“The same constitutional principles that ensured equal protection for black Americans also protect defenseless children in the womb.” That was the opening line in a 2023 National Review article by the title, “The Pro-Life Movement Should Follow Its North Star: Equal Protection.”
Speaking on a panel discussing pro-life issues recorded in a 2024 World Magazine article, Dr Albert Mohler said, “A human embryo is a human being wherever that embryo may be found. If that is not true, the pro-life movement has been lying. If it is true — and it is true —then evangelicals had better make certain our affirmation of human dignity and the sanctity of human life is clear. All unborn children are children.”
The United States Declaration of Independence states in clear terms, “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness.”
Why must the modern pro-life movement work for personhood rights for the unborn? Here are five reasons:
1. Because it is biblically right: Old Testament civil law established protections for unborn children. In Exodus 21:22-25 that protection is described: “When men strive together and hit a pregnant woman, so that her children come out, but there is no harm, the one who hit her shall surely be fined, as the woman’s husband shall impose on him, and he shall pay as the judges determine. But if there is harm, then you shall pay life for life.” God established protection for preborn children in Jewish law.
2. Because it is common sense: If the pro-life movement has done anything, it has helped us understand that a baby in the womb is a human being worthy of protection. That reality makes sense to the average person. When someone excitedly announces that they are “expecting,” there is never a question of what they are expecting. They are anticipating the development and birth of a person — a little boy or a little girl. Protections for preborn children in the womb are common sense.
3. Because it is a simple argument: Scott Klusendorf, longtime pro-life advocate, regularly debates on defending the life of the unborn. He does so with a simple argument — really a simple question, “What is it?” The questions of women’s rights, stage of development, rape or incest and more are all answered by his question of what is being considered. If the unborn is not a human being, then, from Klusendorf’s argument, abortion can be justified. If the unborn is a human being, then abortion means the killing of an innocent human.
4. Because it is understandable: My family received news last Christmas that our oldest daughter is expecting her first child. We have prayed for that baby each day since we were first informed. When our elected leaders pass legislation that recognizes rights for unborn people, that is legislation we can understand.
On Feb. 19, SBC President Clint Pressley posted on X supporting a personhood rights bill being considered by the Tennessee legislature. Pressley posted:
I am glad to support HB 570 and SB 738, two bills in the Tennessee legislature that would protect every preborn child in Tennessee from abortion by providing preborn children with equal protection of the laws. By protecting the lives of preborn children with the same laws that protect people who are born, we are simply loving our neighbors in the womb as ourselves. Tennessee now has the opportunity to set an example of how states can protect the sanctity of human life from conception to natural death. I am urging the Tennessee legislature to move these bills forward this legislative session. It’s both pro-life and consistent!
This kind of language and legislation is understandable to people who love Jesus and who love their neighbor.
5. Because it honors God: In Luke 18:7 Jesus reminds us that God will bring about justice for His people. Jesus said, “And will not God give justice to his elect, who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long over them?” God hears the cries of those who are praying for the protection of unborn children.
The primary objection to personhood rights is the fear that vulnerable women will face criminal charges for having an abortion. While I can appreciate the challenges that such a law will bring, I also know that the fear of prosecution will protect unborn children. Join me in praying that God’s people will rally to protect the rights of the unborn.
Dr. Todd Gray 