According to Yale Medicine, “Abortion is the termination of a pregnancy before the fetus can survive outside the uterus. It can occur spontaneously, known as a miscarriage, or be induced intentionally through medical or surgical procedures.”
On the surface, a question like is abortion a sin appears to be very black and white. However, when you peel back the layers, you recognize there is complexity to this question. This question forces us to not just consider the act of abortion, but we must also think about the women who are contemplating this or may have even had abortions.
To hammer home the point that abortion is a sin can be condemning, but to not address it at all can make it seem that you are being permissive. I don’t think either of those positions is where we should land. I must say I am not trying to advocate for abortion, but I don’t want to demonize a woman who may have had one either. While we cannot ignore the reality of what abortion is, we cannot forget our responsibility is not just to point out sin, but to offer hope for those who may be trapped in it.
While it is very easy just to say abortion is a sin, we must do more than that. I don’t think we do this conversation any justice without considering the reasons people believe abortion is their best option. This is even further magnified by a study by Care Net that identified that four out of 10 women who had an abortion attend church at least once a month. This means some women who are considering abortion may be sitting right next to you in the pew on Sunday morning. So, where is the line that we must navigate between identifying sin and offering hope, because this is how we must approach this discussion.
What Does the Bible Say about the Sanctity of Life?
It is clear from scripture that God values human life. This does not just mean the life of a child in the womb, but the lives of every human once they are outside the womb as well. This also includes the life of the mother, even if she has had an abortion. In God’s eyes, every life is important, and when Jesus came to die, he died for everyone. There is no life that is more valuable than another because God sees them all the same.
Here is what the Bible tells us about human lives.
Every human life is created in the image of God:
- "So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them" (Gen. 1:27). Life begins inside the womb and has purpose.
- "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 works are wonderful, I know that full well" (Psalm 139:13-14).
"Before I was born the Lord called me; from my mother’s womb he has spoken my name" (Isa. 49:1).
God values humans above all other creation:
- Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care. 30 And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows (Matt. 10:29-31)
Does the Bible Specifically Mention Abortion?
The Bible may not specifically mention the word abortion, but it speaks volumes about the value of human life. Throughout Scripture, we see the sanctity of life upheld, even from the very beginning. God's intimate involvement in creation is clear in the way he carefully created man. Any conversation about abortion must start with this fundamental truth as its foundation. When we understand that every life is precious to God and is known by God, it gives us a clear lens through which to view this issue. In God's eyes, life is sacred, and this perspective shapes how we approach and understand the complex conversations surrounding abortion.
How Do Christian Beliefs Influence Views on Abortion?
After the sanctity of life, perhaps the greatest Christian belief that influences the view on abortion is the taking of an innocent human life. One scripture that is often referred to is in Proverbs, where one thing God hates is hands that shed innocent blood (Prov. 6:17). I don’t believe this was written directly to people having abortions, but it applies in this situation. If you look at it just from that perspective, then the only conclusion you can come to is that abortion is a sin.
Even if we know this to be true, the message is not getting through because four in 10 women who go to church once a month are having an abortion, so clearly something is amiss. That’s why I believe we must address the issues that are leading women to make this decision and not just stop with saying abortion is a sin.
What are Common Christian Arguments against Abortion?
The most common Christian arguments against abortion flow out of the belief of the sanctity of life, which is the foundation for many of these arguments. Here is a short list of some of those arguments.
- Life begins at conception
- You shall not murder
- We must protect the vulnerable
- God has a purpose for every life regardless of how they were conceived
- Children are a blessing from the Lord
These arguments highlight the essential value of human life from the moment of conception until that person breathes their last breath. All these arguments are valid. However, there is still a question that remains. How do we address this issue that is affecting so many women, and how do we do it in a manner that transforms behavior and not just condemns it? These are the harder questions that move this beyond a political talking point. This is a heart and individual issue and we cannot look past those who are wrestling with this decision. This is where grace, empathy, and compassion need to come to the forefront from those who follow Christ.
How Should Christians Approach the Topic of Abortion?
As Christ followers, we have a responsibility to address this issue, but I would add that how we do it matters just as much. Pastors screaming and yelling from pulpits or people picketing outside abortion clinics shaming the people going into the clinic simply doesn’t work. These methods often lack the grace and compassion this topic deserves. So, how can Christians deal with this issue effectively? Here are a few suggestions:
Avoid the extremes
Too often we try to make this a left-right issue only. Those on the left are against families and are promoting the killing of babies, and those on the right are pro-family and trying to save the lives of innocent babies. Not only is this an extreme position, it is foolhardy to believe that the only people having abortions are those on the left. When we make broad generalizations like these, they are often untrue, hyperbolic in nature, and they rarely lead to productive conversations.
Don’t forget about the person
When issues like abortion become political talking points, often the people having to make these tough choices are not part of the equation. They almost become collateral damage in the political game, and it is easy to forget who they are. One thing I believe we must stop doing is making it seem like the choices here are easy because they aren’t. Whether you decide to end a pregnancy, keep the baby, or give the child up for adoption, these are all life-altering decisions. The last thing a woman or couple needs in this situation is someone brow-beating them over the head, telling them how evil and wicked they are. This rarely, if ever, works.
In John 8, there was a woman caught in the act of adultery. The angry mob was ready to stone her for her actions. Jesus bent down and wrote something on the ground and then said, let you who are without sin throw the first stone (Jn. 8:7). With that, everyone dropped their stones and walked away. What Jesus showed in this instance was compassion for the woman. We must do the same thing. Not glossing over the sin but offering hope and restoration for those who are contemplating abortion or who may have already done it. While it is okay to have passion for a particular issue, we need to have compassion if we are going to reach those who are dealing with this.
This is a spiritual issue, not a political one
Changing laws will not change people’s attitude towards abortion. Since Roe v. Wade was overturned, peoples' positions and attitudes towards abortion have not wavered. If anything, people have become more entrenched in their position. That’s why we can’t get sucked into the politics because this is a heart issue. We must recognize that hearts don’t change through legislation; they change through transformation. God has positioned us here to be agents of transformation by reconciling people to Christ, and that should be at the forefront of everything we do.
This is not a recent issue
We often think of abortion as a 20th or 21st century concern, but the reality is this has been an issue in our country for centuries. The complexities of this issue existed well before Roe v. Wade was ever tried in a courtroom. America’s long and complicated history of dealing with abortion has been baked into the history and fabric of our country. That’s why the conversation goes beyond radical left vs. conservative right and why we must get past the politics of it all and deal with the people having to make these choices.
A concluding thought
At the end of every abortion decision is a real woman who faces a tremendously challenging decision. Unless you have had to face this decision, it is not always easy to feel the flood of emotions that fills a woman’s heart as she is making this choice. This means we can’t be quick to judge or throw stones, but we must be quick to listen and understand why. The work of dealing with abortion is one of grace, compassion, and empathy, not one of anger and judgment. Anger and judgment can feel like the easier road to travel down, but they don’t solve the problem because they rarely get to the root of the issue. When you consider what abortion is, as a follower of Christ, the conclusion is abortion is sin. However, with that being said, that should not change how we address those who are facing this choice. We can never forfeit our love and compassion. If we lose that, then it does not matter what the law says; we have probably lost the person, which can have more far-reaching consequences.
Further Reading:
What Does the Bible Say about Abortion?
What Does the Bible Actually Say about Abortion?
20 Bible Verses about Abortion - What Does Scripture Say?
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