Barronelle Stutzman, thank you. We have proven ourselves unworthy of your gentle heroism. You’ve signed a $5,000 settlement to make it all go away, so you can go on living in your retirement and with your family. I am so sorry. We let you down. I am not big on confessing the sins of others, but I am ashamed of our Christian community, ashamed of those friends who are conservative who did not come to your side.

The story of the end of Barronelle Stutzman’s struggle for biblical belief and her own description of the settlement can be found here.

What was your crime? Living and acting according to your faith in Christ. You served everyone, all people. But you would not create a floral design for a gay wedding, for, as you say, that would be an act in defiance of your love for Christ and the truth. It could not be sadder. Those who demanded you create the floral arrangements were your friends. But, of course, they could have asked a thousand other florists to design arrangements for their celebrations, even as you agreed happily to offer floral arrangements for their birthdays and the like.

But tonight, I am bitter. I think of all my pro-life friends who did not say a word in defense of religious liberty. I think of all the politicians who either did not know, did not want to know, or pretended not to know of Barronelle’s plight. The likes of our governors and senators are not worthy to shine Barronelle’s shoes. Such cowards.

Yeah, I’m ticked, but mostly because my fellow Christians have not been ticked enough, just content to be quiet, and good, and to keep themselves out of trouble. Shameful.

Tonight, offer up a toast to, and prayer for, Barronelle Stutzman. And then a word of sorrow for our own unworthiness for not standing up for her. A sad day.

Peter Scaer is professor of exegetical theology at Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, Indiana. He is chairman of the board of Right to Life Northeast Indiana. His previous article was You Can’t Retire From God’s Service When You Retire From Work.