Abortion advocates insist that we make peace with abortion. In her book Pro: Reclaiming Abortion Rights, feminist Katha Pollitt says we should stop apologizing for the practice. She asks, “Why can’t a woman just say, This wasn’t the right time for me?” (10). Only those with a deep contempt for the female sex question her saying so. In short, Pollitt insists that it’s an affront to women when pro-choice advocates settle for anything less than legal abortion on demand and without apology. And she’s not the least bit sorry if that offends her opponents.

We’ve turned a page in the abortion debate, or so abortion advocates hope.

In 1992, Bill Clinton campaigned on the premise that abortion should be “safe, legal, and rare.” As to why it should be rare, he never told us. Indeed, during his two terms as president, Clinton rejected every attempt to limit the abortion license. He even vetoed a bill that said you can’t pierce the skull of a partially born fetus and suck out his brain. Abortion, though bad, was necessary to preserve the health of women. Politically, he got away with it. For millions of Americans, it was enough that Clinton felt sorry about abortion.

We’ve come a long way since then. In 2019, we aren’t supposed to feel sorry anymore.

Instead, abortion advocates insist that we make peace with abortion. In her book Pro: Reclaiming Abortion Rights, feminist Katha Pollitt says we should stop apologizing for the practice. She asks, “Why can’t a woman just say, This wasn’t the right time for me?” (10). Only those with a deep contempt for the female sex question her saying so. In short, Pollitt insists that it’s an affront to women when pro-choice advocates settle for anything less than legal abortion on demand and without apology. And she’s not the least bit sorry if that offends her opponents.

Shouting Your Abortion

She’s not alone. Take a look at the cultural landscape. We now have “Shout Your Abortion” T-shirts coupled with social media campaigns like “Kids, Meet Someone Who’s Had an Abortion” — all attempts to self-justify abortion and empty it of any shame.

The political world took quick notice. With the 2020 presidential elections approaching, rival candidates from one major political party raced to outdo one another in their support for abortion. In New York, the Democratic governor signed legislation repealing protections for children who survive abortion procedures. The argument is clear enough: If a woman wants an abortion — even a late-term procedure — she’s entitled to it. Her own justifications are enough. No apology needed.

And just when you thought it couldn’t get worse, “Christian” abortionist Dr. Willie Parker declares himself a “Good Samaritan” with a “ministry” to aborting women. “I believe that as an abortion provider, I am doing God’s work,” Parker told the New York Times.

The Bad Samaritan

Parker needs to take a careful look at Luke 10:25–37 before appointing himself God’s abortion hero. The parable of the good Samaritan is familiar to nearly everyone, even nonchurchgoers. People think they get it. Socialists say it’s about the redistribution of wealth. Conservatives say it’s about giving more to charity. Religious people say it’s about helping the poor with Christian love. Truth is, we all need to take a closer look.

The primary context of the passage is not social justice. It’s salvation. A lawyer schooled in the Mosaic law challenges Jesus with a question: “What shall I do to inherit eternal life?” (Luke 10:25). Jesus gives a chilling answer: “What is written in the Law? How do you read it?” (Luke 10:26). The lawyer knows exactly what Jesus is driving at and answers correctly: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself” (Luke 10:27). Jesus affirms his answer with devastating clarity: “Do this, and you will live” (Luke 10:28).

Why did Jesus answer that way? The lawyer just asked how to get to heaven, and Jesus says nothing about the gospel. He tells the man, Go do what the law of God demands. Love God perfectly. Love your neighbor perfectly. Then you will live. We find out why Jesus said this in the next verse. The man was self-righteous (Luke 10:29). When the lawyer attempts to justify himself by asking, “Who is my neighbor?” Jesus replies with the parable of the good Samaritan. The parable flips the narrative from “Who is my neighbor?” to “Am I a good neighbor?”

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