Explainer: What you should know about the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan

Earlier this week, the military completed its mission to evacuate American citizens, third-country nationals, and vulnerable Afghans from Afghanistan. Over the previous few weeks, more than 123,000 civilians were extracted in what was the largest noncombatant evacuation in the U.S. military’s history. Here is what you should know about the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan.

This Week in Washington, D.C.

This week, the U.S. Supreme Court was asked, by a collection of abortion providers and proponents, to intervene to prevent Texas’ Senate Bill 8 (SB 8), or the Texas Heartbeat Act, from taking effect. They did not act by the deadline, and the law went into effect. On Thursday, the Supreme Court voted 5-4 to deny an emergency appeal. SB 8 bans abortion once a fetal heartbeat is detected, which typically occurs anywhere between five and eight weeks into a pregnancy. A number of states have introduced fetal heartbeat bills, but until now, they have been blocked by the courts.

As laws are introduced and litigated, Christians can and should be on the frontlines of caring for vulnerable women and their preborn babies. We have the opportunity to demonstrate the love of Christ and share the good news of the gospel by tangibly serving women in crisis. 

While we work toward that objective, we should appreciate every step that can be taken — whether accomplished through legislative channels, court decisions, or cultural developments — to save one additional preborn life.

For further reading: Explainer: What you should know about the Texas Heartbeat Act and the Supreme Court

From The Public Square

What You Need to Read

Herbie Newell with 3 ways Christians can remember the people of Haiti: Showing generosity to a joyful people amid tragedy

We must remember that Haiti is not beyond the notice of God. His reach is long to heal and help a people who are kind and joyful, even in the most difficult of circumstances. They are endearing and resilient even as they fight disease, unemployment, violence, lack of healthcare, and all other sorts of grave challenges; however, many Haitians lack the greater hope which Filder has because of the gospel. 

Jordan Wootten with How the grace of Jesus enables us to say no to pornography: An Interview with Ray Ortlund on The Death of Porn: Men of Integrity Building a World of Nobility

We live in a pornified culture. From popular television shows to music, and even billboards along the highway, pornographic images and language are pervasive. As it becomes more normal and increasingly ubiquitous, we may wonder: is there any hope for unseating pornography from its cultural position of power and influence?

O.S. Hawkins with The legacy of George W. Truett: Pastor, builder, and defender of religious liberty

Biographers and historians have said that among George W. Truett’s greatest attributes was his keen ability not only to envision new and innovative ministries, but also to inspire the masses to adopt his vision and see it come to fruition. He built things, and the things he built have lasted over several generations.

This Week at the ERLC

• Jason Thacker talked to Dr. Tim Clinton about artificial intelligence and the future of humanity from a Christian perspective. 
   
• Chelsea Patterson Sobolik talked to Baptist Press about the Supreme Court's decision not to block a Texas ban on abortion when a fetal heartbeat can be detected. She also urged Secretary of State Antony Blinken to re-designate Nigeria as one of the world’s most severe violators of religious freedom.

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