Overturning Roe Isn’t Enough
All on the conservative side of politics, whether Christian or secular, take heart in the leaked Supreme Court document. It appears the document will form the basis of a hopeful decision soon forthcoming. The extreme reactions of some makes one wonder if the pressure will cause one justice or another to waver, but so far the signs point to a reversal of Roe v. Wade.
While this is welcome news, we shouldn’t think that it represents victory. The abortion issue may well become more volatile and a political hot potato. As I understand it, a decision to overturn simply returns the issue to the political battlegrounds of individual states. I suppose there might be national efforts to impose a nation-wide standard, as the recent attempt in the Senate illustrates. The political fight will continue for the foreseeable future. Some seem to think a patchwork result is a good outcome, with differing laws in various states. I suppose so, but with such an emotional and politically divisive issue, it seems to me that plenty of opportunity for mischief remains in that scenario.
In a recent podcast,1 a legal observer made a comment pointing out that if the Supreme Court were to rule that an unborn child is an individual human life with all the rights appertaining to such, that would bring the issue to an end. While no one expects that kind of ruling, we should remember that is the point of the conflict.
Abortion is taking a human life. It is the taking of a life in a most vulnerable position, with no ability to defend itself, dependent only on the choices of others who ought to have more care for the little one they are taking.
Those supporting abortion will raise the specter of extreme cases where a mother finds herself in very tragic circumstances. No one can simply dismiss these women and their stories, but, surely, their stories aren’t the whole story either. Such women need great wisdom and tenderness, but there are many other stories where abortion is callously used as a form of birth control, where the unborn baby is discarded as an inconvenience, where the goal is carrying on with life, free from the burdens and responsibilities the pregnancy brings into the life.
We know all the arguments; we’ve seen and heard and repeated many of them. Going forward, we need the firm guidance of a biblical worldview to inform our efforts, both political and spiritual as we address this issue going forward. As one part of this foundation, I point to a recent article we published by Josiah Sansone, “Why Is Abortion Wrong?” Kevin Schaal’s recent work on this is also helpful, see: “The Battle Is Not Done” and yesterday’s “Tim Keller Confuses the Abortion Issue.”
In addition, consider these passages:
Jas 1.27 Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world.
Isa 1:17 Learn to do good; Seek justice, Reprove the ruthless, Defend the orphan, Plead for the widow.
Ex 22.22 “You shall not afflict any widow or orphan.
Dt 10.18 “He executes justice for the orphan and the widow, and shows His love for the alien by giving him food and clothing.
Ps 68.5 A father of the fatherless and a judge for the widows, Is God in His holy habitation.
There are many more on this theme. God takes interest in the cause of the defenseless. In the ancient world, widows and orphans were left without protection. Their plight often meant poverty and degradation, individuals vulnerable to abuse and exploitation. The Scriptures constantly call the believer to take action in defense of such as these.
In light of the plight of the defenseless unborn, we have a duty to do what we can to achieve their protection. The battle, with the expected overturning of Roe, certainly is not done. We don’t expect any judge to rule for the personhood of unborn children in our world. Only a righteous King on an eternal throne will have the will to judge such righteous judgement. In the meantime, we will need to lend our voice and political efforts in the cause of the defenseless.
Overturning Roe surely isn’t enough.
Don Johnson is the pastor of Grace Baptist Church of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada.
Image by Nikos Apelaths from Pixabay
- I failed to note which one at the time [↩]