Human Wisdom vs Divine Wisdom: Planned-Parenthood By Mark Mayberry 9/27/2015 INTRODUCTION Sherelyn and I recently watched Cheaper by the Dozen, a 1950 feel-good classic, starring Clifton Webb and Myrna Loy, as Frank and Lillian Gilbreth, parents of a happy family of twelve children. Based upon the real-life story of the Gilbreth family, the movie follows them from Providence, Rhode Island to Montclair, New Jersey, and details the amusing anecdotes often found in large families. The father, Frank Gilbreth, Sr., a pioneer in the field of motion study, often used his family as guinea pigs (with amusing and sometimes embarrassing results). The mother, Lillian (Lilly) manages the household, sharing a loving and happy relationship with her husband and children. About 48 minutes into the film, focus shifts to the mother, Lillian. As the door-bell rings, the narrator says, Mother s fame as a psychologist and industrialist had grown also, to such an extent that people came from far and wide to solicit her help. Opening the front door, she sees a primly-dressed middle-aged woman standing on the porch, who says, Mrs. Gilbert? Yes. I m Amelia Mebane, I wonder if I could talk with you for a moment? Lilly replies, I m very busy. If you could tell me I ll only take a moment of your time, interrupts the visitor. Well, won t you come in. Leading her guest into the living room, Mrs. Gilbreth says, In here please. I understand you are very civic minded, Mrs. Gilbreth? begins Mrs. Mebane. I believe in being a good citizen, yes, replies Mrs. Gilbreth. Won t you sit down. Thank you, answers the visitor. You lecture too, I hear. Occasionally. Now, just what is it you want? asks Mrs. Gilbreth. It s about birth control, proclaims Mrs. Mebane. Birth control? Yes. The National League of Planned Parenthood is organizing a local in Montclair. I was told that you would be interested. I? replied Mrs. Gilbreth. I met a friend of yours on the train last night, a next door neighbor I believe, explained Mrs. Mebane. She felt that you were just the person we are looking for. She was sure you would be willing to cooperate. Mrs. Gilbreth responds, Well, just how would you want me to cooperate? By being the moving spirit behind our Montclair chapter, replies Mrs. Mebane. That s a pretty big job, isn t it? Oh yes, yes, says Mrs. Mebane. There s work to be done. That s why I m appealing to you as a civic-minded career woman with a, this is most important, with a large house where one can hold meetings.
Mrs. Gilbreth answers, Well, of course, I ll have to consult my husband. Startled, Mrs. Mebane replies, Oh, is he interested in good works too? Oh yes, I think he would be very interested in this, rejoins Mrs. Gilbreth. Excuse me, I ll call him. Entering her husband s office and finding him at work, Lilly says, Can you come into the living room for a moment, dear? I m awfully busy, responds Frank. But we have a guest dear, a lady from New York, who wants me to be head of the local birth-control organization, explains Lilly, the mother of his twelve children. Of the WHAT??!!, exclaims Frank. Shush! It s a pretty big job, dear. Oh, indeed, replied Frank, with an impish expression. Well, in that case, Lilly, let s go. Returning to the living room, she says, Mrs. Mebane, this is my husband, Mr. Gilbreth. How do you do, Mr. Gilbreth? she responds. He answers, It s a pleasure, Madam, a great pleasure to meet a woman engaged in such a noble cause. Thank you, said she, And it s a pleasure to find a man who thinks it is noble. Usually we find the husbands so much less sympathetic with our aims than the wives. You would be surprised at some of the horrible things that men have said to me Yes, I can imagine, he murmured in response. If you could see as I have, relatively young women, growing old before their time. A pity, a great pity! she exclaimed. Excuse me, Mrs. Mebane, just a moment, says Mr. Gilbreth. Why she stammers. Entering the foyer, Mr. Gilbreth whistles. Why, how odd, reacts Mrs. Mebane. What s he doing, Mrs. Gilbreth? Whistling. Yes, I know, but why? Oh, he famously whistles, Lilly cryptically responds. Someone shouts, Gangway! as the children come rushing from all directions. Standing in the foyer at the base of the stairs, their father exhorts: Hurry up there. Pick up your feet. Make it snappy. Where is Frank? He s always late. Come here, Frank. Now then, are we all assembled? Looking at his stop-watch, Mr. Gilbreth, the efficiency expert, said, Fourteen seconds. I know you could do it! It s a new world s record! What s happening? What did you call us for? the children inquire. I want you to meet a very important lady? replies their father. Leading them into the living room, Mr. Gilbreth says, Children, this is Mrs. Mebane. How do you do? is their polite greeting. The visitor stammers, I don t quite understand? Is this a school? No. It isn t a school, answers Mrs. Gilbreth. With an expression of recognition, and growing horror, Mrs. Mebane says, Then it s No. Oh, no. Looking at the father she accusatorially says, Yes, they are! They are what? he replies. They are yours! Don t try to deny it! she says accusatively. I wouldn t think of denying it, Madam. Let me introduce the family, at least most of it Looking at the children, he continues, Seems to me there should be some more around here somewhere? Lilly, how many head of children have we now, would you say offhand? The last time I counted them, Dear, they seemed to be an even dozen. A dozen? asks an astonished Mrs. Mebane. I may have
missed one or two, but not many, answers the mother. I d say twelve would be a pretty fair guess. Disgusting! exclaims Mrs. Mebane. And within 18 miles of national headquarters (i.e., of the Planned Parenthood Association)! Shall we have some tea? offers Mrs. Gilbreth. Certainly not! Good Day! snaps Mrs. Mebane. Good day, Madam. It looks to me as though somebody has been pulling my leg! is her parting rejoinder. How revolting! said the father. And within 18 miles of national headquarters, answers the wife. The family erupts in laughter. Even though Cheaper by the Dozen is a lighthearted comedy, one is struck by Mrs. Mebane s disdain for large families. Fast forward 66 years and consider recent reports about Planned Parenthood, where high-ranking officials in the organization were caught on video attempting to sell body parts from babies killed in abortions. Witness the defensive reaction to this horrific revelation, where the hashtag #shoutyourabortion has become a proud mantra of those supporters of choice. In this tragic example, we observe conflict between the wisdom of God and the wisdom of man. The word of God values human life, affirming that man is made in the image of God (Gen. 1:27; Psa. 8:4-8). Genesis 1:27 (NASB95) 27 God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. Psalm 8:4-8 (NASB95) 4 What is man that You take thought of him, And the son of man that You care for him? 5 Yet You have made him a little lower than God, And You crown him with glory and majesty! 6 You make him to rule over the works of Your hands; You have put all things under his feet, 7 All sheep and oxen, And also the beasts of the field, 8 The birds of the heavens and the fish of the sea, Whatever passes through the paths of the seas. Moreover, a child in the womb is viewed as distinct from its mother, endowed with uniqueness and purpose (Jer. 1:4-5; Gal. 1:15-17). Jeremiah 1:4-5 (NASB95) 4 Now the word of the Lord came to me saying, 5 Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, And before you were born I consecrated you; I have appointed you a prophet to the nations. Galatians 1:15-17 (NASB95) 15 But when God, who had set me apart even from my mother s womb and called me through His grace, was pleased 16 to reveal His Son in me so that I might preach Him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately consult with flesh and blood, 17 nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me; but I went away to Arabia, and returned once more to Damascus.
However, the wisdom that is from below devalues human life, treating unborn fetus as nothing more than disposable tissue, subject to being aborted, even after reaching a stage of viability. Euthanasia poses a similar threat to those who are aged. DIFFERING OUTLOOKS In this lesson, let us compare human and divine wisdom, contrasting their foundation, effects, and outcomes. Human wisdom exalts itself above divine truth; yet, those who reject God pay a high price for their rebellion (Rom. 1:18-32). Romans 1:18-32 (NASB95) 18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, 19 because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them. 20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse. 21 For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened. 22 Professing to be wise, they became fools, 23 and exchanged the glory of the incorruptible God for an image in the form of corruptible man and of birds and four-footed animals and crawling creatures. 24 Therefore God gave them over in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, so that their bodies would be dishonored among them. 25 For they exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen. 26 For this reason God gave them over to degrading passions; for their women exchanged the natural function for that which is unnatural, 27 and in the same way also the men abandoned the natural function of the woman and burned in their desire toward one another, men with men committing indecent acts and receiving in their own persons the due penalty of their error. 28 And just as they did not see fit to acknowledge God any longer, God gave them over to a depraved mind, to do those things which are not proper, 29 being filled with all unrighteousness, wickedness, greed, evil; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, malice; they are gossips, 30 slanderers, haters of God, insolent, arrogant, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, 31 without understanding, untrustworthy, unloving, unmerciful; 32 and although they know the ordinance of God, that those who practice such things are worthy of death, they not only do the same, but also give hearty approval to those who practice them. Although sinful men reject the gospel as foolishness, Christ alone is the source of true wisdom and spiritual blessings: righteousness, sanctification, and redemption (1 Cor. 1:18-31). 1 Corinthians 1:18-31 (NASB95) 18 For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 19 For it is
written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, And the cleverness of the clever I will set aside. 20 Where is the wise man? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? 21 For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not come to know God, God was well-pleased through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe. 22 For indeed Jews ask for signs and Greeks search for wisdom; 23 but we preach Christ crucified, to Jews a stumbling block and to Gentiles foolishness, 24 but to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25 Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men. 26 For consider your calling, brethren, that there were not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble; 27 but God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong, 28 and the base things of the world and the despised God has chosen, the things that are not, so that He may nullify the things that are, 29 so that no man may boast before God. 30 But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption, 31 so that, just as it is written, Let him who boasts, boast in the Lord. Human wisdom sets aside God s word and ways, believing itself more enlightened, more effective (Mark 7:1-13). Mark 7:1-13 (NASB95) 1 The Pharisees and some of the scribes gathered around Him when they had come from Jerusalem, 2 and had seen that some of His disciples were eating their bread with impure hands, that is, unwashed. 3 (For the Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat unless they carefully wash their hands, thus observing the traditions of the elders; 4 and when they come from the market place, they do not eat unless they cleanse themselves; and there are many other things which they have received in order to observe, such as the washing of cups and pitchers and copper pots.) 5 The Pharisees and the scribes asked Him, Why do Your disciples not walk according to the tradition of the elders, but eat their bread with impure hands? 6 And He said to them, Rightly did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written: This people honors Me with their lips, But their heart is far away from Me. 7 But in vain do they worship Me, Teaching as doctrines the precepts of men. 8 Neglecting the commandment of God, you hold to the tradition of men. 9 He was also saying to them, You are experts at setting aside the commandment of God in order to keep your tradition. 10 For Moses said, Honor your father and your mother ; and, He who speaks evil of father or mother, is to be put to death ; 11 but you say, If a man says to his father or his mother, whatever I have that would help you is Corban (that is to say, given to God), 12 you no longer permit him to do anything for his father or his mother; 13 thus invalidating the word of God by your tradition which you have handed down; and you do many things such as that.
DIFFERING OUTCOMES The wisdom of men is ultimately oppressive, enslaving its adherents, and failing to deliver on its grand promises. Truth provides deliverance from the slavery of sin, but many prefer the lies and bondage of Satan (John 8:31-47). John 8:31-47 (NASB95) 31 So Jesus was saying to those Jews who had believed Him, If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; 32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free. 33 They answered Him, We are Abraham s descendants and have never yet been enslaved to anyone; how is it that You say, You will become free? 34 Jesus answered them, Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is the slave of sin. 35 The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son does remain forever. 36 So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed. 37 I know that you are Abraham s descendants; yet you seek to kill Me, because My word has no place in you. 38 I speak the things which I have seen with My Father; therefore you also do the things which you heard from your father. 39 They answered and said to Him, Abraham is our father. Jesus said to them, If you are Abraham s children, do the deeds of Abraham. 40 But as it is, you are seeking to kill Me, a man who has told you the truth, which I heard from God; this Abraham did not do. 41 You are doing the deeds of your father. They said to Him, We were not born of fornication; we have one Father: God. 42 Jesus said to them, If God were your Father, you would love Me, for I proceeded forth and have come from God, for I have not even come on My own initiative, but He sent Me. 43 Why do you not understand what I am saying? It is because you cannot hear My word. 44 You are of your father the devil, and you want to do the desires of your father. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth because there is no truth in him. Whenever he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own nature, for he is a liar and the father of lies. 45 But because I speak the truth, you do not believe Me. 46 Which one of you convicts Me of sin? If I speak truth, why do you not believe Me? 47 He who is of God hears the words of God; for this reason you do not hear them, because you are not of God. Submission to human philosophy/tradition leads to ruin, while submission to Christ leads to redemption (Col. 2:8-12). Colossians 2:8-12 (NASB95) 8 See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ. 9 For in Him all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form, 10 and in Him you have been made complete, and He is the head over all rule and authority; 11 and in Him you were also circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, in the removal of the body of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ; 12 having been buried with Him in baptism, in which you were also raised up with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead.
CONCLUSION The gospel offers deliverance from the slavery of sin, providing forgiveness and purpose; will you not obey while there is time and opportunity (Rom. 6:1-7, 16-18)? Romans 6:1-7 (NASB95) 1 What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin so that grace may increase? 2 May it never be! How shall we who died to sin still live in it? 3 Or do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus have been baptized into His death? 4 Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life. 5 For if we have become united with Him in the likeness of His death, certainly we shall also be in the likeness of His resurrection, 6 knowing this, that our old self was crucified with Him, in order that our body of sin might be done away with, so that we would no longer be slaves to sin; 7 for he who has died is freed from sin. Romans 6:16-18 (NASB95) 16 Do you not know that when you present yourselves to someone as slaves for obedience, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin resulting in death, or of obedience resulting in righteousness? 17 But thanks be to God that though you were slaves of sin, you became obedient from the heart to that form of teaching to which you were committed, 18 and having been freed from sin, you became slaves of righteousness.