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Introduction
This essay will look at the issue of abortion through the lens of one who follows Christian
ethics. I will show how Christian ethics views the issue of abortion by offering a clear look at
what Christian ethics is and how we can apply it when viewing the issue of abortion.
Ethical Principles
Abortion is a heated topic, and many find themselves strongly standing for pro-choice or
pro-life. On the pro-life side, the views are positioned around the value of life. We hear
statements such as “sanctity of life” – human life is sacred at conception. The personhood of the
fetus – it is a person who is afforded moral rights. Pro-choice demonstrates views that are more
centered on the mother. Autonomy (woman’s right to control their body), consequences to the
woman, her family, and society, and the morality of abortion should be taken into the context
and the individuals involved rather than moral rules. We can also look at a relational angle. Pro-
life sees the relationship of the mother and the fetus while pro-choice would look at the mother,
her family and her future when considering the ethics of abortion. When one begins to form
their view on abortion, the things to consider are, when does personhood begin, what rights do
the woman and the fetus have, and what are the implications of restricting or allowing abortion.
Views may be formed from a religious perspective, a feminist perspective or a philosophical
perspective. Things that one should consider, on a personal level, when forming their views on
abortion are belief about the sanctity human life, affects after an abortion (specifically the mother
and those around her), involvement of the government through laws, and rights of all involved.
The topic of abortion is a personal one. There are many parts to consider before choosing where
you stand.
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Ethical Application
How does one with a Christian ethic belief system view the issue of abortion? When we
look at Christian ethics, we see that its foundation is found in God’s Word. “It is a very rich
resource for Christian ethics” (Jones, 2021). Love, obedience, moral choices and history all
come together, and the leading mantra is “Love God, love others”.
When beginning to apply this ethical belief to abortion, starting with the sanctity of life
seems to be the best place. Christians believe that God is the Creator and Sustainer of all life.
Christian ethicists use the truth that we are created in God’s image and apply it to the fetus.
There is a strong belief that life begins at conception rather than at birth. For a Christian ethicist,
this means the fetus has rights to life at that moment. Just on the consideration of the issue of
life, Christian ethics has strong arguments.
Moving on to legal rights, which is also a very contentious part of the debate on abortion.
Which should take precedence – mother or fetus? Arguments fall under constitutional
protections, restrictions cause disproportionate harm to women, economic impact and
overpopulation, right to life, and psychological and physical impact. As a Christian ethicist, their
arguments always lean toward the well-being of all. When considering constitutional
protections, the woman is considered but it often leaves out the fetus which Christians consider
to be an individual who also is given rights. In the landmark case of Doe v. Bolton, we begin to
see a change in the constitutional rights of abortion but in this case, and many others, the
consideration of the mother takes priority. “It also included her psychological and emotional
health” (Rae, 2018). Economic impact and overpopulation would be ideas that Christian
ethicists would consider issues that would not morally justify abortion as it does not consider the
fetus. “Even so, for those ethicists who acknowledge the full authority of Scripture, there is no
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room for any view that would justify the killing of infants, whether healthy or handicapped”
(Mcquilkin & Copan, 2014).
The final aspect of abortion that I would like to present through the lens of Christian
ethics is of the medical debate. Religious views seem to draw out the strong feelings in most
people, but the medical side of abortion seems to be where lines can be moved. We see
consideration of the mother’s safety being given more consideration on the pro-life side.
While a Christian ethicist has a strong belief that the fetus is a life, they do hold
understanding in the need of an abortion in situations of the mother’s health. This would be in
the instance of a mother’s life or the life of the fetus. At the pinnacle of this decision lies the
sanctity of all life.
Objections
Natural law theory is very close to that of Christian ethics. We can find many
similarities. But there are differences in how they see the world and what they believe to be
acceptable moral choices. Natural law followers believe that moral order can be decided through
human reason and that it is inherent in human beings and in the world. Natural law, at its core, is
opposed to abortion. There are differences between Christian ethics and natural law at how they
come to these conclusions.
A Natural law theorist would consider that human life begins at conception earning them
moral considerations and protections just as anyone else. They do go a step further. The look at
the purpose of human sexuality and procreation to be one which creates and nurtures new life.
That would mean that abortion is contrary to this natural purpose. Parenting calls us to nurture
and protect this new life and abortion violates this by ending this potential new life.
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When it comes to the law and Natural law, they are in the strong position that abortion
should be prohibited. They believe that it is a violation to the natural right to life. “The
legalization or institutionalization of a practice or policy such as abortion-on-demand does not
make it moral because the natural law and God’s justice have greater weight than Supreme court
decisions” (Kalpakgian, n.d.).
When it comes to the medical views of a Natural law theorist, they have no room to allow
abortion even regarding the health of the mother. They go so far as to even resist the “morning
after pill”. They stand firm in their belief in the sanctity of all life. They fall back to research
and how it reflects that the need for intervention to protect the mother rarely arises.
Natural law has views that bring in both Christian ethics and secularists alike. Many of
their beliefs are not directly religious or biblically based. It states that all humans have this
knowledge inside of them and it can be seen in nature. Natural law looks for legal and societal
measures that would protect the mother and the fetus, helping the mother to make the choice of
life. They wish to promote the flourishing of humanity and support the common good, all
stemming from reason and internal knowledge.
In the end, Christian ethics and Natural law both have the same end goal when it comes
to the issue of abortion. The protection of the fetus. Both arguments have a firm stance against
abortion at any stage.
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Bibliography
Jones, M.S. (2021). Talking about Ethics: A Conversation Approach to Moral Dilemmas. Kregel
Publications.
Mcquilkin, J.R., & Copan, P. (2014).FAn Introduction to Biblical Ethics: Walking in the Way of
Wisdom. Ivp, An Imprint Of Intervarsity Press.
Rae, S. B. (2018).FMoral Choice: An Introduction to EthicsF(4th ed.). Zondervan.
Kalpakgian, M. (n.d.).FThe Right to Life and the Natural Law.
https://www.uffl.org/vol%209/kalpakgian9.pdf
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