The Pro-Life Ethic in Scripture
The debate surrounding abortion is one of the most significant moral issues of our time. For the Christian, the foundation for understanding and responding to this issue must be rooted firmly in the unchanging Word of God. The Bible, particularly the King James Version, presents a consistent and profound ethic of life, affirming the sanctity and value of human beings from their earliest stages of development. This pro-life ethic is not merely a social stance but a theological imperative, stemming from the very nature of God as the Creator and Sustainer of all life, and from His unique relationship with humanity.
From the moment of conception, Scripture reveals God's intimate involvement in the formation of every individual, recognizing them as distinct and valuable persons known by Him before birth. This article will explore the biblical principles that underpin the pro-life ethic, demonstrating that the sanctity of human life, from conception to natural death, is a cornerstone of Christian belief.
God, The Author and Sustainer of Life
At the heart of the pro-life ethic is the understanding that God alone is the author and giver of life. He is sovereign over all creation, and His creative work extends uniquely to the formation of human beings in the womb. The psalmist eloquently captures this divine craftsmanship:
For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother's womb. I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well. My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them.
This passage reveals that God is actively involved in "knitting" or "covering" the individual in the womb. The term "substance" refers to the unformed embryonic mass, which God sees and knows even before it takes on distinct features. He records all their "members" and "days" before any of them exist. This demonstrates that human life, even in its earliest, "unperfect" stage, is fully known and valued by God. It is not merely a clump of cells, but a "fearfully and wonderfully made" creation.
Further biblical texts reinforce this truth. God declares to Jeremiah:
Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.
Here, God states that He knew Jeremiah and set him apart for a specific purpose even before his physical formation. This pre-natal knowledge and ordination underscore the personhood of the unborn. Similarly, Isaiah testifies:
Listen, O isles, unto me; and hearken, ye people, from far; The LORD hath called me from the womb; from the bowels of my mother hath he made mention of my name.
The prophet's calling originated in the womb, signifying that God's relationship with individuals begins long before birth. Job also acknowledges God's hand in his formation:
Thine hands have made me and fashioned me together round about; yet thou dost destroy me. Remember, I beseech thee, that thou hast made me as the clay; and wilt thou bring me into dust again? Hast thou not poured me out as milk, and curdled me like cheese? Thou hast clothed me with skin and flesh, and hast fenced me with bones and sinews. Thou hast granted me life and favour, and thy visitation hath preserved my spirit.
These verses collectively affirm that human life, from its very inception, is a direct, intentional, and personal act of God's creation. Each individual is a unique work of His hands, known and purposed by Him from the womb.
The Imago Dei: Inherent Value and Dignity
The foundational reason for the sanctity of human life lies in the doctrine of the "Imago Dei," the image of God. From the very beginning, humanity was uniquely endowed with God's likeness:
So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.
This divine image confers inherent dignity, value, and worth upon every human being, regardless of their stage of development, physical or mental capabilities, or societal status. It is not something earned or granted by human decree, but a gift from God. This is why murder is so grievous:
Whoso shedde th man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man.
The penalty for taking a human life is severe because it is an assault on the image of God. This principle applies equally to the unborn, who also bear the divine image. The New Testament reiterates the significance of the Imago Dei, cautioning against cursing fellow humans:
Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God.
If cursing a person made in God's image is condemned, how much more is the act of intentionally ending the life of one who bears that same divine likeness, regardless of their age or developmental stage? The Bible consistently upholds the intrinsic value of every human life because each one reflects the glory of their Creator.
The Legal and Moral Status of the Unborn
Some argue that the unborn are not yet persons, and therefore do not possess the same rights as born individuals. However, Scripture provides strong indications that the unborn are considered persons with legal and moral standing before God. One of the most significant passages in this regard is found in the Mosaic Law:
If men strive, and hurt a woman with child, so that her fruit depart from her, and yet no mischief follow: he shall be surely punished, according as the woman's husband will lay upon him; and he shall pay as the judges determine. And if any mischief follow, then thou shalt give life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, burning for burning, wound for wound, stripe for stripe.
While this passage has been subject to various interpretations, the most biblically sound understanding is that if injury to the pregnant woman results in the death of the unborn child ("her fruit depart from her" with "mischief follow"), the penalty is "life for life." This "lex talionis" (law of retaliation) principle, applied to the death of the unborn, indicates that the unborn child is considered a human life worthy of the same legal protection as a born person. If only the unborn child was lost but the mother was unharmed, a financial penalty was levied, implying significant value. But if "mischief" (harm) *did* follow, specifically the death of the child, then the penalty was death for the perpetrator. This clearly elevates the unborn child to the status of a human being whose life is protected by capital punishment.
Furthermore, the New Testament offers a beautiful illustration of the personhood of the unborn:
And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost.
For, lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy.
The "babe" in Elisabeth's womb, John the Baptist, responded to the presence of Jesus (also in the womb) with "joy." This demonstrates not merely a reflex, but a purposeful, emotional, and spiritual response from a prenatal individual. The Greek word for "babe" (brephos) is used elsewhere in the New Testament to refer to infants and even toddlers (Luke 18:15, Acts 7:19, 2 Timothy 3:15), indicating no distinction in personhood between a born infant and an unborn child. The Bible consistently treats life in the womb as valuable, distinct, and deserving of protection.
Protecting the Vulnerable
A recurring theme throughout Scripture is God's command to protect the vulnerable, the weak, and the defenseless. This includes orphans, widows, sojourners, and the poor. The unborn fit squarely into this category as among the most vulnerable members of society, utterly dependent and unable to defend themselves. The Lord warns against harming the innocent:
Cursed be he that taketh reward to slay an innocent person. And all the people shall say, Amen.
While not explicitly mentioning the unborn, this curse on those who take the life of an "innocent person" certainly encompasses them. They are without guilt or offense, and therefore deserve the highest degree of protection. Proverbs also exhorts us to intervene on behalf of those facing death:
If thou forbear to deliver them that are drawn unto death, and those that are ready to be slain; If thou sayest, Behold, we knew it not; doth not he that pondereth the heart consider it? and he that keepeth thy soul, doth not he know it? and shall not he render to every man according to his works?
This passage is a clear call to action. If we know of individuals facing imminent death, especially those who are helpless, we are morally obligated to intervene. To claim ignorance or indifference is unacceptable in God's sight. This principle applies powerfully to the unborn, whose lives are threatened by abortion. The Church, as the body of Christ, is called to be a voice for the voiceless and a protector of the defenseless, embodying God's compassion and justice.
A Call to Compassion and Action
The pro-life ethic, grounded in these biblical truths, is not merely about opposing abortion; it is about affirming and supporting life in all its forms. It calls Christians to a holistic response that includes:
The Christian response to abortion must be characterized by both truth and grace, upholding God's standard for life while ministering with love to all involved. It is a commitment to seeing every life, from conception, as a precious gift from God, fearfully and wonderfully made in His image.
Conclusion
The Bible unequivocally teaches that human life begins at conception and is sacred because it is created in the image of God. From the intimate formation in the womb (Psalm 139:13-16) to God's pre-natal knowledge and calling (Jeremiah 1:5), and the legal protection afforded to the unborn (Exodus 21:22-25), Scripture consistently affirms the personhood and value of the unborn child. The pro-life ethic is therefore not a political invention but a divine mandate, calling believers to champion and defend the lives of the most vulnerable among us. As followers of Christ, we are called to reflect God's heart for life, upholding its sanctity and extending compassion to all.