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.
© American Life League BBS — 1-703-659-7111
This is a chapter of the Pro-Life Activist’s Encyclopedia published
by American Life League.
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