“Jesus never once talked about abortion. Never once. And it was happening back in ancient times. It was happening back in his time. Never once mentioned it. And for people perverting the gospel of Jesus Christ down to one issue, it’s heresy.” – Joe Scarborough, MSNBC
This is why you don’t look to political pundits for theological direction.
Scarborough’s argument is not uncommon, though – that because Jesus did not address an issue directly, it means He does not forbid it.
But this is a very problematic position to take. Because there are many things Jesus did not directly address – at least that we have record of.
Jesus never talked about killing one’s coworker to take his wife. Not once. And we know that was going on in His day.
Does His silence on this issue mean that He accepts it? Of course not.
But using the logic of Scarborough’s argument, why not?
If you don’t see the Lord addressing an issue directly, stop and consider that it might be because He didn’t have to. That what He did say might make it obvious what He would say in addressing this particular thing.
On the topic of abortion, let’s first look at a story in Matthew 19, where people brought their children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them and to pray for them. When his disciples tried to prevent this from happening, Jesus told them:
“Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” (Matthew 19:14)
And shortly before that, we read that His disciples had asked Him who was the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them and said, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 18:2-3)
It was obvious Jesus thought much about children.
When He entered Jerusalem shortly before His death, children were singing His praises. When some were indignant, Jesus quoted Psalm 8:
“[H]ave you never read, Out of the mouth of infants and nursing babies you have prepared praise’?” (Matthew 21:16)
And then He had this strong condemnation for those who tempt others to sin.
It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck and he were cast into the sea than that he should cause one of these little ones to sin. (Luke 17:2)
Given these words, could you imagine someone asking, “Hey Jesus, would it be ok to kill our child, since y’know, we really don’t want to have a baby right now? As long as it’s still in the womb, of course.”
There’s another big question that needs to be asked here. Because I think it’s at the heart of this fallacy.
Who is Jesus?
As He asked the disciples, “Who do you say that I am?”
Is He a great moral teacher? Is He an inspirational figure? Is He just a legend? A prophet? Something else?
The Christian faith declares unequivocally that Jesus is God in the flesh. That He is Lord of all creation. The Alpha and the Omega, the first and last. Everything was created by Him and for Him (Colossians 1:16). And that at His name, every knee will bow and every tongue confess He is Lord (Philippians 2:10-11).
Jesus of the New Testament is the God of the Old Testament. They are one and the same.
Therefore, it was He who gave the commandment at Mt. Sinai, “Thou shalt not kill.”
And it was in His image that men and women were created from the beginning.
Would you then ask God if it is alright with Him that we kill one of the crowning beings of His creation – made in His image – while that being is in the womb?
In the book of 2 Kings, we read about God’s judgment on His people for acting wickedly. He admonishes them for not obeying His commands and for making and worshipping idols. Then we read what seems to have been the final straw before He sent them to exile.
And they burned their sons and their daughters as offerings and used divination and omens and sold themselves to do evil in the sight of the Lord, provoking him to anger. Therefore the Lord was very angry with Israel and removed them out of his sight. None was left but the tribe of Judah only. (2 Kings 17:17-18)
The Israelites had become so corrupt that they got to the point of sacrificing their own children to false gods. And God was so angry with them for it that He brought severe consequences.
Now, think with me about what abortion is. There are very rare times when families have to make a terrible choice in order to save the life of the mother. But we know that the vast majority of abortion is elective – that is, simply chosen. In these cases, abortion is sacrificing a child’s life, a human being God made in His own image. We can try and rationalize it, even say it’s for noble purposes, but that does not change this fact.
That living person’s one life is gone. They will never enter the world again.
What do you think Jesus, being God in the flesh, would say about this practice?
I don’t think He had to say anything. He already did.
One last thing needs to be added here, because it can be difficult to consider that I may have been wrong about something with such implications.
God’s grace is sufficient to forgive. If you’ve had history with this, maybe something you’re not proud of, know that God can and will forgive you, if you ask Him. Reach out, turn to Him. He is waiting and willing to receive you. That’s why His love and His grace are so amazing!
