The Bible on Prenatal Killing
ShareCHAPTER 83 — THE BIBLE ON PRENATAL KILLING
American Life League
Can a woman forget her nursing child, and have no compassion on the son of her womb? Even these may forget, but I will not forget you.
Isaiah 53:6.
Anti-Life Philosophy.
There is no mention of abortion in the Bible, so it is not forbidden or disapproved of by God. Anti-choice fanatics simply take various Scripture passages out of context to support their own narrow views.
Besides, we have a tolerant and loving God who would never condemn any of His living creations to Hell. He would much rather we realize our full human potential, which can be badly crippled by the arrival of an unwanted pregnancy.
Introduction: The Fundamental Question.
Overview.
The statement that abortion is not explicitly mentioned in the Bible is absolutely true. However, as a general rule, in Biblical times it was generally accepted that abortion was a type of murder, and was therefore not mentioned separately from the various injunctions against killing born persons.
In any case, we must ask ourselves this most fundamental question: Religious persons on both sides of the abortion issue agree that God gives life, and that God gives the person a soul. If God gives life and confers the soul, by what right may we interfere with His will? God does not act without reason; every child conceived was created by God for a purpose. We do not have the right to disrupt or destroy His plans. Abortion is a supremely arrogant act because it in effect imposes our will over God's.
Ensoulment = Life?
Many pro-abortionists (including President Bill Clinton) have made the silly assertion that life does not begin until the baby gets its soul and, in their opinion, this 'ensoulment' invariably occurs at birth.
We must ask people who advance this vacuous argument a few pointed questions. To begin with, there is no way to measure the presence of a "soul" through any scientific method. How, then, do they know that the soul enters the body at birth? What if someone asserts that the soul only enters the body when the person reaches the age of reason say, at seven years old? Does that render a six-year old 'unalive?'
We should also inform "Slick Willie" and his pals that the question of 'ensoulment' is a purely religious one and for Bill to impose his idea of when life begins on the nation through his executive actions and judicial appointments is a gross violation of the separation of church and state!
Finally, the presence of a soul has never indicated life in a creature. Only the most radical and extreme animal-rights activists will assert that a fly or a pig has a soul. Even though animals certainly do not possess souls they are obviously alive.
What Clinton and his buddies are doing here is falling back to yet another trench in the moral warfare over abortion: They cannot deny that the preborn are alive and human, and so they are deliberately pegging their abortion stand on a question that science literally will never be able to answer. This is a classic use of the tactic of 'mystagoguery:' An attempt to render a question so complicated or unreachable that it can never be answered.
Of course, it really doesn't matter to Clinton and like thinkers when ensoulment occurs. If, through some scientific breakthrough, a person could prove that the preborn received their souls at the instant of conception, are there any pro-lifers out there naive enough to expect that people who think this way would immediately give up their abortion 'right?'
No way! They would just find some other justification.
Conclusion.
Keep in mind that those persons who use the Bible to justify abortion invariably know nothing about Scripture; they undermine the Church by pretending to be 'Good Christians,' and are usually atheistic, if not in word, then in practice. Examples are the 'Religious' Coalition for Abortion Rights (the people who hold signs proclaiming that they are "PRAYERFULLY PRO-CHOICE"), and 'Catholics' for a Free Choice.
These hypocrites should be exposed for what they are; people who serve Satan, not Jesus.
This chapter describes just a few of the Scripture passages that pertain directly or indirectly to abortion. These passages are summarized in Figure 83-1.
FIGURE 83-1
SUMMARY OF SCRIPTURE REFERENCES REGARDING ABORTION
HUMAN LIFE BEGINS IN THE WOMB.
Genesis 16:11 and 25:21-26 (with Hosea 12:2-3 and Romans 9:10-13)
Exodus 21:22-15 (see also Numbers 35)
Jeremiah 1:5
Isaiah 7:14; 44:2,24; 46:3; 49:1,2; 53:6
Job 3:11-16; 10:8-12; 31:15
Psalms 22:9-10; 139:13-16
Ecclesiastes 5:15 and 11:5
Luke 1:13-15 and 1:39-44
HUMAN LIFE BEGINS AT CONCEPTION.
Psalms 51:5
Luke 1:35-36 (also Matthew 1:18-20)
GOD KNOWS US EVEN BEFORE WE ARE CONCEIVED.
Judges 13:3-7
Jeremiah 1:4-5
Ephesians 1:4 (also Matthew 25:34 and Revelation 13:8 and 17:8)
PUNISHMENT FOR CAUSING A SPONTANEOUS ABORTION.
Exodus 21:22-25
Numbers 35:22-34
THE SLAYING OF THE INNOCENT IS A HEINOUS CRIME.
Deuteronomy 27:25
Luke 17:2
Jeremiah 7:6 and 22:17
Psalms 106:37-38
Proverbs 6:16-19
Matthew 18:10-14
ABORTION FOR RAPE AND INCEST IS NEVER ALLOWED.
Genesis 19:36-38 and 50:20
Romans 8:28
Genesis 38 (see also Ruth 4:18-22, Matthew 1:3 and Luke 3:33)
ABORTION FOR BIRTH DEFECTS IS NEVER ALLOWED.
John 9:1-3
Acts 17:25-29
Psalms 94:9
Romans 8:28
Leviticus 19:14
Isaiah 45:9-12
ABORTION FOR THE MOTHER'S MENTAL HEALTH IS NEVER ALLOWED.
Genesis 50:20
Romans 8:28
ABORTION TO CONCEAL FORNICATION OR ADULTERY IS NEVER ALLOWED.
Genesis 16:2-4 and 21:1-18
Genesis 38 (see also Ruth 4:12)
CHILDREN MUST NOT BE SACRIFICED FOR ANY REASON.
Ezekiel 16:20-21
Jeremiah 32:35
Exodus 1:15-17
Psalms 106:37-42
II Kings 16:3, 17:17, and 21:6
Deuteronomy 12:31 and 18:10-13
Leviticus 18:21, 24, and 30
CHILDREN ARE A GIFT FROM GOD.
Genesis 30:1-2 and
Psalms 127:3-5
OUR RESPONSE: WE WILL BE JUDGED ON OUR RESPONSE.
Genesis 9:5-6
Jeremiah 7:5-6
Matthew 25:34-40
Galatians 6:9-10
OUR RESPONSE: WE MUST NOT FOLLOW THE MASTER OF THIS WORLD.
Numbers 35:33
Romans 12:1-2
Leviticus 18:21, 24, and 29-30
OUR RESPONSE: WE MUST PROTECT THE FATHERLESS.
James 1:27
Zachariah 7:9-10
Isaiah 1:23 and 10:1-2
OUR RESPONSE: WE MUST CARE FOR PREGNANT WOMEN IN NEED.
James 2:14-26
Matthew 23:3-4, 11, 12, and 25:31-46
OUR RESPONSE: WE MUST RESCUE THOSE BEING DRAGGED TO THE SLAUGHTER!
Proverbs 24:11-12
Isaiah 1:10-17 and 29:13
Scripture on the Creation of Man and Woman.
It was you who created my inmost self, and put me together in my mother's womb; for all these mysteries I thank you: for the wonder of myself, for the wonder of your works.
My frame was not hidden from You, when I was made in secret, and skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.
Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed.
And in Your book they all were written, the days fashioned for me, when as yet there were none of them.
Psalms 139:13-16.
Thus says the Lord, your Redeemer, and the one who formed you from the womb, "I, the Lord, am the maker of all things, stretching out the heavens by Myself, and spreading out the earth all alone ...
Isaiah 44:24.
But now, O Lord, Thou are our Father, we are the clay, and Thou our potter; and all of us are the work of Thy hand.
Isaiah 64:8.
Before I formed you in the womb I knew you;
before you came to birth I consecrated you;
I have appointed you as a prophet to the nations.
Jeremiah 1:5.
In Scripture, six men were named by God personally before they were even born!
Why would God Himself take the care to personally name a 'blob of tissue' or a 'product of conception' or a 'potential life?' Only real persons merit names;
(1) Ishmael (Genesis 16:11);
(2) Isaac (Genesis 17:19);
(3) Josiah (1 Kings 13:2);
(4) Solomon (1 Chronicles 22:9);
(5) John the Baptist (Luke 1:13);
(6) and Jesus Himself (Matthew 1:21).
Scripture on the Killing of the Innocent.
If men who are fighting hit a pregnant woman and she gives birth prematurely but there is no injury, the offender must be fined whatever the woman's husband demands and the court allows. But if there is serious injury, you are to take life
for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, burn for burn, wound for wound, bruise for bruise.
Exodus 21:22-25.
The above passage is sometimes used by pro-aborts to shore up their argument that the unborn are not fully persons, because there is a mere fine levied for their deaths. These same pro-aborts will then deny that a woman's husband should have any control over her, as the passage also states. We must ask them if they accept the entire passage, or just the part that suits them.
Other scripture passages that deal with the killing of the innocent are shown below.
Cursed be he that taketh reward to slay an innocent person. And the people shall say, Amen.
Deuteronomy 27:25.
I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live ...
Deuteronomy 30:19.
Thus says the Lord: "For three transgressions of the people of Ammon, and for four, I will not turn away in punishment, because they ripped open the women with child in Gilead ...
Amos 1:13.
... shed not innocent blood ...
Jeremiah 7:6.
But your eyes and your heart are intent only upon your own dishonest gain, and on shedding innocent blood and on practicing oppression and extortion.
Jeremiah 22:17.
... they sacrificed their sons and daughters ... and poured out even the innocent blood of their sons and daughters, whom they sacrificed to demons, and the land was polluted with blood.
Psalm 106:37-38.
There are six things that Yahweh hates, seven that his soul abhors: a haughty look, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that weaves wicked plots, feet that hurry to do evil, a false witness who lies with every breath, a man who sows dissension among brothers.
Proverbs 6:16-19.
Can a woman forget her nursing child, and have no compassion on the son of her womb? Even these may forget, but I will not forget you.
Isaiah 53:6.
It were better for him that a millstone were hanged around his neck, and he cast into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones.
Luke 17:2.
Never despise one of these little ones; I tell you, they have their guardian angels in heaven, who look continually on the face of my heavenly Father.
Even so it is not the will of your Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish.
Matthew 18:10, 14.
Scripture on the Value of Children.
Behold, children are a gift of the Lord; the fruit of the womb is a reward.
Psalm 127:3.
Scripture on the Anti-Life Mentality.
But he that sinneth against me wrongeth his own soul; All who hate me are in love with death.
Proverbs 8:36.
Woe to them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter. Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes and clever in their own sight.
Isaiah 5:20-21.
There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.
Proverbs 14:12.
Scripture on a Christian's Duty Regarding Abortion.
Every pro-life activist should know the following Bible verses by heart;
Deliver those who are drawn toward death, and hold back those stumbling to the slaughter. If you say, "Surely we did not know this," does not He who weighs the hearts consider it?
He who keeps your soul, does He not know it? And will He not render to each man according to his deeds?
Proverbs 24:11-12.
This verse applies not just to rescue missions; every person who cares enough to steadily work in a Crisis Pregnancy Center, sidewalk counseling, education, or any other pro-life activity is fulfilling this command.
Then the King will say to those at his right hand, "Come, O blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world;
For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.
Then the righteous will answer him, "Lord, when did we see thee hungry and feed thee, or thirsty and gave thee drink? And when did we see thee a stranger and welcome thee, or naked and clothe thee? And when did we see thee sick or in prison and visit thee?
And the King will answer them, "Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me."
Matthew 25:34-40.
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.
Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.
Galatians 6:9-10.
Further Reading: Scripture on Abortion.
These and other Bible quotes are included in an attractive brochure entitled "What Does God Say About Abortion?" This brochure, especially suitable for distribution to Christians contemplating getting involved in pro-life activities, is available from Focus on the Family, Pomona, California 91799.
American Vision. The Biblical Worldview. American Vision, Post Office Box 720515, Atlanta, Georgia 30328. This monthly magazine supports the belief that Scripture should be applied to every area of life. The magazine applies Biblical principles to family, church, education, business, law, medicine, science, art, music, economics, journalism, and civil government. The magazine has timely articles in a news format on all of these issues and is well worth the subscription price.
Pastor John O. Anderson with Doug Brendel. Cry of the Innocents: Abortion and the Race Towards Judgment. South Plainfield, New Jersey: Bridge Publishing. 1984, 185 pages. Order from: Life Issues Bookshelf, Sun Life, Thaxton, Virginia 24174. Telephone: (703) 586-4898. Scriptural background on sin in America and the parallels between our society and the Israel of Hosea's time make this book frightening and motivating reading. The killing of God's most innocent creations is a heinous sin that cries out to God for vengeance. Using the story of the prophet Hosea as a model, the author warns that God will withhold his vengeance upon this nation if we, as individuals and a people, stop our twin sins of sexual immorality and the shedding of innocent blood; but, if we persist, the wrath of God is inevitable and it will also be directed towards those who stood by and did nothing. If your pastor is sitting on the fence or thinking of getting involved, this is the book that he should read. Pastor Anderson also has a "Cry of the Innocents" videotape, and he is available for presentations. Write to John O. Anderson, Post Office Box 152, Klamath Falls, Oregon 97601.
John Ankerberg and John Weldon. When Does Life Begin?: And 39 Other Tough Questions About Abortion.
Brentwood, Tennessee: Wolgemuth & Hyatt Publishers, 1989, 252 pages. This book is one of the best primers the pro-life movement has, because it contains everything that a new activist needs to know. It has four logically laid-out sections: (1) the basic question on when human life begins; (2) answering pro-abort slogans; (3) a Biblical and theological analysis of abortion, and (4) what Christians and churches can do to stop the American Holocaust.
Biblical Reflections on Modern Medicine.
This 12-page monthly magazine consists of detailed comments and essays on recent developments in the field of medicine from a Scriptural standpoint, with an emphasis on those procedures that threaten human life: Infanticide, abortion, and euthanasia. Write to Covenant Distributors, Box 4009, Martinez, Georgia 30917-4009.
The Biblical Worldview.
American Vision, Post Office Box 720515, Atlanta, Georgia 30328. This monthly magazine supports the belief that Scripture should be applied to every area of life. The magazine applies Biblical principles to family, church, education, business, law, medicine, science, art, music, economics, journalism, and civil government. The magazine has timely articles in a news format on all of these issues and is well worth the subscription price.
T.J. Bosgra. Abortion, the Bible and the Church.
Hawaii Right to Life Educational Foundation, Post Office Box 10129, Honolulu, Hawaii 96816. Although somewhat out of date by this time, this book is still timely in that it discusses what the Bible says about abortion and lists the actual quotes from statements made by 150 major churches on the subject of abortion.
John Jefferson Davis. Abortion and the Christian: What Every Believer Should Know.
Presbyterian and Reformed Publishing Company, Post Office Box 817, Phillipsburg, New Jersey 08865. 125 pages. This is one of the best primers available on the Biblical basis against abortion. Mr. Davis examines the justification arguments, medical risks, and the personhood of the unborn, among other topics, from a Biblical basis.
John Jefferson Davis. Abortion and the Christian: What Every Believer Should Know.
Presbyterian and Reformed Publishing Company, Box 817, Phillipsburg, New Jersey 08865. 1984, 125 pages. This book answers the basic questions of abortion for the Christian: When does life begin, what does Scripture say about prenatal killing, if abortion is ever justified, the dangers of abortion, and what the Christian can do about the current situation.
Paul B. Fowler. Abortion: Toward an Evangelical Consensus.
Portland, Oregon: Multnomah Press, 1987. 222 pages. Reviewed by John Jefferson Davis on page 5 of the May 14, 1987 National Right to Life News. The author traces the roots and social forces that decimated the Christian consensus against abortion before Roe v. Wade, and argues against the statement that the unborn are only 'potential persons.' The best part of the book is a comprehensive examination of what Scripture says about life, death, and the unborn. Mr. Fowler also challenges all Christians to do what they can to end the abortion holocaust.
George A. Kelly (editor). Human Sexuality in Our Time: What the Church Teaches.
1978: Paperback. Order from: Life Issues Bookshelf, Sun Life, Thaxton, Virginia 24174, telephone: (703) 586-4898. Proceedings of the Spring 1978 conference by St. John's University's Institute for Advanced Studies in Catholic Doctrine. Topics include Catholics and the Pill; the Bible and human sexuality; the morality and sanctity of sex; and what the Church teaches about sex.
John Warwick Montgomery. Slaughter of the Innocents: Abortion, Birth Control, and Divorce in Light of Science, Law, and Theology.
1981, Crossway Books, 9825 West Roosevelt Road, Westchester, Illinois 60153. How to decide whether or not to use artificial birth control methods. Marriage, divorce, and abortion from a Christian perspective. The historical Christian perspective of the unborn child.
Henry M. Morris, President, Institute for Creation Research. The Biblical Basis for Modern Science.
1986, 516 pages. Order from the Conservative Book Club, 15 Oakland Avenue, Harrison, New York 10528. The most comprehensive guide to support for Scriptural references to any scientifically-based phenomenon. Topics include evidence for creation theory, clarification of apparent Scriptural inconsistencies, the stories of Bible-believing scientific pioneers, an explanation of miracles, and problems with the theory of evolution and the "big bang" theory. This book is essential for any Christian who wants to defend Scripture against skeptical Humanists.
J. Robert Nelson. Human Life: A Biblical Perspective for Bioethics.
Philadelphia: Fortress Press. 1984, 194 pages. Reviewed by James Manney on pages 9 and 15 of the October 24, 1985 National Right to Life News. The primary purpose of this book is to compare the various existing attitudes towards the creation and nature of life: The materialist, the philosophist, and the religious believers. It also features a detailed contrast between philosophies and resulting actions of bioethicists who are believers and those who are not.
Pope John Paul II. Theology of the Body.
A series of four books designed to explain in detail the total Catholic Church position towards the sanctity of sex, marriage, and procreation. Order individually or as a set from Keep the Faith, 810 Belmont Avenue, Post Office Box 8261, North Haledon, New Jersey 07508, telephone: (201) 423-5395. (1) Original Unity of Man and Woman. A catechesis on the Book of Genesis and the foundations of the indissolubility of marriage. Paperback. (2) Blessed Are the Pure of Heart. A catechesis on the Sermon on the Mount and the writings of St. Paul. A discussion on the sins relating to adultery. Paperback. (3) The Theology of Marriage and Celibacy. A catechesis on marriage and celibacy in light of the resurrection of the body. Based on Matthew 22:24-33, which describes the 'renunciation' of marriage for the Kingdom of Heaven. Paperback. (4) Reflections on Humanae Vitae. The basis of the encyclical in light of the redemption of the body and the sacredness of marriage in the Catholic tradition. Paperback.
Father Paul J. Quay. The Christian Meaning of Human Sexuality.
115 pages. Order from Ignatius Press, 15 Oakland Avenue, Harrison, New York 10528, telephone: 1-800-528-0559. Using Scripture and the writings of distinguished (conservative) theologians, Father Quay explains the understanding of human sexuality that divine revelation offers us. This book is written for Christian adults who want to know what kinds of sexual behavior are right and wrong and who want to gain true insight into why such behavior is right or wrong.
For those who have an affinity for personal computers, the entire Bible is available on eight standard 5-1/4 inch floppy disks from WORDworks Software Architects, 5014 Lakeview Drive, Austin, Texas 78732, toll-free telephone number: 1-(800) 888-9898. A demonstration disk with the Book of Genesis and the entire Bible on disk is available in various word processing formats. Having the Bible in your personal computer would allow you to use a word or phrase search program or concordance program to find any Scripture reference in seconds. There are dozens of other software programs covering various versions of the Bible, including complete study guides on CD-ROM.
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This is a chapter of the Pro-Life Activist’s Encyclopedia published by American Life League.
