Faith Initiative
Being pro-life isn’t just political, it’s an issue of faith. Here are some practical resources for people of faith and pastors to explore what the Bible says about the issue of life and stay informed about the pro-life movement.
What Does the Bible Say about Abortion?
As believers, the Word of God serves as our guide in the midst of cultural issues, and the issue of life is no exception. The Bible does not explicitly mention the word “abortion,” but it does address the issue with clarity: Life in the womb is to be protected and valued.
Scriptural Support of the Pro-Life Perspective
Genesis 1:27 states that humans are created in God’s image, attaching a special worth to human life.
“So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.”
If human life is a beautiful depiction of God’s own image, then it should be protected at all stages, starting at conception.
Exodus 20:13 outlines the sixth of the Ten Commandments:
“You shall not murder.”
Simply put, abortion is a sin, the ending of a human life, directly opposing God’s instruction.
Exodus 21:22 takes the protection and value of life in the womb even further, clarifying under the Mosaic law that pre-born humans are valued in God’s eyes.
“When men strive together and hit a pregnant woman, so that her children come out, but there is no harm, the one who hit her shall surely be fined, as the woman’s husband shall impose on him, and he shall pay as the judges determine. But if there is harm, then you shall pay life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, burn for burn, wound for wound, stripe for stripe.”
Psalm 139:13-16 portrays life in the womb as being formed by God with care and intent for a specific purpose.
“For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. 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. Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.”
Importantly, scripture makes no distinction between preborn life and life outside of the womb. All life is a gift from God.
Human life is created in the image of God, who forms us in the womb, and commands us not to murder. These themes throughout scripture give us a clear picture of the Biblical perspective on the issue of life, one that values all life and fiercely opposes the practice of abortion.
Where Does the Culture Stand on the Issue of Life?
A culture that is without faith won’t believe in life being ordained and purposed in the womb, and, therefore, sees no issue with the practice of abortion. Masked under the guise of ‘protecting rights,’ abortion has been normalized and presented as a routine medical procedure. The physical, emotional, and spiritual consequences are left largely overlooked.
The overturning of Roe v. Wade in 2022 and the defunding of abortion providers for a year with President Trump’s signing of the Big Beautiful Bill, are strides in the right direction for the pro-life movement, but there is still much left to be desired. Most Americans opposed the overturning of Roe. There are well over 1500 abortion providers in the United States. The majority of states still allow abortion at some level.
Ultimately, the culture still widely regards the practice of abortion, the ending of an innocent life, as a ‘choice’ and people of faith have a duty and obligation to help shape culture through a lens of faith, valuing human life as a reflection of the image of God.
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How Should the Church Respond?
The church plays an important role in shifting the current state of the culture surrounding the issue of abortion: to stand up for and promote life as God sees it. This means not only holding a Biblical view on life, but also being vocal about the kingdom perspective on the issue and actively supporting the pro-life community.
Practically speaking, one of the best ways for churches to help further the pro-life movement is by establishing or partnering with pregnancy resource centers (PRC). This may mean forming a PRC ministry or supporting a local PRC financially and providing volunteers. Within the church, encouraging the congregation to serve and setting up a dedicated group that volunteers weekly or monthly provides a way for individuals to get involved.
Faith leaders and pastors must also lead with clarity. In the midst of a pro-abortion culture, we must stand boldly for life. Preaching and teaching about the sanctity of human life has never been more important. Approaching the issue of abortion and the sanctity of human life from a biblical perspective can be passed on through sermons, prayer groups, counseling, and offering educational resources.
Additional Pro-Life Resources for Faith Leaders
