I should initially qualify my statements by explaining that I speak for Reformed Presbyterians who accept as their standard the Westminister Confession of Faith, and hold to the full, divine and infallible inspiration of Scripture. I will limit myself to a consideration of 3 main points. First of all, the anti-abortion movement is not confined to the Roman Catholic Church. Secondly, the underlying crime of abortion is that it is a direct breach of the 6th commandment, “Thou shall not kill”. Thirdly, abortion deprives a human being of the greatest gift he possesses, life itself.

Abortion is consistently perceived and represented by the media as a Roman Catholic issue. This is, of course, a deliberate effort to polarize and to keep evangelical Protestants from becoming involved in the pro-life movement. We must be very careful not to fall into their trap and keep silent in the face of one of the most crucial issues confronting our civilization today. I am convinced that, as Bible believing Christians, we have a prophetic function in our society. We must stand for righteousness and counter the deceit and lies of the pro-abortion movement with the Truth of God.

This brings me to the second point, namely, that abortion involves a breach of the 6th commandment. Presbyterians are firm in their adherence to the Reformation principle: “Sola gratia, sola Scriptura et sola fide”, by grace alone, by Scripture alone, by faith alone. Christ said: ” If you love me keep my commandments”. Abortion is a deliberate breach of the sixth commandment, “Thou shalt not kill”. Psalm 51:5 and Psalm 139: 13-16 declare that human life begins at conception. Fetologists like Dr. Nathanson confirm the verity of this persuasion. Since a human life is present at conception, abortion at any stage of its existence is the ruthless taking of life. We must certainly have compassion on those who find themselves in difficult and unwanted pregnancies and do all we can to help them, but the trauma inherent in bearing an unwanted child for nine months and then giving it up for adoption is nothing in comparison to deliberately violating God’s law and living with the guilt of one’s sin. However, I rejoice that there is an offer of forgiveness through Christ to those who have violated all the commandments of God.

Lastly, when a child is aborted, it is robbed of life itself; the most precious gift of God. It is precious because of the meaning injected into it by the Christian faith. Israel, a type of the individual Christian and of the Christian church , is described by Ezekiel as one found in the most abject and humble circumstances and then exalted to the heights of glory: “And when I passed by thee, and saw thee polluted in thine own blood, I said unto thee when thou wast in thy blood, Live.” ….”And thy renown went forth among the heathen for thy beauty: for it was perfect through my comeliness, which I had put upon thee, saith the Lord God.” (Ezekiel 16: 6 -14). This, of course, is metaphorical language typifying the dramatic change which takes place in the believer who is translated from a state of sin and misery to “the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.” (Ephesians 4:13). Jesus compared this marvelous transformation to natural birth in John 3. It is the genius of Christianity that it proclaims the most exalted destiny for the believer, that is, conformity to the image of the Son of God . (Romans 8:29) And this, despite its apparently insignificant beginnings.  Truly Christ has “abolished death and hath brought life and immortality to light through the Gospel.” This infinite enhancement of human life makes the crime of murder such an infamous offence. We must understand that abortion is the attempt, albeit unknowingly, to deprive a human being of such a glorious prospect.

To conclude, all genuine Christians must be as a matter of fact, pro-life, and are obligated to heartily support the pro-life movement. Abortion is, then, a dread affront to the value of human life and a high-handed sin against the law of God.