RESOLVED: To adopt the document “Statement on the Biblical View of Intrauterine Life and Its Implications for Abortion,” which states the following:
Statement on the Biblical View of Intrauterine Life and Its Implications for Abortion
Human beings were created in the image of God. Part of the gift God granted us as human beings is procreation, the ability to participate in creation alongside the Author of life. This sacred gift should always be valued and esteemed. In God’s original plan, every pregnancy should result from the expression of love between a man and a woman committed to each other in marriage. Pregnancy should be desired, and every baby needs to be loved, valued, and cared for even before birth. Unfortunately, since sin entered the world, Satan has made intentional efforts to tarnish the image of God by distorting all His gifts, including procreation. As a result, people sometimes face dilemmas and decisions related to pregnancy.
The Seventh-day Adventist Church is committed to the teachings and principles of the Holy Scriptures that express divine values about life and offer guidance for prospective parents, medical teams, churches, and all Christians on matters of faith, doctrine, ethical behavior, and lifestyle. Although the church is not the conscience of each of its members, it has a duty to convey the principles and teachings of the Word of God.
This statement affirms the sanctity of life and presents biblical principles related to abortion. As used in this statement, abortion is defined as any act performed with the intent to terminate a pregnancy and does not include the involuntary termination of pregnancy, also known as miscarriage.
Biblical Principles and Teachings Related to Abortion
Since the practice of abortion should be evaluated in light of the Scriptures, the following biblical principles and teachings offer guidance for the faith community and individuals facing such difficult choices:
- God exalts the value and sanctity of human life. Human life has immense value to God. Having created humanity in His image (Genesis 1:27; 2:7), God has great interest in people. God loves them and communicates with them, and they, in turn, can love and communicate with Him. Life is a gift from God, who is the Giver of life. In Jesus is life (John 1:4). He has life in Himself (John 5:26). He is the resurrection and the life (John 11:25; 14:6). He offers life abundantly (John 10:10). Whoever has the Son has life (1 John 5:12). He is also the Sustainer of life (Acts 17:25-28; Colossians 1:17; Hebrews 1:1-3). And the Holy Spirit is described as the Spirit of life (Romans 8:2). God is deeply concerned with His creation, especially with humanity. Furthermore, the importance of human life is clarified by the fact that after the fall (Genesis 3), God “gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). Although God could have abandoned and destroyed sinful humanity, He chose life. Consequently, Christ’s followers will be resurrected and live in face-to-face communion with God (John 11:25, 26; 1 Thessalonians 4:15, 16; Revelation 21:3). Thus, human life is of inestimable value. This applies to all stages of human life: unborn children, children of various ages, adolescents, adults, and the elderly, regardless of physical, mental, and emotional capacities. It also applies to all humans without distinction of sex, ethnicity, social status, religion, or any other differentiating factor. Such an understanding of the sanctity of life grants an inviolable and equal value to every human life and demands that it be treated with the utmost respect and care.
- God considers the unborn child as human life. Prenatal life is precious in God’s eyes, and the Bible describes God’s knowledge of people before they are conceived. “Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed. And in Your book they all were written, the days fashioned for me, when as yet there were none of them” (Psalm 139:16). In some cases, God gave direct instructions regarding prenatal life. Samson was to be a “Nazirite, dedicated to God from the womb” (Judges 13:5). The servant of God is called “from the womb” (Isaiah 49:1, 5). Jeremiah was chosen as a prophet before birth (Jeremiah 1:5), as was Paul (Galatians 1:15), and John the Baptist would be “filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother’s womb” (Luke 1:15). Concerning Jesus, the angel Gabriel told Mary: “Therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God” (Luke 1:35). In His incarnation, Jesus Himself experienced the human prenatal period and was recognized as the Messiah and Son of God soon after conception (Luke 1:40-45). The Bible attributes joy to an unborn child (Luke 1:44) and even rivalry (Genesis 25:21-23). The unborn have a safe place with God (Job 10:8-12; 31:13-15). Biblical law demonstrates strong respect for protecting human life and considers any harm or loss to a baby or mother due to an act of violence as serious (Exodus 21:22, 23).
- God’s will regarding human life is expressed in the Ten Commandments and explained by Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount. The Decalogue was given to God’s covenant people and humanity in general to guide their lives and protect them. Its commandments are immutable truths to be valued, respected, and obeyed. The psalmist praises God’s law (e.g., Psalm 119), and Paul calls it holy, just, and good (Romans 7:12). The sixth commandment states: “You shall not murder” (Exodus 20:13), which calls for the preservation of human life. The principle of preserving life established in the sixth commandment includes abortion within its scope. Jesus reinforced the commandment not to kill in Matthew 5:21 and 22. Life is protected by God. It is not measured by individual abilities or the person’s utility but by the value that God’s creation and sacrificial love assign to it. Individuality, human value, and salvation are not earned or deserved but graciously given by God.
- God is the Giver of life, and humans are His stewards. The Scriptures teach that God is the Owner of everything (Psalm 50:10-12). God has a double right over humans. People belong to Him because He is the Creator. Therefore, He is their Owner (Psalm 139:13-16). They also belong to Him because He is the Redeemer and purchased them at the highest price, His own life (1 Corinthians 6:19, 20). This means that all humans are stewards of everything God has entrusted to them, including their own lives, the lives of children, and those in gestation. Stewardship of life also involves assuming responsibilities that somewhat limit personal choices (1 Corinthians 6:19-22). Being God the Giver and Owner of life, humans do not have total control over themselves and should seek to preserve life whenever possible. The principle of life stewardship obliges the faith community to guide, support, love the faithful, and care for those facing decisions related to pregnancy.
- The Bible teaches to care for the weak and vulnerable. God Himself cares for the disadvantaged and oppressed and protects them. He “shows no partiality nor takes a bribe; … administers justice for the fatherless and the widow, and loves the stranger, giving him food and clothing” (Deuteronomy 10:17, 18; cf. Psalm 82:3, 4; James 1:27). God does not hold children accountable for the sins of their parents (Ezekiel 18:20) and expects the same from His children. They are called to help the vulnerable and lighten their burdens (Psalm 41:1; 82:3, 4; Acts 20:35). Jesus spoke of the little ones among His brothers (Matthew 25:40), for whom His followers are responsible. He also mentioned the little ones who should not be despised or lost (Matthew 18:10-14). The youngest of all, namely those still within the womb, should be included in this group.
- God’s grace promotes life in this sin-stained and death-ridden world. It is part of God’s nature to protect, preserve, and sustain life. Besides speaking about God’s providence over His creation (Psalm 103:19; Colossians 1:17; Hebrews 1:3), the Bible acknowledges the broad, devastating, and degrading consequences of sin on creation, including the human body. In Romans 8:20-24, Paul describes the impact of the fall as a subjection of creation to decay. Consequently, there are rare and extreme cases where human conception may produce pregnancies with fatal or severe anomalies that threaten life, presenting exceptional dilemmas to individuals and couples. In such cases, the decision may be left to the conscience of the individuals and families involved. These decisions should be well-informed and guided by the Holy Spirit and the biblical view of life described above. God’s grace promotes and protects life. Those involved in these challenging situations may sincerely seek Him for direction, comfort, and peace in the Lord.
Implications
The Seventh-day Adventist Church considers that abortion is out of harmony with God’s plan for human life. It affects intrauterine life, the mother, the father, the nuclear and extended family members, the faith community, and society, with long-term consequences for all. Christians aim to trust in God and follow His will for their lives, knowing He has in mind what is best for them.
Although it does not support abortion, the Church and its members are called to follow Jesus’ example, being “full of grace and truth” (John 1:14), through the following actions: (1) promoting an atmosphere of true love and providing biblical pastoral care and loving support to those facing difficult decisions related to abortion; (2) seeking the help of well-structured and committed families, teaching them to care for individuals, couples, and families in difficulty; (3) encouraging church members to open their homes to those in need, including single parents, orphans, and children awaiting adoption; (4) deeply caring in various ways for pregnant women who decide to continue their pregnancies; and (5) offering emotional and spiritual support to women who have had abortions for various reasons or who were forced to abort and may be suffering physically, emotionally, and/or spiritually.
The issue of abortion presents enormous challenges but offers individuals and the Church the opportunity to become what they aspire to be: a fellowship of brothers and sisters, a community of believers, the family of God, revealing His immeasurable and unfailing love.
This statement was approved by the Executive Committee of the General Conference of the Seventh-day Adventist Church on October 16, 2019, during the Annual Council held in Silver Spring, Maryland.