While the Bible may not explicitly address every modern issue, its teachings provide a framework that values life at all stages. There\u2019s a difference between something that is unbiblical (contrary to biblical teachings) and something non-biblical (not found specifically in the bible).<\/p>\n
For example, Jesus never directly mentions abortion. Jesus also never speaks specifically about nuclear deterrence or stem cell research. But Jesus offers a clear framework of compassion for understanding the sanctity of life.<\/p>\n
There are key biblical passages which demonstrate that God has complete dominion over human life. Then there is the overarching principle that children are a blessing (\u201cChildren are a gift from the Lord. Babies are a reward.\u201d Psalm 127) \u2013 counter-cultural for the time.<\/p>\n Jesus also pays special attention to those who are unwanted, rejected, despised, insignificant, on the margin, the least of our brothers and sisters, as the pre-born are so often treated today.<\/p>\n One of the passages in the Hebrew Scriptures, Deuteronomy 21:18-21 is problematic if not scandalous if taken literally, without further biblical understanding including Tradition.<\/p>\n If someone has a stubborn and rebellious son who will not listen to his father or mother, and will not listen to them even though they discipline him,\u00a0\u00a0<\/sup><\/strong>his father and mother shall take hold of him and bring him out to the elders at the gate[<\/sup>a<\/sup><\/a>]<\/sup>\u00a0of his home city,\u00a0where they shall say to the elders of the city, \u201cThis son of ours is a stubborn and rebellious fellow who will not listen to us; he is a glutton and a drunkard.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0<\/sup>Then all his fellow citizens shall stone him to death<\/strong>. Thus, shall you purge the evil from your midst, and all Israel will hear and be afraid.<\/p>\n While some biblical passages, can be troubling if interpreted literally, they must be read in the context of Jesus\u2019s teachings. For example, in the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus elevates the commandment \u201cYou shall not kill\u201d by teaching that even harboring anger toward another can be spiritually harmful (Matthew 5:21-22). His message underscores a profound respect for every life.<\/p>\n Another example is in Exodus (21\u201d22-25):<\/p>\n When men have a fight and hurt a pregnant woman, so that she suffers a miscarriage, but no further injury, the guilty one shall be fined as much as the woman\u2019s husband demands of him, and he shall pay in the presence of the judges.\u00a0\u00a0<\/sup><\/strong>But if injury ensues, 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.<\/p>\n Some argue that this passage implies unborn life is of lesser value. However, the Bible\u2019s overall message emphasizes the sanctity of all human life. The Israelites wrote this text before today\u2019s scientific understanding of human development. While they lacked the tools of modern biology, their reverence for life is clear. It wasn\u2019t written to be a textbook in embryology or perinatology, so at that time one could not fully know who the pre-born exactly was, where today we have a \u201cwindow to the womb\u201d with ultrasound.<\/p>\n Whether the Bible is prescriptive or not on abortion, it\u2019s descriptive about the value of life, including condemning strongly the cultural practice of child sacrifice<\/a>. The Bible is the word of God, but in the words of humans. It is neither exclusive nor limited, but there are numerous passages in the Bible about the value of life within the womb and the reverence for that life.<\/p>\n The Bible contains verses that reflect God\u2019s intimate involvement in the creation of human life, especially in the womb. For instance:<\/p>\n In the New Testament, when Elizabeth hears Mary (who is pregnant) Elizabeth responds: \u201cthe infant leaped in her womb\u201d (Luke 1:41), illustrating the presence of life and joy even before birth. Similarly, Jesus, the Word made flesh, and experienced every stage of human development, affirming the continuity and value of human life from the very beginning.<\/p>\n This continues after Jesus in the writings such as of St. Paul: \u201cBut when [God], who from my mother\u2019s womb<\/em> had set me apart and called me through his grace, was pleased\u201d (Galatians 1:15)<\/p>\n Jesus is the clearest and fullest revelation of who God is and who we are. The very Word of God, Jesus, was made flesh within the womb of Mary and from that moment he was fully human, experienced every stage of human development; first as a zygote, then as an embryo, and a fetus.<\/p>\n At no point would one ever hold that the Word of God made flesh was not a person in any part of his pre-natal existence. God affirms that there\u2019s present a person in His only Son before and after birth, as well as affirms every one of us also in our same journey within and outside our mothers\u2019 womb.<\/p>\n There isn\u2019t any passage in the entire Bible that makes a distinction between an embryo and a fetus, or if the pre-born child is viable or not. It\u2019s an unbroken chain, where all are loved and valued by God.<\/p>\n While Jesus doesn\u2019t specifically discuss abortion, he presents a clear framework for understanding the value and the sanctity of human life. Jesus frequently speaks on the importance of caring for those who are marginalized or vulnerable, showing special compassion for \u201cthe least of our brothers and sisters.\u201d This respect for life extends to the vulnerable unborn, who are also equally deserving of protection.<\/p>\n Jesus also promised that the Holy Spirit would guide the Christian community, even on issues not directly addressed in Scripture: \u201cI have much more to tell you, but you cannot bear it now. But when he comes, the Spirit of truth, he will guide you to all truth\u201d (John 16:12-13). This assurance helps Christians navigate contemporary ethical questions, including abortion, through the principles established in Scripture, and Tradition.<\/p>\n It is this all-powerful God who has created the entire universe becomes a tiny, helpless, vulnerable pre-born person within Mary\u2019s womb. So, human beings, at whatever stage of development, are always image bearers of God their creator, which is not earned or achieved, but a gift of God.<\/p>\n Abortion, on the other hand, is an act of violence that intentionally and directly disrupts the chain of existence that God has planned for everyone. This is why the psalmist states: \u201cI kept from violence because of your\u00a0Word.” (Psalm 17:4)<\/p>\n For \u201cAll Scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching and for showing people what is wrong in their lives. It is useful for correcting faults and teaching how to live right.\u00a0<\/sup><\/strong>Using the Scriptures, the person who serves God will be ready and will have everything he needs to do every good work.\u201d\u00a0 (2 Timothy 3:16-17)<\/p>\n The importance of biblical influence is reflected in Pew Research<\/a>, where 2\/3 of adults with children and 62% of adults without children who read scripture at least once a week<\/em> would make abortion illegal in all or most cases.<\/p>\n So, these Bible passages remind us that when we openly and prayerfully encounter the world through the lens of the Word of God and speak the divine truth, we will really know about the value of each precious life, created in the image and likeness of God.<\/p>\n The second generation of Christians definitely could be counted on to faithfully preserve and follow what their parents were taught directly by the apostles, including on the issue of abortion, developed in the Roman culture. Romans practiced widely both abortion and infanticide, treating children like disposable property. The early Christian Community strongly condemned both acts of violence.<\/p>\n In The Didache<\/em><\/a>, an early Christian text, it is clearly stated: \u201cYou should not kill the fetus by abortion or destroy the infant already born.\u201d This reflects the early church\u2019s unwavering stance on the sanctity of life. This was directly opposite to society\u2019s view at this time, which saw this life as property of the parents (which many still do today). An overwhelming number of other early Church theologians carefully examined the methods, motives, and morality surrounding abortion.\u00a0They unanimously<\/a> described all<\/em> abortions as a heinous sin,<\/p>\n There\u2019s a consistent theme, a pattern of meaning over and over in the entire Bible, a trajectory or thrust in the Bible as a whole, about a God who values and loves each human life, both outside and within the womb. We don\u2019t need to be fully formed to be loved by God. As we reflect on these teachings, let us reaffirm the Bible\u2019s enduring call to respect and protect every life, both born and unborn, made in the image and likeness of God, truly God\u2019s daughters and sons.<\/p>\n ==========================<\/p>\n For more of our posts from a Christian perspective, see: <\/em><\/p>\n The Consistent Life Consensus in Ancient Christianity\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n The Early Christian Tradition<\/a><\/p>\n Nukes and the Pro-Life Christian<\/a>:<\/p>\n Insights from Mennonites<\/a><\/p>\n On Praying for the Military<\/a><\/p>\n Fratelli Tutti \u2013 Consistent-Life Excerpts<\/a><\/p>\n December 28: The Day of the Massacre of the Innocents<\/a><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n For more of our posts from additional religious perspectives, see: <\/em><\/p>\n Why the Interfaith Approach is Important<\/a><\/p>\n Abortion and War are the Karma for Killing Animals<\/a>\u00a0(Hinduism)<\/p>\n Breaking Stereotypes in Fearful Times<\/a> (Islam)<\/p>\n The Consistent Life Ethic and Traditional Tantra<\/a>\u00a0(Hinduism)<\/p>\n Ancient Roots of the Consistent Life Ethic: Greece<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/consistent-life.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/1-blog-bible.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\nProblematic Passages and the Value of Life<\/strong><\/h3>\n
The Value of Life in the Womb<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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<\/a><\/p>\nJesus\u2019s Teachings on Life and Value<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Early Christian Views on Abortion<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Conclusion: A Call to Protect Life<\/strong><\/h3>\n