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The Roe vs. Wade abortion decision by the Supreme Court of the US happened in 1973, just four months before graduation from my senior year of high school. Like many, I didn’t know what to think at the time. It legalized abortion at any time during pregnancy in every state.
My senior class photo 1973. Pretty funny, huh?
Since then we’ve learned a lot about the development of babies in the womb. I have thought a lot about abortion, both from a Christian viewpoint and how it impacts many different people and situations.
I have come to realize that while abortion is a major issue and debate, at its core it is not that complex. Abortion is a relatively simple moral question, especially for a Christian.
People think it is complex but it is not.
So here’s the abortion issue made easy in 3 points:
01. Human life begins at conception.
Since the Roe v. Wade decision, medical science has advanced to where we know so much more about the fetus.
We no longer understand the fetus as a blob of tissue. Life begins at conception.
A child receives 23 chromosomes from each parent. It is a unique human being from the moment of conception.Its heart is beating at just 18 days.
The baby never shares the same blood as its mother–it has a different circulatory system and blood type from its mother.
At 28 days it has eyes, ears and even a tongue.
Of course 28 days is when a woman might notice she has missed a cycle. Thus, if she then decides to abort, she takes the life of an individual human being which is developing in her womb.
Again, every abortion ends a human life. It might not be fully formed, but every human life is in a process of growth and change.
If we say it is too small to consider human, then we are saying that it is OK to stop a beating heart, to shed innocent blood, to extinguish a life with eyes, ears and tongue.
And if we say the beginning of life is later on, where is the line to be drawn?
02. After a human life begins, it is wrong to kill it
Human decency requires that we respect other people’s lives.
The Declaration of Independence of the USA declares that each human being has the right to “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.”
We can use all kinds of euphemisms: pro-choice, medical procedure, the termination of a pregnancy. But let’s be honest—any abortion is the taking of a human life since life begins at conception (see point 1 above).
It is immoral to kill innocent human beings via abortion or any other means.
Currently in the USA and other countries, the only justification for death via abortion is “place of residence”—being in the womb. This is immoral and shameful for any society which allows it.
Americans condemn Nazi Germany which killed those who were of the wrong race, senile, mentally disabled and so on. Yet we sanction the murder of those who are living in the wrong location (the womb). God help us!
03. Of all people, Christ-followers should be the most pro-life.
Christian means Christ-follower.
What did Christ say? “Jesus answered, ‘It is written: “Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.”’” (Matthew 4:4 NIV)
One of the most clear teachings of Scripture (“out of the mouth of God”) is the 10 Commandments where it says, “thou shalt not kill.” (Exodus 20:13)
You see, it is not complex.
Are there exceptions in the Bible? Yes.
Murderers: This is worthy of an entire blog, but here is at least one verse to consider: “Whoever takes a human life shall surely be put to death.” (Leviticus 24:17 ESV)Combat when there is a “just war:” This is another big subject worthy of an entire article such as the one you can read HERE.
Both are intended to result from actions deserving death done by an individual whose life is taken.
But the reason people have abortions usually boils down to convenience. Are we to kill because someone inconveniences us? No!
Abortion takes the life of the most innocent of all human beings who has done nothing to deserve death. This kind of killing greatly displeases God. It is that simple.
So that is the abortion issue made easy and I hope this article has been helpful to you. If you want to dialog on the subject you can dialog below or send me a personal comment using one of the options on the “Contact Me” tab at the top of my website.
Finally, can God forgive those who take the lives of the innocent? Yes. Those who receive salvation are forever forgiven. To learn more about this forgiveness click HERE.
Note: In future articles I plan to cover related issues such as the implications of legal abortions, and other questions surrounding this issue.