Dobbs Blasts our Brave New World–How Do We Live in a Post-Roe Reality?

Twenty years ago, I gathered materials and markers with several other students. We scrawled pro-life messages on posters. Minutes later we gathered a respectable distance outside an abortion clinic in Colorado. We hoped we could persuade young mothers to avoid terminating their pregnancies and ending the life of their pre-born children. We knew the truth that thousands of post-abortive women regret their decision. Studies around the world present the sad reality that women are much more likely to experience depression and die by suicide after an abortion.

Contrary to the stereotype often portrayed by legacy media, we did not harass women, abortion facility staff, or shame them as they entered the abortion facility. We didn’t chant or yell. Instead, we stood mostly silently and shared messages of hope. We were trying to save lives—both women and children.

Over the years, my wife and I have continued to educate and advocate for life. For several years, we’ve financially supported Portico, a pregnancy support center in our hometown. Our family has volunteered time and treasure helping resource new mothers and fathers offering them hope and spiritual, physical, and medical support.

So maybe you’ll pardon me as I struggle not to roll my eyes whenever I see pro-life people, in light of Roe’s demise, posting things like, “Now the real work begins.” The hard work of helping struggling mothers, fathers, and children has been happening for over fifty years. Millions of amazing, sacrificial people have dedicated their time, treasure, and lives to love hurting and vulnerable people. With God’s help it will continue unabated. As I write this post, I think of an amazing Army chaplain and his wife who lovingly adopted a baby girl in recent months. Their love is a microcosm of the pro-life movement.

We are grateful for the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade. We believe our country took a major step in the right direction by issuing a ruling that values and protects life. The Supreme Court’s decision is one of the most important acts of justice in our nation’s history. Greater opportunities to help struggling mothers and fathers await, and we’ll need God’s power and help to meet these needs. The Church must be a refuge and love the many mothers, fathers, and children needing support during and after pregnancies that previously would have been aborted. Let us pray for, give to, and serve these families in ways that demonstrate the love of Jesus.

We also understand that this decision greatly distresses many in our country. To these friends, we believe you are well-intentioned and concerned that women will suffer now that abortion is restricted in several states. We hope we can continue to dialogue in a way that is loving, truthful, and understanding.

Sadly pro-life leaders and volunteers will continue to face grave danger in the days ahead. Prior to Roe being overturned, pro-abortion domestic terrorist groups “Jane’s Revenge” and “Ruth Sent Us” launched over 20 attacks on pro-life centers including fire bombings. We all should pray for peace and an end to violence against pro-life Americans.      

 We’re also going to have to continue confronting lies. Live Action is already in overdrive working to expose lies and speak truth. “The tsunami of pro-abortion disinformation has begun. Don’t believe the lies. Removing a baby in an ectopic pregnancy is *not* abortion. Miscarriage management is *not* abortion. Pro-life states are banning the intentional destruction of human lives.” Followers of Jesus must be equally concerned about the health and welfare of mothers, fathers, and pre-born children. Expect a steady diet of lies and distortions from many in media. This will not come as a surprise to Christians familiar with the Bible. Jesus, referring to Satan, warned his followers:

He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies (John 8:44).

The evil one always relies on the same playbook. Lies are the modus operandi. Evil relies on euphemisms and distortions to disguise the horror of abortion with phrases like “reproductive health,” “right to choose,” “women’s health,” etc.

My friend Erick Erickson rightly sees the parallels between slavery and abortion. Erick said, “It’s my body” is just the current version of “it’s my property.” One cannot remain morally neutral on the injustice of abortion.

I’m aware some readers may have tragically aborted a child in the past. Know God cares deeply about you and offers forgiveness, grace, and healing. No shame, regret, and pain can outrun His forgiveness and healing power.

The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit (Psalm 34:18).

He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. (Psalm 147:3).

If you support abortion or just don’t know what to think about abortion—watch the movie Unplanned. I cannot recommend it enough. It’s the moving, true story of Abby Johnson, a Planned Parenthood executive who discovered the truth and became a staunch pro-life advocate. You can view the trailer here. Bethany and I were moved by her story. Before pro-abortion friends publicly oppose or disparage this post, I’d respectfully ask these friends to watch the movie in its entirety. If money is an issue, message me. We’ll cover the cost.

In Brave New World, Aldous Huxley envisioned a dark world where we would become slaves to technology. Huxley correctly foresaw that we would become a lower form of our true selves–who we were designed to be by our Creator. We would become self-centered consumers instead of self-giving creatures honoring and glorifying our loving Creator. For decades, many Americans have fallen into the trap of believing we can choose whether we will still be mothers and fathers after conception. The truth is once conception occurs, lives change forever. A man and woman become parents regardless whether they kill the pre-born baby or not. God makes this truth abundantly clear to us in Psalms. He knew us and created a plan for us before our conception.

For it was you who created my inward parts;
you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
¹⁴ I will praise you
because I have been remarkably and wondrously made.
Your works are wondrous,
and I know this very well.
¹⁵ My bones were not hidden from you
when I was made in secret,
when I was formed in the depths of the earth.
¹⁶ Your eyes saw me when I was formless;
all my days were written in your book and planned
before a single one of them began. ¹⁷ God, how precious your thoughts are to me;
how vast their sum is! (Psalm 139:13-17 CSB)

How tragic that too many Americans never realize the plan God had for their lives, because they’re dismembered and killed in the womb. How many brilliant doctors, scientists, athletes, and reformers have we missed out on because of abortion? The Dobbs decision forces many Americans to acknowledge this reality. Our broken culture–with Uvalde, Buffalo, and Roe as stark reminders–desperately needs revival and spiritual reawakening.

When I deployed to Poland in 2018, I came face to face with a morally superior culture. At the same time, I pondered the rapid descent of my own. Americans are obsessed with violence. We consistently see violence in our games, movies, schools, and abortion facilities. In contrast, the Polish people orient their lives around faith and family. The kindness and generosity of the Polish people along with their deep devotion to freedom inspired me. I never felt unsafe in Poland. Crime is low and gun violence is virtually non-existent. Life is valued, protected, and cherished. These are direct byproducts of a spiritually healthy culture. I hope America can experience the blessings of a spiritual reawakening in our lifetimes. Maybe the Dobbs decision nudges us in that direction. Millions of Americans will now father and mother children that wouldn’t have otherwise. They’ll have opportunities to grow and mature in ways Roe would never have provided them. Many will choose to live by faith instead of fear. Self-sacrifice and family will become more important than self-interest and career advancement.

Princeton Professor Robert George offers wise counsel for fellow pro-life Christians: “Please read Lincoln’s Second Inaugural and be guided by its spirit. Let us not exult over those of our fellow citizens–good people who are sincerely concerned about women’s welfare–who see the demise of Roe as a disaster. Malice towards none; charity for all.”

This is the Way of Jesus. May we always speak the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15).