We all need to pray for and emulate prolife campaigner Mary Wagner.
Yesterday I penned a piece with the title, “Do You Ever Feel Like Giving Up?” I mentioned there that at times I can despair, and I encouraged folks to keep going, because of what Christ did for us. In it I was going to give some examples of those who persevered and kept on going, despite all the adversity, hardship and opposition: https://billmuehlenberg.com/2019/09/12/do-you-ever-feel-like-giving-up/
I ended up only offering the example of our Lord who went all the way to Calvary on our behalf. And that example is certainly enough. But other champions can be mentioned. There would be so many in 2000 years of church history. Countless saints of God could be highlighted who are terrific role models when it comes to perseverance, total commitment, and dogged determination to stay the course.
One such woman I have written about before. And she keeps deserving more write-ups, because she keeps on paying the price for her Christian convictions – in this case, standing up for those who cannot stand up for themselves. I refer to Canadian prolife champion Mary Wagner.
Over the past seven years she has spent many months in jail following numerous arrests, all because of her determination to stand up for the unborn by means of peaceful protests. In one of my articles about her I mentioned how she was serving time over Christmas while the rest of us were free to enjoy the holiday:
She has been in jail again over the past five months, and is just now being released. One write-up tells the story as follows:
Famed Canadian human rights defender Mary Wagner was convicted of trespassing and interference with the operation of a business, following months in jail after she entered a Vancouver abortion facility to inform expectant mothers about alternatives to abortion.
In a statement on Facebook, Wagner said, “This conviction is nothing I am ashamed of. On the contrary, I am pleased that the court has found there is enough evidence to conclude that I interfered with the business of destroying helpless unborn children, who remain unprotected and abandoned by the courts.” According to the Facebook account, Wagner is to be released today but remains in custody of the court.
In a telephone conversation with LifeSiteNews, defense attorney Peter Boushy said the Vancouver court found Wagner guilty on charges of mischief under section 430 of the Criminal Code but sentenced her to time served in jail. She had been in jail since her arrest on April 17. According to Boushy, she served 148 days in prison. Canadian law credits each day served in jail pre-trial at the rate of 1.5 to one, which means that Wagner has already served more than the maximum sentence allowable for the offense attributed to her. While the Crown asked for three years of probation, the court allowed only two years.
During the sentencing, Judge Mark Jette said to Wagner directly, “I appreciate that you come from a strong and good family and that you are a good person,” said Boushy. While the Crown had asked for 30 days of community service as part of the sentence, the judge said, “I’m satisfied that you give back to the community on a daily basis. It’s in your DNA.” Boushy said that he had never heard such a compliment from the bench before. He noted that the judge referred to Wagner as a “warrior” during his remarks. Wagner will not have to render community service as part of the sentence.
Boushy said cases such as Wagner’s “bring into sharp focus Christian witnessing.” He noted that her supporters are a handful of Christian women, whom he described as “gentle, humble, graceful, loving and truthful.” They exhibit the same characteristics as the female followers of Jesus Christ who were with Him on the road to Calvary, he said. “At the end of the day, a true Christian is imbued with the Holy Spirit and can actually ‘see’ the horrors of abortions.” In apparent reference to the Gospel of St. Mark, Boushy said Jesus used parables because his listeners could not otherwise “see” what He was talking about. “That whole idea is brought into focus in these cases,” Boushy said and noted that Wagner’s supporters are joyful. “Thank God for them,” he said. https://www.lifesitenews.com/news/canadian-pro-life-champion-mary-wagner-convicted-of-mischief-for-defending-babies
What a champion. While millions of Christians say they are prolife, how many of them really have the courage of their convictions to do all they can to protect human life in the womb? How many are prepared to spend month after month in jail so that others might live?
There are a number of these fantastic champions who are often ignored by the secular press and often overlooked by Christians as well. But they are the real deal heroes of our time. They are willing to pay the price to stand for unborn babies.
Just this morning I reread the story of some biblical champions, who also were willing to face the music rather than let down their Lord. In the book of Daniel we read about four brave Hebrew young men who are being held as captives in Babylon, yet who made a huge difference in this ungodly environment.
In chapter 3 we read about King Nebuchadnezzar building a large statue of himself that everyone is supposed to bow down before, worshipping the golden image of the king. But Daniel’s three friends Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego refuse to do so, choosing instead to only worship the One True God.
This enrages the King and he says that they must be thrown into a blazing furnace for their disobedience and recalcitrance. Many of you will be familiar with how the three Hebrews responded to the King. As we read in verses 16-18:
King Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver us from Your Majesty’s hand. But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.
Wow, what a testimony. How can we not see Mary Wagner and what she keeps doing as a very real parallel here? She tells the secular judges and rulers in Canada that she will not bow down to the false gods of “choice” and career and convenience.
Whether or not she will be spared yet more jail time, she continues to refuse to bow down before these unjust laws, and she refuses to remain quiet about one of the greatest acts of immorality of our time. The killing fields continue apace since so few people – including so few believers – care at all about what is happening.
And recall that she could be living the good life now. She graduated from the University of British Columbia, majoring in English and French Literature. Had she so chosen, she could have a nice cushy job right now teaching what she loved to study.
But she has given all that up to stand for something so much more important. What about you? What are you doing for Christ and the Kingdom? Have you ever made any sacrifices to be salt and light in a decaying society? Have you ever taken risks for your faith, and for the unborn?
Mary Wagner loves the unborn passionately. She also hates the evil of abortion. In this she is being one hundred per cent biblical. As we read in Romans 12:9, we are to “hate what is evil; cling to what is good.” That is just what she is doing.
At this point it is possible that some folks might say, ‘Well, she is a devout Catholic, so that is why she does what she does.’ Well, I am a devout Protestant, and I of course fully endorse her and her actions. Indeed, any person on the planet who names the name of Jesus Christ should be passionately prolife.
Commenting on this very passage in Romans, R. C. Sproul, a devout Protestant, said this:
I believe that the greatest ethical issue today is that of abortion. In recent years many have come to see terrorism as more concerning than abortion. I am baffled by that, because more people were killed on September 10 in the womb of U.S. women than were killed on 9/11 in New York City. More babies were slaughtered on September 12 than adults were killed on 9/11. If we had a camera on the womb so that CNN could show us graphic videos of what actually happens in the slaughter of unborn children, abortion would be quickly abolished, but the reality of it is covered up. If there is one thing I know about God, it is that he hates abortion. The German ethicist Helmut Thielicke indicated something unusual in his massive mid-twentieth-century work on Christian ethics. The work appeared before Roe v. Wade; that is, before Western civilization had embraced abortion on demand. In his book Thielicke wrote that abortion has always been considered a monolithic evil in Christian thought among both liberals and conservatives. That is clear from the very first century, in the Didache, which called abortion ‘murder.’ Abortion is an unspeakable evil that God abhors, one that the American church tolerates and winks at. That troubles me deeply, and I do not understand it. As we are to despise what is evil, we are to cling to what is good.
It is not just the church as a whole, but far too many individual Christians who tolerate and wink at abortion. We need many more Mary Wagners. Will you be one of them?
18 Replies to “Never Give Up – Standing For the Unborn”
Thank you, Bill. If there are any individual Christian readers here “who tolerate and wink at abortion” then could I add this plea from Scripture to what you’ve already written above …
Rescue those being led away to death;
hold back those staggering toward slaughter.
If you say, “But we knew nothing about this,”
does not he who weighs the heart perceive it?
Does not he who guards your life know it?
Will he not repay each person according to what he has done?
(Proverbs 24:11-12)
Thanks David.
I had the privilege of protesting with Graham Preston 5 years ago. Amazing how much vitriol there was against us.
Well done Paul.
Thank you ! We must repeat Winston Churchill’s mantra! Never never give up!
Quite right Jeremy.
Dear Bill,
Our daughters took a very early train from where we live in the country to Sydney last month to be a part of the anti-abortion legislation rally outside Parliament House. The following Sunday I had been asked to pray at a church we were visiting. As I prayed for the unborn and the distressing legislation before the NSW Parliament, an old lady started yelling angry abuse at me, shouting that she is strongly pro-abortion. After the service, others expressed their agreement with her. This week I received a letter from the Church Council saying they would not be inviting me again. The political party that many support is strongly pro-abortion, and that loyalty over-rides any other consideration.
So deeply sad for babies.
And Jesus wept.
If you think about it, if Wilberforce could end slavery, it should be possible to stop abortion. But then again, if the west is insane enough to attempt altering the gender of toddlers, then common sense has died a long time ago.
Please read the whole, article by John Macarthur. “Christian Duty in a pagan culture” by John Macarthur.
From Grace to you.
He writes, ( and I paraphrase) that Christian’s cant change society without pointing them to the Saviour. They need to be born again (regenerated) before anyone can change for the better,( as satan has blinded their eyes.) He writes, (and I quote) that our duty as Christians is, to give the everlasting gospel, he says changing peoples hearts one individual at a time is the only way to bring meaningful lasting change to our communities and even the whole world. end of quote. (partly quoted from “duty in a pagan culture”
The apostles changed the world by proclaiming the gospel.
Acts 17.6. ………………”these who have turned the world upside down have come here too.”.
Thanks Helena. I mostly agree with MacArthur on most things, but not always fully on all things! See here eg:
Good on Mary Wagner for she will not bow down to the false gods of “choice” and career and convenience, and on all those who oppose abortion. I pray the Lord will see your good works and reward you with a turnaround in NSW parliament.
Those who will not bow down to the false gods of “choice” and career and convenience will be blessed with life in abundance that the abortionists will miss.
We are always faced with choices, and when we choose what seems right to us, we lose the best that God has for us.
The reason there is so much expressed hatred and vitriol against people who are pro-life and anti-abortion is because the people supporting and perpetrating this act know in their hearts that it is wrong and sinful. They are afraid, knowing that one day they will be called to account, but try desperately to ignore that truth. Their only response is to hit out at those who force them to face that reality.
Sir Winston Leonard Spencer-Churchill (God bless him) in his last public speach to students… is reported to have said: “Never. Never. Never give up. ”
Appropriate for us today.
Terry McDonnell W.A.
Yes I agree.
There is political figure in Australia who became very successful.
He told the story on TV interview of his sad upbringing and the Godless traumas in his life.
Said he was about to commit suicide the only thing that stop him was remembering the Catholic nuns at school telling the children that suicide is murder and most often results in hell.
They saved his life.
Terry McDonnell WA
To Terrence McDonnell. All sins send you to hell, even one lie, not just suicide. God wants perfection and none of us are perfect, that’s why we need to be born again and accept Jesus Christ as our one and only Saviour, who alone is sinless and Perfect, and He went to the cross in your place and my place, and for the sins of the world. We must all turn to Jesus Christ and Trust in His Finished Work on the Cross, that He paid the price for our sins and paid the debt we cannot ever pay to keep us from hell. Only Jesus is Saviour. Thank you Jesus.
Mary Wagner’s comment: “This conviction is nothing I am ashamed of. On the contrary, I am pleased that the court has found there is enough evidence to conclude that I interfered with the business of destroying helpless unborn children, who remain unprotected and abandoned by the courts.” reminds me of the question posed by someone (?) that if ever you were arrested for being a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict you?
Perhaps not always for me :'( …but I am convicted of the need to be able and willing.
Stating the Obvious.
I offer a few comments on bishop Michael McKenna’s Pastoral letter to his diocese of Bathurst, on the proposed abortion legislation. His letter is dated 31/07/2019. The text of his letter is in quotation marks.
“You would be aware, from media reports, that there is an attempt underway to push through abortion legislation in our State Parliament without adequate consideration of its consequences.”
So, what does this legislation involve that needs adequate consideration? Why is it so important? What are the consequences? We are never told. Is it wise to rely on media reports?
“I salute those Members of Parliament who are resisting this attempt; and encourage you to support them.” Resist the attempt to do what, specifically. We still don’t know what he’s talking about.
“Those who propose the legislation are no doubt sincere in their arguments.” Is the bishop suggesting that their sincerity gives some legitimacy to their cause? Barnaby Joyce states, in his ‘petition seeking letter’ to oppose the legislation, dated 5/8/19, (the new law would give New South Wales the most extreme abortion laws in the country. The laws ….. will effectively allow abortions to be performed right up until birth.) So now we know what it’s about. Thank God for Barnaby Joyce.
The bishop failed to mention the crucial details of this legislation. I would have thought that was an important piece of clarifying information, wouldn’t you? Instead he takes the opportunity to acknowledge the sincerity of those who propose the legislation.
“However, as so often in this debate,” what is there to debate? “someone is forgotten.” Of course, someone is forgotten – overlooked – ignored. Is this some deep insight from an intellectual giant? No! It’s stating the obvious, but to what purpose? Why use a weak term like ‘forgotten’?
“That is the human being: unborn, but human, who has no rights when her or his life or death is being decided.” Didn’t you know you were ending the life of an unborn human? I forgot. The rights of the unborn are given by God, they last forever. When was the last time the bishop stood up and publicly defended the rights of the unborn? Does his letter do that?
“Also forgotten are those medical professionals who would conscientiously oppose such procedures, from whom the law could withdraw protection.” He’s very concerned that the protection of the law might be withdrawn from certain members of the medical profession. At least then they will have first-hand knowledge of how the unborn human feels.
“And thoroughly forgotten are the mothers faced with difficult circumstances in their pregnancies, for whom, instead of genuine care, only the bleak option of a termination is offered”. If he’s so concerned about the mothers, then why not direct some of his diocesan funds towards this ‘genuine care,’ he talks about, instead of squandering it on his Palace, the Cathedral, Overseas Travel and whatever. Notice that the bishop acknowledges that termination is a bleak option. Earlier he mentions that the legislation relates to the life or death of unborn humans. Option? Really?
“Whatever the outcome of the political debate, we cannot be silent in the face of what is being attempted.” Does the bishop seriously think that his letter qualifies as a model for not being silent? Is this our brave leader, on his white horse, fearlessly calling us into battle? He effectively kept silent during the gay-marriage debate. Read Robert Browning’s Lost Leader. He wrote it about William Wordsworth, whom he considered to have deserted the cause.
“Lord, have mercy on us.”
There are three persons the bishop forgot in his letter. The Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. The Father is God, the Son is God, the Holy Spirit is God. The Father is not the Son, the Son is not the Holy Spirit, the Holy Spirit of not the Father. There is one God.
This letter has no heart. It provides no spiritual or intellectual food for the reader. Where is the call to fasting and prayer? The call to reach out to God our Father and beg for forgiveness and healing. There is no urgency for the protection of the unborn. This letter reeks of humanism. It could just as well have been written by a person who has never known Christ. The bishop’s performance on the abortion issue, and, indeed, on the same-sex marriage issue, has been less than edifying.
What God thinks is obviously not at the forefront of the bishop’s mind. He never mentions it. He seems more concerned not to offend anyone. When he stands before God, he will discover that ‘I didn’t want to offend anyone’ is no defence.
I corresponded with Mary some time ago. I received a letter from her after one of her stints in prison. I gave her some legal advice advising her against putting herself in danger of prison time again. What a fool I was.
Thank you, Bill. If there are any individual Christian readers here “who tolerate and wink at abortion” then could I add this plea from Scripture to what you’ve already written above …
Rescue those being led away to death;
hold back those staggering toward slaughter.
If you say, “But we knew nothing about this,”
does not he who weighs the heart perceive it?
Does not he who guards your life know it?
Will he not repay each person according to what he has done?
(Proverbs 24:11-12)
Thanks David.
I had the privilege of protesting with Graham Preston 5 years ago. Amazing how much vitriol there was against us.
Well done Paul.
Thank you ! We must repeat Winston Churchill’s mantra! Never never give up!
Quite right Jeremy.
Dear Bill,
Our daughters took a very early train from where we live in the country to Sydney last month to be a part of the anti-abortion legislation rally outside Parliament House. The following Sunday I had been asked to pray at a church we were visiting. As I prayed for the unborn and the distressing legislation before the NSW Parliament, an old lady started yelling angry abuse at me, shouting that she is strongly pro-abortion. After the service, others expressed their agreement with her. This week I received a letter from the Church Council saying they would not be inviting me again. The political party that many support is strongly pro-abortion, and that loyalty over-rides any other consideration.
So deeply sad for babies.
And Jesus wept.
With Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, I couldn’t help but draw a modern parallel with Falau…
http://learneasy.info/webs/images/falua-idol.jpg
If you think about it, if Wilberforce could end slavery, it should be possible to stop abortion. But then again, if the west is insane enough to attempt altering the gender of toddlers, then common sense has died a long time ago.
Please read the whole, article by John Macarthur. “Christian Duty in a pagan culture” by John Macarthur.
From Grace to you.
He writes, ( and I paraphrase) that Christian’s cant change society without pointing them to the Saviour. They need to be born again (regenerated) before anyone can change for the better,( as satan has blinded their eyes.) He writes, (and I quote) that our duty as Christians is, to give the everlasting gospel, he says changing peoples hearts one individual at a time is the only way to bring meaningful lasting change to our communities and even the whole world. end of quote. (partly quoted from “duty in a pagan culture”
The apostles changed the world by proclaiming the gospel.
Acts 17.6. ………………”these who have turned the world upside down have come here too.”.
Thanks Helena. I mostly agree with MacArthur on most things, but not always fully on all things! See here eg:
https://billmuehlenberg.com/2001/11/28/a-review-of-why-government-can%e2%80%99t-save-you-by-john-macarthur/
Good on Mary Wagner for she will not bow down to the false gods of “choice” and career and convenience, and on all those who oppose abortion. I pray the Lord will see your good works and reward you with a turnaround in NSW parliament.
Those who will not bow down to the false gods of “choice” and career and convenience will be blessed with life in abundance that the abortionists will miss.
We are always faced with choices, and when we choose what seems right to us, we lose the best that God has for us.
The reason there is so much expressed hatred and vitriol against people who are pro-life and anti-abortion is because the people supporting and perpetrating this act know in their hearts that it is wrong and sinful. They are afraid, knowing that one day they will be called to account, but try desperately to ignore that truth. Their only response is to hit out at those who force them to face that reality.
Sir Winston Leonard Spencer-Churchill (God bless him) in his last public speach to students… is reported to have said: “Never. Never. Never give up. ”
Appropriate for us today.
Terry McDonnell W.A.
Yes I agree.
There is political figure in Australia who became very successful.
He told the story on TV interview of his sad upbringing and the Godless traumas in his life.
Said he was about to commit suicide the only thing that stop him was remembering the Catholic nuns at school telling the children that suicide is murder and most often results in hell.
They saved his life.
Terry McDonnell WA
To Terrence McDonnell. All sins send you to hell, even one lie, not just suicide. God wants perfection and none of us are perfect, that’s why we need to be born again and accept Jesus Christ as our one and only Saviour, who alone is sinless and Perfect, and He went to the cross in your place and my place, and for the sins of the world. We must all turn to Jesus Christ and Trust in His Finished Work on the Cross, that He paid the price for our sins and paid the debt we cannot ever pay to keep us from hell. Only Jesus is Saviour. Thank you Jesus.
Mary Wagner’s comment: “This conviction is nothing I am ashamed of. On the contrary, I am pleased that the court has found there is enough evidence to conclude that I interfered with the business of destroying helpless unborn children, who remain unprotected and abandoned by the courts.” reminds me of the question posed by someone (?) that if ever you were arrested for being a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict you?
Perhaps not always for me :'( …but I am convicted of the need to be able and willing.
Stating the Obvious.
I offer a few comments on bishop Michael McKenna’s Pastoral letter to his diocese of Bathurst, on the proposed abortion legislation. His letter is dated 31/07/2019. The text of his letter is in quotation marks.
“You would be aware, from media reports, that there is an attempt underway to push through abortion legislation in our State Parliament without adequate consideration of its consequences.”
So, what does this legislation involve that needs adequate consideration? Why is it so important? What are the consequences? We are never told. Is it wise to rely on media reports?
“I salute those Members of Parliament who are resisting this attempt; and encourage you to support them.” Resist the attempt to do what, specifically. We still don’t know what he’s talking about.
“Those who propose the legislation are no doubt sincere in their arguments.” Is the bishop suggesting that their sincerity gives some legitimacy to their cause? Barnaby Joyce states, in his ‘petition seeking letter’ to oppose the legislation, dated 5/8/19, (the new law would give New South Wales the most extreme abortion laws in the country. The laws ….. will effectively allow abortions to be performed right up until birth.) So now we know what it’s about. Thank God for Barnaby Joyce.
The bishop failed to mention the crucial details of this legislation. I would have thought that was an important piece of clarifying information, wouldn’t you? Instead he takes the opportunity to acknowledge the sincerity of those who propose the legislation.
“However, as so often in this debate,” what is there to debate? “someone is forgotten.” Of course, someone is forgotten – overlooked – ignored. Is this some deep insight from an intellectual giant? No! It’s stating the obvious, but to what purpose? Why use a weak term like ‘forgotten’?
“That is the human being: unborn, but human, who has no rights when her or his life or death is being decided.” Didn’t you know you were ending the life of an unborn human? I forgot. The rights of the unborn are given by God, they last forever. When was the last time the bishop stood up and publicly defended the rights of the unborn? Does his letter do that?
“Also forgotten are those medical professionals who would conscientiously oppose such procedures, from whom the law could withdraw protection.” He’s very concerned that the protection of the law might be withdrawn from certain members of the medical profession. At least then they will have first-hand knowledge of how the unborn human feels.
“And thoroughly forgotten are the mothers faced with difficult circumstances in their pregnancies, for whom, instead of genuine care, only the bleak option of a termination is offered”. If he’s so concerned about the mothers, then why not direct some of his diocesan funds towards this ‘genuine care,’ he talks about, instead of squandering it on his Palace, the Cathedral, Overseas Travel and whatever. Notice that the bishop acknowledges that termination is a bleak option. Earlier he mentions that the legislation relates to the life or death of unborn humans. Option? Really?
“Whatever the outcome of the political debate, we cannot be silent in the face of what is being attempted.” Does the bishop seriously think that his letter qualifies as a model for not being silent? Is this our brave leader, on his white horse, fearlessly calling us into battle? He effectively kept silent during the gay-marriage debate. Read Robert Browning’s Lost Leader. He wrote it about William Wordsworth, whom he considered to have deserted the cause.
“Lord, have mercy on us.”
There are three persons the bishop forgot in his letter. The Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. The Father is God, the Son is God, the Holy Spirit is God. The Father is not the Son, the Son is not the Holy Spirit, the Holy Spirit of not the Father. There is one God.
This letter has no heart. It provides no spiritual or intellectual food for the reader. Where is the call to fasting and prayer? The call to reach out to God our Father and beg for forgiveness and healing. There is no urgency for the protection of the unborn. This letter reeks of humanism. It could just as well have been written by a person who has never known Christ. The bishop’s performance on the abortion issue, and, indeed, on the same-sex marriage issue, has been less than edifying.
What God thinks is obviously not at the forefront of the bishop’s mind. He never mentions it. He seems more concerned not to offend anyone. When he stands before God, he will discover that ‘I didn’t want to offend anyone’ is no defence.
I corresponded with Mary some time ago. I received a letter from her after one of her stints in prison. I gave her some legal advice advising her against putting herself in danger of prison time again. What a fool I was.