The abortion issue has been used as a symbol in the feminist movement, and has been clouded by many other issues such as rape and incest. However, in order to obtain a biblical view of abortion, one must rake away the muck which obscures the main questions about abortion, and concentrate on the issue's essence.

The primary point of conflict in the entire abortion debate is the question of when life begins. If indeed life begins in the womb, then no one could DISAGREE that the fetus (Latin for "little one") is a human being, and is subject to the rights (God's laws concerning humanity) which befit a human being. First the Bible establishes that God recognizes a person even before he or she is born: "Before I was born the Lord called me" (Isaiah 49:1)

Exodus 21:22-23 describes a situation in which a man hits a pregnant woman and causes her to give birth prematurely. If there is "no serious injury", the man is required to pay a fine, but if there is "serious injury" either to the mother or the child, then the man is GUILTY of murder and subject to the penalty of death. This command in itself legitimizes the humanity of the unborn child, and places the child on a level equal to that of an adult male who caused the miscarriage. Scriptural support abounds for the humanity of the unborn child

"FOR YOU CREATED MY INMOST BEING, YOU KNIT ME TOGETHER IN MY MOTHER'S WOMB. I PRAISE YOU BECAUSE I AM FEARFULLY AND WONDERFULLY MADE...YOUR EYES SAW MY UNFORMED BODY, ALL THE DAYS ORDAINED FOR ME WERE WRITTEN IN YOUR BOOK BEFORE ONE OF THEM CAME TO BE" PSALM 139:13-16

The Bible in fact uses the same Greek word to describe the unborn John the Baptist (Luke 1:41, 44), the new born Jesus (Luke 2:12, 16) and the young children who were brought to Jesus for His blessing (Luke 18:15)

Perhaps the most stark biblical revelation of the humanity of the unborn comes in Jeremiah 20 during which Jeremiah's cry of woe in which he laments about his birth:

"CURSED BE THE MAN WHO BROUGHT MY FATHER THE NEWS, WHO MADE HIM VERY GLAD, SAYING 'IT IS A CHILD BORN TO YOU - A SON!'...

"BECAUSE HE SLEW ME NOT FROM THE WOMB; OR THAT MY MOTHER MIGHT HAVE BEEN MY GRAVE, AND HER WOMB TO BE ALWAYS GREAT WITH ME." (JEREMIAH 20:15-17)

In the aforementioned verses and countless others, the Bible does indeed establish that an unborn child is just as much a human in God's eyes as we ourselves are. This indicates that the command "THOU SHALL NOT MURDER" (EXODUS 20:13) CERTAINLY APPLIES TO THE UNBORN AS WELL AS THE ALREADY BORN. Thus, when we read Genesis 9;16, the full realization of what it means to murder comes into focus "WHOEVER SHEDS THE BLOOD OF MAN, BY MAN SHALL HIS BLOOD BE SHED; FOR IN THE IMAGE OF GOD HAS GOD MADE MAN." Murder is an ABOMINATION in the sight of God because it is the UNAUTHORIZED KILLING OF A BEING MADE IN HIS IMAGE AND BLURRING OF THE CREATOR & CREATURE'S DISTINCTION. (Romans 1)

Though the question of when life begins is important to many, the question more representative of today's view is "WHAT QUALITY OF LIFE MANDATES PRESERVATION?" Has the fetus gained a quality of life worthy of preservation? This is a dangerous question indeed. Who among the living (the already born) can decide on the answer to such a question? Do we apply this question with every human being? Does a fetus or even an infant with down syndrome have a quality of life equal to that of a perfectly normal one? These questions only lead to some sort of genetic elitism and shouldn't even be asked in good conscience. Perhaps, the biggest irony encountered when examining this who wish to make abortion a Social Justice Issue is that much of social justice is aimed at giving help and justice to those who are unable to speak and do for themselves -- the meek. Yet, from the same mouth that says we must protect the homeless, the penniless, animals and the environment comes words which speak of killing an unborn human! This contradiction must not be overlooked lest we fail to see the cruelty, the degrading of humanity and the violation of GOD's RIGHTEOUS DECREES supported by those who hide behind the auspices of choice-advocacy.

Mother Theresa, perhaps one of the world's most renowned champions of the underprivileged said, "IF WE ACCEPT THAT A MOTHER CAN KILL EVEN HER OWN CHILD, HOW CAN WE TELL OTHER PEOPLE NOT TO KILL EACH OTHER...ANY COUNTRY THAT ACCEPTS ABORTION IS NOT TEACHING ITS PEOPLE TO LOVE, BUT TO USE ANY VIOLENT MEANS TO GET WHAT THEY WANT!"

Also, the logical result of the desire for "Abortion-on-demand" is INFANTICIDE and euthanasia--the killing of a new born if it possesses physical or mental anomalies, and killing those for whom the living find it inconvenient to care. When human life is cheapened to the point that even the womb, a symbol of tranquillity and peace, becomes a place of death; even the already-born will begin to respect each other's lives little less.

BIBLICAL CHRISTIANITY does not just offer judgment of the issue, and then retract the judgment. Certainly, there are some tough situations in which women find themselves, and the Christian community offers many outlets for aiding these women who can't afford a child or who don't have favorable circumstances to raise a child. The Christian view would be that a woman should never have to make a choice between her baby and herself.

Yes, the Word of God gives us a clear and understandable statement of God's consideration of the unborn child to be a human being subject to the protections of HIS righteous law but WHAT DO WE HEAR THESE DAYS???

THE BIBLE CONDEMNS THE SHEDDING OF INNOCENT LIFE:

Few people would argue this point. The Bible clearly prohibits taking the life of an innocent person. Then, it follows that if the developing baby is a qualified member of the human race, all these apply:

Gen. 9:16: "WHOEVER SHEDS THE BLOOD OF MAN, BY MAN SHALL HIS BLOOD BE SHED; FOR IN THE IMAGE OF GOD HAS GOD MADE MAN."

Exod. 20:13: "YOU SHALL NOT MURDER"

Deut. 27:25a: "CURSED IS HE WHO ACCEPTS A BRIBE TO STRIKE DOWN AN INNOCENT PERSON."

Prov. 6:16-19: "THERE ARE SIX THINGS WHICH THE LORD HATES, YES SEVEN WHICH ARE AN ABOMINATION TO HIM: HAUGHTY EYES, A LYING TONGUE, AND HANDS THAT SHED INNOCENT BLOOD,..."

See also Exodus 23:7, and Deuteronomy 19:11-12.

HOW SHOULD CHRISTIANS RESPOND?

It is one thing when godless, secular people try to dehumanize the unborn to support their views of abortion on demand. It is quite another matter when these same people attempt to distort Scripture and church history to fit their agenda.

There is no legitimate "Pro-Choice" position that can be derived from the Bible. To support this position, it would be necessary to use the text out of context, ignore the Bible's attitude toward the young and innocent and be ignorant of the history and tradition of the Church.

God calls each of us to defend the innocent. Christians should elect leaders who share the Biblical view of abortion, support groups working to make abortion unacceptable in our country, and donate their time and money to pregnancy care centers. Every Christian should know the facts and their Christian heritage, and be ready to defend what the Bible really says about abortion. And we should pray that God will change the hearts of those promoting the genocide of any nations in the name of abortion.

01-02-2012

© Sarah Worldchanger Dominique