Can a Christian be pro-life personally but pro-choice politically?
Introduction
The issue of abortion is one of the most divisive in our current culture. For the Christian, abortion is first and foremost a moral issue. Human life is sacred because human beings are made in the image of God (Genesis 1:27). Followers of Jesus affirm the personhood and dignity of the unborn child. However, the legality of abortion is a political issue. Well-meaning Christians disagree on how to best create a just society where human life is valued. This article will examine biblical principles for Christians thinking through the relationship between their personal pro-life convictions and participation in a secular democracy where abortion is currently legal.
The Sanctity of Human Life
The Bible consistently affirms the personhood of the unborn. Passages like Psalm 139:13-16 poetically celebrate God’s intimate care for each person, even in the womb:
“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. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. 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.”
Biblical authors use the same language to describe unborn children as born children (Luke 1:41-44). Laws in the Torah treat the unborn as persons with legal rights (Exodus 21:22-25). The biblical view is that human life is a good gift from God, and the taking of innocent human life is morally wrong. Christians affirm the sanctity of all human life, including unborn children.
However, Christians also recognize that we live in a fallen world. People face excruciating circumstances like poverty, abuse, rape, health crises, and more. In the Old Testament, God permits some practices like divorce that are not ideal, due to the hardness of human hearts (Matthew 19:8). Out of love for vulnerable women, Christians support public policies that care for those facing crisis pregnancies. The pro-life cause ultimately seeks a society where abortion is unthinkable, not just illegal.
The Role of Government
In a democracy, Christians share political authority with those who do not share their moral convictions. Biblically, the role of civil government is to restrain evil, not to enforce perfect morality (Romans 13:1-7). There is room for debate among Christians as to whether the government should permit abortion as a legal choice, even while unequivocally condemning it morally.
Christian citizens can advocate for laws that protect preborn life. However, the witness of the early church was to change society primarily through love, not political power. The pro-life movement often focuses on political victories over changing hearts and meeting tangible needs. While laws matter, cultural change starts from the bottom-up. As followers of Jesus, our primary weapons are truth and love, not political coercion (2 Corinthians 10:3-5).
Balancing Competing Responsibilities
Christians have multiple duties as citizens of both God’s kingdom and an earthly nation. When responsibilities collide, believers must carefully weigh their competing obligations.
For example, Christians are commanded to show hospitality to sojourners in our land (Leviticus 19:34). At the same time, the government is tasked with border security for the public good. Biblical principles can lead Christians to different conclusions about immigration policy. One may feel personally convicted to show mercy to undocumented immigrants. However, they may not believe it wise or just for the government to adopt an open borders position.
Similarly, Christians may abhor abortion personally but allow its legality as a matter of upholding other democratic values like freedom of conscience. This is not a compromise but a recognition that in a pluralistic society, the government has to navigate complex tradeoffs between competing goods. The alternatives to legal abortion also have costs in terms of women’s health and flourishing. There are no easy answers, which should lead us to greater wisdom and compassion.
Affirming Both Pluralism and Truth
Democracy assumes moral disagreement. The New Testament envisions the church as a counter-cultural community that transforms culture through love, not by imposing beliefs through sheer political muscle. Christians can model civility by acknowledging the full humanity of those with whom we deeply disagree.
At the same time, Christians bring an important voice into public debates by arguing for universal human dignity. Given humanity’s depravity, no nation will create perfect justice in this age. But we contribute to the common good by advocating for the intrinsic worth of all people, including the weak and vulnerable.
Christians live in the tension between compromise with the world and avoidance of complicity with evil. Virtuous citizenship requires prayerful discernment about when and how to engage the political process. For complex issues like abortion, there may be no simple mapping from personal morality onto public policy. Christians of good faith can thoughtfully weigh competing duties and come to different conclusions for the public square. Yet we find unity in Christ, who alone offers true righteousness and justice. Our hope does not ultimately reside in any political order, but in the consummation of God’s kingdom.
Key Biblical Principles
– All human life is sacred, including unborn life. Abortion is morally wrong (Psalm 139:13-16).
– Christians should advocate for laws that protect the vulnerable (Proverbs 31:8-9). However, the primary pro-life weapons are truth and love, not political power (2 Corinthians 10:3-5).
– In a fallen world, biblical principles may not map cleanly onto public policy. Christians prayerfully weigh competing duties like mercy and justice (Matthew 5:7, Micah 6:8).
– The witness of the early church was to transform culture primarily through love, not political dominance. There is room for debate on how to create a just society amid deep moral pluralism (Matthew 5:13-16).
– Christians can show Christlike love and civility even in deep disagreement. We contribute to the common good by arguing for the dignity of all people (Matthew 5:43-45).
– Our ultimate hope is not in any political order, but in Christ establishing perfect justice at his return. In this age, we live in the tension between compromise and avoidance of complicity with evil (2 Peter 3:13).
Conclusion
The issue of abortion underscores the complexity of Christian civic engagement. Followers of Jesus ought to be peacemakers who build bridges across political divides. Yet we must also speak truth with conviction. There are no easy answers for how to best uphold justice, mercy and healing in the public square. Wise Christians can thoughtfully come to different conclusions about the relationship between their personal pro-life views and participation in a democracy where abortion remains legal. With the guidance of Scripture and the Spirit, may we navigate these waters with courage, humility and love.