Devotional Index

March 2010 Devotional

Why Does The Bible Not Explicitly Discuss Abortion?

Sometimes people will ask the question, “Why doesn’t the Bible say something about _________?” As a pastor, I could fill in the blank with a number of subjects people have asked about. One of those questions might be, “Why doesn’t the Bible say something explicitly about abortion?” We can answer this question in several ways.

First, the Bible, the Word of God, was delivered to us in a cultural setting. God has revealed His will and plan for the world by using the settings of the cultures when the Bible was written. Since man has not changed in his basic morality, the examples given in Scripture reveal to us principles which can be followed in any era. For example, when the Bible speaks of punishment for stealing another man’s ox (Exodus 22:1), we don’t say, “This does not apply to us because we don’t own any oxen.” We understand what is in view is the principle of punishment for stealing—that stealing is wrong.

Understanding this truth we see that abortion was not an issue that the Bible spoke about directly because it was virtually non-existent. However, there are numerous principles that would teach abortion is wrong. Abortion does not come up in the Old or New Testament because for the most part children were seen as a blessing. (1 Sam 1:20) Wherefore it came to pass, when the time was come about after Hannah had conceived, that she bare a son, and called his name Samuel, saying, Because I have asked him of the LORD.

Children were consequently viewed as a gift from God. (Psa 127:3) Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward. However, when God pronounced the judgment of the land of Canaan, one of the reasons for judgment was their awful practice of offering up their children in idol worship. In stern warning He also told the nation of Israel that if they did such a thing they would be put to death. (Lev 20:3) And I will set my face against that man, and will cut him off from among his people; because he hath given of his seed unto Molech, to defile my sanctuary, and to profane my holy name.

One might say, “God was judging this way because the child was born.” We see, however, what God thinks of the unborn as well. The Psalmist declares God’s knowledge of him even before he was born. (Psalm 139:13-16) 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. God knew us even before we were born. In His mind we were persons.

One passage in particular points to abortion as murder, however. (Ex. 21:22-25) If men strive, and hurt a woman with child, so that her fruit depart from her, and yet no mischief follow: he shall be surely 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. In this passage we see an “abortion” caused by men fighting and injuring a woman with child. “If no mischief follow” means she aborts her child but everything is alright. The one causing the abortion is still fined for causing the woman to abort even though the child and the woman were alright. However “if any mischief follow” then “life for life, eye for eye,” etc. If the child dies or the woman dies, the one who causes the abortion dies. If the child is handicapped, there would be judgment for this as well (“eye for eye, tooth for tooth”). According to this example God views abortion as murder since the punishment is the same for murder—“life for life.” While the Bible does not explicitly say, “Thou shalt not have an abortion,” the principles of the preciousness of unborn human life are clear. Abortion is clearly the taking of human life.

Many men and women have unknowingly been involved with abortion, ignorant about what God has said. Praise the Lord, God is a loving and forgiving God. He has provided forgiveness by giving His own Son, Jesus Christ, to die for our sins—even for the sin of abortion. You can obtain forgiveness, today, by receiving Christ Jesus by faith. You must acknowledge you are a sinner, and repenting of your sin, believe on Jesus Christ as the Savior who died for you. Whether or not you have been involved in the sin of abortion, all have sinned and come short of God’s glory. That all means you and me. We all need God’s forgiveness through Jesus Christ. For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. (Rom 6:23)

Pastor Dan Stertz
Faith Baptist Church, Beloit, WI
Board Member of Baptist For Life of Wisconsin