Pro-abortionists try to “dehumanize” unborn children by referring to them as merely “lumps of tissue” or “products of conception”; however, biblically, as well as biologically, you and I are unique human beings from the moment of conception. The result of conception (the “product” that is conceived) is known as a baby, as Scripture (and science) tells us:
“The babies jostled each other within her.” (Genesis 25:22)
“When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb.” (Luke 1:41)
Some abortion supporters go so far as to claim that early religions did not bar abortion—a claim that is contrary to the truth. God speaks very clearly on the value of the unborn in the Scriptures, the basis for both the Jewish and Christian faiths.
“…biblically, as well as biologically, you and I are unique human beings from the moment of conception.”
Each Life Is of Value
God’s Word says that He personally made each one of us, and has a plan for each life:
“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart.” (Jeremiah 1:5)
For You created my inmost being; You knit me together in my mother’s womb…Your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in Your book before one of them came to be. (Psalm 139:13,16)
“Your hands shaped me and made me . . . Did You not clothe me with skin and flesh and knit me together with bones and sinews? You gave me life.” (Job 10:8–12)
This is what the Lord says—He who made you, who formed you in the womb. (Isaiah 44:2)
“Did not He who made me in the womb make them? Did not the same One form us both within our mothers?” (Job 31:15)
Because man is made in God’s own image (Genesis 1:27), each life is of great value to God: “Children are a gift from God” (Psalm 127:3). He even calls our children His own: “You took your sons and daughters whom you bore to Me and sacrificed them…You slaughtered My children” (Ezekiel 16:20,21).
Taking Innocent Life Is Murder
The Bible says of our Creator, “In His hand is the life of every living thing and the breath of every human being” (Job 12:10). God, the giver of life, commands us not to take the life of an innocent person: “Do not shed innocent blood” (Jeremiah 7:6), and He warns us, “Cursed is the man who accepts a bribe to kill an innocent person” (Deuteronomy 27:25). The Sixth Commandment, written in stone by the finger of God, commands, “You shall not murder” (Exodus 20:13).
“God speaks very clearly on the value of the unborn in the Scriptures, the basis for both the Jewish and Christian faiths.”
The unborn baby is undeniably alive and growing, and taking its life is clearly murder, as the prophet Jeremiah points out: “He did not kill me in the womb, with my mother as my grave” (Jeremiah 20:17). God vowed to punish those who “ripped open the women with child” (Amos 1:13). In ancient Israel, the unborn child was granted equal protection in the law; if he lost his life, the one who caused his death must lose his own life: “If men who are fighting hit a pregnant woman and she gives birth prematurely but there is no serious injury, the offender must be fined . . .But if there is serious injury, you are to take life for life” (Exodus 21:22,23).
According to the Scriptures, God, Jews, and Christians unanimously agree: Life is a gift created by God, and is not to be taken away by abortion. God is “pro-choice,” but He tells us clearly the only acceptable choice to make:
“I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live.” (Deuteronomy 30:19)
Lynn Copeland
Lynn Copeland has served as the editor for Living Waters since 2000, and is the president of Genesis Publishing Group, where she edits, designs, and produces books to impact eternity. She started in publishing at an early age and discovered red ink is in her blood. Though she attended college majoring in aeronautical engineering, God had other plans, and since coming to know the Lord she has had a passion for producing evangelistic resources. Lynn and her husband, Mike, have been married 29 years and live in Oklahoma.
