On Another Anniversary of Roe v. Wade: Four Issues to Consider (Part 1 of 2)

 By Andy Woods

On January 19, churches throughout our nation will commemorate yet another Sanctity of Human Life Sunday. It has been over four decades since the infamous Roe v. Wade¹ decision, which legalized abortion-on-demand throughout our society. Over the past four decades, both sides in the debate have had ample opportunity to present their side of the argument to the public on the foundational issue: When does life begin? Since most Americans are probably already well-versed on what both sides have to say on that important issue, allow me to briefly focus on four issues that are less prominent in the abortion discussion.

First, the so-called right to procure an abortion is nowhere found in the text of our Constitution. This is an important point to make since we have heard the slogan “a woman’s right to choose” so frequently repeated, that many Americans incorrectly assume that there is some kind of authority for this right found in America’s founding documents. In fact, nothing could be further from the truth.

The Roe v. Wade decision guaranteed women the constitutional right to procure an abortion. It is simply impossible to argue that the Constitution supports a right to have an abortion if this issue is analyzed from the perspective of original intent of the Constitution’s framers. Interestingly, any express reference to “abortion” or “privacy” cannot be found within the actual text of the Constitution.

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Andy Woods became a Christian at age 16.  Andy graduated with High Honors earning two Baccalaureate Degrees in Business Administration and Political Science (University of Redlands, CA.), and obtained a Juris Doctorate (Whittier Law School, CA), practiced law, taught Business and Law and related courses (Citrus Community College, CA) and served as Interim Pastor of Rivera First Baptist Church in Pico Rivera, CA (1996-1998).

In 1998, Andy began taking courses at Chafer and Talbot Theological Seminaries. He earned a Master of Theology degree, with High Honors (2002), and a Doctor of Philosophy in Bible Exposition (2009) at Dallas Theological Seminary. In 2005 and 2009, Andy received the Donald K. Campbell Award for Excellence in Bible Exposition, at Dallas Theological Seminary.

Andy is currently the senior pastor of Sugar Land Bible Church and a full professor at the College of Biblical Studies in Houston where he teaches Bible and theology.  In addition, Andy’s work can be found in many theological journals and Christian books and Andy has spoken on a variety of topics at Christian conferences.

Andy, along with his wife Anne and daughter Sarah, live in Houston, Texas.