Abortion: What Does The Bible Say About It?

[stextbox id=”custom”]This article is from the “What does the Bible say about” series. Here are some others  (1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th).[/stextbox]

Abortion.

Some call it murder while others claim it is nothing more than a woman’s choice. Many claim it to be merely a surgical procedure while many others still believe it to be one of the worst sins known to humankind.

But what does the Bible say about it?

There are few topics in our culture today that are as sensitive as this one is. There are multiple views (humanly speaking) and various movements on abortion, each either condoning it to some degree or condemning it altogether.

In places around the world, such as China, abortion is rampant due to the harsh cultural pressures to have a male baby. Add to that China’s one-child policy and a lack of compassion for the basics of human life, and you’ll understand why millions of babies are aborted before birth or even abandoned in an open field just minutes after passing through the birth canal.

In America, we would never think of abandoning a newborn baby to the elements of an open field. Rather, the American culture attempts to pacify a dulled conscience by performing the surgery in a sterile medical facility. Instead of a grassy field, the baby is wrapped in garbage bags and placed in the trash.

Why do we do this to people created in the image of God? What does the Bible say about abortion?

Abortion is a touchy topic in practically every political race, rally, and election. In many instances and for many people, it is the only issue by which they will vote or not vote for a candidate. After all, when I personally stand before God and am judged by how I lived and reacted politically, will God be more concerned about whether I voted for someone who wanted to lower my taxes or kill babies?

As a man, as a father, as a pastor, and as a Bible-believing Christian, I certainly do have my opinion, just as everyone else has theirs. I’m not ashamed of my opinion, because I strongly believe it to be biblical, even if it isn’t politically correct according to 21st century standards. And that’s just fine with me.

But again, what does the Bible say about abortion? After all, for a Christian, Scripture needs to be our standard and rule for life and behavior. Culture, opinions, and Supreme Court rulings should not (do not) dictate what is essential and true. God alone is truth.

The Bible never specifically addresses the issue of abortion. However, you could fill entire libraries with books discussing issues that are not specifically addressed in the Bible. The Bible is only one book given to man, after all.

However, there are numerous teachings in Scripture that make it abundantly clear what God’s view of abortion is.

For example, Jeremiah 1: 5 says,

“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; before you were born I sanctified you; I ordained you a prophet to the nations.”

Psalm 139: 13-16 says,

“For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother’s womb. I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; marvelous are Your works, and that my soul knows very well. My frame was not hidden from You, when I was made in secret, and skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed. And in Your book they all were written, the days fashioned for me, when as yet there were none of them.”

In Exodus 21:22-25, the Bible prescribes the same penalty—death—for someone who causes the death of a baby in the womb as for someone who commits murder. This clearly indicates that God considers a baby in the womb to be as human as a full-grown adult. God says,

“If men fight, and hurt a woman with child, so that she gives birth prematurely, yet no harm follows, he shall surely be punished accordingly as the woman’s husband imposes on him; and he shall pay as the judges determine. But if any harm follows, then you shall give life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, burn for burn, wound for wound, stripe for stripe.”

For the Bible-believing Christian, abortion is not a matter of a woman’s right to choose. It is a matter of the life or death of a human being made in God’s image.

“Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them” (Genesis 1:26-27).

“Whoever sheds man’s blood, by man his blood shall be shed; for in the image of God He made man” (Genesis 9:6).

What Are The Arguments For Legalized Abortion?

1.   The first argument that always arises against the Christian stance on abortion is: What about cases of rape and/or incest?

As horrible as it would be to become pregnant as a result of rape and/or incest, is the murder of a baby the answer? Two wrongs do not make a right. The child who is a result of rape/incest could be given in adoption to a loving family unable to have children on their own, or the child could be raised by his or her mother.

Again, the baby is completely innocent and should not be punished for the evil acts of its sperm-donor.

2.   The second argument that usually arises against the Christian stance on abortion is: What about when the life of the mother is at risk?

First, let’s remember that this situation is the reason (medically speaking) behind less than 1/10 of only 1% of the abortions done in the world today. Far more women have an abortion for convenience than women who have an abortion to save their own lives.

Second, let’s remember that God is a God of miracles. He can preserve the life of a mother and a child despite all the medical odds being against it.

Over 95% of the abortions performed today involve women (and men!) who simply do not want to have a baby. Less than 5% of abortions are for the reasons of rape, incest, or the mother’s health at risk. Even in the more difficult 5% of instances, abortion should never be an option. The life of a human being in the womb is worth every effort to allow the child to be born.

But What About Women Who Have Had An Abortion?

God still loves you, and so do I!

There is only one sin that is unforgivable by God, and it is NOT the sin of abortion.

For those women who have had an abortion, remember that the sin of abortion is no less forgivable than any other sin. Through faith in Jesus Christ, all sins can be forgiven and wiped away forever. For any woman who has had an abortion, or a man who has encouraged an abortion, or even a doctor who has performed one—all can be forgiven through faith alone in Jesus Christ.

As ambassadors of Jesus Christ in a fallen and dark world, it is not the Christian’s role to go around condemning sinners and wagging our fingers. We are to proclaim to all creatures the liberty from guilt and sin to any and all who will surrender with repentant faith in Jesus Christ alone.

Praise God that all things become new! Praise God that He remains the God of 2nd chances!

QUESTION: What are your thoughts about abortion? Please comment below.

* Image credit: Matt Gruber (Creation Swap)