In June, the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) handed down its ruling in the Dobbs v. Jackson case, upholding the Mississippi law which outlawed abortions after 15 weeks gestation. As a consequence of this ruling, SCOTUS also issued a ruling stating that they were overturning the 1973 decision of the court in Roe v. Wade. This decision by the court had struck down anti-abortion laws across the U.S., opening the door to abortion on demand during all 9 months of pregnancy. What we witnessed in June was a seismic shift in the position of SCOTUS, which returned control of the abortion issue to the states.
For half a century, many people and our own church body have prayed for Roe v. Wade to be overturned. It seemed like an impossible task. Nearly ten years ago, Rev. Dr. Peter Scaer wrote an article in the Lutheran Witness titled, Our Littlest Neighbor. What follows is an excerpt from that article:
“The sin of abortion has stained many of our own families. Women we know and love have had abortions. Others of us have encouraged women to do so. And for many others, abortion is the skeleton in our closet. But none of us is innocent. Abortion is a national sin, and the guilt belongs to all of us. For too long, we have encouraged a culture of decadence, standing idly by while our littlest neighbors suffer.
But know this: In Christ, there is forgiveness and healing. The same Christ who loves the little children has died for each and every one of us. Christ took the sin of abortion upon Himself, and that sin, like all others, was nailed to the cross. Take heart. As our Lord was dying, He prayed, “Father, forgive them. They know not what they do.” Even now, He prays for us. Even now, His death pays for our greatest sins and takes away our heaviest burdens.
As we embrace the cause of the unborn, so also do we embrace those riddled with guilt and fear. Post-abortive support groups can be found throughout the land. Those struggling with abortion may want to learn about “Silent No More,” a group of women who have had abortions but are now speaking out in order to help other women in distress. Guilt need not paralyze us. Christ’s forgiveness is greater than our guilt, and His baptismal robe of righteousness covers all our sin. If you’re struggling, know you are not alone…”
As Dr. Scaer reflected on the ongoing work of the church against legalized abortion, he wrote the following:
“The devil would have us believe that there is nothing we can do, that we are outnumbered and that our cause is hopeless and that things will never change. I do not know many who predicted the fall of the Berlin Wall, but fall it did. So also pray that the tipping point will come soon. Until then, we will work together, celebrating the little children saved along the way.”
Unknown to Dr. Scaer and to the pro-life cause, the tipping point would come with the appointment of three conservative justices to the Supreme Court. We thank God for the recent ruling, and ask that he would bring peace to our nation in its wake. It’s important to note, too, that this ruling did not make abortion illegal. It simply puts the power to decide that question back into the hands of the people of our land.
And so, we continue to work and to pray for changed hearts and an end to legalized abortion. We pray as well for healing for those who have had an abortion or who have supported one, and now regret their decision. The unborn child is not the only victim of this practice. And, as Dr. Scaer noted, God’s forgiveness is freely offered to all.
What was the tipping point for God? When did he promise to send a Savior to overcome the guilt of our sin? The tipping point came with the very first one, the very first time that Adam and Eve rebelled against God’s command to them. As soon as sin entered the world, and with it death, God promised to send the Savior to crush the head of Satan and set us free. You and I stand with all sinners of all time, condemned by our sin, but justified and freed by God’s grace. Paul says, “There is no distinction: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus” (Romans 3:23-24).
Let us continue to support the work toward an end to legalized abortion by our prayers, time and gifts. But in our conversations around this topic, let there be always a deep undercurrent of love for fellow sinners for whom Christ died and rose.
Dr. Scaer ends his article with this encouragement:
Be of good courage. Our Lord is with us. The same God who wonderfully formed you in the womb knows the number of hairs on your head. He will provide for you, and He will give you the strength and courage you need. If we fear God, we need fear no one else. You are not alone. Christians throughout the land share your conviction for life. The mighty angels watch over the little ones, and they are on your side. And even more, the same Lord Jesus who made His home in Mary’s womb is still our Emmanuel, God with us. Take. Eat of His body, and know He is present. Drink of His blood, and know that you are forgiven. Then take up, once more, the cause of the children Christ loves so dearly.
- Pastor