On June 24, 2022, the Supreme Court, by a vote of 6-3, overturned several cases concerning abortion rights, the most notable being Roe v. Wade. This decision was somewhat anticlimactic, given a draft of the opinion had been leaked several weeks earlier. Not surprisingly, there were various responses. From some, there was joy and celebration. From others, anger and threats. And from still others, there was confusion about what this decision’s practical effects would be, given there will now be 50 different standards and sets of laws.
In the midst of this, I think it is appropriate for us as Christians to thoughtfully reflect on what our response should be to this change. While what follows is not exhaustive and each suggestion could be expanded greatly, here are some of my initial reflections.
Give appropriate thanks to God. It is right to give thanks to God for this decision. First and foremost, we give thanks because this decision ultimately is under God’s sovereignty. But we can also give thanks if it leads to less abortions and greater care, concern, and compassion for pregnant mothers, especially those whose situations are often precarious, confusing, and filled with fear. However, we must take great care that our thanksgiving is not a triumphalist, “we won, you lost” boasting in or exalting of ourselves.
Take great care with our words. Political, social, and theological discussions, such as those surrounding abortion, are often abstract, which is necessary in debate over principles. Yet, all of this is worked out in the lives of real people in real situations, which are messy and not always clear cut. Also, you don’t know everyone’s story. While I don’t know this to be fact, the numbers would suggest the strong possibility that someone in our church family has had an abortion at some point in their life and carries a great deal of guilt and shame over that decision. Abortion is not the unforgiveable sin and we must be agents of grace and compassion to those who struggle with the consequences of their choices.
Be clear in our thinking and with our words. Words often have a breadth of meaning and “abortion” is no different, particularly given the emotion which surrounds the topic. Therefore, we need to take care to define what we mean. For just a few examples, the term “abortion” is when the procedure is used as a method of birth control, when dealing with an ectopic pregnancy, and for the process of removing a child who has died due to miscarriage. Are we really against the procedure/process in all three situations and do we consider all three situations to be immoral? My guess is that we aren’t and we don’t and thus the need for clarity.
Evaluate our own hearts and repent where needed. In this, I am asking myself, “Am I a hypocrite?” Am I truly pro-life or am I only anti-abortion? They are not the same. If I am pro-life, have I been applying that only to unborn babies while not applying it to their mothers and fathers? Have I been consistent in protecting the life and dignity of all people? Have I been whole life (my preferred term) in thinking about what that means not only at the beginning of life but also for issues surrounding the end of life and how we treat those with dementia and Alzheimer’s? Have I wrestled with the implications for what that means for a whole host of complicated matters, such as nuclear weapons, the death penalty, war, health care, and adoption? Christians often differ on these issues, and my point is not to declare the “right answer”. My question is, Is my support of life consistent or do I value some lives more than others? Not always an easy question to answer.
Be prepared. The court’s decision did not make abortion go away. Nor did it wave a magic wand and make all the individual and personal situations become easy. In fact, it probably made them messier. So, what are we prepared to do? This decision was not the beginning of the end; it was the end of the beginning. The work is not done. It is greatly increased and it is time to, as they say, put up or shut up. Are we prepared to open up our homes to teenage girls who find themselves unexpectedly pregnant, to feed them, give them a room, provide for them financially, during and after their pregnancy? Are we prepared to give not only our money but our time to work in a local crisis pregnancy center? Are we prepared to adopt, even if we are already empty nesters? Are we prepared to come alongside those who chose an abortion and minister gospel balm to their guilt, shame, anger, and often self-loathing? And that’s just a few thoughts for one part of the whole life issue. Distilled down, are we prepared to back up our words with actual deeds? The Apostle James has some strong words for us if we are not.
Pray. The overturning of Roe changed no one’s heart. The laws of men do not have that power. Only the gospel of the person and work of Jesus Christ applied by the Holy Spirit can do that. So, let us recommit ourselves to praying that God would do a reviving work in our midst. And that our ultimate aim is not political life change but eternal life change.
Saints, these days in which we live are hard, no doubt. But they are not harder than previous generations faced. But more than challenging, they are wonderful opportunities for the gospel. Will we seize them and see how God might choose to bless us if we do? I hope we will and I pray He does.
