The topic of abortion continues to be a major moral, medical and legal controversy in the world today. However, surprisingly enough, abortion is not directly mentioned in the Bible. The Bible does, however, mention terms such as killing unborn children and unborn babies and while it is not technically saying abortion, it is certainly referencing this practice in certain places.
In the King James Bible, several verses are used to debate abortion issues. For example, Psalm 139: 13-14 reads, “For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother’s womb. I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.” In this Psalm, God is saying the unborn child is a marvel of His creation and that man is formed in the womb.
Another passage of the Bible that is often referenced in abortion discussions is Exodus 21: 22-25. This passage specifies that if a man strikes a pregnant woman and her child dies, he is to be met with justice. While this passage does not specify punishment for abortion, it does implicate it since abortion is considered a form of killing.
A third, and arguably the most important, scriptural reference to abortion comes from Jeremiah 1:5. In this verse, God calls Jeremiah out by name before he is born and declares that He knew him before conception. This passage once again emphasizes God’s marvelous works of creation and how he knows everything, even before conception.
Overall, while the Bible is not explicit with its condemnation of abortion, there are certain passages that can be used as references to demonstrate the sacredness of life in the womb. Clearly the Bible reflects the belief that life begins in the womb, and abortion is viewed by its followers as a serious violation of God’s intent.
When Is Abortion Justified in The Bible?
The Bible does not provide an explicit answer to the question of when abortion is justified, however there are some passages that can be used to make an argument for abortion in some cases. One such example is found in the book of Exodus, which states that if two men are fighting and one strikes a pregnant woman, causing her to miscarry, the man responsible for the injury should be put to death. This passage implies that the unborn child is a human being worthy of life and that it is not acceptable to harm them.
The book of Numbers also states that if a woman is raped and becomes pregnant, the rapist should not suffer any punishment. This suggests that the woman should be allowed to make the decision of whether or not to keep the baby. This could be seen as a case in which abortion can be used as a means of self-preservation and should be legally allowed depending on the circumstances.
Finally, the Bible does mention several situations in which abortion of some kind is acceptable, or at least tolerated. For example, in cases of incest or rape, God does not explicitly say it is okay to abort the fetus but he does allow for the possibility that a woman can make the decision. This suggests that God may not be entirely opposed to abortion in certain extenuating circumstances.
What Does The Bible Say About Abortion That Result From A Faulty Birth?
When looking at the Bible on abortion, it is important to consider situations in which an unborn child may be at risk due to a faulty birth. While the Bible does not provide an explicit answer as to what should be done in these cases, some passages can give guidance as to an acceptable course of action. For example, the book of Jeremiah talks about how God will withhold His judgment if a mother aborts the child due to a faulty birth, implying that aborting the child in this situation is not seen as a sin in the eyes of God.
Furthermore, Deuteronomy 27:22 discusses cases where a fetus has died in the womb or has been born prematurely. The passage mentions that if a pregnant woman miscarries due to an accident, the child should still be counted as a child and not disregarded as if it never existed, suggesting that God still values the life of the unborn child and it should be remembered, even if it does not survive.
What Does The Bible Say About Miscarriage Vs. Abortions?
When looking at the Bible, there are certain passages that suggest that God views miscarriages and abortions differently. For example, Job 3:16 discusses the pain a parent feels when they miscarry and how this may be different than the pain that would be felt if a parent chose to abort their child. This suggests that while miscarriages may be viewed as a tragedy, abortion is seen as a choice and should be considered in a different light.
The Bible also states that in cases of miscarriage, the parent should still consider the unborn child as human and should mourn the loss. This is in contrast to cases of abortion, where the Bible does not explicitly say that a parent should consider the unborn child as human or mourn the loss.
Conclusion
Overall, the Bible does not directly mention abortion and does not provide an explicit answer as to whether it is a sin or not. However, there are certain passages that imply that abortion is viewed by God as a serious violation of His intent. Furthermore, it does provide some information on situations in which abortion is justified, such as in cases of rape or incest, or when the unborn child is at risk due to faulty birth.
Finally, the Bible suggests that while miscarriages may be seen as a tragedy, abortions are viewed differently and may be seen, in certain cases, as a means of self-preservation. Ultimately, this suggests that the decision to abort should be made on a case-by-case basis and that God may view abortion differently depending on the individual circumstances.
