ABORTION
In a Biblical Context

By Greg Uttinger, High school teacher at Cornerstone Christian School

I. The Nature of God

A. God is the Creator of Heaven and Earth.

Our thinking, like Scripture itself, must begin with the doctrine of creation: "In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth" (Gen. 1:1). Several truths follow from this.

1. God is transcendent:

God created time, space, and matter. He is above and beyond all these things and free from their limitations.

a. God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands; neither is worshipped with men’s hands, as though he needed anything, seeing he giveth to all life and breath and all things (Acts 17:24-25).

b. For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy . . . (Isa. 57:15a).

c. But will God in very deed dwell with men on the earth? behold, heaven and the heaven of heavens cannot contain thee; how much less this house which I have built! (2 Chron. 6:18).

d. For thou, LORD, art high above all the earth: thou art exalted far above all gods (Ps. 97:9).

2. God is immanent:

He is personally present at every moment of time, at every point in space, and in every particle of matter.

a. For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring (Acts 17:28).

b. Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence? If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there. If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea; even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me. If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me; even the night shall be light about me. Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee; but the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the light are both alike to thee (Ps. 139:7-12).

c. Am I a God at hand, saith the LORD, and not a God afar off? Can any hide himself in secret places that I shall not see him? saith the LORD. Do not I fill heaven and earth? saith the LORD (Jer. 23:23-24).

d. Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered (Matt. 10:29-30).

3. God is sovereign:

He is in complete control of every object, every event, and every person in all of His creation.

a. The LORD hath prepared his throne in the heavens; and his kingdom ruleth over all (Ps. 103:19).

b. Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else: I am God, and there is none like me, declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure (Isa. 46:9-10).

c. The LORD of hosts hath sworn, saying, Surely as I have thought, so shall it come to pass; and as I have purposed, so shall it stand . . . for the LORD of hosts hath purposed, and who shall disannul it? and his hand is stretched out, and who shall turn it back? (Isa. 14:24, 27).

d. The king’s heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water: he turneth it withersoever he will (Prov. 21:1).

e. For of a truth against thy holy child Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, were gathered together, for to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel determined before to be done (Acts 4:27-28).

f. The lot is cast into the lap; but the whole disposing thereof is of the LORD (Prov. 16:33).

B. God owns Heaven and Earth.

Because God created the universe, He owns it. Heaven and earth, with everything in them, are His property. He may use them and dispose of them—and us—as He wishes.

1. The earth is the LORD’s and the fulness thereof: the world, and they that dwell therein (Ps. 24:1).

2. For every beast of the forest is mine, and the cattle upon a thousand hills. I know all the fowls of the mountains: and the wild beasts of the field are mine. If I were hungry, I would not tell thee: for the world is mine, and the fulness thereof (Ps. 50:10-12).

3. Then I went down to the potter’s house, and, behold, he wrought a work on the wheels. And the vessel that he made of clay was marred in the hand of the potter: so he made it again another vessel, as seemed good to the potter to make it. Then the word of the LORD came to me, saying, O house of Israel, cannot I do with you as this potter? saith the LORD. Behold, as the clay is in the potter’s hand, so are ye in mine hand, O house of Israel (Jer. 18:3-6).

4. Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus? Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour? (Rom. 9:20-21).

C. God is Lord of Heaven and Earth and their sovereign Lawgiver.

Because God is the Creator and Owner of the universe, He determines right and wrong—for everyone in every place at every time under every set of circumstances. Man, because he is man, should therefore keep God’s commandments and live by His every word.

1. For the LORD is our judge, the LORD is our lawgiver, the LORD is our king; he will save us (Isa. 33:22).

2. Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil (Eccles. 12:14).

3. But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God (Matt. 4:4).

II. The Authority of God’s Law

A. God’s Law is valid in all places.

There is no place within our universe where God ceases to be immanent and sovereign. There is no part of the universe that He did not make and does not own. What He declares to be Law must therefore be law in every place—except as He Himself has qualified it. This is what Scripture declares:

1. Behold my servant, whom I uphold; mine elect, in whom my soul delighteth; I have put my spirit upon him: he shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles . . . He shall not fail nor be discouraged, till he have set judgment in the earth: and the isles shall wait for his law (Isa. 42:1, 4).

2. Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else. I have sworn by myself, the word is gone out of my mouth in righteousness, and shall not return, That unto me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear (Isa. 45:22-23).

3. All the ends of the world shall remember and turn unto the LORD: and all the nations shall worship before thee. For the kingdom is the LORD’s: and he is the governor among the nations (Ps. 22:27-28).

4. God shall bless us; and all the ends of the earth shall fear him (Ps. 67:7).

5. He shall have dominion also from sea to sea, and from the river unto the ends of the earth. They that dwell in the wilderness shall bow before him; and his enemies shall lick the dust (Ps. 72:8-9).

6. For from the rising of the sun even unto the going down of the same my name shall be great among the Gentiles; and in every place incense shall be offered unto my name, and a pure offering: for my name shall be great among the heathen, saith the LORD of hosts (Mal. 1:11).

B. God’s Law is valid in all times.

God transcends time, yet time is His creation. He declares the end from the beginning (Isa. 46:10). There is no moment of time when He ceases to be immanent and sovereign. There is no moment of time that He has not created and does not own (cf. James 4:13-16). What He declares to be Law must be law in all times—except as He Himself has qualified it. This is what Scripture declares:

1. For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven (Ps. 119:89).

2. Thy righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, and thy law is the truth (Ps. 119:142).

3. The righteousness of thy testimonies is everlasting: give me understanding, and I shall live (Ps. 119:144).

4. Concerning thy testimonies, I have known of old that thou hast founded them for ever (Ps. 119:152).

5. Thy word is true from the beginning: and every one of thy righteous judgments endureth for ever (Ps. 119:160).

6. Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill. For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven (Matt. 5:17-19).

7. And it is easier for heaven and earth to pass than for one tittle of the law to fail (Luke 16:17).

C. God’s Law is valid in all circumstances.

God has ordained and decreed all the circumstances in which His creatures find themselves. If we hunger or thirst or suffer injury or disability, we must confess that God has planned these circumstances, and that they can provide no excuse for disobedience to His Law. For there are no circumstances in which God ceases to be immanent and sovereign; there are no circumstances in which He ceases to be Lord. This is what Scripture declares:

1. And Moses said unto the LORD, O my Lord, I am not eloquent, neither heretofore, nor since thou hast spoken unto thy servant: but I am slow of speech, and of a slow tongue. And the LORD said unto him, Who hath made man’s mouth? or who maketh the dumb, or deaf, or the seeing, or the blind? have not I the LORD? (Ex. 4:10-11).

2. Nebuchadnezzar spake and said unto them, Is it true, O Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, do not ye serve my gods, nor worship the golden image which I have set up? . . . If ye worship not, ye shall be cast the same hour into the midst of a burning fiery furnace; and who is that God that shall deliver you out of my hands? Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee in this matter. If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king. But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou has set up (Dan. 3:14-18).

3. Then was Jesus led up of the spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil. And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterwards an hungered. And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread. But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God (Matt. 4:1-4).

4. There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it (1 Cor. 10:13).

D. God’s law is valid for all peoples (ethnically defined).

God has created all the peoples of the earth. He gives them life and health and all things. All the peoples of the earth, no matter their ethnic descent, ought to obey His Law. There is no alteration in blood, chromosome, or DNA that can release a man from that obligation. There is no people on earth among whom God has abandoned His immanence, His sovereignty, or His Lordship. This is what Scripture declares:

1. God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands; neither is worshipped with men’s hands, as though he needed anything, seeing he giveth to all life and breath and all things; and hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation (Acts 17:24-26).

2. I saw in the night visions, and , behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him. And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed (Dan. 7:13-14).

3. Princes shall come out of Egypt; Ethiopia shall soon stretch out her hands unto God. Sing unto God, ye kingdoms of the earth; O sing praises unto the Lord; Selah (Ps. 68:31-32).

4. After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands; and cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb (Rev. 7:9-10).

E. God’s law is valid for all peoples (culturally defined).

God has ordained all historical circumstances: no human culture has come into existence outside His overruling providence. There is no human culture in which God has ceased to be sovereign, no culture in which He has ceased to be Lord. We cannot claim exemption from His Law because we live in a democracy or use computers or have peculiar notions about child rearing. All peoples within all cultures ought to obey His Law—except as He Himself has qualified it. This is what Scripture declares:

1. For there is no respect of persons with God. For as many as have sinned without law shall also perish without law: and as many as have sinned in the law shall be judged by the law; (for not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified. For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves: which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;) in the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ, according to my gospel (Rom. 2:11-16).

2. Defile not ye yourselves in any of these things: for in all these the nations are defiled which I cast out before you: and the land is defiled: therefore I do visit the iniquity thereof upon it, and the land itself vomiteth out her inhabitants. Ye shall therefore keep my statutes and my judgments, and shall not commit any of these abominations: neither any of your own nation, nor any stranger that sojourneth among you: (for all these abominations have the men of the land done, which were before you, and the land is defiled;) that the land spue not you out also, when ye defile it, as it spued out the nations that were before you (Lev. 18:24-28).

3. But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judæa, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost parts of the earth (Acts 1:8).

F. God’s law is valid for all peoples (religiously defined).

The God of Scripture is the only God there is. All other gods are lies and delusions. The fact that a people have deluded themselves with idols and live a religious lie in no way exempts them from obedience to the Law of the true God, who made Heaven and Earth. Similarly, a United States citizen standing before a United States superior court judge may claim that he does not believe in the United States; that he is actually a citizen of Atlantis; that the laws of this mythical United States do not apply to him. But it is unlikely the judge will take him seriously. The authority of a legitimate law does not depend upon our personal beliefs. Those who embrace idolatry, atheism, agnosticism, superstition, or any other religious lie are not exempt because of their beliefs from the Law of God—no matter how sincerely held those beliefs may be. This is what Scripture declares:

1. For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and God head; so that they are without excuse: because that when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, the became fools, and changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen. For this cause God gave them up to vile affections . . . and even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness . . . who knowing the judgement of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them (Rom. 1:18-32).

2. But the fearful, and unbelievers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death (Rev. 21:8; cf. 22:15).

3. Say among the heathen that the LORD reigneth . . . (Ps. 96:10a).

4. And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen (Matt. 28:18-20).

G. God’s law is valid for all peoples (politically defined).

God has decreed all the details of history. He has decreed all national boundaries and appointed all civil rulers. No political arrangement, no civil constitution, no national tradition, can exempt a people from the requirements of God’s Law. There is no nation or political system over which God has abandoned His sovereignty and Lordship. This is what Scripture declares:

1. . . . Till he knew that the most high God ruled in the kingdom of men, and that he appointeth over it whomsoever he will (Dan. 5:21c).

2. Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God (Rom. 13:1).

3. Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people (Prov. 14:34).

4. Be wise now therefore, O ye kings: be instructed ye judges of the earth. Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling. Kiss the Son lest he be angry and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him (Ps. 2:10-12).

5. The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God (Ps. 9:17).

6. O let the nations be glad and sing for joy: for thou shalt judge the people righteously, and govern the nations upon earth. Selah (Ps. 67:4).

7. The kings of Tarshish and the isles shall bring presents: the kings of Sheba and Seba shall offer gifts. Yea, all kings shall fall down before him: all nations shall serve him (Ps. 72:10-11).

8. Arise, O God, judge the earth: for thou shalt inherit all nations (Ps. 82:8).

9. I will speak of thy testimonies also before kings, and will not be ashamed (Ps. 119:46).

10. Wherefore, O king, let my counsel be acceptable unto thee and break off thy sins by righteousness, and thine iniquities by shewing mercy to the poor; if it may be a lengthening of thy tranquility (Dan. 4:27).

11. And thou, Ezra, after the wisdom of thy God, that is in thine hand, set magistrates and judges, which may judge all the people that are beyond the river, all such as know the laws of the God; and teach ye them that know them not. And whosoever will not do the law of thy God, and the law of the king, let judgment be executed speedily upon him, whether it be unto death, or to banishment, or to confiscation of goods, or to imprisonment (Ezra 7:25-26).

12. For the nation and kingdom that will not serve thee shall perish; yea, those nations shall be utterly wasted (Isa. 60:12).

13. And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen (Matt. 28:18-20).

H. God’s law is valid for all institutions.

God has ordained family, church, and state, and His Law speaks clearly to each. All other human institutions are merely human creations and, as such, they are subject to the same Law of God that binds all creatures in all places at all times and in all circumstances. There is no arrangement, club, society, pact, relationship, or bureaucracy that men can create that can exempt them from the Law of God. There are no sets of human relationships from which God has withdrawn His sovereignty and Lordship. All human institutions, being merely human, ought to submit themselves to the Law of God. This is what Scripture declares:

1. Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord. Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them. Children, obey your parents in all things: for this well pleasing unto the Lord. Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged. Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God . . . Masters, give unto your servants that which is just and equal; knowing that ye also have a Master in heaven (Col. 3:18—4:1).

2. Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you (Heb. 13:17).

3. Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: for he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil. Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake. For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God’s ministers, attending continually upon this very thing (Rom. 13:1-6).

4. Then came also publicans to be baptized, and said unto him, Master, what shall we do? And he said unto them, Exact no more than that which is appointed you. And the soldiers likewise demanded of him, saying, And what shall we do? And he said unto them, Do violence to no man, neither accuse any falsely; and be content with your wages (Luke 3:12-14).

5. Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatever ye do, do all to the glory of God (1 Cor. 10:31).

6. And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him (Col. 3:17).

7. And Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all they soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment (Matt. 22:37-38).

I. God’s Law is revealed in Scripture.

Scripture is the only complete and authoritative revelation of God’s Law. Appeals to natural law, human reason, tradition, experience, or new revelations must take a back seat to the written word of God. The Law of God is what God says in the Bible.

1. Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper whithsoever thou goest. This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success (Josh. 1:7-8).

2. To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them (Isa. 8:20).

3. For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty. For he received from God the Father honour and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with him in the holy mount. We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost (2 Pet. 1:16-21).

4. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works (2 Tim. 3:16-17).

 

III. The Nature of Man

A. Man is God’s property.

By virtue of creation, all men are God’s property. By virtue of Christ’s redemption, Christians are doubly God’s property. No man is his own. No woman is her own. No child belongs to himself or to his parents. All people belong to God.

1. The earth is the LORD’s and the fulness thereof: the world, and they that dwell therein (Ps. 24:1).

2. Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture (Ps. 100:3-4).

3. What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s (1 Cor. 6:19-20).

4. For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself. For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord’s (Rom. 14:7-8).

B. Man is the image of God.

Man was created in the image of God, that is, in knowledge, righteousness, and true holiness, with dominion over God’s creation.

1. And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness (Eph. 4:24).

2. And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him (Col. 3:10).

3. And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them (Gen. 1:26-27).

C. Man is man from the womb.

Scripture recognizes the child in the womb as fully human, having an actual relationship to God, and as able to react as a human to other persons within his environment. For example, Samson was a "Nazarite unto God" from his mother’s womb. Jacob and Esau struggled together in Rebekah’s womb because they were spiritually at odds with one another. The Psalmist, speaking as the coming Messiah, claims to have had a relationship with God while he was still in his mother’s belly. And the unborn John the Baptist leaped for joy in his mother’s womb when he sensed the presence of the infant Christ, who was still in His mother’s womb. Furthermore, Elisabeth calls Mary "the mother of my Lord" even though the Christ child was yet unborn.

1. For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother’s womb. I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well. My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them (Ps. 139:13-16).

2. And the angel of the LORD appeared unto the woman, and said unto her, Behold now, thou art barren, and barest not: but thou shalt conceive, and bear a son. Now therefore beware, I pray thee, and drink not wine nor strong drink, and eat not any unclean thing: for, lo, thou shalt conceive, and bear a son; and no razor shall come on his head: for the child shall be a Nazarite unto God from the womb: and he shall begin to deliver Israel out of the hand of the Philistines (Judg. 13:3-5).

3. And the children struggled together within her; and she said, If it be so, why am I thus? And she went to enquire of the LORD. And the LORD said unto her, Two nations are in thy womb, and two manner of people shall be separated from thy bowels: and the one people shall be stronger than the other people; and the elder shall serve the younger (Gen. 25:22-23).

4. But thou art he that took me out of the womb: thou didst make me hope when I was upon my mother’s breasts. I was cast upon thee from the womb: thou art my God from my mother’s belly (Ps. 22:9-10).

5. And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost: and she spake out with a loud voice, and said, Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb. And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For, lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy (Luke 1:41-44).

D. Man is a sinner from the womb.

Man’s depravity is congenital. We are all conceived and born in sin. By nature all children, including those in the womb, are sinful and under the wrath and curse of God.

1. The wicked are estranged from the womb: they go astray as soon as they be born, speaking lies (Ps. 58:3).

2. Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me (Ps. 51:5).

3. Yea, thou heardest not; yea, thou knewest not; yea, from that time that thine ear was not opened: for I knew that thou wouldest deal very treacherously, and was called a transgressor from the womb (Isa. 48:8).

4. Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others (Eph. 2:3).

E. God, however, claims the children of the covenant as His own.

The promises and requirements of God include believers and their children. The children do not belong to themselves or to their parents but to God. He claims their lives and their commitment. This does not mean, of course, that every child born into a Christian home will be saved; it does mean that God has a legal claim that carries with it real consequences.

1. And I will establish my covenant between me and thee and thy seed after thee in their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be a God unto thee, and to thy seed after thee . . . . And God said unto Abraham, Thou shalt keep my covenant therefore, thou, and thy seed after thee in their generations (Gen. 17:7, 9).

2. Moreover thou hast taken thy sons and thy daughters, whom thou hast borne unto me, and these hast thou sacrificed unto them to be devoured. Is this of thy whoredoms a small matter, that thou hast slain my children, and delivered them to cause to pass through fire for them? (Ezek. 16:20-21).

3. Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even so many as the Lord our God shall call (Acts 2:39).

4. And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house (Acts 16:31).

5. For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband: else were your children unclean; but now are they holy (1 Cor. 7:14).

F. God can and does save infants, even infants in the womb.

John the Baptist was filled with the Holy Spirit from his mother’s womb. And while still in the womb, he leaped with joy when he sensed the presence of the unborn Christ child: he rejoiced in the Messiah. Jacob was spiritually different from the unregenerate Esau while the two children were still in their mother’s womb (cf. Hos. 12:3). And the Psalmist also claims a more than legal relationship with God while he was still in the womb. These cases may be unusual, but there is no reason to believe they are unique.

1. For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother’s womb (Luke 1:15).

2. And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost: and she spake out with a loud voice, and said, Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb. And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For, lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy (Luke 1:41-44).

3. And the children struggled together within her; and she said, If it be so, why am I thus? And she went to enquire of the LORD. And the LORD said unto her, Two nations are in thy womb, and two manner of people shall be separated from thy bowels: and the one people shall be stronger than the other people; and the elder shall serve the younger (Gen. 25:22-23).

4. But thou art he that took me out of the womb: thou didst make me hope when I was upon my mother’s breasts. I was cast upon thee from the womb: thou art my God from my mother’s belly (Ps. 22:9-10).

G. Covenant children who die in the womb go to be with their Lord.

Children of believers who die in infancy—and that includes those who die in the womb—are objects of God’s saving grace. They go to be with the Lord in heaven, and their believing parents will see them there one day.

1. And he said, While the child was yet alive, I fasted and wept: for I said, Who can tell whether GOD will be gracious to me, that the child may live? But now he is dead, wherefore should I fast? can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me (2 Sam. 12:22-23).

2. And they brought unto him also infants, that he would touch them: but when his disciples saw it, they rebuked them. But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God (Luke 18:15-16).

H. Children in the womb, then, are in the image of God, are fully human, and are under the authority and protection of the Law of God.

Children still in the womb may be sinners or saints. They may exhibit faith and joy in Christ. They may be filled with the Holy Spirit. They may go to heaven and be with Christ. Obviously, then, they bear the image of God most truly: they are really human, truly persons in their own right, and God places a high value on their existence. As human beings made in God’s image, they are under the authority of God’s law and deserve its full protection.

IV. God’s Law and Human Life

A. God’s Law distinguishes between sins and crimes.

God’s Law gives the civil magistrate the authority to punish certain overt sins, such as theft, fraud, and murder. These sins we may call crimes. Those who have committed no crime are innocent before the civil law, and Scripture speaks of them as such.

1. Keep thee from a false matter: and the innocent and righteous slay thou not: for I will not justify the wicked (Ex. 23:7).

2. Cursed be he that taketh reward to slay an innocent person. And all the people shall say, Amen (Deut. 27:25).

B. God’s Law protects innocent human life.

Though all men are sinners, relatively few are guilty of crimes. Fewer still are guilty of capital crimes, that is, of crimes for which God authorizes the death penalty. God’s Law protects the lives of all men who are innocent of a capital crime. Specifically, God’s Law forbids murder, manslaughter, battery, and reckless endangerment of others.

1. Thou shalt not kill (Ex. 20:13).

2. He that smiteth a man, so that he die, shall be surely put to death. And if a man lie not in wait, but God deliver him into his hand; then I will appoint thee a place whither he shall flee. But if a man come presumptuously upon his neighbor, to slay him with guile; thou shalt take him from mine altar, that he may die (Ex. 21:12-14).

3. And if men strive together, and one smite another with a stone, or with his fist, and he die not, but keepeth his bed: if he rise again, and walk abroad upon his staff, then shall he that smote him be quit: only he shall pay for the loss of his time, and shall cause him to be thoroughly healed (Ex. 21:18-19).

4. If an ox gore a man or a woman, that they die: then the ox shall be surely stoned, and his flesh shall not be eaten; but the owner of the ox shall be quit. But if the ox were wont to push with his horn in time past, and it hath been testified to his owner, and he hath not kept him in, but that he hath killed a man or a woman; the ox shall be stoned, and his owner also shall be put to death. If there be laid on him a sum of money, then he shall give for the ransom of his life whatsoever is laid upon him (Ex. 21:28-30).

5. When thou buildest a new house, then thou shalt make a battlement for thy roof, that thou bring not blood upon thine house, if any man fall from thence (Deut. 22:8).

C. God’s Law protects the lives of unborn children.

Since an unborn child is truly human, truly in the image of God, and fully within the pale of the Law’s protection, no human being has the authority to take that unborn child’s life. The killing of an unborn child is therefore sinful and, by biblical standards, criminal. It is murder.

D. The Bible regards abortion as a crime.

In the case law cited below, God provides for the punishment of the man who, through his unlawful and reckless behavior, injures or kills a child still in the womb. If God expects the civil magistrate to punish a man who accidentally harms an unborn child, how much more must He expect the magistrate to punish the man who intentionally and willfully kills an unborn child?

If men strive, and hurt a woman with child, so that her fruit depart from her, and yet no mischief follow: he shall surely be punished, according as the woman’s husband will lay upon him; and he shall pay as the judges determine. And if any mischief follow, then thou shalt give life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, burning for burning, wound for wound, stripe for stripe (Ex. 21:22-25).

E. The Bible regards abortion as a capital crime.

The case law cited above considers various possibilities: the baby is born prematurely, but there is no damage to mother or baby; the baby is born prematurely, and either the mother or baby is injured; the mother is killed, but the baby survives; the mother survives, but the baby is killed. In any case, the punishment is to fit the crime. If the mother or child dies, the man responsible is to be executed. The Bible is very clear at this point: "life for life." Again, if God expects the civil magistrate to execute the man responsible for an accidental abortion, how much more must He expect the magistrate to execute the man or woman who has intentionally and willfully performed an abortion?

V. Biblical Responses to Abortion

A. Christians should respond to abortion, particularly to legalized abortion, with a prophetic witness.

That is to say, the Church should tell its members and the world exactly what God says about abortion. She should declare all of God’s holy Law concerning the matter, explain its temporal and eternal sanctions, and call men to repent of the sin of abortion and trust in Jesus Christ. The church pulpit is a good place to do this; so are the sidewalks near abortion clinics. There is, however, no biblical requirement that every Christian (or any Christian) preach against an evil at every place where it is practiced.

1. Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men. For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God (Acts 20:26-27).

2. And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen (Matt. 28:18-20).

3. But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death (Rev. 21:8).

4. And [Jesus] said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem (Luke 24:46-47).

B. Christians should respond with adoption.

Christians should offer to adopt those children who would otherwise be destroyed by their unbelieving mothers. In adopting the children of such unbelievers, Christians imitate God the Father, who has adopted us into His family, though we be "by nature the children of wrath" (Eph. 2:3). Christians need to relearn what a precious and godly thing adoption can be.

1. Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will (Eph. 1:5).

2. But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, to redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of children (Gal. 4:4-5).

C. Christians should respond with prayer, public and private.

God has promised to hear us when we seek His kingdom and His will. These promises apply particularly to the Church when she meets for corporate worship in the very presence of God. The Church must pray that God would save His people and frustrate and destroy His enemies. The Church should once again learn to pray or sing the words of the so-called "imprecatory" psalms (see examples below). Until the Church is serious enough about abortion to press the matter with God in her public worship, it is unlikely that God will bless her political and legislative efforts to any great extent.

1. And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son (John 14:13).

2. If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you (John 14:7).

3. And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask anything according to his will, he heareth us: and if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him (1 Jn. 5:14-15).

4. After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven (Matt. 6:9-10).

5. And I saw the seven angels which stood before God; and to them were given seven trumpets. and another angel came and stood at the altar, having a golden censer; and there was given unto him much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne. And the smoke of the incense, which came with the prayers of the saints, ascended up before God out of the angel’s hand. And the angel took the censer, and filled it with fire of the altar, and cast it into the earth: and there were voices, and thunderings, and lightnings, and an earth quake. And the seven angels which had the seven trumpets prepared themselves to sound (Rev. 8:2-6).

6. Destroy them, O God; let them fall by their own counsels; cast them out in the multitude of their transgressions; for they have rebelled against thee (Ps. 5:10).

7. Arise, O LORD; let not man prevail: let the heathen be judged in thy sight. Put them in fear, O LORD: that the nations may know themselves to be but men. Selah (Ps. 9:19-20).

8. Arise, O LORD; O God, lift up thine hand: forget not the humble. Wherefore doth the wicked contemn God? he hath said in his heart, Thou wilt not require it. Thou hast seen it; for thou beholdest mischief and spite, to requite it with thy hand: the poor committeth himself unto thee; thou art the helper of the fatherless. Break thou the arm of the wicked and the evil man: seek out his wickedness till thou find none. The LORD is King for ever and ever: the heathen are perished out of his land. LORD, thou hast heard the desire of the humble; thou wilt prepare their heart, thou wilt cause thine ear to hear: to judge the fatherless and the oppressed, that the man of the earth may no more oppress (Ps. 10:12-18).

9. Break their teeth, O God, in their mouth: break out the great teeth of the young lions, O LORD. Let them melt away as waters which run continually: when he bendeth his bow to shoot his arrows, let them be as cut in pieces. As a snail which melteth, let every one of them pass away: like the untimely birth of a woman, that they may not see the sun. Before your pots can feel the thorns, he shall take them away as with a whirlwind, both living, in his wrath. The righteous shall rejoice when he seeth the vengeance: he shall wash his feet in the blood of the wicked. So that a man shall say, Verily there is a reward for the righteous: verily he is a God that judgeth in the earth (Ps. 58:6-11).

D. Christians should respond with political action.

Christians have a responsibility before God to call their civil rulers to God’s standard of righteousness. In the United States that means not only prophetic witness, but political activity of various sorts: becoming politically informed; voting intelligently; fund-raising; giving generously; making phone calls; writing letters; attending rallies; filing law suits; etc., etc.

1. I will speak of thy testimonies also before kings, and will not be ashamed (Ps. 119:46).

2. For Herod had laid hold on John, and bound him, and put him in prison for Herodias’ sake, his brother Philip’s wife. For John said unto him, It is not lawful for thee to have her (Matt. 14:3-4).

3. And as he [Paul] reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix [the Roman governor] trembled, and answered, God thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee (Acts 24:25).

4. Let the high praises of God be in their mouth, and a twoedged sword in their hand; to execute vengeance upon the heathen, and punishments upon the people; to bind their kings with chains, and their nobles with fetters of iron; to execute upon them the judgment written: this honour have all his saints. Praise ye the LORD (Ps. 149:6-9).

5. If thou forbear to deliver them that are drawn unto death, and those that are ready to be slain; if thou sayest, Behold, we knew it not; doth not he that pondereth the heart consider it? and he that keepeth thy soul, doth not he know it? and shall not he render to every man according to his works? (Prov. 24:11-12).

E. Christians should respond with charitable action.

Christians, through practical love and charitable giving, should offer alternatives to abortion: personal intervention, crisis pregnancy counseling, day care, financial support, adoption, foster care, medical programs, etc.

1. Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world (Jas. 1:27).

2. When thou hast made an end of tithing all the tithes of thine increase the third year, which is the year of tithing, and hast given it unto the Levite, the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow, that they may eat within thy gates, and be filled; then thou shalt say before the LORD thy God, I have brought away the hallowed things out of mine house, and also have given them unto the Levite, and unto the stranger, to the fatherless, and to the widow, according to all thy commandments which thou hast commanded me: I have not transgressed thy commandments, neither have I forgotten them (Deut. 26:12-13).

VI. Biblical Limits to Opposition

A. God commands us to submit to due authority.

God in Scripture establishes three covenantal governments: family, church, and civil government. God commands us to obey these governments and to submit to the order they establish—even if the persons in authority within these governments are themselves corrupt and unworthy of our respect.

1. Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: for he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil. Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake (Rom. 13:1-5).

2. Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you (Heb. 13:17).

3. Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme; or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well (1 Pet. 2:13-14).

4. Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work (Titus 3:1).

B. This rule of submission has few exceptions.

We ought to obey God rather than men. When parents, church, or state command us to do something contrary to God’s word, we may lawfully refuse. When wicked rulers try to kill us, we may flee—if we may do so without harming anyone. And we may conceal innocents who flee to us or who are in our charge.

1. Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation (Rom. 13:1-2).

2. But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye (Acts 4:19).

3. Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men (Acts 5:29).

4. And Saul cast the javelin; for he said, I will smite David even to the wall with it. And David avoided out of his presence twice (1 Sam. 18:11).

5. So David fled, and escaped, and came to Samuel to Ramah, and told him all that Saul had done to him. And he and Samuel went and dwelt in Naioth (1 Sam. 19:18).

6. But when they persecute you in this city, flee ye into another (Matt. 10:23a).

7. By faith Moses, when he was born, was hid three months of his parents, because they saw he was a proper child; and they were not afraid of the king’s commandment (Heb. 11:23).

8. But Jehosheba, the daughter of king Joram, sister of Ahaziah, took Joash the son of Ahaziah, and stole him from among the king’s sons which were slain; and they hid him, even him and his nurse, in the bedchamber from Athaliah, so that he was not slain. And he was with her hid in the house of the LORD six years. And Athaliah did reign over the land (2 Kings 11:2-3).

9. Was it not told my lord what I did when Jezebel slew the prophets of the LORD, how I hid an hundred men of the LORD’s prophets by fifty in a cave, and fed them with bread and water? (1 Kings 18:13).

C. But we may appeal our case to a higher authority.

We have God’s permission to appeal the unjust acts of a magistrate to a higher or coordinate authority within the existing civil hierarchy. For example, we may appeal the decision of a lower court to a higher court. We may question an act of Congress before a federal court. We may seek state or county intervention against federal usurpation. We can call on Congress to impeach a lawless president. All of these are lawful ways to resist tyranny.

1. Moreover thou shalt provide out of all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness; and place such over them, to be rulers of thousands, and rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens. And let them judge the people at all seasons: and it shall be, that every great matter they shall bring unto thee, but every small matter they shall judge: so shall it be easier for thyself, and they shall bear the burden with thee (Ex. 18:21-22).

2. For if I be an offender, or have committed any thing worthy of death, I refuse not to die: but if there be none of these things whereof these accuse me, no man may deliver me unto them. I appeal unto Caesar (Acts 25:11).

3. And the seventh year Jehoiada sent and fetched the rulers over hundreds, with the captains and the guard, and brought them to him into the house of the LORD and made a covenant with them, and took an oath of them in the house of the LORD, and shewed them the king’s son . . . . And when she [the tyrant Athaliah] looked, behold, the king stood by a pillar, as the manner was, and the princes and the trumpeters by the king, and all the people of the land rejoiced, and blew with trumpets: and Athaliah rent her clothes, and cried, Treason, Treason (2 Kings 11:4, 14).

D. God has given the sword to the civil magistrate.

God has delegated the regular use of the sword (deadly force) only to the civil magistrate. Certain instances of self-defense are the only exceptions to this rule. Private citizens do not have the right to execute murderers, attack the police, or practice other forms of vigilante justice. Private citizens do not have the right to kill abortionists or those who have conspired to commit abortion. Any such killing would be murder.

1. Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good. Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: for he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil. Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake (Rom. 13:1-5).

2. Then said Jesus unto him, Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword (Matt. 26:52).

E. We should give heed to the example of Israel’s prophets.

God’s prophets often denounced Israel’s practice of sacrificing infants to pagan idols. Nonetheless, they themselves did not violently intervene to rescue those infants nor did they encourage any of their hearers to do so. They did, however, call Israel to repentance and to obedience to God’s law.

1. Against whom do ye sport yourselves? against whom make ye a wide mouth, and draw out the tongue? are ye not children of transgression, a seed of falsehood, enflaming yourselves with idols under every green tree, slaying the children in the valleys under the clifts of the rocks? (Isa. 57:4-5).

2. For the children of Judah have done evil in my sight, saith the LORD: they have set their abominations in the house which is called by my name, to pollute it. And they have built the high places of Tophet, which is in the valley of the son of Hinnom, to burn their sons and their daughters in the fire; which I commanded them not, neither came it into my heart. Therefore, behold, the days come saith the LORD, that it shall no more be called Tophet, nor the valley of the son of Hinnom, but the valley of slaughter: for they shall bury in Tophet, till there be no place. And the carcasses of this people shall be meat for the fowls of the heaven, and for the beasts of the earth; and none shall fray them away (Jer. 7:31-33).

3. Moreover thou hast taken thy sons and thy daughters, whom thou hast borne unto me, and these hast thou sacrificed unto them to be devoured. Is this of thy whoredoms a small matter, that thou hast slain my children, and delivered them to cause them to past through the fire for them? (Ezek. 16:20-21).

VII. The Danger of Idolatry

A. Life is not divine.

When God imparts life to His creatures, He does not infuse them with part of His Being. The life that God’s creatures possess is creaturely. It is not an aspect of God. It is not to be worshipped or treated as if it were divine.

1. I am the LORD: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images (Isa. 42:8).

2. Cease ye from man, whose breath is in his nostrils: for wherein is he to be accounted of? (Isa. 2:22).

3. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, and changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and serve the creature more than the Creator , who is blessed forever. Amen (Rom. 1:22-25).

B. God is the Author of death.

God Himself imposed death upon this world because of man’s fall, and He is either directly or indirectly responsible for every death that takes place on this planet. When men or beasts die, it is because God has taken their lives.

1. In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return (Gen. 3:19).

2. And, behold, I, even I, do bring a flood of waters upon the earth, to destroy all flesh, wherein is the breath of life, from under heaven; and every thing that is in the earth shall die (Gen. 6:17).

3. See now that I, even I, am he, and there is no god with me: I kill, and I make alive: I wound, and I heal: neither is there any that can deliver out of my hand (Deut. 32:39).

4. Thou hidest they face, they are troubled: thou takest away their breath, they die, and return to their dust. Thou sendest forth thy spirit, they are created: and thou renewest the face of the earth (Ps. 104:29-30).

5. I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death (Rev. 1:18).

C. Being alive is not man’s greatest good or his greatest need.

Man’s highest good is the glory of God. Obedience to God takes precedence over staying alive. God has, in fact, called many men to lay down their lives for His sake. We are nowhere commanded to cling to life or to protect the life of others at any cost.

1. Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God (1 Cor. 10. 31).

2. And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell (Matt. 10:28).

3. Nebuchadnezzar spake and said unto them, Is it true, O Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, do not ye serve my gods, nor worship the golden image which I have set up? . . . If ye worship not, ye shall be cast the same hour into the midst of a burning fiery furnace; and who is that God that shall deliver you out of my hands? Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee in this matter. If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king. But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou has set up (Dan. 3:14-18).

4. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it (Matt. 16:25).

5. Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends (John 15:13).

6. For if I be an offender, or have committed any thing worthy of death, I refuse not to die (Acts 25:11a).

D. Scripture does not grant to any man an inalienable right to life.

As far as Scripture is concerned, those who commit capital crimes have forfeited their lives. So have those who are wrongly waging war against an innocent people.

1. And surely your blood of your lives will I require; at the hand of every beast will I require it, and at the hand of man; at the hand of every man’s brother will I require the life of man. Whoso sheddeth man’s blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man (Gen. 9:4-6).

2. He that smiteth a man, so that he die, shall be surely put to death . . . . But if a man come presumptuously upon his neighbour, to slay him with guile: thou shalt take him from mine altar, that he may die (Ex. 21:12, 14).

3. For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil (Rom. 13:4).

4. And if ye go to war in your land against the enemy that oppresseth you, then ye shall blow an alarm with the trumpets; and ye shall be remembered before the LORD your God, and ye shall be saved from your enemies (Num. 10:9).

E. God commands some men to kill other men.

God in the past has commanded his people to execute whole cities, even whole cultures. God ordered the extermination of every man, woman, and child in Canaan. He still authorizes and demands capital punishment for certain crimes. Since God is the Author of life and may do with it as He pleases, there is nothing strange or irrational about this.

1. When the LORD thy God shall bring thee into the land wither thou goest to possess it, and hath cast out many nations before thee, the Hittites, and the Girgashites, and the Amorites, and the Canaanites, and the Perizzites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites, seven nations greater and mightier than thou; and when the LORD thy God shall deliver them before thee; thou shalt smite them, and utterly destroy them: thou shalt make no covenant with them, nor shew mercy unto them (Deut. 7:1-2).

2. But of the cities of these people, which the LORD thy God doth give thee for an inheritance, thou shalt save alive nothing that breatheth: but thou shalt utterly destroy them; namely, the Hittites, and the Amorites, the Canaanites, and the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites; as the LORD thy God hath commanded thee (Deut. 20:16-17).

3. And they utterly destroyed all that was in the city [Jericho], both man and woman, young and old, and ox, and sheep, and ass, with the edge of the sword (Josh. 6:21).

4. And surely your blood of your lives will I require; at the hand of every beast will I require it, and at the hand of man; at the hand of every man’s brother will I require the life of man. Whoso sheddeth man’s blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man (Gen. 9:4-6).

5. But if a man come presumptuously upon his neighbour, to slay him with guile: thou shalt take him from mine altar, that he may die (Ex. 21:12, 14).

6. For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil (Rom. 13:4).

F. Life is not sacred; God’s commands concerning life are sacred.

Life is one of God’s good gifts. We should value it as such. We should value the life of beasts; we should value the life of men more, because man is in the image of God. But every good gift may be perverted or corrupted. A man may so corrupt his life by disobedience to God’s commandments that God Himself demands the man’s death. The essential thing is not that we preserve life, but that we obey God’s law.

1. . . . in his [God’s] favour is life (Ps. 30:5b).

2. A righteous man regardeth the life of his beast: but the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel (Prov. 12:10).

3. When thou buildest a new house, then thou shalt make a battlement for thy roof, that thou bring not blood upon thine house, if any man fall from thence (Deut. 22:8).

4. But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him. And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him . . . . Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbor unto him that fell among the thieves? And he said, He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise (Luke 10:33-34, 36-37).

5. Ye shall walk after the LORD your God, and fear him, and keep his commandments, and obey his voice, and ye shall serve him, and cleave unto him (Deut. 13:4).

G. We must be careful not to make Life into an idol.

Since the 1960’s we have witnessed a wide spread return to Nature worship in the West, sometimes under that name, sometimes not. In this matter of opposing abortion, we must be very certain that we are serving the God of Scripture and not the goddess of Nature. God does not require us to be "pro-life"; He requires us to be champions of His law.

1. Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve (Matt. 4:10).

2. Little children, keep yourselves from idols (1 Jn. 5:21).

3. Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the LORD. Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart. They also do no iniquity: they walk in his ways. Thou hast commanded us to keep they precepts diligently. O that my ways were directed to keep thy statutes! Then shall I not be ashamed, when I have respect unto all thy commandments. I will praise thee with uprightness of heart, when I shall have learned thy righteous judgments. I will keep thy statues: O forsake me not utterly (Ps. 119:1-8).

4. If ye love me, keep my commandments (John 14:15).

 

VIII. The Consequences of Legalized Abortion

A. Legalized abortion is itself a judgment against the nation that embraces it.

The nations that have legalized abortions in this century have already suffered millions of death, something that is usually the product of the most vicious and prolonged of wars. The present and future economic and political costs are incalculable.

B. Legalized abortion will call down yet greater judgments from God.

God requires blood for blood. The nation that will not distance itself from acts of murder—that, in fact, legalizes and justifies those murders—should expect its own destruction in God’s good time.

1. So ye shall not pollute the land wherein ye are: for blood it defileth the land: and the land cannot be cleansed of the blood that is shed therein, but by the blood of him that shed it (Num. 35:33).

2. If one be found slain in the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee to possess it, lying in the field, and it be not known who hath slain him: then thy elders and thy judges shall come forth, and they shall measure unto the cities which are round about him that is slain: and it shall be, that the city which is next unto the slain man, even the elders of that city shall take an heifer, which hath not been wrought with, and which hath not drawn in the yoke; and the elders of that city shall bring down the heifer unto a rough valley, which is neither eared nor sown, and shall strike off the heifer’s neck there in the valley: and the priests the sons of Levi shall come near . . . and all the elders of that city, that are next unto the slain man, shall wash their hands over the heifer that is beheaded in the valley: and they shall answer and say, Our hands have not shed this blood, neither have our eyes seen it. Be merciful, O LORD, unto thy people Israel, whom thou hast redeemed, and lay not innocent blood unto thy people of Israel’s charge. And the blood shall be forgiven them. So shalt thou put away the guilt of innocent blood from among you, when thou shalt do that which is right in the sight of the LORD (Deut. 21:1-9).

3. But if ye will not hearken unto me, and will not do all these commandments; and if ye shall despise my statutes, or if your soul abhor my judgments, so that ye will not do all my commandments, but that ye break my covenant . . . I will set my face against you, and ye shall be slain before your enemies: they that hate you shall reign over you; and ye shall flee when none pursueth you (Lev. 26:14-15, 17).

4. Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity. For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb . . . . For evildoers shall be cut off: but those that wait upon the LORD, they shall inherit the earth. For yet a little while, and the wicked shall not be: yea, thou shalt diligently consider his place, and it shall not be (Ps. 37:1-2, 9-10).

C. Nonetheless, God’s judgments are unto victory.

God will be glorified even through the wickedness of men (Gen. 50:20; Ps. 76:10). Even men’s greatest crimes serve the advancement of God’s kingdom (Acts 2:22-23; 4:27-28). By allowing legalized abortion to flourish, God has:

1. delivered serious economic and political blows to ungodly nations;

2. scaled back future opposition to His kingdom;

3. recalled His people to political and social action;

4. reproved our sloppy definitions of human, person, and life;

5. called us to reform our assumptions about children, morality, and God’s law.

We must not think that God has lost control of His world.

How should you respond to each of these statements?

I. A woman’s body is her own property. (See I:B-C; III:A.)

II. Old Testament law was only relevant or applicable to the land of Palestine. (See I:C; II:A.)

III. God’s law is not relevant or applicable in the 21^st Century. (See I:C; II:B.)

IV. God’s laws against abortion do not apply:

V. if the child was conceived through rape or incest;

VI. if the child will be born with serious deformities;

VII. if the mother cannot provide for the child;

VIII. if the child will not be loved.

(See I:C; II:C.)

IX. God’s laws do not apply to Gentiles, whites, blacks, Aryans, etc. (See I:C; II:D.)

X. God’s laws concerning abortion were culturally conditioned or culturally bound: they don’t apply to Western culture in the 21^st Century. (See I:C; II:E.)

XI. I don’t believe in abortion, but I can’t ask people who don’t believe in God to accept my beliefs. (See I:C; II:F.)

XII. God’s laws against abortion were never intended for Gentile nations. (See I:C; II:G.)

XIII. To enact God’s laws against abortion would violate the separation of Church and State. (See I:C; II:G, H.)

XIV. My friend received a word from God assuring her that it was God’s will for her to have an abortion (See II:I.)

XV. The fetus does not become human until birth. (See III: B-C, H.)

XVI. The fetus in the womb is not truly human because it has no relationship to God. (See III:B-G.)

XVII. The Bible declares many things to be sinful; that doesn’t mean we should treat such things as criminal (See IV: A-D.)

XVIII. The Bible doesn’t actually address the issue of abortion. (See IV:C-E.)

XIX. But you don’t think abortion calls for the death penalty, do you? (See IV:D-E.)

XX. Abortion may be wrong, but to call it murder is simply inflammatory. (See IV:C-E.)

XXI. But surely we shouldn’t condemn women who have had abortions: that would drive them away from Christ. (See V:A.)

XXII. Picketing abortion clinics is unseemly. (See V:A.)

XXIII. Discussing abortion in church would be unspiritual and unsettling. (See V:A.)

XXIV. Adoption is a second rate way of obtaining children. (See V:B; VII:G.)

XXV. Political action is more important than prayer. (See V:C.)

XXVI. Private prayer is more important than public prayer. (See V:C.)

XXVII. It would be unloving and inappropriate to pray against abortionists in church. (See V:C.)

XXVIII. Political involvement is unspiritual. (See V:D; cf. II:G-H.)

XXIX. Political involvement is unnecessary. (See V:D.)

XXX. Christians should maintain a healthy separation from unwed mothers, let alone abortionists. (See V:A, E).

XXXI. The Bible gives us the right to defend innocent life; therefore, we have the right to stop women intent upon obtaining abortions from entering abortion clinics—even if we have to use force. (See VI:B, D-E.)

XXXII. The Federal government and the various state and county governments are violating God’s law by permitting abortions; therefore, Christians may

I. kill abortionists;

II. kidnap or threaten women who are seeking abortions;

III. bomb abortion clinics;

IV. resist arrest when the police attempt to break up our public witness against abortion;

V. attack or kill law enforcement officers who interfere with our witness;

VI. wage war against the United States government and its representatives.

(See VI:A-E).

XXXIII. Because the Federal government and the various state and county governments have legalized abortion, we as Christians must accept their rulings. (See VI:B-C, E).

XXXIV. Life is sacred. (See VII:A-G.)

XXXV. To be consistently pro-life, we must oppose the death penalty. (See VII:D-G).

XXXVI. To be consistently pro-life, we must oppose handguns, nuclear weapons, ROTC programs, and war in general. (See VI:D; VII:D-F).

XXXVII. To be consistently pro-life, we must support the modern environmental movement. (See VII:A-B, F-G.)

XXXVIII. Life is the greatest gift God has given us. (See VII:C, F.)

XXXIX. Life is so important we must do anything in our power to protect it. (See VII:C, F-G.)

XL. If we don’t stop legalized abortion soon, God will send His judgments upon us. (See VIII:A-B).

XLI. While God doesn’t approve of abortion, He certainly wouldn’t (or doesn’t) bring visible, historical sanctions against nations that legalize it. (See VIII:B.)

XLII. The holocaust of abortion is outside God’s providence. (See VIII:C.)

XLIII. No good can come from the holocaust of abortion. (See VIII:C.)

 

Answer the following questions.

I. Why must the nature and attributes of God form the foundation for any biblical discussion of the moral and legal status of abortion?

II. Why should we make our stand on God’s law when we are arguing against abortion with people who don’t even believe in God?

III. Is insisting on the applicability of God’s law in this age a departure from New Testament grace? Explain.

IV. How does Scripture indicate that the fetus in the womb is a human being entitled to the full protection of the law?

V. Should Congress criminalize abortion? Defend your answer.

VI. In what practical ways should the Church in general and Christians in particular respond to legalized abortion?

VII. Why is it wrong to use violence to protect the lives of soon-to-be aborted children?

VIII. What is the difference between being simply "pro-life" and being biblical in our stance against abortion?

 

Greg Bahnsen. Abortion and Other Violence. (GB1754)

----------------. Abortion. (GB1661)

----------------. Slaughter of the Innocents. (GB510)

Randy Booth. The Pro-Choice Generation. (ESPC—4 tapes)

Ken Gentry. Abortion, God, America and You. (KG618).

George Grant. Abortion, Inc.: Planned Parenthood. (GG208).

Steve Wilkins. Abortion: The Unholy War. (ESA2—3 tapes)

Ken Gentry. The Christian Case against Abortion.

Francis Schaeffer and C. Everett Koop. What Ever Happened to the Human Race?

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Greg Uttinger first drafted this position paper in 2001. He teaches theology, history, and literature at Cornerstone Christian School in Roseville, CA (www.CornerstoneChristian.org). He lives nearby in Sacramento County with his wife Kate and his three children.