From the author: if this book saves at least one human life, I will know that the book was not written in vain.
Chapter 1: The Sacredness of Life: A Biblical Perspective
In the quiet depths of our conscience, a profound truth resonates: human life is sacred. It’s a belief that has echoed through the ages, a conviction that transcends cultures and backgrounds. For those of us who follow the teachings of the Bible, this conviction is not just a philosophical musing – it’s a foundational principle upon which our understanding of the world is built. This chapter will delve into the biblical perspective on the inherent value of human life, exploring how these principles lay the groundwork for a pro-life stance, particularly concerning the unborn. It is within these sacred texts that we discover the profound understanding that life, from its earliest beginnings, is not merely a biological process but a sacred gift, bestowed by a loving Creator.
Biblical Basis: A Tapestry of Life from Conception
The Bible is not a science textbook, nor is it a legal code addressing abortion explicitly as we understand it today. However, it is a profound collection of writings that reveal God’s heart for humanity, His creation, and His unwavering commitment to life. Woven throughout its pages are numerous passages that affirm the inherent worth of each human being from the moment of conception. We find in these verses not just words but a deeply ingrained reverence for the sanctity of life, which we, as believers, are called to uphold.
The Heart of Creation: Psalm 139:13—16 Central to this biblical understanding is the majestic Psalm 139. It’s here that we find not only a declaration of God’s omniscience, but also a personal and intimate portrayal of His involvement in the creation of life. Verse 13 states, «For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.» This is not a passive act of creation, but an active and purposeful knitting together of a new life by the Creator Himself. This verse clearly indicates that human life has an origin in the womb, meticulously fashioned by the hands of God.
Further, verses 14—16 continue this theme: «I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. 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. Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.» This passage unveils the profound truth that God’s knowledge and involvement in human development begins long before birth. God sees us in our «unformed body,» recognizing and valuing us from the very beginning of our existence. The concept of «days ordained» for us also implies that we are not simply biological accidents but are beings with a divine purpose from our very creation.
God’s Foreknowledge: Jeremiah 1:5 Another passage that underscores the biblical value of life from conception is found in the prophet Jeremiah. God says, «Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.» Here, God proclaims not only His knowledge of Jeremiah before his birth, but also His plans and purposes for him. This further reinforces the concept that life in the womb is not simply a potential life, but a real, known, and purposeful life in the eyes of God.
Protection of Life: Exodus 21:22—25 While not directly addressing abortion, the legal framework provided in Exodus 21:22—25 gives an insight into the value that God places on a developing child. «If people are fighting and hit a pregnant woman and she gives birth prematurely but there is no serious 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.» The severity of the punishment highlights that an unborn life, even when terminated accidentally, is considered to be of significant worth in God’s eyes.
Theological Implications: A Divine Image in Every Life
These biblical passages carry significant theological weight. First and foremost, they affirm that human life is a sacred creation of God, a life that He personally fashions in the womb. Furthermore, we are all made in His image (Genesis 1:27), which speaks to the inherent dignity and value that every human being possesses. This image, this God-given identity, is not bestowed only after birth; it is a part of who we are from our very conception. Therefore, to deny the unborn their right to life is to violate God’s image and His plan for them.
The Bible teaches that God is the giver of life (Acts 17:25), and only He has the right to take it away. To actively choose to terminate a pregnancy is therefore, from this perspective, to usurp the role of God as the giver and sustainer of life. It goes against the very nature of God’s character. Furthermore, we are called to be protectors of the vulnerable, not destroyers of innocence.
