Why Christians Should Be Pro-Life: A Biblical and Historical Perspective

These days, Christians are unfortunately not as pro-life as they need to be. The pro-life position, which emphasizes the sanctity of life from conception to natural death, is deeply rooted in Christian doctrine. It is not simply a contemporary political stance but is informed by Biblical teachings and the writings of early Church Fathers. For Christians, the belief in the inherent value of human life stems from the understanding that every person is created in the image of God, is precious to Him, and has intrinsic worth. This belief is evident throughout Scripture and is echoed by the Church’s early leaders. In this article, we will explore why Christians should be pro-life, examining key Biblical principles and references from the early Church Fathers that support this position.

The Sanctity of Life in Scripture

The Bible teaches that all human life is sacred, as it is created by God. From the very beginning, Scripture affirms the value of life.

• Genesis 1:26-27 – "Then God said, 'Let us make man in our image, after our likeness.' So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them."

  The idea that humans are made in God’s image is foundational to the Christian pro-life position. Every human being, from conception onward, carries the image of God and therefore deserves protection and respect. This divine likeness gives human life a unique dignity that sets it apart from other forms of life.

• Psalm 139:13-16 – "For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made... My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them."

  This passage emphasizes God’s active role in the creation of life, even before birth. The psalmist recognizes that life begins in the womb, and God knows and values the unborn child. For Christians, this is a strong argument for the pro-life position—God cares for and has a purpose for every life, even before birth.

• Jeremiah 1:5 – "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations."

  This passage illustrates God's intimate knowledge of us before birth. It suggests that God’s plans for individuals begin long before they are born, affirming the dignity of life at all stages of development.

• Exodus 20:13 – "You shall not murder."

  The Sixth Commandment makes it clear that taking the life of another human being is forbidden. While some may debate whether abortion constitutes murder, many Christians believe that the unborn are fully human and that abortion is a violation of this commandment.

  
  

The Early Church Fathers on the Sanctity of Life

The objection of abortion not being mentioned EXPLICITLY in the Bible is a point those who are pro-choice and "Christian" bring up. We do have multiple early Christians who do speak explicitly on the evils of abortion. The early Church Fathers also expressed a profound respect for life, and their writings provide a glimpse into the beliefs of the early Christian community. They viewed abortion as a grave sin and believed that life began at conception. Several early Christian leaders made clear that they considered abortion to be incompatible with Christian morality.

• Didache (c. 70-100 AD) – "You shall not murder a child by abortion nor kill that which is born."The Didache, one of the earliest Christian texts outside the New Testament, explicitly condemns abortion and infanticide. The teaching here is clear: Christians should not engage in or support the termination of unborn life.

• Tertullian (c. 155-240 AD) – "To hinder a birth is merely a speedier man-killing; nor does it matter whether you take away a life that is born or destroy one that is coming to birth."

  Tertullian, one of the most influential early Christian theologians, condemned abortion as a form of murder. His argument is based on the belief that life begins at conception, making abortion morally equivalent to murder.

• Athenagoras (c. 133-190 AD) – "For the fetus in the womb is by all means a living being and is even more so a human being, and it is our duty to care for the young as well as the old."

  Athenagoras, an early Christian philosopher, clearly states that the fetus is a living being and deserves the same protection as any other human being. This early Christian perspective on the sanctity of life aligns with the pro-life stance today.

• St. Augustine (354-430 AD) – Although Augustine did not have the same clear prohibition on abortion as some of his predecessors, he recognized the importance of protecting life, and his teachings were later interpreted by the Church to support the pro-life position. Augustine understood that life begins in the womb and that all human life has inherent dignity.

  
  

The Christian Call to Protect the Vulnerable

From a Christian perspective, the pro-life position extends beyond the unborn to all vulnerable and marginalized members of society. The Bible is full of commands to protect the poor, the orphaned, the widow, and those who cannot protect themselves. These ethical principles are often cited as foundational to the pro-life cause.

• Proverbs 31:8-9 – "Open your mouth for the mute, for the rights of all who are destitute. Open your mouth, judge righteously, defend the rights of the poor and needy."

  This passage urges Christians to advocate for those who cannot speak for themselves—just as the unborn cannot speak for themselves, Christians are called to be their voices.

• Matthew 25:40 – "And the King will answer them, 'Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.'"

  Jesus teaches that caring for the most vulnerable in society is akin to serving Him directly. Protecting the unborn, therefore, can be seen as part of a larger Christian calling to serve and protect those in need.

  
  

The Pro-Life Christian Ethic

The Christian pro-life position is rooted in the belief that all human life is sacred, as it is created by God and made in His image. Scripture consistently affirms the value of life from conception to natural death, and the early Church Fathers were clear in their condemnation of abortion as a sin. Christians today, following this Biblical and historical tradition, are called to protect and defend the unborn, standing as advocates for those who cannot speak for themselves. This is not only a moral obligation but also a reflection of Christ’s love and care for every human life.

By standing pro-life, Christians continue the ancient and holy tradition of valuing life at every stage, from conception to natural death, and fulfilling their role as defenders of the weak and voiceless in society.