Predator to Protector: The Gospel’s Power to Transform
A question that frequently confronts us is whether truly self-centered, stubborn, disobedient, or even “evil” people possess the capacity for profound change. It can be challenging to fathom that a power exists mighty enough to alter the core nature of such individuals, leading us at times to doubt if, when sharing important truths, the subject of our concern can ever be genuinely turned to the light. Yet, the transformative power of the gospel itself is presented as capable of precisely this kind of radical change in a human being.
This conversion is often described like an arc, akin to a rainbow stretching from one end of a spectrum to the other. Consider the dramatic image found in Ephesians 4:28:
“Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need”.
This verse powerfully encapsulates the essence of conversion: a person characterized by stealing ceases this behavior, engages in honest labor, and ultimately becomes someone prepared to generously give to those in need. This is not incremental adjustment; it is total transformation, shifting from one extreme to the other. The journey is from being a thief to becoming a philanthropist.
The capacity for such dramatic transformation is deeply personal to some who have experienced it firsthand. Upon hearing the gospel clearly for the first time and grasping the reality of sin, they will be immediately convicted by their past sins of stealing. This experience makes them acutely sensitive about such matters, even to the point of being unusually cautious about handling funds later in life. This personal history underscores the dramatic shift described in Ephesians 4 – the transformation from someone with a propensity to steal to someone known for generosity.
Indeed, this transformative power of the gospel can take something shrouded in total darkness and illuminate it with total light. It can awaken the spiritually dead, granting them life, and open the eyes of the spiritually blind, enabling them to see.
Biblical Arcs of Transformation: From Persecutor to Protector
Biblical narratives provide compelling examples of this radical change. Paul, for instance, transitioned from being a fierce persecutor and murderer of Christians on the road to Damascus to becoming a chief evangelist, a veritable “CEO of the book of Acts,” dedicated to building the church. He moved from hunting down believers to laying down his own life for the sake of the gospel and the church, pouring himself out like a drink offering. Similarly, the apostles Peter and John, originally common, ordinary fishermen, were transformed into powerful orators capable of delivering bold proclamations that astonished their listeners.
Modern Arcs: The Gospel’s Power Transforms Abortionists into Protectors
The potential for such profound change is not confined to ancient history or biblical texts. In the modern pro-life movement, there have been numerous eyewitness accounts of individuals undergoing radical conversions. People once fiercely committed to advocating for abortion have become equally fervent defenders of the innocent. This phenomenon stretches back to the origins of modern abortion in the United States; remarkably, nearly all the key figures involved in the Roe v. Wade decision were reportedly converted through ministry over time, including Jane Roe herself.
Contemporary figures further illustrate this powerful transformation. Abby Johnson, a former Planned Parenthood employee, is perhaps one of the most prominent examples today. She now leads a specialized ministry called “And Then There Were None,” specifically aimed at reaching workers within the abortion industry. Having walked in their shoes, she understands the stresses, strains, and pressures inherent in that work. This gives her a unique ability to connect with them, issuing a compelling invitation: “I was once where you are, but you could be now where I am,” echoing the gospel’s call to abandon a life of death and embrace a new life.
Another extraordinarily powerful testimony comes from Jeannie Pernia, who is described as a kind of “Abby Johnson on staff”. Jeannie’s personal history includes being an abortion clinic owner and having an abortion in her own clinic. Following her conversion, she went on to manage, run, and co-found one of America’s busiest pregnancy help centers dedicated to saving babies’ lives. Her past experiences are invaluable in connecting with others still working in the abortion industry.
A key part of Jeannie’s story highlights her initial naiveté and idealism. When she first opened her clinic, she genuinely believed she was helping women by providing a clean, professional alternative to dangerous back-alley abortions. However, she came to realize that abortion is not always safe, witnessing individuals dying or near death in her own facility, which led her to question if they were truly helping women. This background allows her to establish common ground when speaking to those in the industry today, starting the conversation by saying, “I used to run an abortion clinic, and I did it because I really cared about the women”. While this initial motivation is acknowledged, it’s also noted that for some, the work eventually becomes driven solely by money.
Global Arcs of Transformation: International Examples of Abortion Doctors Becoming Protectors
Working internationally, there have been many firsthand accounts of people on the mission field who were pro-choice or even directly involved in performing abortions who were radically changed and transformed. They have moved from being purveyors of death to becoming passionate defenders of life, following that transformative “arc of the rainbow”. While this change is powerful, it is also important to note that it’s not a guaranteed, “magic formula” outcome. Conversations are crucial, and sometimes individuals who were initially hostile simply move to a position of neutrality or even warmth towards the pro-life perspective after engaging in dialogue, particularly if it’s their first time speaking with someone who holds this view.
One memorable instance of this transformative potential involved having lunch with the chief abortion doctor at the largest hospital in Aradia, Romania. His agreement to the meeting was unexpected and surprising. He reportedly seemed nervous initially, talking constantly, perhaps fearing they would “pounce” on him. It was in this moment that Jeannie Pernia’s wisdom proved crucial. Her ability to interject and say, “I know why you do what you do and how you think that you’re serving women because I also used to run an abortion business” made a significant difference. This common ground immediately lowered his defenses, and the real conversation began at that point.
The doctor admitted to becoming increasingly uncomfortable with his work, even beginning to resent the women who came to the clinic. He was profoundly affected when shown a small fetal model. It was recalled that he had initially wanted to specialize in OBGYN with the intention of delivering babies, associating it with happiness, mothers, flowers, and balloons. He had told himself that he would prefer to work in an area where he was helping “the lights to go on for human life” rather than being around death. At the lunch, one of the women present pointed out the striking irony that he had ended up being the one who “turns off the lights” as an abortionist. This statement struck him speechless. There was a significant, “pregnant pause” that swept across the table, a moment so profound it felt as though his new life was being conceived. Prayers for his conversion continue.
Another remarkable story unfolded unexpectedly in Ethiopia. Abortion doctors, including one who was Muslim, were invited to attend a Christian pro-life training, and surprisingly, they stayed for the entire day. Although the full impact on all attendees is unknown, a striking report came back about the Muslim doctor. Later, while he was in his clinic, a woman came in seeking an abortion, describing her difficult circumstances. For the first time, after hearing the biblical worldview presented at the training, he began to talk his own client out of the abortion. He advised her that she didn’t truly want to do this and should instead focus on figuring out her life situation so she could have her baby. This demonstrates the potential for bold engagement with those who hold completely opposing views, recognizing that anyone living like Saul, the persecutor, could potentially become like Paul, willing to lay down their life.
In Cuba, where abortion is reportedly “more common… than clean water,” the testimony of a doctor who performed thousands of abortions over 30 years is particularly powerful. After becoming a Christian, he felt deeply convicted that abortion was a moral offense. He prayed for a way to leave that work, and he was subsequently promoted within his department, allowing him to shift to fertility treatments, helping people have babies. Now, he actively works to save babies through a pregnancy help center and is training other doctors to do the same, effectively multiplying his impact across the island. His story of moving from performing abortions to saving lives because of the power of Jesus is an extraordinary testament to gospel transformation in a challenging context.
The Universal Arc of Gospel Power: The Journey from Rebellion to Protector
Even individuals whose stories may not involve a dramatic shift from overt “darkness to light” in their later careers are part of this same transformative “rainbow”. Consider Dr. Randy Hartline, a retired OBGYN who joined a ministry to teach others how to use ultrasounds to save lives. While his retirement years may not feature a sudden abandonment of a “predator” role, his story represents the latter part of that arc – using his skills and experience to protect life. Everyone has a fundamental testimony of a time when they did not care about God’s authority and wanted to live life on their own terms. The process of transformation involves becoming dissatisfied with life lived independently of God, experiencing conviction of sin, hearing about Christ’s sacrifice, placing trust in His atoning work, and then living a new life motivated by obedience that comes from faith. Dr. Hartline’s story is a visible part of this universal rainbow of change.
This profound change, stretching from a state of rebellion against God to a life dedicated to serving Him, is the “great work of the gospel”. It follows a discernable, human experience arc, encompassing steps such as rebellion, leading to conviction, followed by understanding and perceiving the truth, then believing, being empowered by faith, and ultimately developing a hunger and thirst for righteousness.
This transformation, this journey from predator to protector, from thief to philanthropist, from persecutor to evangelist, is not merely a possibility; it is the tangible evidence of the power inherent in the gospel of Jesus Christ.
This article is adapted from the episode transcript.