American evangelical leaders rejoiced Friday over the Supreme Court’s decision in Dobbs v. Mississippi, which overturned Roe v. Wade. Many took to social media to recognize the work of those who labored in the pro-life movement over the last fifty years. They also brought attention to the work that needs to be done now that the issue has gone back to the states and called on Christians to serve vulnerable mothers and families.
Here is what nine evangelical leaders had to say about the overturning of Roe v. Wade.
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Tony Evans
Dr. Tony Evans, the Pastor of Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship in Dallas, responded to the news in a statement released on Twitter.
“I join with the countless voices heard today, as well as those yet to be heard someday–those who will now have the opportunity to do so through the gift of life, in giving God the glory for His sovereign hand in this historical decision by the Supreme Court.”
“We must 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; Psalm 8:4-5.) Therefore, anything that demeans the value of people’s lives must be addressed with the same fervor and passion that has been given to preserving the life of the unborn.”
— Tony Evans (@drtonyevans) June 25, 2022
Lee Strobel
Lee Strobel, the author of The Case for Christ, expressed his thankfulness for the Supreme Court’s decision.
“On all levels, Roe v Wade was an abomination. Thank God it was overturned today by a courageous court. Pray for the safety of pro-life centers that are already being attacked by domestic terrorists. Now this becomes a state-by-state struggle for the lives of the unborn,” Strobel wrote on Twitter.
“In light of the SCOTUS decision, churches must continue to love & serve women & children who need our help.”
When I spoke on the case for life at church, we simultaneously enfolded a record number of parents into foster care training. In light of the SCOTUS decision, churches must continue to love & serve women & children who need our help.
— Lee Strobel (@LeeStrobel) June 25, 2022
Danny Akin
Danny Akin, the President of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Wake Forest, N.C., praised God for what happened on this “Historic day.”
“Let us praise the Lord today for the wisdom that he granted the U.S. Supreme Court. Let us continue to pray for our state legislators around the country to make the right decision to preserve life. Let us continue to pray for and support our pregnancy centers around the nation as their work continues to be vital in the effort to persuade mothers and fathers to not take the path of abortion.”
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Albert Mohler
Dr. Albert Mohler, the President of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, called the decision, “an answer to prayer.”
“Today’s decision does indeed return the issue to the states, and even bigger battles now face us. The day of battle is not over, and the cause of life is not finally won. We will have to redouble our efforts, refine our arguments, stand alongside women in crisis, honor the family, and contend for life for the rest of our lives.”
“The battle before us is even bigger than the battle now behind us. So here we go.”
Paula White
Pastor and evangelist Paula White released a statement on her website celebrating the Court’s decision.
“Today, I join millions of Americans who celebrate the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade.”
“I am proud to fight for the value and worth of every single life as we continue to press ahead and gain ground as this moral and spiritual battle unfolds.”
Jack Graham
Jack Graham, the pastor of Prestonwood Baptist Church in Plano, TX, praised God for the decision and highlighted the work of his church’s crisis pregnancy centers.
“Today is a day we have prayed and worked toward for decades. All praise to God who is the one who makes human life sacred. The end of Roe is a tipping point to yet another day when all abortion will not just be rare, but unthinkable,” Graham wrote on Twitter.
“Pray for the staff/volunteers of our pregnancy centers & resource store as they serve on the front lines with love & devotion. We are pro-life in our beliefs and pro-love in our actions.”
Today is a day we have prayed and worked toward for decades. All praise to God who is the one who makes human life sacred. The end of Roe is a tipping point to yet another day when all abortion will not just be rare but unthinkable
— Jack Graham (@jackngraham) June 24, 2022
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Franklin Graham
Samaritan’s Purse and Billy Graham Evangelistic Association President Franklin Graham shared his thoughts on the Dobbs case with Fox News.
“Roe v. Wade, passed 49 years ago, has resulted in the deaths of over 63 million innocent children in this country. Sadly, this decision is not an end to abortion – it pushes the battle back to the states.”
“My prayer is that every state will enact protections for children in the womb and that our nation will value life and recognize the rights of our most vulnerable.”
Karen Swallow Prior
Karen Swallow Prior, Research Professor at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, reflected on the long battle to overturn Roe v. Wade in the New York Times.
“Roe stripped from the prenatal child the right to continue to live and grow, safe and free from intentional harm.”
“We can do better than asking women (and men) to choose between their children and themselves. I see the overturning of Roe as the first step in getting there. Then, to make abortion unthinkable, we must make it unwanted.”
Bart Barber
Newly elected Southern Baptist President and Texas pastor Bart Barber affirmed the ruling and shared the work Southern Baptists have done to work for the overthrow of Roe v. Wade.
“Southern Baptists rejoice at the ruling that the United States Supreme Court has delivered today in Dobbs v. Women’s Health Organization.”
“State-by-state, mother-by-mother, heart-by-heart, we will continue our work towards this sacred goal.” (Eliminating the perceived need for abortion.”
A statement on today’s Supreme. Court decision from SBC president @bartbarber.
— SBC Executive Committee (@SBCExecComm) June 24, 2022
“State-by-state, mother-by-mother, heart-by-heart we will continue our sacred work…" pic.twitter.com/gtJTWRTi6W
Related:
Thank God Roe Is Gone, Now Let's Not Grow Weary
Supreme Court Overturns Roe v. Wade: It Was ‘Egregiously Wrong from the Start’
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Scott Slayton writes at “One Degree to Another.”
