Unplanned is a recently released film derived
from Abby Johnson’s memoir Unplanned.
Earlier this week we went to see it with several others from PCC. I was not
sure what to expect of the movie, but I knew the basics. Johnson was the
director for a Planned Parenthood clinic in Texas, who resigned her position.
After resignation she became an advocate for the unborn, and she began a
ministry to assist abortion clinic workers to leave their jobs. Her resignation
was met with fierce opposition from Planned Parenthood, who sued Johnson and
her pro-life friends.
The film does an excellent job of telling Abby
Johnson’s story, yet it was the information that was new to me that gripped my
heart. The movie didn’t attempt to hide any of Abby’s sins, nor did it hide the
grittiness of abortion procedures. Here are a few takeaways:
• Abby had two abortions, and was honest about her
experiences that are portrayed clearly in the film. Also, in the days leading
up to her resignation from Planned Parenthood a few things key things occurred.
For the first time, she assisted in an abortion. She saw the live ultra sound
picture of the fetus, and watched as the fetus was sucked out of the uterus.
This was horrifying! And it seemed to be what motivated her to resign. Later,
the film shows that she pulled her own file so that she could see the
ultrasound picture of one of her babies that was aborted. These are important
segments of the film, they capture the essence of her and her fetus’ humanity,
victimization, and the pain of abortion.
• Planned Parenthood may be the most corrupt organization in
America. What I learned is troubling. They manipulate young women to agree to
abortions. They are motivated by the love of money. They tell many lies to
people. They take ultra sound photos of their patient’s unborn babies to get a
measurement for the price of the abortion, but they do not show the photo to
the woman for fear that she will change her mind to save her baby. I used to
think that Planned Parenthood was just a bad organization, but now I’m
convinced that the devil has much power over them, they destroy unborn babies.
And he is a he
thief who “comes only to steal and kill and destroy,” but Jesus came to give
life (John 10:10).
• Although some of the protestors at the clinic in the movie
expressed attitudes of harshness, the Christians portrayed in the movie were
people of love, kindness, and peace. It struck me that people are often
attracted to truth by the love and hospitality of a Christian, not a hateful
attitude. This was the case for Abby. Although I do not know if Abby is born
again, she definitely had a change of heart regarding abortion. She came to
this much truth because people were praying and people were gently informing
her of the truth of abortion.
• God will forgive all sin, including abortion. The gospel of Jesus
Christ is the means for God’s forgiveness, but a person must possess genuine faith
in Christ and His Gospel to be forgiven. So as we preach the gospel remember
that the Gospel is the answer to abortion, and it offers God’s mercy to all,
even abortion doctors. “Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who
are in Christ Jesus” (Rom 8:1).
• Lastly, the film received an R rating from MPAA. But I
agree with the film’s maker who said it is PG-13. There is a scene in the movie
depicting an abortion that is difficult to view. And, there is some salty
language in the movie, so if you’re going to view it with your kids please be
aware.
