How Can Abortion Be Biblically Defended?

[(° ͡ ͜ ͡ʖ ͡ °) (ᵔᴥᵔʋ)]

I first wanted to clarify upfront that I am in absolutely no way challenging that someone who is pro-choice isn't a Christian. My question is more centered around their logic and justification in supporting abortion. With so much scripture that condemns abortion, how can a Christian hold true to the Word of God and support abortion at the same time? It seems as though you would have to throw the word of God out the window to justify it. Please explain to me why I am wrong for having this point of view? I also want to clarify that I want to keep this discussion centered around the biblical justification. This is not a discussion about women's rights (unless you can show me in the Bible where woman have the right to an abortion). I also don't want to hear emotional responses or assertions without any biblical support or justification. I want to keep this centered around biblical truths in order to explain to me why pro-choice Christians are not disregarding the Word of God. Here are some examples of blatantly pro-life (anti-abortion) scripture.

God knew us before He formed us in the womb.

“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you,
before you were born I set you apart;
I appointed you as a prophet to the nations. (Jeremiah 1:5)

God was an active role in our creation and formation in the womb.

For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.
15 My frame was not hidden from you
when I was made in the secret place,
when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.
16 Your eyes saw my unformed body;
all the days ordained for me were written in your book
before one of them came to be.
17 How precious to me are your thoughts, God!
How vast is the sum of them!
18 Were I to count them,
they would outnumber the grains of sand—
when I awake, I am still with you. (Psalm 139:13-16)

The Old Testament Law says that whatever harm you cause to an unborn child, you will receive the same fate. Hence, the Old Testament Law prescribed the death penalty for someone who caused the death of a baby in the womb in the same way as someone committing murder would have been put to death. Clearly indicating that the life of an unborn child is just as valuable as any other human life.

“If people are fighting and hit a pregnant woman and she gives birth prematurely but there is no serious injury, the offender must be fined whatever the woman’s husband demands and the court allows. 23 But if there is serious injury, you are to take life for life, 24 eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, 25 burn for burn, wound for wound, bruise for bruise." (Exodus 21:22-25)

 

[Sabertooth]

How Can Abortion Be Biblically Defended?

Satan quotes the Bible...

 

[rockytopva]

For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law. - Romans 13:9-10

I have read that babies can feel abortionists ripping them apart and will react. What kind of love is that?

 

[salt-n-light]

I first wanted to clarify upfront that I am in absolutely no way challenging that someone who is pro-choice isn't a Christian. My question is more centered around their logic and justification in supporting abortion. With so much scripture that condemns abortion. How can a Christian hold true to the Word of God and support abortion at the same time. It seems as though you would have to throw the word of God out the window to justify it. Please explain to me why I am wrong for having this point of view? I also want to clarify that I want to keep this discussion centered around the biblical justification. This is not a discussion about women's rights (unless you can show me in the Bible where woman have the right to an abortion). I also don't want to hear emotional responses or assertions without any biblical support or justification. I want to keep this centered around biblical truths in order to explain to me why pro-choice Christians are not disregarding the Word of God. Here are some examples of blatantly pro-life (anti-abortion) scripture.

God knew us before He formed us in the womb.

“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you,
before you were born I set you apart;
I appointed you as a prophet to the nations. (Jeremiah 1:5)

God was an active role in our creation and formation in the womb.

For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.
15 My frame was not hidden from you
when I was made in the secret place,
when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.
16 Your eyes saw my unformed body;
all the days ordained for me were written in your book
before one of them came to be.
17 How precious to me are your thoughts, God!
How vast is the sum of them!
18 Were I to count them,
they would outnumber the grains of sand—
when I awake, I am still with you. (Psalm 139:13-16)

The Old Testament Law says that whatever harm you cause to an unborn child, you will receive the same fate. Hence, the Old Testament Law prescribed the death penalty for someone who caused the death of a baby in the womb in the same way as someone committing murder would have been put to death. Clearly indicating that the life of an unborn child is just as valuable as any other human life.

“If people are fighting and hit a pregnant woman and she gives birth prematurely but there is no serious injury, the offender must be fined whatever the woman’s husband demands and the court allows. 23 But if there is serious injury, you are to take life for life, 24 eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, 25 burn for burn, wound for wound, bruise for bruise." (Exodus 21:22-25)

Well if you're looking for a distinctive scripture about women needing to keep a dead baby inside her, then I doubt you are going to find that. But I know scriptures about using wisdom, and that is my prayer throughout all those that are establishing such laws. It is never wise to promote murder. At the same time, seeing that childbirth in itself is a situation where mothers and/or babies can die, I'm not sure putting a strict ban on abortion will be the correct way of going about it.

I do not agree with the arguments made about abortion being part of exercising women's right. That is a soul. I see 99% of cases of abortion to be totally unnecessary and evil. BUT in light of cases where mothers who experience instances where the best thing would be to abort the baby (e.g.life-threatening) I do consider that. I feel like law-wise it should be way stricter, but I highly doubt that happening. Seems to be the opposite.

 

[(° ͡ ͜ ͡ʖ ͡ °) (ᵔᴥᵔʋ)]

For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law. - Romans 13:9-10

I have read that babies can feel abortionists ripping them apart and will react. What kind of love is that?

My baby girl just turned 1 year old a couple days ago. It brings me to tears just thinking about someone ripping her apart piece by piece like she was strapped to some medieval execution device.

 

[(° ͡ ͜ ͡ʖ ͡ °) (ᵔᴥᵔʋ)]

Well if you're looking for a distinctive scripture about women needing to keep a dead baby inside her,

Is removing a stillborn baby the same as abortion?

 

[(° ͡ ͜ ͡ʖ ͡ °) (ᵔᴥᵔʋ)]

Satan quotes the Bible...

Nevermind. I was a little slow in understanding your comment. You were suggesting that people can manipulate scripture to try to justify things that are clearly unbiblical. Sorry.

 

[salt-n-light]

Is removing a stillborn baby the same as abortion?

Lawfully labor induction for stillborn still falls under abortion, which is why despite my stance, I rather have stricter laws than a straight ban.

 

[(° ͡ ͜ ͡ʖ ͡ °) (ᵔᴥᵔʋ)]

Lawfully labor induction for stillborn still falls under abortion, which is why despite my stance, I rather have stricter laws than a straight ban.

I am not sure that is accurate. Do you have a reference that says this? Because logically, it would not be an abortion, it would be a miscarriage. But I understand that sometime logic and legality are not the same.

 

[Just Another User]

Sadly anything can be defended by twisting the verses enough.

 

[(° ͡ ͜ ͡ʖ ͡ °) (ᵔᴥᵔʋ)]

Sadly anything can be defended by twisting the verses enough.

I agree. However, I find that abortion is so unbiblical that I don't even see how that is possible either.

 

[Just Another User]

I agree. However, I find that abortion is so unbiblical that I don't even see how that is possible either.

You can never be surprised with human rationale. Jesus could have said in every chapter in the Gospels that if you don't wear a top-hat you won't be saved and you'd still have people saying it's not needed.

 

[salt-n-light]

I am not sure that is accurate. Do you have a reference that says this? Because logically, it would not be an abortion, it would be a miscarriage. But I understand that sometime logic and legality are not the same.

A miscarriage usually happens before 20 weeks at most 3 months. I'm talking about in your third trimester and the baby gets sick and can't make it in the womb. It would be considered legally abortion for labor induction, yes.

 

[(° ͡ ͜ ͡ʖ ͡ °) (ᵔᴥᵔʋ)]

Well, from what I have gathered from the suprising lack of responses from pro-choice Christians is that there is no biblical justification for abortion. So if nobody can provide any biblical justification, I just have to conclude that Christian's who support abortion are disregarding scripture to justify it.

 

[Archivist]

Well, from what I have gathered from the suprising lack of responses from pro-choice Christians is that there is no biblical justification for abortion. So if nobody can provide any biblical justification, I just have to conclude that Christian's who support abortion are disregarding scripture to justify it.

Probably because most pro-choice Christians (like myself) have gotten tired of posting the same things over and over again only to be told how we are wrong or, in some cases, how we cannot be Christians. Please note, I am not saying that is what you would say based on your statements in the OP, but it what I have heard in other threads.

 

[SPF]

Well, from what I have gathered from the suprising lack of responses from pro-choice Christians is that there is no biblical justification for abortion. So if nobody can provide any biblical justification, I just have to conclude that Christian's who support abortion are disregarding scripture to justify it.

I think there is no Biblical support for the 98.5% of abortions which are committed for convenience reasons. There are however, rare situations where both the life of the mother and the life of the unborn are at risk, and the reality is that tough decisions have to be made in these situations. And whereas we can only judge actions, thankfully, we serve a God who judges the heart.

 

[(° ͡ ͜ ͡ʖ ͡ °) (ᵔᴥᵔʋ)]

Probably because most pro-choice Christians (like myself) have gotten tired of posting the same things over and over again only to be told how we are wrong or, in some cases, how we cannot be Christians. Please note, I am not saying that is what you would say based on your statements in the OP, but it what I have heard in other threads.

I don't think that is the case. I have not seen any biblical support for abortions ever being presented on this forum or anywhere else for that matter. Only emotional objections. I have heard countless legal, sociological, and medical justifications, however, no biblical support. In the end, in my opinion, it boils down to what do you value more, the desires of a fallen humanity or the Word of an infallible God?

 

[God saves]

I believe that abortion is definitely wrong. However, I have wondered at what should be done in the situation where a child was pregnant and their pregnancy would be extremely likely to put their life at risk. In a perfect world this would never happen, but unfortunately we live in a world where tragic things could happen, so I think we should be prepared for these kinds of scenarios. I would hope that there could be some way medically other than abortion to preserve the child's life, but if not, what should be done?

I do not think that an adult mother's life being at risk due to pregnancy justifies abortion, however I think if one were in such a situation it might be much more difficult emotionally and/or to process than if one were just hypothetically imagining the situation. Also, women in this scenario may not necessarily be Christian which could make the issue a bit more difficult. I am not sure but I think nowadays it is rare that pregnancy would definitely result in a mother's death even with medical treatment.

I believe abortion can never be justified in any other scenario (though I understand that some situations may be much more traumatic and/or difficult than others), including in situations such as rape, likelihood of babies being born with serious deformity or life-threatening complications, or limited resources to care for the newborn baby. I think that ideally there should be community support provided for mothers and babies in difficult situations, and I believe that the needs of mothers in traumatic situations (e.g. rape, teenagers or children giving birth) must be attended to and not neglected.

I believe that God can work miracles and preserve the life of the mother and/or baby against all medical odds if He wills.

 

[FireDragon76]

Probably because most pro-choice Christians (like myself) have gotten tired of posting the same things over and over again only to be told how we are wrong or, in some cases, how we cannot be Christians. Please note, I am not saying that is what you would say based on your statements in the OP, but it what I have heard in other threads.

That's pretty much it. We should generally avoid these sorts of discussions until people get the message that being pro-choice is not a legitimate reason to attack someone's faith. On this forum, often times there is no real discussion possible on this or many other topics the Religious Right has drawn a red line through.

I don't like bullies, and I won't be bullied . No amount of bullying me with the Bible is going to change my mind. I don't care so much about being "biblical" (whatever that means) as I do about being a human being that seeks justice, and I believe that is what we are called to do as disciples of Christ in a fallen world.

 

[Silverback]

I first wanted to clarify upfront that I am in absolutely no way challenging that someone who is pro-choice isn't a Christian. My question is more centered around their logic and justification in supporting abortion. With so much scripture that condemns abortion, how can a Christian hold true to the Word of God and support abortion at the same time? It seems as though you would have to throw the word of God out the window to justify it. Please explain to me why I am wrong for having this point of view? I also want to clarify that I want to keep this discussion centered around the biblical justification. This is not a discussion about women's rights (unless you can show me in the Bible where woman have the right to an abortion). I also don't want to hear emotional responses or assertions without any biblical support or justification. I want to keep this centered around biblical truths in order to explain to me why pro-choice Christians are not disregarding the Word of God. Here are some examples of blatantly pro-life (anti-abortion) scripture.

God knew us before He formed us in the womb.

“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you,
before you were born I set you apart;
I appointed you as a prophet to the nations. (Jeremiah 1:5)

God was an active role in our creation and formation in the womb.

For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.
15 My frame was not hidden from you
when I was made in the secret place,
when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.
16 Your eyes saw my unformed body;
all the days ordained for me were written in your book
before one of them came to be.
17 How precious to me are your thoughts, God!
How vast is the sum of them!
18 Were I to count them,
they would outnumber the grains of sand—
when I awake, I am still with you. (Psalm 139:13-16)

The Old Testament Law says that whatever harm you cause to an unborn child, you will receive the same fate. Hence, the Old Testament Law prescribed the death penalty for someone who caused the death of a baby in the womb in the same way as someone committing murder would have been put to death. Clearly indicating that the life of an unborn child is just as valuable as any other human life.

“If people are fighting and hit a pregnant woman and she gives birth prematurely but there is no serious injury, the offender must be fined whatever the woman’s husband demands and the court allows. 23 But if there is serious injury, you are to take life for life, 24 eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, 25 burn for burn, wound for wound, bruise for bruise." (Exodus 21:22-25)

There is no biblical justification for abortion.