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Exposing the Dark Work of Abortion
We are children of the light. Abortion is a work of darkness. The apostle Paul said, “Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them” (Ephesians 5:11).
Our aim, by the power of the Holy Spirit, in the name of Jesus Christ, through the authority of his word, is to glorify God by making much of his image in the unborn, and his mercy in forgiving sinners.
We would like to give you a free eBook based on three sermons I preached on abortion. We hope it helps you speak out. Please feel free to download it, print it, copy it, and share it with as many people as you like.
Here’s a sample sentence:
God is calling passive, inactive Christians today to engage our minds and hearts and hands in exposing the barren works of darkness. To be the conscience of our culture. To be the light of the world. To live in the great reality of being loved by God and adopted by God and forgiven by Christ (yes—for all the abortions that dozens of you have had), and be made children of the light. I call you to walk as children of light.
Thanks for caring,
John Piper
Our aim, by the power of the Holy Spirit, in the name of Jesus Christ, through the authority of his word, is to glorify God by making much of his image in the unborn, and his mercy in forgiving sinners.
We would like to give you a free eBook based on three sermons I preached on abortion. We hope it helps you speak out. Please feel free to download it, print it, copy it, and share it with as many people as you like.
Here’s a sample sentence:
God is calling passive, inactive Christians today to engage our minds and hearts and hands in exposing the barren works of darkness. To be the conscience of our culture. To be the light of the world. To live in the great reality of being loved by God and adopted by God and forgiven by Christ (yes—for all the abortions that dozens of you have had), and be made children of the light. I call you to walk as children of light.
Thanks for caring,
John Piper
27 pages, ebook
First published January 20, 2012
3 people are currently reading
115 people want to read
About the author
John Piper
609 books4,654 followersJohn Piper is founder and teacher of desiringGod.org and chancellor of Bethlehem College & Seminary. For 33 years, he served as senior pastor at Bethlehem Baptist Church, Minneapolis, Minnesota.
He grew up in Greenville, South Carolina, and studied at Wheaton College, Fuller Theological Seminary (B.D.), and the University of Munich (D.theol.). For six years, he taught Biblical Studies at Bethel College in St. Paul, Minnesota, and in 1980 accepted the call to serve as pastor at Bethlehem.
John is the author of more than 50 books and more than 30 years of his preaching and teaching is available free at desiringGod.org. John and his wife, Noel, have four sons, one daughter, and twelve grandchildren.
Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
He grew up in Greenville, South Carolina, and studied at Wheaton College, Fuller Theological Seminary (B.D.), and the University of Munich (D.theol.). For six years, he taught Biblical Studies at Bethel College in St. Paul, Minnesota, and in 1980 accepted the call to serve as pastor at Bethlehem.
John is the author of more than 50 books and more than 30 years of his preaching and teaching is available free at desiringGod.org. John and his wife, Noel, have four sons, one daughter, and twelve grandchildren.
Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
August 28, 2023
Nothing wrong with these sermons in this booklet, it's just... if somebody comes to this little book to gain a how-to on pro-life or arguments (more than a few facts which Piper gives), then Randy Alcorn's "Why Pro-Life?" and other works would do more good. But for raising the issue and thinking it over because you haven't thought about it much - you can get something out of it.
January 25, 2026
Truthfully one of the most gut wrenching things I’ve ever read. But also one of the most convicting things. Piper based this off of Ephesians 5:11.
“Have nothing to do with the fruitless works of darkness, but rather expose them.” - Ephesians 5:11
Piper reminds us that it is not a Christian’s responsibility to just not partake in the culture, rather it is the Christian’s responsibility as order by God to expose these evil deeds and as such, let your light shine before others.
It is not surprising to me, a culture so against God turns to ritualistic human sacrifice, we’ve seen it throughout history and in the Bible itself. However, despite all of this, “Jesus is the truth we need to see, and Jesus is good”. And God calls for his people to be the conscience of the culture, therefore we cannot be silent and stand to the side, but rather when society tells us to ignore it, we must decide, shall we listen to men or to God.
An abortion stats and facts Piper lists which have only gotten worse since he published it in 2013:
There are 1.2 million abortions in America every year. For context there are 3.6 million births every year. And heartbreakingly the number of abortions is likely understated.
Most abortions occur after 8 weeks, meaning for a month there are a heart beat for a month, measurable brain waves, response to touch, thumb-sucking, grasping with hands, swimming, distinct arms and legs.
It is unlawful to crush an egg of a bald eagle but perfectly ok to cut up a baby in the womb.
It is unlawful in Minnesota to kill a baby in the womb intentionally, with the only exception being abortion.
However with all this being considered, the responsibility of victory does not fall on believers, rather God is good and the victory has already been won.
“Have nothing to do with the fruitless works of darkness, but rather expose them.” - Ephesians 5:11
Piper reminds us that it is not a Christian’s responsibility to just not partake in the culture, rather it is the Christian’s responsibility as order by God to expose these evil deeds and as such, let your light shine before others.
It is not surprising to me, a culture so against God turns to ritualistic human sacrifice, we’ve seen it throughout history and in the Bible itself. However, despite all of this, “Jesus is the truth we need to see, and Jesus is good”. And God calls for his people to be the conscience of the culture, therefore we cannot be silent and stand to the side, but rather when society tells us to ignore it, we must decide, shall we listen to men or to God.
An abortion stats and facts Piper lists which have only gotten worse since he published it in 2013:
There are 1.2 million abortions in America every year. For context there are 3.6 million births every year. And heartbreakingly the number of abortions is likely understated.
Most abortions occur after 8 weeks, meaning for a month there are a heart beat for a month, measurable brain waves, response to touch, thumb-sucking, grasping with hands, swimming, distinct arms and legs.
It is unlawful to crush an egg of a bald eagle but perfectly ok to cut up a baby in the womb.
It is unlawful in Minnesota to kill a baby in the womb intentionally, with the only exception being abortion.
However with all this being considered, the responsibility of victory does not fall on believers, rather God is good and the victory has already been won.
February 15, 2025
This is perhaps more of a challenge for Christians to be bold and stand for truth than it is a tool for advancing the pro-life movement,
Piper challenges believers to walk in the light because we are children of God. We work and stand from our salvation, not for it. Because we are children of God, we stand for what God wants. God hates abortion.
Piper gives a few brief, but clear, bullet point facts about the dark nature of abortion.
These are from 1992 but still ring true today. I would imagine the number of daily and annual abortions are significantly higher and the technological advancements only further show that the baby in the womb is, in fact, alive and deserving of protection.
Piper challenges believers to walk in the light because we are children of God. We work and stand from our salvation, not for it. Because we are children of God, we stand for what God wants. God hates abortion.
Piper gives a few brief, but clear, bullet point facts about the dark nature of abortion.
These are from 1992 but still ring true today. I would imagine the number of daily and annual abortions are significantly higher and the technological advancements only further show that the baby in the womb is, in fact, alive and deserving of protection.
December 20, 2025
Piper's passion and commitment to the scriptures is seen on every page. Not a comprehensive book and it seems to be missing some things that need to be addressed, but helpful in thinking through some issues regarding abortion and a believer's responsibility.
February 20, 2016
Quick series of sermons that took a step back from the details of abortion issues to examine the heart motivation behind the pro-life response.
May 18, 2016
A much-needed exhortation from a Christian pastor to his congregation to "be children of light" and have nothing to do with "the fruitless works of darkness" but "rather expose them". Even so, there is hope in the Lord Jesus Christ for all: the abortion doctor, the clinic worker, the pro-choice activist, the pro-life activist, the church-goer, the woman procuring the abortion, her escort, the father of the child, the parents of the woman, etc. For all involved and on the sidelines, there is hope because Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners. May all who are called by His name be about His work of love and compassion even as we expose the evil deeds of darkness to the shining light of truth.
December 24, 2013
In this series of three sermons (first preached in 1992), Piper urges Christians to bring the wickedness of abortion to light. While many Christians personally avoid abortion, Piper contends that God’s command is to actively expose the darkness. Though brief, Piper manages to cover important ground while also emphasizing the need for Christians to offer grace to those who have been involved in the abortion industry (whether as a patient or provider). A helpful, introductory resource.
September 25, 2014
IMHO, you don't need clever rhetoric arguments for or against abortion. There are many issues that need to be considered, given. No, we need a renewed, passionate, truthful plea and wake up call for our generation in regards to this so called sensitive topic.
We need a Martin Luther King to lead the charge, for that I'm thankful for not only Piper's book but his life-long devotion to fight against abortion.
I have a dream.. That one day abortion will end.
We need a Martin Luther King to lead the charge, for that I'm thankful for not only Piper's book but his life-long devotion to fight against abortion.
I have a dream.. That one day abortion will end.
May 1, 2016
A short little booklet containing some sermons by John Piper on the topic of abortion, exposing the evil of abortion and shedding light from God's Word on the value of life and on our duty as Christians and on everyone's need for Christ as our only hope.
June 29, 2016
This is a short book explaining Christian pro-life views, how they are different than Atheist pro-life views, and how it aligns with the Bible. I think it's a good read for anyone, it shows that abortion isn't the only option, and that no sin is too great that can be forgiven by our great Savior!
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews