This is a complex issue that many Christians wrestle with. There are several factors that contribute to some Christians being pro-life on abortion but supportive of the death penalty and war.
Sanctity of Life
A key belief for many Christians is the sanctity of human life, which holds that all human life is sacred and created by God (Genesis 1:27). This forms the basis for Christian opposition to abortion, which is seen as destroying innocent human life.
However, the sanctity of life doctrine does not necessarily preclude Christians from supporting the death penalty or war. The key distinction made is that the unborn baby is innocent of any crime or wrongdoing, whereas convicted criminals and enemy combatants may have forfeited the right to life through their actions.
Just War Theory
Christian thinking has long incorporated principles of “just war theory” which provides criteria for when war and violence could be ethically justified, such as defending against aggression or protecting the innocent (Romans 13:4). This allows many Christians to support acts of war that seem necessary and proportional.
However, principles of just war generally oppose the direct and intentional killing of civilians and non-combatants. So a nuanced Christian position is possible that rejects abortion as killing innocents but accepts some wars as regrettably necessary to uphold justice.
Role of Government
A distinction can be made between the personal choices of individuals and the responsibilities of the state. While individuals are called to show mercy and forgiveness, the government is tasked with upholding law and order. In this view, the state administering capital punishment can be legitimate, while individuals taking life would be immoral (Romans 13:4).
Similarly, while Christians may personally oppose all killing, they can accept the state’s authority to wage war under certain conditions. However, the individual Christian’s role in war is debated; some serve in the military while others conscientiously object.
Protection of the Vulnerable
Some Christians argue that God is particularly concerned with protecting the most vulnerable. Unborn children and disabled people are examples of vulnerable people who cannot defend themselves. This offers another reason to be pro-life while still supporting punishments for violent aggressors who do not show vulnerability.
However, there are opposing views. Groups like “Consistent Life Ethic” argue against all wars and death penalties based on protecting and valuing life in all situations.
Human Judgment and Punishment
The Bible teaches that judgment belongs to God alone, and human judgments may be flawed (James 4:12). However, human institutions must enact imperfect justice, which sometimes means punishments like the death penalty. Christians may support this while seeing it as regrettable.
In contrast, abortion involves private individuals making permanent decisions to end life based on their personal situation. Christians argue this violates God’s prerogative to create and take life. But the state may have some biblical justification to punish established crimes.
Nonviolence and Consistency
As noted, there is also a biblical case to be made for complete opposition to taking life. Nonviolent leaders like Martin Luther King drew inspiration from Jesus’ teachings on things like “loving your enemy” (Matthew 5:44). This ethic rejects all killing, whether through abortion, war, or state-sanctioned penalties.
Groups like Sojourners argue for a “consistent ethic of life” that is pro-life in every sense: anti-abortion, anti-death penalty, anti-war, and supportive of welfare programs to protect life. This offers a biblically-rooted challenge to selective pro-life politics.
Differing Emphases and Priorities
Within the diversity of Christian belief, there are often different areas of emphasis. Some Christians strongly prioritize upholding justice and punishing evildoers. Others emphasize unconditional forgiveness. These differing priorities contribute to Christians coming to different conclusions about the death penalty and warfare.
Similarly, Catholic teachings strongly emphasize the personhood of the unborn, contributing to very firm anti-abortion views. Other denominations like Baptists place relatively less emphasis on Mary and the unborn Jesus, which may contribute to more flexibility on abortion policy.
Human Life versus Human Personhood
Related to differing emphases, some Christians argue that human life exists on a continuum. Early stages of development represent only potential personhood. Late term pregnancies seem more plausibly viewed as actual persons.
As a result, some Christians support early abortions but not late abortions. Others argue personhood begins at conception. These debates impact Christian views on the equivalent moral status of abortion versus killing criminals or enemy combatants.
Competing Priorities and “Moral Dilemmas”
Most Christians recognize respecting life as a crucial moral principle. But Christian ethics also incorporates other values like justice, freedom, and compassion. In complex situations like war, these principles can appear to conflict.
For example, waging war to stop genocide could protect innocent lives but take other lives. Christian approaches to such dilemmas range from pacifism to theories of just war and the “lesser evil.” This allows different policies on the same conflict.
Diversity Within Denominations
It is worth noting that diversity exists within Christian denominations also. For example, some progressive Catholics oppose both abortion rights restrictions and the death penalty, despite general Catholic pro-life teaching.
Similarly, not all Baptists support capital punishment, though this is a common Baptist view. Individual conscience plays a role in Christian ethics, since salvation depends on personal faith rather than group affiliation.
In conclusion, there are biblical principles and teachings that can be emphasized to construct either a pro-life position on all issues, or a pro-life stance on abortion alongside support for limited war and capital punishment. This complex topic illustrates the diversity within Christianity and the need for grace and thoughtful dialogue.