What We Call Love

Pro Choice Christianity

By Nate Baker ·

The abortion debate in modern Christianity centers around two key issues: how Christians should feel about abortion, and what actions, if any, should Christians take to address it. The focus often turns to the act’s morality and how the Bible informs these views.

As a follower of Christ, I understand the importance of thoughtfully considering the morality of elective abortion. My personal view is similar in many ways to those who identify as pro-life. Additionally, I have deep reservations about many arguments made by those on the pro-choice side. I would hope that, in an ideal society based on Christian compassion, women would feel supported in choosing to carry pregnancies to term except under the most dire circumstances. However, we do not live in such a society.

Regardless of how we feel about the inherent morality of abortion, though, the pro-choice vs. pro-life argument is ultimately about government policy. The policy question is whether the government should enact laws punishing women and physicians for abortions. Analyzing this question from a biblical perspective can be simplified by looking at two specific passages. John 8:7 shows us that Jesus does not advocate for legal punishment for sin, saying, “let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone (NKJV).” Paul, in Romans 13, emphasizes the need for government authority but does not urge that laws be shaped by faith. These critical passages suggest that the New Testament is largely neutral, if not antagonistic, towards government law used to curb sinful behavior.

If we agree that we should do what we can to reduce abortions in our country, recent results indicate that legal measures may not be the most effective strategy. For instance, after the Dobbs decision, which overturned Roe V. Wade and Casey V. Planned Parenthood, the number of abortions performed in the U.S. increased (Guttmacher Institute, 2025). This is notable because the same research showed abortions had been steadily declining from 1990 until 2017. Additionally, a 2024 Pew Research Center survey reports that approximately 63% of Americans believe abortion should be legal in all or most cases. This is the highest percentage in their polling history. Given this strong public support for abortion rights, stricter abortion laws are unlikely in the near future, making punitive approaches to reducing abortion rates seem increasingly impractical.

All hope is not lost, though. If we want to make a meaningful impact on reducing abortions in the US, there are several actions we could take. Research indicates that about 95% of abortions result from unintended pregnancies (Finer et al., 2005), so advocating for universal free access to birth control could address most cases. Additionally, a 2024 study found that 74% of women who had abortions cited concerns that a child would interfere with their education, work, or care for dependents, and 73% said they were worried about the financial burden (by Sawhill et al.). If we advocated for universal childcare for low-income parents and even offered church spaces, which are largely unused during the week, for child care to reduce overhead, we could help support those facing difficult choices and encourage more mothers to give birth.

Let’s commit ourselves to changing the world around us through love, kindness, and generosity. Instead of threats or coercion, let’s show grace and lead by example. Advocate for practical solutions and support within our communities—this is how we honor Jesus’s teachings and create a lasting, positive impact.

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