Pro-Life and Roe v. Wade

Weekly Update – June 30th, 2022

There has been a lot of controversy over the last week as to what actually happened when the Supreme Court overturned Roe V. Wade on June 24^th.  This controversy has stemmed from many different sources, but regardless, what I want to do for you this week is provide a brief history of abortion in our country, followed by a case for life, to then a countering of the common misunderstandings that are being promoted.  My hope is that we as a church can think clearly about the events that our culture is discussing, as we try to apply truth to our conversations. 

First, how did we get to where we are today.  Back in 1965 there was a court case called Griswold V. Connecticut.  Essentially what this ruling said was that because of the due process clause of the 14^th amendment, there was a right to privacy among married couples when it comes to contraceptives.  The due process clause of the 14^th amendment prevents state governments from infringing upon a person’s right to privacy.  This reasoning was then carried on to Roe V. Wade in 1973 citing that no state has a right to interfere with a woman’s private decisions.  This precedent then slightly shifted to the general liberty clause of the 14^th amendment with Planned Parenthood V. Casey in 1992.  This case took away any sort of “undue burden” in obtaining an abortion.  Abortion was now about the liberty.  This all changed on June 24^th in the Dobbs V. Jackson ruling.  Essentially, the Supreme Court rightly recognized the faulty application of the 14^th amendment, overturning Roe V. Wade and Planned Parenthood V. Casey, sending the issue of abortion back to states.

Second, the case for life.  Genesis 1:27 says, “God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.” This is the foundation of any argument when it comes to the sacredness and the value of life.  All people are created in the image of God.  From here we see that “persons” can be defined as a person or baby outside the womb as well as inside the womb.  Luke 1:41 uses the same word for baby inside the womb, referring to John the Baptist as does Luke 2:16 when the word baby is used for Jesus lying in a manager.  Add this to Psalm 139:13 which states the omniscience of God in “forming and knitting” a child in the womb, and you have a basic, biblical argument for the value of life from conception until natural death. 

Third, common misconceptions surrounding the church’s fight for life.  Let me simply cite three among many:

• First, there is the myth that Christian’s don’t care about life after birth.  This is completely false.  Every church I have ever been a part of has helped the weak, the needy and the helpless, regardless of status.  Just do a simple search and you will find that the majority of pregnancy centers were started by Christians, that Christians are more than twice as likely to adopt children than the national average, and Christians give significantly more to the poor than the national average (Barna Research, 2018).  Christians could always do more, but when people tell you that Christians only care about births and not whole life, this is a flat out lie.

• Second, there is an argument that states that fighting for life is a violation of church and state since abortion is a religious issue.  The issue of life, yes, is clearly defended in the scriptures, but preserving life is more than a biblical issue.  It is a moral issue, and it is the duty of the state to defend life.  It is the height of political corruption to take away the rights of those who have no voice, so that those who shout the loudest can exercise their “free choice.”

• Third, there is fear being perpetuated that ectopic pregnancies and miscarriages will no longer be treated.  Again, this is completely false.  The medical procedure for an ectopic pregnancy is completely different from removing a baby from the uterus of a mother.  The same provisions are available in 2022 as they were in 1972 for ectopic pregnancies and for miscarriages.  Even Planned Parenthood affirms this (National Review, 6/30/2022).   

What all of this means is, don’t yield back in shyness over what has happened.  Instead, celebrate this victory.  Though our hope is not in the kingdom of this world, we do strive to foster a place where human beings can flourish under the common grace that God gives to us all.  Regardless, what we are ultimately longing for is the day when Christ will reign, and all evil will be put aside, the weak and the helpless will be lifted up and perfect life will go on forever and ever.   

Serving Him with You,
Pastor Michael Nelson