Rescue Those Being Taken Away to Death

Yesterday was the 39^th anniversary of the Roe v Wade Supreme Court decision to legalize abortion in America. It was the worst and most unjust decision ever made by the US Supreme Court.

Since 1973, there have been well over 50 million legal abortions in the United States of America.  That’s about 3,200 babies killed every single day in our country (legally).

And experts estimate that there are roughly 42 million abortions performed every year worldwide. That’s about 115,000 babies killed every single day.

In light of these statistics, listen to Proverbs 24:11-12

“Rescue those who are being taken away to death; hold back those who are stumbling to the slaughter. If you say, “Behold, we did not know this,” does not he who weighs the heart perceive it? Does not he who keeps watch over your soul know it, and will he not repay each man according to his work?”

Now, this text intentionally gives us no indication as to what specific injustice the author had in mind (someone is being killed and others are unknowingly heading toward destruction). So, this text serves as a general guideline for what God’s people are called to do in the face of violent injustice. If human beings are in danger of being taken away to death, God-fearing people are to come to their rescue.

And notice the point of verse 12. The author anticipates people turning a blind eye to injustice and claiming ignorance of it. The implication is that when we know about injustice, we should do everything in our power to put an end to it without excuse.

The worldwide genocide of babies is the greatest injustice I can imagine. The most helpless humans are those who don’t have a voice to plead their own cause. Who will rescue the unborn? Who will stand up for the rights of the unwanted children in our world? Who will defend those made in the image of God from their oppressors?

So, maybe the question is how can we (ordinary Christians) rescue those who are being taken away? Let me mention just a few very specific ways we can be involved in the pursuit of rescuing babies from abortion (this list is by no means exhaustive).

Start with prayer. Make it a regular practice to pray that abortion will once again be unthinkable in our land. God is the only one who can change hearts. Let’s plead with Him to do so.


Educate yourself. Stay updated on what is going on in the pro-life movement.

Support pro-life organizations that are on the front lines of helping and counseling abortion-minded women. You can start by learning more about your local pregnancy center.

Adopt a child or help someone else adopt. Adoption is a way to say to the world, “You may not want that child, but we do.” Adoption is THE greatest alternative to abortion. There needs to be an army of Christian parents and churches shouting to the world, “No child is unwanted. No child is a burden. Every child, no matter what gender, or color, or health is welcome here in my family.”

Teach you kids never to be ok with abortion. Our kids are growing up in a world where abortion is considered a normal part of life. Teach them that it is the greatest civil rights violation in the world today. Teach them that it is murder, no matter how accepted in our culture it is.

The Greatest Civil Rights Violation in the History of America

Sproul on Abortion

Just in time for the anniversary of Roe v. Wade, RC Sproul has a new book out on abortion. WTS has it on sale this week.

Religion Saves: Birth Control

Religion Saves: And Nine Other Misconceptions by Mark Driscoll is now available.

The first chapter deals with the difficult subject of birth control.

Here are a few of my random thoughts:

-Driscoll does a fantastic job of lifting up the value and blessing of children. He is totally against married couples who prevent pregnancy for selfish reasons.

-Characteristically, Driscoll handles this subject straightforwardly and with humor. He addresses the main issues head-on.

-It is clear that Driscoll has done his homework. This chapter contains 30 footnoted passages of Scripture and 82 endnotes citing sources used. His work on the history of birth control is fascinating. I certainly learned a tremendous amount from this chapter.

-Driscoll is helpfully balanced. While firmly committed to the Biblical view of family, he exposes the legalism and weak arguments of the "no birth control" proponents. He calls out husbands who treat their spouse as more of a womb for making babies instead of a wife to find pleasure in.

-He gives helpful examples of reasons to use birth control that do not constitute sin or selfishness.

-He gives 5 different levels of birth control. The first 3 he labels as available to Christians (no birth control, natural birth control, and non-abortive birth control). Regarding the 4th, Driscoll urges prayer, wisdom, and study (potentially abortive birth control - such as "the pill"). And, he opposes the 5th level (abortive murder).

-Driscoll concludes by discussing the power of Jesus to forgive and save.

One potential problem:

-Driscoll concludes this chapter by leaving open the possibility that there could be an instance where abortion would be considered. He says he opposes "any Christian couple considering level 5, unless there are extremely weighty extenuating circumstances." He leaves it at that.

I cannot think of any situation in which I would even consider it a possibility to have an abortion. I wish he would have at least given an example.

Overall, this is a very helpful chapter that is a good resource for Christian couples dealing with these difficult issues. Your thoughts?

UPDATE: Here is an article by Desiring God that Driscoll quotes in the chapter (HT: Rebecca).

Making Abortion Unthinkable

I'm not sure where I picked up the phrase, "making abortion unthinkable," but I've been praying for that to happen for several years now (If I had to guess, I probably heard John Piper use that phrase).

Today is the anniversary of Roe vs. Wade. Since that decision in 1973, Americans have killed over 46 million children.

Jonathan Brooks gave a great illustration Sunday to help us visualize just how many people that is. If average size people held hands, there would be a line of people from NC to California, 13 rows deep.

Please pray with me today that God would indeed make abortion unthinkable in our land.

Additional notes:
If you have had an abortion or paid for an abortion or encouraged an abortion, please know that the gospel is glorious enough to include you. Christ died for sinners. If you will repent of your sin and trust fully in Jesus Christ, He will cleanse you and make you His child.

Ligonier is broadcasting some RC Sproul messages on abortion today.

Justin Taylor shares Norma Mcorvey story (the "Jane Roe" of Roe v. Wade).

Making Abortion Unthinkable

Today marks the 35th anniversary of the Roe vs. Wade decision. It saddens me to think of the thousands of babies, made in the image of God, that have been killed over the last 35 years.

I hope you will join me today (and throughout the year) in praying that God would make abortion unthinkable in our land again. This is a big prayer only possible because we have a big God. Nothing is impossible with God!