The Lenses of Reformation Concerning Parental Notification in Abortions
by Dr. Patti Amsden
Although the Bible does not speak directly to the issue of abortion, it does address God’s view of human life, including life within the womb. Humans–both male and female – were made in the image of God (Gen. 1:26-27). Scripture communicates that God formed (yatsar – to mold, to shape, or form) man from the dirt, which indicated God’s hands-on, direct involvement in the creation of His image-bearer. Secondly, God breathed His breath into the formed dirt, and man (and all of mankind in Adam) became a living soul. Man’s body became a house or tabernacle for God’s Spirit, which concept was revisited when Jesus breathed His Spirit into His disciples (Jn. 20:22) and again when the Apostle Paul reminded the Corinthian believers that they are the temple of God (I Cor. 3:16)
Reformation lens #1 – Human life exists as a result of God’s direct creative act and is distinguished from all other life because man was fashioned to reflect God’s image and likeness.
Human life is sacred because mankind was created in God’s image. This sacredness is often termed as the sanctity of life. Sanctity means the quality of being holy, sacred, or set apart. Man was set apart from all other earthly creations for the uniqueness of image-bearing, meaning man’s attributes and actions can mirror, reflect, and re-present God. This faculty is not dependent upon age, gender, ethnicity, mental acuity, or any other circumstance. From conception and throughout all the days of every person’s life, each individual is set apart by God and unto God for the unique purpose and potential of image-bearing. Scripture confirms sanctity of life of the pre-born when describing God’s call on Jeremiah while he was in his mother’s womb (Jer. 1:5), when relating the leaping of John the Baptist while in Elizabeth’s womb (Luke 1:41), and when testifying about the formation of each person’s individual characteristics while in the womb (Ps. 139).
Reformation lens #2 – The biblical worldview that opposes abortion is based upon the scriptural tenet known as Sanctity of life.
God places such high value on human life that He commanded mankind to value people the same way He does. In Matthew 22:39, Jesus quoted the second section of the great commandment when he stated, “you shall love your neighbor as yourself” (Lev. 19:18). Jesus also restated the same mandate when he instructed his disciples to love one another as He loved them (Jn. 34-35). The Ten Commandments list laws of loving God and loving one’s neighbor, with commandments 6-10 expressively stating trespasses against other image-bearers. Those commandments require everyone human to value the God-image present in every other human, including our neighbor’s life, any and all of his property, an all covenantal relationships. Obedience to those love commandments applies even to the physical well-being of a child in the womb. Exodus 21:22-25 describes the penalties due to an assailant whose actions against a pregnant woman causes injury to the baby.
Reformation lens #3 – The scriptural commandment to love thy neighbor must be applied to all people, including those image-bearers who are yet in the womb.
As reformers, we must protect all human life and work as advocates for those whose rights, liberties, and lives are at risk. Scriptures describes many practical ways that the life of image-bearers is to be valued, including: tending to the sick, visiting the imprisoned, feeding the hungry, clothing the needy, seeking justice for the oppressed, and caring for orphans, widows, and strangers (Matt. 25:35–36; Ja. 1:27; 1 Jn. 3:16–18; Ez. 45:9; Deut. 10:18–19). If the living will not be a voice for the unborn, that vulnerable section of image-bearers will have no voice at all. “Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute” (Prov. 31:8). Christians must be agents of love and compassion in the world, must alleviate injustice wherever possible, and must remember that each human life bears the image of our God.
Reformation lens #1 – Human life exists as a result of God’s direct creative act and is distinguished from all other life because man was fashioned to reflect God’s image and likeness.
Human life is sacred because mankind was created in God’s image. This sacredness is often termed as the sanctity of life. Sanctity means the quality of being holy, sacred, or set apart. Man was set apart from all other earthly creations for the uniqueness of image-bearing, meaning man’s attributes and actions can mirror, reflect, and re-present God. This faculty is not dependent upon age, gender, ethnicity, mental acuity, or any other circumstance. From conception and throughout all the days of every person’s life, each individual is set apart by God and unto God for the unique purpose and potential of image-bearing. Scripture confirms sanctity of life of the pre-born when describing God’s call on Jeremiah while he was in his mother’s womb (Jer. 1:5), when relating the leaping of John the Baptist while in Elizabeth’s womb (Luke 1:41), and when testifying about the formation of each person’s individual characteristics while in the womb (Ps. 139).
Reformation lens #2 – The biblical worldview that opposes abortion is based upon the scriptural tenet known as Sanctity of life.
God places such high value on human life that He commanded mankind to value people the same way He does. In Matthew 22:39, Jesus quoted the second section of the great commandment when he stated, “you shall love your neighbor as yourself” (Lev. 19:18). Jesus also restated the same mandate when he instructed his disciples to love one another as He loved them (Jn. 34-35). The Ten Commandments list laws of loving God and loving one’s neighbor, with commandments 6-10 expressively stating trespasses against other image-bearers. Those commandments require everyone human to value the God-image present in every other human, including our neighbor’s life, any and all of his property, an all covenantal relationships. Obedience to those love commandments applies even to the physical well-being of a child in the womb. Exodus 21:22-25 describes the penalties due to an assailant whose actions against a pregnant woman causes injury to the baby.
Reformation lens #3 – The scriptural commandment to love thy neighbor must be applied to all people, including those image-bearers who are yet in the womb.
As reformers, we must protect all human life and work as advocates for those whose rights, liberties, and lives are at risk. Scriptures describes many practical ways that the life of image-bearers is to be valued, including: tending to the sick, visiting the imprisoned, feeding the hungry, clothing the needy, seeking justice for the oppressed, and caring for orphans, widows, and strangers (Matt. 25:35–36; Ja. 1:27; 1 Jn. 3:16–18; Ez. 45:9; Deut. 10:18–19). If the living will not be a voice for the unborn, that vulnerable section of image-bearers will have no voice at all. “Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute” (Prov. 31:8). Christians must be agents of love and compassion in the world, must alleviate injustice wherever possible, and must remember that each human life bears the image of our God.
