abortion

Roe Is Dead. Here Are 5 Ways We Can Respond Right Now.

Nathaniel Williams | June 24, 2022
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This morning, the Supreme Court announced its ruling in the Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health case. The Court officially overturned Roe. v. Wade, meaning that abortion is no longer deemed a constitutional right.

This decision was met with cries of celebration from pro-life community and laments from abortion advocates.

As Christians, what can we do now? How should we respond in light of this monumental decision? Here are a few of my own reflections — and how I’m leading my church family to react to this decision.

1. Let’s rejoice.

Make no mistake: Abortion is an egregious evil. The barbaric practice victimizes the most vulnerable among us. Since 1973 some estimates suggest that 63 million abortions have been performed in the United States.

Many legal experts have long stated that the Roe v. Wade decision was an “egregiously wrong” defense of the indefensible. We can rejoice that there are unborn children who will now live. While God does require more of us (more on that in a moment), we can echo the words of the prophet Amos:

  • “Let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.” (Amos 5:24)
We can rejoice that there are unborn children who will now live.

2. Let’s pray.

Several weeks ago, a preliminary version of the verdict was leaked. Some abortion advocates responded by vandalizing crisis pregnancy centers or protesting outside Supreme Court justices’ homes. One man even planned to assassinate Justice Kavanaugh.

Now that the verdict is final, some groups are pledging a “night of rage” — threatening violence against the very groups and organizations most positioned to help expectant mothers.

In light of these threats, pray for peace. Pray for law enforcement dealing with the threats. Pray that pregnancy support centers would be spared destruction. And, most of all, let’s pray for changed hearts and minds — that those most angered by the SCOTUS decision would learn to value life.

3. Let’s get to work.

“This case is the end of the beginning. It’s the starting line for new and fresh advocacy,” said pro-life advocate Jessica Prol Smith in a recent episode of the Christ and Culture podcast. And she’s right. The pro-life battle isn’t over; it’s just beginning.

Overturning Roe v. Wade doesn’t ban abortions across the country. It simply reverts the question to the states. Some states will indeed see abortion banned, while others may notice no discernible difference.

So, let’s get to work. Let’s be willing to continue to advocate for life locally. Let’s push for changes at the local and state level. Let’s continue to pursue “liberty and justice for all” in our communities.

4. Let’s hold men to a higher standard.

One of the great tragedies of the abortion conversation is that it focuses entirely on the women. But, as Drew Ham once wrote for this blog,

  • “81% of women who had an abortion said they would not have aborted if the man involved had been supportive.”

Men, the abortion conversation is about us, too. Too many abortions have happened because men wanted to shirk their responsibilities as fathers. They didn’t take God’s plan for marriage and family seriously.

Let’s use this opportunity to encourage the men in our lives to pursue holiness, not sexual sin. Let’s compel them to be responsible, not slothful. And let’s pray that expectant fathers would embrace their God-given responsibility to lead and shepherd their families, with Christ as their example.

In all the conversations about the end of Roe, let’s not forget men. We can hold each other to a higher standard.

We need to be willing to be the hands and feet of Jesus.

5. Let’s love.

The conversation about abortion isn’t just a philosophical debate; it has real-world ramifications. Some stats suggest that one in four women has had an abortion. As a man, I can’t imagine the fear that led them to make such decisions — or the shame they perhaps feel now.

In the coming years, we will likely see more women with unplanned pregnancies. We will likely see more pregnancies out of wedlock. There may be a greater need for adoptions and foster care. More children will be born into broken homes.

When we see such situations, our natural tendency is to shrink back out of fear. But let’s resolve now to lean in to these situations. Let’s love expectant mothers, help provide for their needs, and be support systems for them. Let’s consider adoption or foster care, or at least support those who serve in these ways. Let’s give towards and volunteer at local crisis pregnancy centers — where faithful volunteers serve on the front lines of pro-life work.

The end of Roe isn’t just a bit of political trivia we can cheer on from afar. Nor should it be an opportunity for glibness. The end of Roe has real-world implications. No doubt many women facing high risk or unplanned pregnancies are fearful about what this decision might mean for them. We can listen, understand, serve, and be willing to be the hands and feet of Jesus.

So, yes, let’s rejoice. The end of Roe means increased protection for the most vulnerable among us. But let’s also be ready. Because the end of Roe also means the church has an opportunity to love, serve, and get to work.

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Nathaniel D. Williams

Editor and Content Manager

Nathaniel D. Williams (M.Div, Southeastern Seminary) oversees the website, podcast and social media for the L. Russ Bush Center for Faith and Culture, and he serves as the pastor of Cedar Rock First Baptist Church. His work has appeared at Christianity Today, The Gospel Coalition, Fathom Mag, the ERLC and BRNow.org. He and his family live in rural North Carolina.

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