The Doctrine of Balaam
In an age of lies, the fool blends in
By Philip Hahn
And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write, ‘These things says He who has the sharp two-edged sword: “I know your works, and where you dwell, where Satan’s throne is. And you hold fast to My name, and did not deny My faith even in the days in which Antipas was My faithful martyr, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells. But I have a few things against you, because you have there those who hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit sexual immorality. Thus you also have those who hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate. Repent, or else I will come to you quickly and will fight against them with the sword of My mouth. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give some of the hidden manna to eat. And I will give him a white stone, and on the stone a new name written which no one knows except him who receives it.”’ - The Revelation of Jesus Christ, chapter 2, verses 12-17, NKJV.”
It has been an interesting two weeks in the state of Alabama. On Friday, February 16th the Alabama Supreme Court ruled in vitro fertilization (IVF) embryos are considered children[1]. The ruling points to Article I, Section 36.06 in the Alabama State Constitution which says that “it is the public policy of this state to recognize and support the sanctity of unborn life and the rights of unborn children, including the right to life.” God be praised!
The genesis of this case was the killing of frozen embryos at an IVF clinic when an intruder entered the “cryogenic nursery” (a phrase chilling in multiple senses of the word!) and removed several stored embryos. The subzero temperatures of the stored embryos freeze-burned the intruders’ hand, causing the patient to drop the embryos to the floor, resulting in their death. The parents – at least for now – are allowed to sue for wrongful death. The immediate reaction was that three of five IVF clinics in Alabama suspended operations to determine how to safeguard embryos and determine their legal liabilities.
The case made a big enough splash that Sleepy Joe Biden was woken up long enough to make a statement in which he fearmongers the rights of women and laments the loss of Roe v. Wade.[2]
In the ruling Chief Justice Parker provides a strong Biblical defense of life originating at conception:
“We believe that each human being, from the moment of conception, is made in the image of God, created by Him to reflect His likeness. It is as if the People of Alabama took what was spoken of the prophet Jeremiah and applied it to every unborn person in this state: "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, Before you were born I sanctified you." Jeremiah 1:5 (NKJV 1982). All three branches of government are subject to a constitutional mandate to treat each unborn human life with reverence. Carving out an exception for the people in this case, small as they were, would be unacceptable to the People of this State, who have required us to treat every human being in accordance with the fear of a holy God who made them in His image.”
As confessional Lutherans we disagree with the “image of God” argument since the image of God is only restored by faith in Christ. Adam was made in the image of God, but Seth was begotten in the image and likeness of his father, Adam. But we hold all humans have souls from conception (King David, Psalm 51:7, also the Apology to the Augsburg Confession, II). That being said, even if ill-worded, I’m proud of my state making the good confession as it relates to the sanctity of life.
It only took a few days for House Minority Leader Anthony Daniels (D) to file a bill which states “This bill would provide that any fertilized human egg or human embryo that exists outside of a human uterus is not considered an unborn child or human being for any purpose under state law[3].” Disappointingly, Republicans followed suit. Representative Terry Collins (R) introduced House Bill 237[4] which retroactively provides both civil and criminal immunity to IVF providers except from intentional acts of omission not arising from or related to IVF services. This position is supported by the Alabama Pro-Life Coalition[5] and the conservative Eagle Forum of Alabama[6] has asked IVF clinics to reopen, stating “parents have rights to their children” and “[we are] confident that the Alabama Legislature will avoid hasty and ill-informed legislation.”
Enter the Doctrine of Balaam.
Pastor CR Cali used The Doctrine of Balaam as the title of his book on abortion abolition[7]. While I’m awaiting the arrival of my copy, I have listened to a talk he gave on the premise of the Doctrine of Balaam[8]. I think it is worth your time.
Jesus Christ in His Revelation dictates seven letters to the pastors of seven churches. Each letter opens with a greeting that reflects on an attribute of Himself and then a brief paragraph containing a mix of commendations, rebukes, and encouragement. In each letter, claims Cali, the attribute of Christ presented is the corrective to that church. It is an interesting insight! To the church of Pergamos, Christ attributes the letter to “Him who has the sharp two-edged sword.” This is the sword that proceeds from Christ’s mouth (see verse 1:16). Ephesians 6:17 calls the Sword of the Spirit the Word of God (double meaning – Christ is the Word, and it is also the words that proceed from His mouth) and Hebrews 4:12 describes how this sword “pierces to the division of soul and spirit, of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart”. So, the attribute of Christ we can rightly claim is the Word of God in both Law and the Gospel. Christ then goes on to decry those who hold to the doctrine of Balaam (and the doctrine of the Nicolaitans – but that’s a story for another time). If you don’t recall Balaam, a quick review of Numbers 22-24: Balaak wanted the Israelites cursed, and paid Balaam to do so. Four oracles from Balaam’s mouth were the words of God, blessings and not curses. And don’t forget the donkey speaking as a man! Ultimately the Israelites fell, not because Balaam cursed them but because they committed harlotry with the Moabite women, sacrificed to their gods and was “joined to the Baal of Peor”.
With this background, Cali explains his interpretation of the doctrine of Balaam as blending in with a society and not clearly saying “thus saith the Lord” as the Israelites did when they committed harlotry with pagan women and unionism with a false God. Or as Christ put it, “eat foods sacrificed to idols and practice sexual immorality.” We have the mind of Christ, and James reminds us that friendship with the world is enmity with God (James 4:4). Cali identifies two ways this often occurs. First, through utilitarian pragmatism, and second through moral relativism. An example of utilitarian pragmatism as it applies to the IVF case might be finding a “middle ground” between recognizing an embryo as a person and holding IVF clinics responsible for how they handle human souls, as we see in legislation from both Republicans and Democrats, along with advocacy from Pro-Life leaders. An example of moral relativism can be found in the consenting disposal of embryos by the parent. The parents don’t value the embryos and they are their children, so the clinic is authorized to kill them. Or in a partial-abortion ban that sets a certain number of weeks where a child can be killed without penalty. Even if it “saves lives” over the current situation, it is not moral law. Moral law reflects God’s law which protects all humans.
There are many practical applications of the doctrine of Balaam.
Cohabitation before marriage is an example we probably all encounter. It is utilitarian and pragmatic to share one roof, one power/electric/cable bill, to not have to travel to see each other, and well one bed is cheaper tha
n two, you know? Many relatives will console themselves by using morally relativistic terms – the couple is engaged, or intends on marriage, or perhaps this allows one of the couple a better housing situation. But it’s not God’s morality. We know God’s design for sex is a one-flesh union within the bonds of holy matrimony.
IVF is another example. A couple wants children, and it is a gift to which God has either said “no” or “not yet.” Yet, the couple goes and makes more embryos than they need (in a test tube – not the expression of a one flesh union God blessed married coupled with) repeatedly implanted until one “takes” and all the other babies are either stored indefinitely or killed. This shows utilitarian pragmatism in the sense that “the ends (of having a child) justify the means (of creating and possibly killing many children)”. It shows moral relativism in that the parents judging this embryo more valuable than that embryo because this one came to term. But it’s not God’s morality. God has gifts to give in children, and it’s a gift many of us despise or actively countermand. We should have a heart for those who struggle with infertility.
We need to use the sword of the Spirit to speak both Law and Gospel in situations where pragmatism and relativism cause us pause. The Law in all of its harshness, and the Gospel in all of its sweetness. We cannot compromise the law because we think it might be a barrier to the Gospel. The law of God is holy, and the law must do its work to make us conscience-stricken so the Gospel can enter in and offer the comfort and blessing Christ won for us on the cross. God give us strength so to do!
[1] https://publicportal-api.alappeals.gov/courts/68f021c4-6a44-4735-9a76-5360b2e8af13/cms/case/343D203A-B13D-463A-8176-C46E3AE4F695/docketentrydocuments/E3D95592-3CBE-4384-AFA6-063D4595AA1D
[2] https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2024/02/22/statement-from-president-joe-biden-on-alabama-court-decision/
[3] https://www.legislature.state.al.us/pdf/SearchableInstruments/2024RS/HB225-int.pdf
[4] https://www.legislature.state.al.us/pdf/SearchableInstruments/2024RS/HB237-int.pdf
[5] https://1819news.com/news/item/response-to-ivf-embryo-supreme-court-ruling-will-require-constitutional-amendment-pro-life-attorney-says
[6] https://1819news.com/news/item/eagle-forum-of-alabama-urges-ivf-clinics-to-reopen-no-excuse-for-any-alabama-ivf-clinics-not-to-fulfill-their-commitments-to-their-patients?fbclid=IwAR1g-Khbp0hvvhYKhUkyKRqDdc8YAvszdF3oMPUg7GEyhBSlZ3JaD52AeA0
[7] CR Cali, The Doctrine of Balaam, Wrath and Grace Publishing, 2019.