Planned Parenthood is a healthcare provider and advocacy group that provides reproductive health services, including abortion, in the United States. As Christians, how should we view this organization?
The Bible does not directly address Planned Parenthood or other modern organizations related to abortion and reproductive healthcare. However, the Bible provides principles that can guide Christians in thinking about these issues.
The value and dignity of human life
The Bible teaches that human beings are created in the image of God and have inherent dignity and worth (Genesis 1:27). Life is a sacred gift from God. Passages like Psalm 139:13-16 describe how God knits us together in the womb. The Bible condemns murder and unjust violence against others, including children and babies (Exodus 20:13; Exodus 21:22-25; Deuteronomy 27:25; Proverbs 6:16-17).
These principles lead many Christians to value human life at all stages, including the unborn. They express concern about abortion, which ends a developing human life. However, the Bible does not directly address the moral status of early embryos and fetuses or when human personhood begins, leaving room for debate.
Love, grace and justice
Jesus taught that the core values for Christians are love for God and love for neighbor (Matthew 22:37-39). Christians are called to show compassion, mercy and justice especially to the poor, oppressed and marginalized (Micah 6:8; Matthew 25:31-46).
Many Christians see abortion as violating love for the defenseless unborn. Yet others argue society and churches should also prioritize improving conditions for women facing unplanned pregnancies. They express concern that completely banning abortion could lead to unsafe practices that further endanger women, especially those in poverty.
Women’s health and flourishing
The Bible affirms the value and dignity of women. Jesus treated women with radical dignity and challenged cultural stigmas against them (John 4, 8). The Bible calls husbands to sacrificially love their wives as Christ loved the church (Ephesians 5:25). Christians are to defend the weak and powerless, which includes many women facing unplanned pregnancies today (Isaiah 1:17, James 1:27).
Many Christians see Planned Parenthood positively as providing needed healthcare for underserved women. Yet others have moral objections to specific services they offer, like abortion. Christians disagree on how much access to abortion services impacts women’s flourishing.
Views on Planned Parenthood
Given these biblical principles, Christians hold a variety of perspectives on Planned Parenthood as an organization:
- Some see it as a valuable healthcare provider offering services that, overall, improve women’s health and lives.
- Others support their work improving women’s access to healthcare but object morally to their role as the largest single provider of abortions in the U.S.
- Some call for defunding Planned Parenthood altogether due to objections to abortion, while still wanting improved healthcare options for women.
- Yet others focus efforts on making abortion unnecessary, by improving social supports for women facing unplanned pregnancy.
There is diversity even within these broad perspectives. Christians can thoughtfully dialogue about Planned Parenthood, clarifying areas of agreement and disagreement.
Seeking biblical values together
This diversity shows how faithful Christians can apply biblical principles differently on complex issues like abortion and women’s healthcare. Christians can thoughtfully dialogue, advocating their views while also listening to other perspectives.
Across these differences, Christians affirm the biblical values of honoring God’s gift of life, showing compassion to those in need, defending the vulnerable, and seeking justice. Focusing discussions on upholding these shared values together, even amid disagreements on policy solutions, can help Christians move forward in a Christ-like manner.
Above all, Christians believe human flourishing comes when society is ordered according to God’s vision of love, righteousness, justice and the general welfare of all people, with special concern for the poor and vulnerable. So despite real disagreements, Christians can join together in seeking laws and policies that uphold the worth, dignity and wellbeing of all people.
Though questions around organizations like Planned Parenthood are complex, Christians believe God can give wisdom and grace when his people seek him. By continually grounding themselves in biblical values and God’s heart of compassion for all, Christians can thoughtfully and respectfully discuss and engage these issues.
Key Biblical Principles
- Human life is sacred, made in God’s image (Genesis 1:27)
- God knits us together in the womb and knows us intimately (Psalm 139:13-16)
- Murder and violence against others, including children, is wrong (Exodus 20:13)
- Jesus calls us to love God and neighbor (Matthew 22:37-39)
- Christians are to defend and care for the poor and oppressed (Isaiah 1:17, James 1:27)
- Christ valued and elevated the dignity of women in his ministry (John 4, 8)
- Husbands are called to sacrificially love their wives as Christ loved the church (Ephesians 5:25)
- Christians should seek laws and policies that promote the general welfare and flourishing of all people, especially the poor and vulnerable
While the Bible provides principles like these, it does not directly address the moral status of early embryos/fetuses or complex modern issues like abortion. Faithful Christians reach different conclusions on issues like Planned Parenthood. Yet Christians still affirm common biblical values that can guide discussions in a thoughtful, grace-filled manner.
Conclusion
The Bible does not directly address Planned Parenthood but provides principles about human dignity, love, compassion and justice that can help guide Christians. There is diversity in how Christians apply these principles regarding abortion and women’s healthcare. Yet across these differences, Christians ground themselves in biblical values of honoring life, showing grace and compassion, defending the vulnerable, and seeking the good of all. When discussions are rooted in shared biblical convictions, Christians can engage these complex issues thoughtfully and respectfully, even amid real disagreements.
