On Roe V. Wade: Sitting On the Other Side Of The Booth

A tumult of emotions have erupted since the recent leak from the Supreme Court regarding the potential over-turning of Roe versus Wade, placing the legality of abortion into the hands of each state. 

For many reasons, it’s been disheartening to watch yet another controversial subject bring to light the sinfulness of human hearts displayed through angry dialogue and judgmental discourse. Many have forfeited any effort to show empathy, and for some, the idea of kindness amid disagreement seems like a foreign fairytale. 

One response to the leak caught my attention more than any other. Jen Hatmaker, a public figure and self-proclaimed Christian, wrote these words: 

“Abortion is a choice women make for endless personal reasons…and of course reasons that are theirs alone…as are their bodies. This is intensely personal and private, and women deserve agency and choice not only with their bodies but over the decision to parent for the rest of their lives. Anti-abortion advocates have every right to their convictions, but those convictions should only apply to their bodies, their families, and their futures.”

Her words were disheartening, yes, but they were not surprising. Hatmaker has been gradually turning away from Biblical truth for some time. What was heartbreaking were the number of responses I read from fellow believers in Jesus. Some applauded her response, several reposted her words, and a few shared Hatmaker’s reaction in order to urge pro-lifers to “back off.” 

I couldn’t help but think of the prophet Isaiah who held up a mirror for the people of God to show them their blatant sin and the judgement that would surely result because of it:  

“Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter!” (Is. 5:20)

Woe to those who confuse truth with a lie. But, oh, how easy it is to do if we are not grounded in Scripture. Hatmaker’s words, and other words like hers, sound appealing on the surface because they seem accepting and kind. And that is certainly how we want to come across as Christians.

At the Heart of Being “Pro-Life” 

Kindness is non-negotiable, but we cannot be accepting of exchanging the truth for a lie. And this is especially true if it means bending a knee to a false gospel message that claims we should be silent on topics that clearly contradict Scripture. To turn our backs on this matter is not consistent with what the Scripture teaches about loving the least of these (Matt. 18, 25), though it sure would be easier to put our fingers in our ears and retire into living by the mantra, “to each his own,” as Hatmaker suggests.

But we cannot and should not have this attitude on any issue in which the Bible’s teaching is explicit. When the Bible teaches us to care for the poor and widows (James 1), we’re called to action. The expectation is that we are actively looking out for those in need. Admittedly, many Christians can do an infinitely better job at being “pro-life” in these areas. We become too relaxed in our suburban setting and forget the desperate needs of humans just a few miles from our comfy homes. 

When the Bible states that children are a blessing from the Lord (Ps. 127), we should be doing everything we can to support the struggling mothers in our midst, discipling them and loving on their children as we fulfil our role as the body of Christ. And we should pray that our eyes will be attentive to the needs of those called to fostering and adoption. These are precious moms and dads living out their pro-life conviction by caring for the least of these, and we should always be aware of how we can offer our physical and spiritual assistance. 

And when the Bible so beautifully reminds us that God knits a baby together in his mother’s womb (Ps. 127), we are given clear biblical teaching that what is in the womb is a person with a soul, a living being who is formed with purpose by God Himself. 

When it comes to abortion, a person can only stand on one of two grounds: what is in the womb is a living person from the moment of conception, or it’s not. If you do not believe that a baby is human until it’s been born, then we will have very different views on what to do next. 

But the Bible affirms that a pregnancy means a mother is carrying a living and growing human being, one whom the Lord already loves, and one who deserves our advocacy. 

Because it’s a baby, we must share our convictions. In the same way that I hope someone would step in if a person was hurting my child, it is absurd to suggest that Christians can both believe that a fetus is a child and keep a “mouth shut” approach when it comes to abortion. 

Because it’s a baby, the choice is not merely related to a women’s body. The “personal” decision involves two other lives – the life of the baby, who does not have a voice, and the partner who contributed and who should have a say, barring any form of God-forbidden violence or intimidation. This is simply not an issue that comes down to a women’s body alone, and it’s this lie that makes abortion seem so justifiable. 

The Disposition Toward “Pro-Choice” 

But there is no doubt that many Christians have done a poor job interacting with those who hold a different view on this issue. Is your willingness to hold an anti-abortion sign driven by a need to do something but an unwillingness to get too involved? 

It’s one thing to fight your battles with defensive and non-empathetic words on Facebook. It’s quite another to sit across the booth from a seventeen-year-old who is un-expectantly pregnant and feels utterly fearful for her future. 

I’ve sat on the other side of the booth looking into the face of a young mother who is doing everything in her power to keep from weeping because this is her circumstance. Her words are confused because she can’t believe they are her own. “I’m pregnant,” she says as her hands tremble because she’s legitimately afraid of what will happen next. Her disposition is quiet, and she gazes downward as she talks, clearly embarrassed, ashamed. She doesn’t eat because it takes so much willpower to simply keep from spilling over in tears.

There is no room in this booth for harsh words or a judgmental disposition. Those responses surface most often on social media because it’s easy to release brassy opinions onto a computer screen. It’s less personal and not nearly as messy. But in this booth, there is a face that reveals hardship, fears, questions, tender emotions, and many, many unknowns.

In this booth, there is only one answer, and that is Jesus. This precious mother needs Jesus. And so, we pray together; I feebly point her to Scripture and pray fervently that the Lord will enter her heart. We stay in touch, and I pray desperately for the Lord to intervene because I don’t always know what to say. 

She chooses life. 

And she chooses life not because of me but because of Jesus. He revealed Himself to this young mom in her deepest anguish. To see the smiling pictures of this mother and her now young adult child is a precious miracle, one which causes me to pause every time I see them together. 

We cannot stay silent, believers in Jesus. There’s no room for silence on this matter. But we must speak, write, and act in a way which requires a disposition of selfless love and humility. The Lord will do His work; He does not need us to be hot-tempered in order to change the heart of a young woman in need. He asks instead that we live obediently before Him, that we act faithfully in light of His Word, and that we respond lovingly, always, toward every human life.