THEO 650
LIBERTY UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF DIVINITY
Christianity and Abortion: Decisions that Bear on the Sanctity of Life
Submitted to Dr. Dietmar Schulze,
in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the completion of
THEO 650– D05
Public Theology
by
April D. Brown
April 23, 2021
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Abstract
This paper will aim to expound on the creation of life in the Divine image and how it represents
the immeasurable value God places upon human life, while signifying the Sovereign power God
has over life. It will expound on the immeasurable value that God places on Human life, and it
will explain Christianity and abortion and how such a decision bears on the sanctity of life,
providing scripture that proves God’s Sovereign right over all life and how abortion violates the
expressed will of God. It will then delve deeper into the controversial trial of Roe v. Wade,
accompanied by the later confession of perjury by Roe during the trial. It will then explore the
historical context of abortion in Christianity, documenting abortion in the early church as well as
abortion in the present-day church accompanied by sound Biblical principles on abortion and the
sanctity of life.
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Content
Introduction............................................................................................................... 1
The Creation of Life in the Divine Image ................................................................. 2-3
A. The Immeasurable Value God Places Upon Human Life .................................. 3-4
B. The Sovereign Power God Has Over Life ........................................................ 4-5
Historical Context
A. Abortion in the Early Church… ........................................................................ 5
B. Abortion in Present Day Church… ................................................................... 6
Biblical Principles
A. Abortion… ....................................................................................................... 7-8
A. The Sanctity of Life ...........................................................................................8-9
Conclusion .................................................................................................................. 9
Bibliography ................................................................................................................ 10
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Introduction
“Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, the fruit of the womb a reward” (Ps.
127:3, ESV). This verse begins with “Behold”, a word meaning, to fix the eyes upon; to see with
attention; to observe with care (AV 1611). The Lord commanded us to pay special attention to
what He was saying here.
Abortion has bee a controversial topic for many years among Christians and non-
believers. Many defend their position by saying the Bible does not explicitly state it is wrong to
have an abortion. Or does it? Much like the afore mentioned passage, the Lord declares
throughout the Bible that “we are created in His very own image” (Gen. 1:27) and that “He knew
us before He formed us in the womb” (Jer. 1:5) and that our bodies are a temple for the Holy
Spirit to dwell, and that we are not our own” (1 Cor. 6:19) and that “In His hand is the life of
every living thing and the breath of all mankind” (Job 12:10).
In Psalm 139:14-16, the Psalmist cries out to God, “14I praise you because I am fearfully
and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. 15My frame was not
hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths
of the earth. 16Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in
your book before one of them came to be” (NIV). The human life is sacred to God, which should
make it sacred to us. As Christians we are filled with the Holy Spirit who fills us with His fruits
of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. The
fruit of the Spirit is given to us so that we may become more like God in His ways, so that we
may love others as we love ourselves.
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Creation of Life in the Divine Image
God created man in His very own Divine image, “So God created human beings in his
own image. In the image of God he created them; male and female he created them” (Gn. 1:27,
NLT). Humans are God’s masterpiece. “For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in
Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago” (Eph. 6:10, NLT).
John A. Eidsmoe made a journal entry to the Journal of Christian Jurisprudence titled, “A
Biblical View of Abortion.” In his entry he discusses the multifaceted question of “does abortion
involve the killing of a human being and if so, when if ever is it justifiable?”1 The answer to this
question is implicitly stated throughout scripture. Eidsmoe goes on to give numerous examples
of how the Lord’s Word makes no difference between an unborn or born child. In the original
languages of Hebrew and Greek the words used to reference a child, born or unborn are used
interchangeably. To give an example of the word used in reference to an unborn baby Eidsmoe
says this, “Brephos is a Greek word used for baby. The term is used for "babe" in Luke 1:44,
where Elizabeth says of her unborn child, John the Baptist, "the babe [brephos] in my womb
leaped for joy."2 He then goes on to provide an example of the same word being used
interchangeably in referencing a baby who has already been born, “In the next chapter, the angel
says to the shepherds, "ye shall find the babe [brephos] wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a
manger (Lk 2:12).”3 Eidsmoe then goes on to examine the usage of the word(s) for a baby who is
either unborn or born in the Hebrew. Eidsmoe states, “Ben is a Hebrew word commonly
translated as son or child. It appears hundreds of times in scripture, normally for a child already
born, but not always. In Genesis 25:21-24, we read of Jacob and Esau in the womb of their
1 John A. Eidsmoe, “A Biblical View of Abortion.” Journal of Christian jurisprudence: a publication of the O.W.
Coburn School of Law of Oral Roberts University. (1983), 18.
2 Ibid.,
3 John A. Eidsmoe, “A Biblical View of Abortion” 18.
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mother, Rebekah: "And the children [ben] struggled within her ...... It is used to refer to Ishmael
when he was 13 years old (Gn. 17:25) and for Noah's adult sons (Gn. 9:19).”4
Eidsmoe is able to show that the words of the original languages for baby were used
interchangeably to speak of those who were unborn and those who had already been born, which
demonstrates that a child in the womb is a human being and to terminate that life is murder
which is against the commands of the Lord, “You shall not murder” (Exod. 5:17, Deut. 5:21,
Matt. 5:21, Rom. 13:9) to name a few. God’s word specifically affirms the immeasurable value
of human life before birth (Psalms 139:13-16, Jeremiah 1:4,5, Matthew 1:20).
The Immeasurable value God Places Upon Human Life
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in
him shall not parish but have eternal life” (Jn. 3:16, NIV). The Bible tells us that God loves us so
much that he was willing to trade the life of His one and only Son for ours. Each and every
person on this earth is important to God. He created each and every one of them and even traded
the life of His very own Son for theirs.
The value of human life is inherent since it comes from God, who made mankind in His
very own image. Since life belongs to God as the creator of all, mankind does not have authority
over their lives, nor do they have the authority to choose when to end a life. In the book “The
Gospel and Abortion,” Russell Moore and Andrew Walker discuss several highly debated topics
among Christians and non-believers but say this about abortion, “Every abortion robs God of His
glory by putting man and government in place of God, determining life and death.”5 Moreover,
the authors make a great point when presenting their argument for the word “abortion” not being
specifically stated in the Bible. Such an assumption could “lead one to think that the Bible says
4 Ibid.,
5 Moore, Russell D., and Walker, Andrew T. The Gospel and Abortion. Nashville: B&H Publishing Group, 2017, 2.
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nothing about the Trinity or the two natures of Christ, that it says nothing about original sin, and
that it pronounces no prohibition on pornography or mind-altering drugs, all because those
specific words were not used.”6 It is unscrupulous to conclude that any of these assumptions are
valid simply because the specific word was not stated.
The Sovereign Power God Has Over Life
God and God alone has all power and authority over human life. The Bible says, “See
now that I myself am He! There is no god besides me. I put to death and I bring to life, I have
wounded and I will heal, and no one can deliver out of my hand” (Deut. 32:39, NIV). Numerous
times the Bible addresses conception and birth as a unit. The Old Testament recognized life as
existing in the womb and continuing outside of the womb. Psalm 51:5 says, “Surely I was sinful
at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me” (NIV). Not only is human life discussed
at the point of conception, but it is acknowledged that at the point of conception there was
accountability for sin, which is only experienced by mankind who was created by God in His
very own image.
In his book, “The Sovereignty of God” A.W. Pink explains God’s sovereignty over life
this way, “To say that God is Sovereign is to declare that God is God. Only Potentate, the King
of kings, and Lord of lords" (1 Tim. 6:15). Such is the God of the Bible.”7 Often times people
mistake their free will as a sign that God is not in control of all life. However, free will does not
mean free reign. Nothing any man does supersedes God’s sovereignty. One may be able to better
understand the Lord’s sovereignty by considering the fact that the Lord has chosen to give man
free will so that man may choose to worship Him. Every choice has a consequence be it good or
bad. However, the bad choices are the ones that lead man back to, or to God for the very first
6 Ibid., 10.
7 Arthur Walkington Pink, The Sovereignty of God. Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1965, 5.
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time. The hard times and mistakes are a result of man’s free will, but they will be used as that
same mans testimony to glorify our Sovereign God.
Abortion in the Early Church
Abortion in the early church was not only unheard of but more importantly not an option.
Abortion is forbidden according to the will and Word of God. In an anonymous early writing of
the late first century, the Didache commands, “Thou shall not murder a child by abortion nor kill
that which is begotten.”8 Additionally, the Epistle of Barnabas also declares, “You shall not
destroy your conceptions before they are brought forth; nor kill them after they are born” (Bar.
14:11).9
Dr. David T. Brattston wrote an article titled, “Abortion and the early church.” In this
article he reveals many of the early church teachings on abortion that have since been eliminated.
Dr, Brattston highlights the Revelation of Peter, which “describes in detail the various
punishments of hell according to the different types of sins.”10 According to Dr. Brattston, the
Revelation of Peter stated, “The punishment for women who induced miscarriage was to sit up to
their necks in blood and dirt while the aborted child shot sparks of fire into their eyes.”11
Moreover, these documents were accepted as “an accurate exposition of the faith”12 by Clement
of Alexandria at the end of the second century.
Abortion in Present Day Church
8 Jonathan A. Draper, and Clayton N. Jefford, eds. The Didache: A Missing Piece of the Puzzle in Early Christianity.
Atlanta: Society of Biblical Literature, 2015.
9 The General Epistles of Barnabas, The House of Israel, The Firmament (1994), Accessed May 6, 2021, Barnabas
(6:12:20).pdf (thefirmament.org).
10 Dr. David T. Brattston, Abortion and the Early Church, Christians for Social Action, Acccessed May 6, 2021,
Abortion and the Early Church - Christians for Social Action.
11 Ibid.,
12 Ibid.,
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In a study conducted by pew Research Center, it was found that of all religious groups,
only seven out of the nineteen studied, were completely opposed to abortion rights with few or
no exceptions. The seven groups who were opposed were, African Methodist Episcopal Church,
Assemblies of God, Roman Catholic Church, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints,
Hinduism, Lutheran Church Missouri Synod, and Southern Baptist Convention.13
One of the most memorable present-day cases against abortion was Roe v. Wade. The
woman known as Jane Roe (Norma McCorvey, now a Christian and a pro-life advocate) later
admitted that she perjured herself in her testimony, also saying she was lied to by her counsel.14
In a re-reading of the Supreme Court memos, Richard S. Meyers observes that, “The Court's
treatment of the history of abortion is an embarrassment. That treatment seemed designed to
show that there had been some sort of a historical recognition of a right to an abortion. For
example, Justice Blackmun stated:
It is thus apparent that at common law, at the time of the adoption of our Constitution, and
throughout the major portion of the 19th century, abortion was viewed with less disfavor than
under most American statutes currently in effect. Phrasing it another way, a woman enjoyed a
substantially broader right to terminate a pregnancy than she does in most States today.”15
This case was not only highly controversial due to its nature, but it also tested the boundaries of
separation of church and state. As Christians we lift up the gift of new life and view abortion as
an abomination to God. However, the supreme court ruled that what was once a matter of the
church is now a matter of the state.
Biblical Principles on Abortion
13 David Masci, Where major Religious groups Stand on Abortion, Pew Research Center, Accessed May 6, 2021,
Where major religious groups stand on abortion | Pew Research Center.
14 'Jane Roe' Tells True Story Behind Roe v. Wade. Norma McCorvey Says, 'Pure and Simple, I Lied.' " National
Right to Life News. (February 11, 1998), 16.
15 Richard S. Myers, "Re-Reading Roe v. Wade." Washington and Lee Law Review 71, no. 2 (Spring, 2014): 1025-46.
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To say that abortion is okay because the word “abortion” is not explicitly stated in the
Bible is to say many other evils are okay as well because a certain word is not stated. In an
article by Brian Clowes PhD titled, “What Does the Bible Say About Abortion,” he says this,
“But we can also extend such reasoning to include abortion. Christians do not need the Bible to
tell us that abortion is wrong, because science concludes without a shadow of a doubt that the
preborn child is a human being and reasonable people can agree that it is wrong to kill innocent
human beings.”16
A multitude of scripture addresses abortion. However, for those who are only
looking on the surface for the key word “abortion”, it may appear as if the Lord never spoke of
it. Psalm 127:3-5 says, “3 Children are a heritage from the LORD, offspring a reward from
him. 4 Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are children born in one’s youth. 5 Blessed is the
man whose quiver is full of them. They will not be put to shame when they contend with their
opponents in court” 139:13-16, “13 For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in
my mother’s womb. 14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works
are wonderful, I know that full well. 15 My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in
the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth. 16 Your eyes saw my
unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came
to be” Proverbs 6:16-19, “16 There are six things the LORD hates, seven that are detestable to
him: 17 haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, 18 a heart that devises
wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil, 19 a false witness who pours out lies and a
person who stirs up conflict in the community” (NIV). These verses are simply a few examples.
16 Brian Clowes, PhD, What Does the Bible Say about Abortion, Human Life International: Defending Life and
Family Around the World, June 5, 2020, Accessed May 6, 2021, The Bible and Abortion: Is Abortion Prohibited?
(hli.org).
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Moreover, Genesis 9:6 explains that murder is forbidden because mankind was created in
God’s image, “Whoever sheds human blood, by humans their blood be shed, for in the image of
God has God made mankind” (NIV). The sixth commandment states, “You shall not murder”
(Exod. 20:13). We are to respect and honor life because God has created us in His image, and the
image of God is universal, whether we are born or unborn we are made in His image. Therefore,
we are infinitely invaluable before God Himself.
Biblical Principles on the Sanctity of Life
. In the book of Leviticus God instructed the nation of Israel that “Whoever kills an
animal must make restitution, but whoever kills a human being is to be put to death” (Lev. 24:21,
NIV). The sanctity of life is clearly demonstrated throughout the Bible. The living breathing
Word of God teaches that each one of us is known by God from before the foundation of the
world (Jer. 1:4-5, Ps. 139:13-17). God is Omnipotent, Omniscient, and Omnipresent, He has
pronounced His blessing upon the life of all life including a child born or unborn (Ps. 127:3-5).
All life exists for God’s greater purpose and are all equally sacred to Him.
In an article written by H.C. van zyl titled, “The Sanctity of human life. A perspective
from New Testament anthropology” he states, “human life is but one of many life forms which
cry out for conservation. And to complicate matters even further - it is exactly through human
action that life on our planet has become endangered.”17 He then goes on to discuss the
naturalistic view of the sanctity of life, which is the belief that all life form is one in the same and
that human life is “interwoven with all life forms”18 but that, “Be that as it may, from a Christian
point of view there is good reason to single out humankind when speaking about the sanctity of
17 H. C. van Zyl, "The Sanctity of human life. A perspective from New Testament anthropology." Verbum et
Ecclesia 14, no. 2 (1993): 293.
18 Ibid.,
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life. Indeed, one of the dictums of Christianity is that humans are the crown of creation, having
been created in the image of God (Gn. 1:26,27; 1 Cor 11:7; 2 Cor 3:18; cf Ps 8:5-9; Hb 2:5-8).
As such they occupy a unique place.”19
Conclusion
Scripture, which is the living breathing Word of God supports that God alone has all
authority over life and that mankind was created in His very own image. It further goes on to
implicitly state that abortion is an abomination to the Lord and is strictly forbidden. In earlier
documents such as the Epistles of Barnabas it is explicitly stated that abortion is forbidden by the
Lord. God has all sovereign power and dominion over all of creation including the lives of those
born or unborn for he created them in His very own image. Abortion has been a controversial
topic for many years but especially during and since the Roe v. Wade trial. This historical trial
crossed boundaries in the separation of church and state, concluding that abortion which was
once a matter of the church is now a matter of the state. Abortion is the ending of another human
life which no one aside from God has authority to do. Scripture tells us time and again the value
God places on mankind, the He loves us so much He was willing to give His one and only Son
so that we would not perish (Jn. 3:16). Until the world will turn from their wicked ways and turn
their eyes upon our Sovereign God, we will continue to bear witness to such evil.
Bibliography
19 H. C. van Zyl, "The Sanctity of human life. A perspective from New Testament anthropology” 293.
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Brattston , Dr. David T., Abortion and the Early Church, Christians for Social Action, accessed
May 6, 2021, Abortion and the Early Church - Christians for Social Action.
Clowes, Brian, PhD, What Does the Bible Say about Abortion, Human Life International:
Defending Life and Family Around the World, June 5, 2020, Accessed May 6, 2021, The Bible
and Abortion: Is Abortion Prohibited? (hli.org).
Draper, Jonathan A., and Clayton N. Jefford, eds. The Didache: A Missing Piece of the Puzzle in
Early Christianity. Atlanta: Society of Biblical Literature, 2015.
Eidsmoe, John A. “A Biblical View of Abortion.” Journal of Christian jurisprudence: a
publication of the O.W. Coburn School of Law of Oral Roberts University. (1983).
Masci, David, Where major Religious groups Stand on Abortion, Pew Research Center, accessed
May 6, 2021, Where major religious groups stand on abortion | Pew Research Center.
Moore, Russell D., and Walker, Andrew T. The Gospel and Abortion. Nashville: B&H Publishing
Group, 2017.
Myers, Richard S. "Re-Reading Roe v. Wade." Washington and Lee Law Review 71, no. 2
(Spring, 2014): 1025-46.
Pink, Arthur Walkington, The Sovereignty of God. Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1965.
The General Epistles of Barnabas, The House of Israel, The Firmament (1994), accessed May 6,
2021, Barnabas (6:12:20).pdf (thefirmament.org).
van Zyl, H. C. "The Sanctity of human life. A perspective from New Testament
anthropology." Verbum et Ecclesia 14, no. 2 (1993): 292-304.
