Moral Issues: Abortion Series

INTRO: Abortion is an emotionally volatile subject. Both sides are moved with passionate zeal to promote their cause.

Anti-abortionists know that if abortion is sinful, they must speak out rabidly or bear the guilt of this moral crime against humanity on their own silent hands. At the same time, pro-choice advocates are feverishly vocal for the sake of their own conscience to justify what they do and convince us that they are not immoral.

Many unanswered questions confuse the issues—questions like “At what point does life begin? Should a woman have control over her own body? What if the child can never experience an acceptable quality of life?” Then add the rationalizations of pro-choice advocates: legalized abortions will keep women out of the back alleys... every child deserves to be loved and wanted... people are not emotionally ready to have a child... babies having babies... etc.

Well, now that we are thoroughly confused listening to the arguments of men, let us listen to what God has said, and let Him settle the dispute!

I. WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

A) The first list of genealogies in the Bible begins “And Adam... begot a son in his own likeness, after his image, and named him Seth. After he begot Seth... he begot sons and daughters” (Genesis 5:3-4). The rest of that chapter lists a long line of men who “begot” children too. The term “begot” (Heb. yalad), when used of a mother describes her conceiving, bearing and giving birth to a child, but when used of the father it always refers to conception because that is the only part the father has in the birthing process of a child!! Don’t confuse yourself with questions about first, second, or third trimester... that child’s life begins at conception!

B) Does the Bible make a distinction between a fetus and a child? “... Rebekah his wife conceived. But the children struggled together within her... And the Lord said to her:‘Two nations are in your womb, two peoples shall be separated from your body; one people shall be stronger than the other, and the older shall serve the younger...” (Genesis 25:21-26). Although these two children were still “unborn” they were “alive.” They were still “children”—which happens to be the same word used of Keturah’s “children” (Genesis 25:4) who had already been born (Heb. ben). The Bible makes no distinction between a child and a fetus; that distinction originated with man!

C) The great sufferer Job cursed the day of his birth when his pain and suffering became so great during his testing by Satan. He cried out “Why did I not die at birth? Why did I not perish when I came from the womb?” (Job 3:11). Job could not give up something he did not have. One cannot die if he has never been alive!!

D) The prophet Jeremiah was called to be a prophet long before his birth, “Then the word of the Lord came to me, saying: ‘Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; before you were born I sanctified you; and I ordained you a prophet to the nations.’” (Jeremiah 1:4-5). Did God call and ordain a fetus or a man?

E) The Psalmist sings of God’s watchful care even while his fragile body formed in his mother’s womb, “For you have formed my inward parts; you have covered me in my mother’s womb... My frame was not hidden from you, when I was made in secret... Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed. And in Your book they are all written, the days fashioned for me, when as yet there were none of them.” (Psalm 139:13-16). Every time a doctor’s tools invade the safety and security of a mother’s womb to abort a baby, God’s eyes witness it!

F) God never makes a distinction between an “unborn child” and a “child” (see Amos 1:13; Matthew 1:18-25; Luke 1:41,44). Besides, most abortionists begin their argument with a false premise—that man does not have a living, immortal soul. We are created in the image of God (Genesis 1:26-27) and we have a spirit that will live within or without the body (2 Corinthians 5:1-10).

II. WHAT CAN WE DO ABOUT THE PROBLEM OF ABORTION?

A) Show Compassion. Christian compassion must replace a judgmental kind of harshness (cf. John 8:1-11). That is not to say we condone sin or do not speak out about it—fornication is sin and those who engage in sexual activity outside of marriage must repent (Hebrews 13:4; Galatians 5:19-21). Unmarried pregnant women need support, compassion, and help. It is not a sin to have a baby outside of marriage, it is a sin to have sex outside of marriage. Condemn the sin and help her bear the consequence of pregnancy.

B) Support Any Woman Who Makes The Right Choice. If we expect the woman with an unplanned pregnancy to carry it to term, we need to be prepared to lend the needed support. You can be sure the friendly, supportive, pro-choice advocate is going to help her!