Late Thursday, a man was arrested for vandalizing a Planned Parenthood clinic near Bloomington, Indiana. That episode--the third act of violence against an abortion clinic in 18 months--prompted Charisma magazine news editor Jennifer LeClaire to call for an end to violence against abortion clinics.



Abortion is one of the most violent acts against humankind one can imagine. But responding with violence is not the answer. A wise old Southern man once warned me not to swap railing for railing. The apostle Peter put it this way: “Not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing” (1 Pet. 3:9). Believe me, I stand against abortion in all its forms and at any stage. But those who murder abortionists or otherwise attack abortion clinics have allowed evil to overcome them. This is not God’s way. Sadly, people who commit violence in the name of defending life are giving in to the frustration of injustice instead of turning to the God of justice in prayer for a prophetic strategy to combat this evil. I can assure you, God is not telling people to murder abortionists, blow up abortion clinics—or even attack them with an ax. Romans 12:21 says, “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”

Sorry, but LeClaire's words ring extremely hollow. Why, you ask? It's something she didn't call for--the ouster of Operation Rescue's senior policy adviser, Cheryl Sullenger. Here's a woman who not only pleaded guilty to attempting to blow up an abortion clinic back in 1988, but whose number was found on the dashboard of Scott Roeder, the guy who killed George Tiller.

The 1988 plea should have by all rights disqualified her from any high-ranking position in the forced-birth movement. Combined with the fact that she essentially gave Tiller's number to a guy off the street, there is no defensible reason for Sullenger to still be on the payroll. And yet, not only is she still employed, but she's frequently sought out for interviews. You cannot honestly call for an end to abortion clinic violence and condone the continued employment of someone like Sullenger.