How does Jesus feel when an Episcopalian priest, someone ordained to represent His name, is a well-known champion of abortion? How does He feel if that same priest is an outspoken lesbian, “married” to her partner? And how does He feel if she says, “Abortion providers are some of my personal heroes and modern-day saints”?
I’m speaking of The Very Reverend Katherine Hancock Ragsdale who was recently named President and CEO of the National Abortion Federation (NAF).
As explained on ProChoice.org, “Ragsdale is an Episcopal priest who has been outspoken about abortion rights, LGBTQ equality, and public policy issues affecting women and families throughout her career. . . . Rev. Ragsdale has preached about how abortion is a blessing and has been active in clinic defense work and other activities to support abortion providers for more than 35 years.”
This reminds me of the words of Jesus in the book of Revelation, when He spoke of “that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophet. By her teaching she misleads my servants into sexual immorality and the eating of food sacrificed to idols” (Rev. 2:20).
To be clear, I am not calling Rev. Ragsdale “Jezebel.” But I am saying that the same demonic forces that worked through this false prophetess 2,000 years ago are at work through this false priest today, just as they were also at work through Queen Jezebel 3,000 years ago.
Both practice false religion (the woman rebuked by Jesus called herself a prophet; Rev. Ragsdale is a major Episcopalian leader who was the former president and dean of the Episcopal Divinity School yet is unsure about the resurrection of Jesus).
Both cultivate sexual sin (the New Testament “Jezebel” misled God’s servants into sexual immorality; Rev. Ragsdale celebrates homosexuality and lesbianism as gifts from God).
Both justify the bloodshed of the innocent (Jezebel in the Old Testament murdered the prophets and was a zealous idol worshipper, and with idolatry in the ancient world, babies were sacrificed to the gods. Rev. Ragsdale praises abortionists as “modern day saints” and sees abortion as a “blessing”).
The Jezebelic parallels are too striking to be ignored.
Of course, Ragsdale is greatly loved in her own circles, hailed as a courageous hero, a fearless pioneer, a compassionate servant. And, as with most human beings, I’m sure she has some fine, caring qualities.
But from a scriptural point of view, she has set herself against God and His Word.
Let’s hear Rev. Ragsdale in her very own words from a speech to abortionists more than 10 years ago:
“When a woman becomes pregnant within a loving, supportive, respectful relationship; has every option open to her; decides she does not wish to bear a child; and has access to a safe, affordable abortion—there is not a tragedy in sight—only blessing. The ability to enjoy God’s good gift of sexuality without compromising one’s education, life’s work, or ability to put to use God’s gifts and call is simply blessing.”
Did you get that? Having sex is a gift from God, so enjoy it. (These are the words of an Episcopalian priest.) And if that sexual act results in an unwanted pregnancy, terminate it. That’s not a tragedy, it’s a blessing.
Try telling that to a tiny baby having its limbs torn off in the womb. What a blessing!
Yet it gets worse. Much worse.
She also said this: “I want to thank all of you who protect this blessing—who do this work every day: the health care providers, doctors, nurses, technicians, receptionists, who put your lives on the line to care for others (you are heroes—in my eyes, you are saints); the escorts and the activists; the lobbyists and the clinic defenders; all of you. You’re engaged in holy work.”
Holy work! Sucking baby parts out of the child’s own mother (by her choice, no less). Burning the baby with salt. Delivering an older baby feet first so its skull can be pierced with scissors – while still alive – and its brains vacuumed out. Holy work!
And she ended her message by asking the audience to join her in a chant: “Abortion is a blessing and our work is not done. Let me hear you say it: Abortion is a blessing and our work is not done. Abortion is a blessing and our work is not done.”
This is the power of deception. This is what the prophets decried as calling good evil and evil good. This is the spirit of Jezebel.
Since my book Jezebel’s War with America came out in August, there has been “Jezebelic” news flooding the internet virtually day and night, from the continuing rise in witchcraft to the ongoing war on gender to this.
By the hour, I want to stand up and shout, “I told you so! We’re raising our voices for a reason!”
But I rest my case with this latest news.
It’s high time for the Church to arise in the life and power of the Spirit, clothed with compassion and truth, bringing hope and liberation and salvation – and preaching repentance, loudly and clearly. It’s time to defeat the spirit of Jezebel.
And may Rev. Ragsdale encounter the living God and find salvation and new life. May she become a prophet of righteousness rather than a toll of the enemy. May the spirit of Jezebel lose its grip.
