The Biblical Perspective of the Pro-choice, Pro-Life Debate

     Perhaps the most passionate division between political ideologies is the pro-choice, pro-life debate.

     The pro-choice argument advocates, favors, or supports the (legal) right of women to control their own bodies by choosing whether or not to continue a pregnancy to term.

     Pro-life on the other hand advocates the (legal) protection of human fetuses…by outlawing abortion on the grounds that it is the taking of a human life.

     The Bible reveals that many significant people were pre-named before their birth, or even their conception.  The primary example was Jesus Himself.

     “And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son and shall call His name JESUS.”  Luke 1:31

     The conception and birth of Jesus was the culmination of an earthly genealogy first announced in Genesis.

     “And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her Seed…”  Genesis 3:15

     Several examples of the family tree of Jesus are provided in the Bible.

     “Now Isaac pleaded with the LORD for his wife (Rebekah), because she was barren; and the LORD granted his plea, and Rebekah his wife conceived.  But the children struggled together within her…So when her days were fulfilled for her to give birth, indeed there were twins in her womb.”  Genesis 25:21-22a, 24

     The Hebrew base for ‘children’ in the above scripture is Ben defined as a son, child, boy, or young one.  And the Hebrew base for ‘womb’ is Beten meaning belly, within, or inmost part.  In other words, Rebekah had two living sons within her body.  One of those sons was subsequently named Jacob who was later renamed ‘Israel’. 

     Jacob had twelve sons, one who was named Judah.  The Bible presents a detailed account of Judah’s offspring through his incestuous relationship with his daughter-in-law Tamar. 

     “Now it came to pass, at the time for giving birth, that behold, twins were in her (Tamar’s) womb.  And so it was, when she was giving birth, that the one put out his hand; and the midwife took a scarlet thread and bound it on his hand, saying, ‘This one came out first’.  Then it happened, as he drew back his hand, that his brother came out unexpectedly…Therefore his name was called Perez.”  Genesis 38:27-29a, 29b

     Once again, the Bible describes two brothers living together in their mother’s womb. 

     How important was it that both Rebekah and Tamar went full term with their pregnancies and delivered the children within their wombs?

     “The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the Son of David, the Son of Abraham:  Abraham begot Isaac, Isaac begot Jacob, and Jacob begot Judah and his brothers.  Judah begot Perez…by Tamar…”  Matthew 1:1-3a

     The lineage of Jesus was established before the foundation of the world.  What would have been the consequences if any mother in the lineage had chosen to interrupt that lineage even if her pregnancy was attributable to incest?

     The Bible taught that God gave Rebekah conception.  This truth was also highlighted later in the story of Ruth.

     “So Boaz took Ruth and she became his wife; and when he went in to her, the LORD gave her conception, and she bore a son.”  Ruth 4:13

  Her son was Obed who was the grandfather of King David.  Boaz and Obed are also listed in the genealogy of Jesus.

     “…Boaz begot Obed by Ruth, Obed begot Jesse, and Jesse begot David the king.”  Matthew 1:5b-6

      Another example of one being pre-named is John the Baptist.

     “But the angel said to him, ‘Do not be afraid, Zacharias, for your prayer is heard; and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John.’…Now after those days his wife Elizabeth conceived.”  Luke 1:13, 24 

     Apparently John, while still in his mother’s womb, was aware of his surroundings:

     “For indeed, as soon as the voice of your greeting sounded in my ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy.”  Luke 1:44

     There are others pre-named in the Bible as far as 400 years before they were born.

     An interesting question arises from this discussion, i.e. why is the percent of professed Christians different than the percent of professed proponents of pro-life?