Your Voice

Promoting a ‘Whole Life Agenda’ after Roe

By Pastor Tony Evans
Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship, Dallas, Texas

Christians everywhere ought to humbly celebrate [the] decision to overturn the 1973 ruling of Roe v. Wade. This decision removes the federal constitutional right to an abortion and returns abortion laws to the states, some of which plan to restrict or ban abortion altogether.

In addition to saving countless lives of our collective humanity, this decision also positions us more fully to intercede for God’s mercy on our nation in order to reverse the crime epidemic.

This is so because Scripture states that when innocent blood is shed, we can expect more innocent blood in the society to be shed through violence and oppression (Ps. 106:36–42; Joel 3:19). Thus a decrease in the number of abortions can lead to a decrease in violent crime.

At the heart of the abortion debate stands the Imago Dei. Attacking the unborn is tantamount to attacking God since all life is created in His image (Gen. 1:26–28), including the life developing in the womb (Ps. 139:13–16).

While celebrating and giving God praise for His movement in this momentous space in time, we must also not lose sight of the fact that the Imago Dei equally applies to protecting the dignity of people once they are born (James 3:9; Ps. 8:4–5).

Therefore anything that demeans the value of people’s lives must be addressed with the same fervor and passion given to preserving the life of the unborn.

All forms of the denial of justice and human dignity, whether racism, classism or degradation of any kind, must be viewed and addressed in terms of and with respect to the image of God.

It is time for God’s people to lead the way in promoting a “Whole Life Agenda,” from the womb to the tomb, as we simultaneously proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ and the gift of forgiveness He offers to all who come to Him for it.

While doing so, may we never forget to show compassion to those who have experienced abortion, as well as kindness to those who believe differently than we do on this issue or any other issue.

Lastly, men, my statement to you remains as it has always been: You are to live responsible lives in your actions and decisions. Men should be held personally and financially accountable for the children they help produce, whether planned or unplanned. But most importantly, women should never have to bear the challenges of an unplanned pregnancy on their own. We, as the body of Christ, should come alongside those in need through spiritual and tangible support.

Responding to Roe decision

As Alabama Baptists welcome the overturning of Roe v. Wade, let us be good stewards of our influence in responding with grace, civility and concerted prayer for all.

What we have been praying and working for has now become a reality and is certainly cause for celebration.

It is also a call for us to continue to be salt and light in a culture that does not understand or care to understand our convictions.

We rejoice knowing the overturning of Roe v. Wade has finally happened after almost 50 years. We know the lives of unborn children are precious in God’s sight.

Let us also realize we have much more work to be done and have entered into a new era of ministry in the protection and support of preborn life.

Rick Lance, Executive director
Alabama Baptist State Board of Missions

Regarding the article about preparing for protestors (see article, page 11), I just wanted to thank Baptists for standing firm enough against the world to draw a protest. Most churches seek to be nonconfrontational, but the result is a watered-down gospel and witness. If we are not getting resistance by now in this crazy world, we are not standing for the Word! Praying protection and boldness in Christ.

Lee Mathews
Birmingham, Ala.

Resources for the vulnerable

By Chris Crain
Birmingham Metro Baptist Association

Those who know me understand that I am a proponent of adoption, foster care and other ministries to care for mothers and children.

When I held my oldest daughter in my arms at the courthouse and the judge finalized the adoption, we paused and prayed for our daughter’s birth mother. The courage this young teenage birth mother displayed will always be an inspiration to me.

Thankfully each congregation I have served has shared my concern for women who experience unplanned pregnancies. This posture of compassion is true of the Birmingham Metro Baptist Association as well.

The Church’s support and compassion radiate from hearts transformed by the grace and mercy of Jesus Christ.

Over the next few weeks the crisis pregnancy and medical center at the Birmingham Metro Baptist Association will begin offering services.

Women and men in challenging circumstances will find help, hope and healing in the name of Jesus Christ. Our sovereign God in His providence planned for the BMBA — in partnership with Sav-A-Life Vestavia — to provide this center at just the right moment in history.

God has provided many other resources for women and men in our BMBA Partner Center: WorkFaith Birmingham; Lifeline; Decisions, Choices and Options; Pathways; and Awaken ministries.

We ask you to pray for women, men and children visiting the center.

We desire that each person who enters the door finds the love of Jesus Christ and a connection to essential resources.

How we talk about life in these crucial weeks following the opinion matters.

Lynn Fitch
Attorney General of Mississippi

The Constitution does not confer a right to abortion; Roe and Casey are overruled; and the authority to regulate abortion is returned to the people and their elected representatives.

From the Supreme Court opinion in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization

With this decision, thousands—maybe millions — of children can potentially be saved and have the chance at life they deserve. Though the church can’t bring back the children we’ve lost since Roe v. Wade, Christians can add to the correction of this injustice.

Greg Laurie
Pastor and author

Before you sleep tonight (June 24), thank the Lord for letting us see this day and the fall of Roe. Many feared it would never happen. We CAN celebrate without gloating, rejoice without arrogance and give thanks without forgetting those we’ve been called by Christ Jesus to serve.

Pastor John Brock
Highland Baptist Church, Florence, Alabama

So after Roe, what’s our job now? It is the same as always. We must be gospel advocates of all that is right and good and true.

We must care for the poor, the hurting and the marginalized. We must speak the truth in love. We must remind our magistrates of their responsibilities. We must disciple. We must be unflinching in the proclamation of the good news which changes everything. Our intercessions and labors must be unceasing.

George Grant
ligonier.org

There will still be many women who will face an unplanned pregnancy. … The Church has a significant opportunity to serve and support these women in crisis and their preborn children.

Elizabeth Graham
Vice president of life initiatives
Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission

From the Twitterverse

@HeathLambert
June 24, 2022, is a day which will be remembered in eternity as one of justice, righteousness and faithfulness. It is a day so many of us have desired for so long. Roe v. Wade is overturned.

@pstroybrewer
[June 24] is considered the birthdate of John the Baptist!!!!! Roe v. Wade overturned. “When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit” (Luke 1:41).

@ERLC
“Even with this victory, our focus does not change. Thousands of pro-life people will continue in the same work we were doing — advocating for the preborn, serving mothers and families and fostering a true culture of life in our communities.” — @LoriBova

@jamesrwelchjr
May God work in the hearts of Americans to stand for life. May God give us courageous hearts to speak with grace and truth. #life

@DanielDickard
If the goal of prayer is to get something from God, you will be disappointed when your circumstances do not change. But when the goal of prayer is to be with God, you will never be disappointed, and in the process you will be changed.

@jdgreear
Some weeks it seems like the news comes faster than our hearts can keep up. But tragedies and systemic failures do not get the last word. God will wipe every tear from our eyes, and there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain. In the midst of the hurt, there is hope.

@richardblackaby
It is when the world is the darkest that the Church needs to be shining its brightest.

@OSHawkins
I see some are already asking an important question — Are the big companies promising to pay their employees’ abortion expenses and travel also willing to pay the expenses of their employees who are foster parents and for the expenses of those who want to adopt an unwanted child?