What the Bible Says about Abortion

The Bible contains exactly one passage which deals explicitly with causing the death of an unborn child. It is in Exodus Chapter 21, the next chapter after the 10 commandments, and the chapter in which the penalties for murder are specified. The verses that deal with causing the death of an unborn child are verses 22 through 25 which read as follows:

If men strive, and hurt a woman with child, so that her fruit depart from her, and yet no mischief follow: he shal be surely punished, according as the woman's husband will lay upon him; and he shall pay as the judges determine. And if any mischief follow, then thou shalt give life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, burning for buning, wound for wound, stripe for stripe.

Exodus 21:22-25 (KJV)

And if men struggle with each other and strike a woman with child so that she has a miscarriage, yet there is no furhter injury, he shall surely be fined as the woman's husband may demand of him; and he shall pay as the judges decide. But if there is any furhter injury, then you shall appoint as a penalty 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 (New American Standard Version)

It is clear from examination of this passage and the rest of the chapter that the death of the unborn child is not considered murder. If the mother dies in the process, it is treated as murder, but the death of the unborn child is punishable only by a fine and then only if the father demands payment.

Penalties for Murder

Examination of other verses in this passage make the penalties for murder clear.

He that smiteth a man, so that he die, shall be surely put to death. And if a man lie not in wait, but God deliver him into his hand; then I will appoint the a place whither he shall flee. But if a man come presumptuously upon his neighbour, to slay him with guile; thou shalt take him from mine alter, that he may die.

Exodus 21:12-14 (KJV)

He who strikes a man so that he dies shall surely be put to death. But if he did not lie in wait for him, but God let him fall into his hand, then I will appoint you a place to which he may flee. If, however, a man acts presumptuously toward his neighbor, so as to kill him craftily, you are to take him even from My alter, that he may die.

Exodus 21:12-14 (New American Standard Version)

Even here, the penalty for murder depended on whether the murder was premeditated or not (a distinction still made in our courts today). However, causing the death of a person is always requires a penalty much more serious than a fine. Clearly, the scripture does not consider causing the death of an unborn child to be equivalent to causing the death of a person.

If this is true, why do so many preachers and Christian politicians tell us abortion is murder?

Single Issue Politics

You can't move in Christian circles very long until you meet someone who is committed to single issue politics. These people have a litmus test for politicians. They ask, "Where does this candidate stand on abortion?" They decide who to vote for, exclusively on the basis of the candidates position on this one issue. The candidates stand on other issues is completely irrelevant.

Blind, Unquestioning, Support

By promotiong single issue politics, these "Christian" politicians develop a strong following people who give them blind, unquestioning support. These people would vote for Hitler if he took a strong stand against abortion. In this way, these politicians can gain political power without having their stand on various issues examined, without having their personal motives examined, and without having their track record scruitinized.

This is a very dangerous trend. All true Christians must be on guard against those who preach falshoods in the name of Jesus and who lie to us about what the scripture says. Single issue politics is dangerous, it hurts the cause of Christ, it hurts democracy, and can hurt our country. It is particularly bad when pro-life advocates use false claims about what the scripture says to strengthen their political power.

Is my preacher lying to me?

Probably not deliberately. Most pro-life advocates sincerely believe their interpretation of the Bible is the only correct one. They learned their interpretation from other preachers, seminary professors, books, and articles; all of which assure them that they are right.

The mistake they have made is not that they are lying. The mistake they have made is failing to recognize that there is more than one possible interpretation of the Bible.

Recognizing that there is more that one possible interpretation of scripture leads to tolerance, understanding, and love for those who disagree with you. These are the fruits that Jesus taught us to seek.

Believing that there is only one truth and you have it is the sin of pride, but even more, it leads to intolerance, confrontation, disdain, and even hatred and murder. These are the fruits of the pro-life and pro-choice movements.

What about sanctity of life?

The doctrine of sanctity of life is one of the most important Christian doctrines. Belief in sanctity of life is one of the things that makes Christianity different from so many of the other world religions. I believe in the sanctity of life, however, the phrase "sanctity of life" does not appear anywhere in the Bible. The doctrine of sanctity of life is based on interpretation of a bunch of verses from different parts of the Bible. By studying the whole Bible, we can see that it is teaching us that life is a sacred gift, given by God, and as such is not to be taken lightly. However, the Bible is quite unclear about when "life" begins. There is more than one possible interpretation of the Bible's position on this. Only through careful study of the scripture, much prayer, and by the leading of the Holy Spirit, can we decide what is the best interpretation for us in our times.

Pray for tolerance, understanding, and a spirit of love for those who disagree with you.

Send comments to:

Steve Falkenberg

Steve.Falkenberg@eku.edu