The U.S. did not legalize abortion in a vacuum in 1973. The Guttmacher Institute, Planned Parenthood's research division, states abortion laws worldwide were undone "rapidly" between 1950 and 1985.

Guttmacher estimates 46 million babies are aborted worldwide each year. This means almost 1 billion babies have been aborted worldwide just during the past 20 years.

If current world population is 6.5 billion, as the U.S. Census Bureau indicates, all must acknowledge the profound impact of abortion on the human race, no matter where they stand on abortion.

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Overpopulation theorists will say, whew, look how many less mouths to feed, bodies to clothe and families to shelter.

Freakonomics theorists will say, whew, look how many less criminals to wreak havoc.

Both must conclude, since starving children are still prevalent and since the world seems ever more chaotic, we must abort more. Or if that is too harsh, we must provide more comprehensive sex education and more contraceptives.

Pro-lifers lament the loss of all the Beethovens, Platos and anonymous, pigtailed, freckled girls.

Pro-lifers say the solution for fellow humans in need is to produce more food, clothing and shelter, not kill those needing it.

Pro-lifers say teaching abstinence until marriage is the comprehensive solution, not teaching how to commit illicit sex without consequences, which is a comprehensive failure.

Pro-lifers say it doesn't necessarily follow that creeps begat creeps. Everyone should be given a chance.

Those are the basic arguments. But beyond them is the question of the impact of abortion on world history.

I have a few theories.

One is that China's forced one-child per family policy is enabling it to build perhaps the largest, fiercest army ever known. Now 27 years old, the policy has resulted in the intended or unintended consequence of a growing gender disparity. The ratio is now 117:100 Chinese boys to girls generally, as high as 130:100 in spots, due to prenatal or postnatal killing of girls. Young men with no hope of marriage or offspring are perfectly suited to work off anger and sexual frustration in the military. And what do they care if they die?

This may or may not be related, but it appears Christians and Muslims are the only sociologic groups having children at a rate higher than replacement. The media has written extensively on this. See here, here, and here for examples.

This triggers another theory: that abortion is helping clear the field of uncommitteds – or may force them to commit – for a future classic showdown between good and evil, Christianity versus Islam.

On an even grander scale, another of my theories is the escalation of abortion during the second half of the 20th century signaled Satan's acknowledgement that the end is near.

When the first redeemer, Moses, entered the world, there was a coinciding mass extermination of babies (Exodus 1). When the second Redeemer, Jesus, entered the world, there was a coinciding mass extermination of babies (Matthew 2). How much more should we anticipate Satan trying to fend off – or at least wreak the worst havoc possible – Jesus' triumphant return?

My fourth theory is that God is allowing abortion out of His sense of mercy, to draw those who have been implicated and broken by it – mothers, fathers, accomplices – to Him.

Genesis 50:20 lays down what I believe is a biblical principle, that God allows all evil for good to come from it "for the purpose of saving lives."

Ezekiel 18:21-32 reveals a brokenhearted God who laments that any should perish apart from Him. "'I don't want wicked people to die,' declares the Almighty Lord. 'I want them to turn from their evil ways and live. … Change the way you think and act. Turn away from all the rebellious things that you have done. … Get yourselves new hearts and new spirits. Why do you want to die, nation of Israel? I don't want anyone to die. … Change the way you think and act!'"

Abortion is a most painful sin. It cuts through the fog of living a mindless life. Somehow abortion – and I've seen this so many times – softens hearts in its aftermath and saves eternal lives.

God's ways are not our ways. One reason He is allowing the physical sacrifice of innocent babies, who are now with Him forever, is to save the eternal lives of their parents and killers.

The beautiful old hymn goes, "Softly and tenderly Jesus is calling, calling, 'Oh, sinner, come home'" … to a world without end.

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