When asked about abortion in the instance of rape, former Missouri Congressman Todd Akin had this to say:

Todd Akin: “Well, you know, people always want to make it one of those things of how do you sort of slice this particularly tough ethical question. It seems to be, first of all, from what I understand from doctors, it’s really rare. If it’s a legitimate rape, the female body has ways to try to shut the whole thing down.”

When asked about women who are abused by their husbands, current Southwestern Seminary President Paige Patterson had this to say:

Paige Patterson: It depends on the level of abuse to some degree. I have never in my ministry counseled that anybody seek a divorce, and I do think that’s always wrong counsel. There have been, however, an occasion or two when the level of the abuse was serious enough, dangerous enough, immoral enough that I have counseled temporary separation and the seeking of help. I would urge you to understand that that should happen only in the most serious of cases. . . More often, when you face abuse, it is of a less serious variety.

Question: What would have happened to Todd Akin if he’d answered the same question Paige Patterson was asked, and responded in the same way?

Answer: He would be preaching the SBC Convention sermon in Dallas this summer, and probably chairing Steve Gaines’ Evangelism Task Force.