The CHRISTIAN Basis for Defending All Human Life

By Kristi Burton Brown, Published February 24th, 2012

You may wonder why I am discussing theChristian basis for defending all human life in this series, along with the scientific, philosophical, moral, and legal bases. Well, in case you havent noticed, many active pro-lifers are Christians. In addition, Im a Christian, so I think I understand this basis well. Furthermore, on a personal note, I believe that every Christian pro-lifer needs to be able to clearly explain why they are pro-lifefrom a Christian perspectivefor their Christian friends who may claim to believe otherwise. There are certainly Christians who get abortions and vote for pro-abortion candidates, sadly. A clarification before I start: while I am a Christian and believe that the Bible supports the pro-life position, I am not pro-life only because Im a Christian. Im pro-life because its also the commonsense, scientific, moral, and logical position to take. However, I do believe that being a Christian and believing in my Savior is what compels me to speak out for those more helpless than myself. Heres what I believe to be the Christian basis for defending all human life. We can find all the evidence we need in the Bible itself. 1) The Bible Clearly Teaches That Life is Precious.

Life is clearly precious to God, as He is the giver of life (Acts 17:25), the fountain of life (Psalm 36:9),

the defender of life (Psalm 27:1), the prince of life (Acts 3:15), the restorer of life (Ruth 4:15), and the conqueror of death (I Corinthians 15:55). George Grant lists out these Scriptures and more in Third Time Around. In this same book, Mr. Grant lays out an excellent Biblical basis for the sanctity of life. I recommend you read the book for yourself online. While laying out specific verses, he states, From Genesis to Revelation, in the books of the Law, in the books of history, in the books of wisdom, in the prophetic books, in the Gospels, and in the epistles, the pro-life message of the Bible is absolutely inescapable. 2) The Bible Uses the Same Word for an Unborn Baby, a Child, and an Adult.

Ill list out the verses for you here that use the same Hebrew or Greek words to describe a person at all these stages of human life: Luke 1:41, 44; Luke 2:12, 16; Exodus 21:22; I Kings 3:17. 3) The Bible Teaches That Life Begins Before Birth and at the Moment of Creation:

Fertilization. One of the best examples of unborn babies being aliveand able to sense whats going onis recorded in the account of John the Baptist leaping for joy in his mothers womb when she stood close to Mary, who was pregnant with Jesus at the time. Johns mother recognized that her baby knew his Savior was near, even as an unborn baby. Psalm 139 is perhaps the most famous Scripture that speaks about an unborn child. The Psalm talks of God knitting us together in our mothers wombs and of knowing the days that were planned for us before there was even one of them. The Hebrew word for knit in this passage indicates embroidery a painstaking and detailed process. Jeremiah 1:5 says, Before I formed you in the womb I knew you There are also passages which speak of David and Jesus being conceived. In addition, certain passages speak of an unborn baby as a child or baby. See here for more on this. When I looked up the Hebrew and Greek words for conceive in the Biblejust to check and see if the Bible provided an exact moment when conception occurs, I found that conceive meant conceive. Ironic, huh? To think that God would actually mean the beginning of human life (fertilization, which was commonly known as conception for YEARS until it was hijacked by prochoicers) when He says the beginning! If you look up conceive in the dictionary, youll find that it means to cause to begin; to originate. Another dictionary defines conception as the moment of fertilization.

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The Bible Teaches Us to Speak Out for the Helpless and Take Action.

One of the most beautiful and compelling passages in Proverbs tells us to act pro-life, not just claim we are. If you faint in the day of adversity, your strength is small. 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 heart consider it? He who keeps your soul, does He not know it? Proverbs 24:10-12a Proverbs 31:8 explicitly states, Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves Im really not sure how much clearer it could be. 5) The Bible Describes the Punishment for Someone Who Takes the Life of an

Unborn Child. Exodus 21:22-23: If men struggle with each other and strike a woman with child so that she gives birth prematurely, yet there is no injury, he shall surely be fined as the womans husband may demand of him, and he shall pay as the judges decide. But if there is any further injury, then you shall appoint as a penalty life for life . . . . Many have interpreted this passage incorrectly, believing that the penalty of a life for a life only concerned the mothers life being taken. But this is an incorrect interpretation. If you read the exact wording of the passage, its clear that no distinction is made between the lives of the mother and her child. The Bible treats the unborn as persons who deserve the exact same protection and rights as adults. 6) The Bible Compels Us to Choose Life and Love Others.

I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live. Deuteronomy 30:19 This verse is very poignant as it aptly illustrates that the lives of parents offspring are in their hands. God clearly tells His people to choose life, in no uncertain terms. The Bible also tells us to not merely love in word and tongue but in action and truth. I John 3:18. We are also commanded to love our neighbor as ourself. Christians should understand that Biblical love applies equally to unborn children and their mothers and fathers. This is exactly why many Christians advocate for a balanced pro-life position: we stand up and fight for the rights of the unborn to live, but their mothers are equally deserving of life. We should care for mothers, babies, and whole familiesthis is the Christian position.