Guidelines
on Abortion
Guidelines
Many contemporary societies have faced conflict over the morality of abortion.*
Such conflict also has affected large numbers within Christianity who
want to accept responsibility for the protection of prenatal human life
while also preserving the personal liberty of women. The need for guidelines
has become evident, as the Church attempts to follow scripture, and to
provide moral guidance while respecting individual conscience. Seventh-day
Adventists want to relate to the question of abortion in ways that reveal
faith in God as the Creator and Sustainer of all life and in ways that
reflect Christian responsibility and freedom. Though honest differences
on the question of abortion exist among Seventh-day Adventists, the following
represents an attempt to provide guidelines on a number of principles
and issues. The guidelines are based on broad biblical principles that
are presented for study at the end of the document.**
Prenatal human life
is a magnificent gift of God. God's ideal for human beings affirms the
sanctity of human life, in God's image, and requires respect for prenatal
life. However, decisions about life must be made in the context of a fallen
world. Abortion is never an action of little moral consequence. Thus prenatal
life must not be thoughtlessly destroyed. Abortion should be performed
only for the most serious reasons.
Abortion is one of the tragic dilemmas of human fallenness. The Church
should offer gracious support to those who personally face the decision
concerning an abortion. Attitudes of condemnation are inappropriate in
those who have accepted the gospel. Christians are commissioned to become
a loving, caring community of faith that assists those in crisis as alternatives
are considered.
In practical, tangible ways the Church as a supportive community should
express its commitment to the value of human life.
These ways should
include:
strengthening
family relationships
educating both genders concerning Christian principles of human sexuality
emphasizing responsibility of both male and female for family planning
calling both to be responsible for the consequences of behaviors that are
inconsistent with Christian principles
creating a safe climate for ongoing discussion of the moral questions associated
with abortion
offering support and assistance to women who choose to complete crisis pregnancies
encouraging and assisting fathers to participate responsibly in the parenting
of their children.
The Church also should commit itself to assist in alleviating the unfortunate
social, economic, and psychological factors that may lead to abortion and
to care redemptively for those suffering the consequences of individual
decisions on this issue.
The
Church does not serve as conscience for individuals; however, it should
provide moral guidance. Abortions for reasons of birth control, gender
selection, or convenience are not condoned by the Church. Women, at times
however, may face exceptional circumstances that present serious moral
or medical dilemmas, such as significant threats to the pregnant woman's
life, serious jeopardy to her health, severe congenital defects carefully
diagnosed in the fetus, and pregnancy resulting from rape or incest. The
final decision whether to terminate the pregnancy or not should be made
by the pregnant woman after appropriate consultation. She should be aided
in her decision by accurate information, biblical principles, and the
guidance of the Holy Spirit. Moreover, these decisions are best made within
the context of healthy family relationships.
Christians acknowledge as first and foremost their accountability to God.
They seek balance between the exercise of individual liberty and their
accountability to the faith community and the larger society and its laws.
They make their choices according to scripture and the laws of God rather
than the norms of society. Therefore, any attempts to coerce women either
to remain pregnant or to terminate pregnancy should be rejected as infringements
of personal freedom.
Church institutions should be provided with guidelines for developing
their own institutional policies in harmony with this statement. Persons
having a religious or ethical objection to abortion should not be required
to participate in the performance of abortions.
Church members should be encouraged to participate in the ongoing consideration
of their moral responsibilities with regard to abortion in light of the
teaching of scripture.
Principles for a Christian View of Life
Introduction
"Now this is eternal life; that they may know you, the only true
God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent" (John 17:3, NIV). In Christ
is the promise of eternal life; but since human life is mortal, humans
are confronted with difficult issues regarding life and death. The following
principles refer to the whole person (body, souls, and spirit), an indivisible
whole (Genesis 2:7; 1 Thessalonians 5:23).
Life: Our
valuable gift from God
God is the Source,
Giver, and Sustainer of all life (Acts 17:25,28; Job 33:4; Genesis 1:30,
2:7; Psalm 36:9; John 1:3,4).
Human life has unique value because humanbeings, though fallen, are created
in the image of God (Genesis 1:27; Romans 3:23; 1 John 2:2; 1 John 3:2;
John 1:29; 1 Peter 1:18,19).
God values human life not on the basis of human accomplishments or contributions
but because we are God's creation and the object of His redeeming love
(Romans 5:6,8; Ephesians 2:2-6; 1 Timothy 1:15; Titus 3:4,5; Matthew 5:43-48;
Ephesians 2:4-9; John 1:3, 10:10).
Life: Our
response to God's gift
Valuable as
it is, human life is not the only or ultimate concern. Self-sacrifice
in devotion to God and His principles may take precedence over life itself
(Revelation 12:11; 1 Corinthians 13).
God calls for the protection of human life and holds humanity accountable
for its destruction (Exodus 20:13; Revelation 21:8; Exodus 23:7; Deuteronomy
24:16; Proverbs 6:16,17; Jeremiah 7:3-34; Micah 6:7; Genesis 9:5,6).
God is especially concerned for the protection of the weak, the defenseless,
and the oppressed (Psalm 82:3,4; James 1:27; Micah 6:8; Acts 20:35; Proverbs
24:11,12; Luke 1:52-54).
Christian love (agape) is the costly dedication of our lives to enhancing
the lives of others. Love also respects personal dignity and does not
condone the oppression of one person to support the abusive behavior of
another (Matthew 16:21; Philippians 2:1-11; 1 John 3:16; 1 John 4:8-11;
Matthew 22:39; John 18:22,23; John 13:34).
The believing community is called to demonstrate Christian love in tangible,
practical, and substantive ways. God calls us to restore gently the broken
(Galatians 6:1,2; 1 John 3:17,18; Matthew 1:23; Philippians 2:1-11; John
8:2-11; Romans 8:1-14; Matthew 7:1,2 12:20; Isaiah 40:42, 62:2-4).
Life: Our
right and responsibility to decide
God gives humanity
the freedom of choice, even if it leads to abuse and tragic consequences.
His unwillingness to coerce human obedience necessitated the sacrifice
of His Son. He requires us to use His gifts in accordance with His will
and ultimately will judge their misuse (Deuteronomy 30:19,20; Genesis
3; 1 Peter 2:24; Romans 3:5,6 6:1,2; Galatians 5:13).
God calls each of us individually to moral decision making and to search
the scriptures for the biblical principles underlying such choices (John
5:39; Acts 17:11; 1 Peter 2:9; Romans 7:13-25).
Decisions about human life from its beginning to its end are best made
within the context of healthy family relationships with the support of
the faith community (Exodus 20:12; Ephesians 5,6).
Human decisions should always be centered in seeking the will of God (Romans
12:2; Ephesians 6:6; Luke 22:42).
