides no evidence of faith in anything except himself and his free will.

He shows a troubling lack of integrity in mentioning his ordination in the Southern Baptist Convention as an endorsement of his credentials.  In his short article he clearly states differences with their positions and expectations in such matters as:

• Scripture as true and trustworthy
• There is one and only one God, who reveals himself as Father, Son and Holy Spirit
• Jesus alone provides an answer to sin through his obedience and his substitutionary death on the cross

The Southern Baptist Convention has specifically and unequivocally stated that their membership will work against abortion, even resolving specifically against funding for Planned Parenthood in 2008.

Why am I singling out Mr. Lachina?  Mr. Lachina demonstrates none of the characteristics of an evangelical, lacks integrity in his association with the Southern Baptist Convention by contradicting their clearly stated beliefs and resolutions, and provides no biblical connections to any of his viewpoints.  He is ‘reverend’ in title only, showing absolutely no interest in the actual spiritual health of individuals, of attacking sin, or of spreading a passion for God.

Worst of all, his support for ‘choice’ means that babies with disabilities will die under his ‘spiritual’ counsel.

Pastor Mark Driscoll identified people in our churches as sheep, wolves or dogs in his 2008 presentation at the Desiring God National Conference. Vincent Lachina demonstrates all the characteristics of a dog.  As the Apostle Paul warned, look out for the dogs.