Should Christians Utilize In Vitro Fertilization (IVF)?

This article is offered with loving compassion to those seeking a biblical perspective on this topic.

On February 18, 2025, President Trump issued an Executive Order aimed at expanding access to in vitro fertilization (IVF). He emphasized the importance of families and the desire to reduce financial barriers associated with IVF treatments.  

We agree that our national birth rate is far too low. However, it's imperative that Christians carefully consider the biblical principles that should inform our thinking about IVF as a solution to this problem. This article briefly discusses some of those principles.

IVF & The Sanctity of Life

Traditional IVF procedures often involve the creation of multiple embryos, with the possibility that not all will be implanted. Some embryos may be frozen indefinitely, discarded, or used for research purposes.

It should also be noted that, recently, defects in IVF technology may have resulted in the destruction of embryos during IVF procedures. In 2024, several lawsuits were filed against CooperSurgical of Trumbull, CT alleging that a defect in one of their products led to the destruction of embryos.

Another concern is that IVF often involves implanting multiple embryos into the womb simultaneously — with the intention of eventually “selectively reducing” some embryos to prevent multiple births.

These practices raise significant concerns, as they treat human embryos as something other than human beings. Scripture consistently affirms that life begins at conception. In Psalm 139:13-14, David proclaims, "For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother's womb. I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made." This passage underscores God's intimate involvement in our creation from the earliest stages. And it demands that human life be protected from the moment of conception. 

The Marital Union and Procreation

God designed procreation to occur within the covenant of biblical marriage, through the physical union of a husband and wife. Genesis 2:24 states, "Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh." By separating conception from the marital act, IVF can be seen as deviating from this divine blueprint. While the desire for children  is commendable, the methods by which we pursue parenthood should honor the processes established by our Creator.

The Stewardship Principle

Christians are called to be good stewards of our bodies and other resources that God has entrusted to us (1 Corinthians 4:2). The financial, emotional, and physical toll of IVF can be substantial. Moreover, the success rates of IVF are not guaranteed, leading to potential repeated cycles and increased burdens. In light of these realities, it is essential to prayerfully consider whether pursuing IVF aligns with wise stewardship.

God's Sovereignty

Furthermore, trusting in God's sovereignty means acknowledging His perfect plan for our lives, even when it diverges from our personal desires. Isaiah 55:8-9 reminds us, "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord." Embracing this truth can provide comfort and guidance as we navigate the complexities of infertility.

Compassion and Support for Those Facing Infertility

It's crucial to approach this topic with compassion (Colossians 3:12). Couples grappling with infertility often endure deep emotional pain and longing.  Churches should offer biblical counsel, and, when possible, practical assistance. This can include exploring alternative avenues that align with biblical principles, such as adoption or foster care, providing loving homes to children in need.

Conclusion

While advancements in reproductive technology like IVF present potential solutions for infertility, Christians are called to evaluate such options through the lens of Scripture. The sanctity of life, the integrity of the marital union, and our call to biblical stewardship compel us to reject IVF.  

For Additional Information:

Important Disclaimer: We do not endorse Dr. Mohler’s institution, his use of modern Bible versions or his reformed theology. However, we find his analysis of IVF solidly biblical.

Why Christians Should Not Consider Abortion

About the Author: Pastor Robert Hammond is a Bible teacher with a professional background in medical research and communications. He may be contacted at hammond.robert@gmail.com  

Overview: This article highlights key reasons why Christians should stand against abortion and provides practical suggestions for local churches. Most importantly, it is written with love and compassion for those who have been involved in abortion.

Key Points:

• Sanctity of Life: According to the Bible, life begins at conception. Every life is a gift from God, deserving of protection and respect.

• Role of Local Churches: Fellow believers should support expectant parents by offering regular prayer, counseling, and practical support as appropriate.

• Alternatives to Abortion: Christians are encouraged to explore and support alternatives such as adoption, when appropriate.

Why Christians Should Not Consider Abortion

In a society that increasingly embraces moral relativism, Christians must stand firm on the unchanging truths of God’s Word. Among the most pressing issues of our time is abortion—a practice that claims the lives of the unborn under the guise of personal choice. 

The Scope of Abortion in the United States

To understand the gravity of abortion, consider some statistics.

• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that in 2019, there were 629,898 abortions performed in the United States;

• According to Just Facts, roughly 1 in 5 U.S. pregnancies (excluding miscarriages) end in abortion. And nearly half of all women who have abortions have had at least one previous abortion;

• Just Facts reports that, since 1973, over 62 million abortions have been performed in the United States.

These figures reflect the ongoing prevalence of abortion and the need for Christians to address this issue with both truth and compassion.

Responding to Abortion Biblically 

Christians must align our convictions with Scripture and reject abortion as a violation of God’s sacred design for life.

Life Begins at Conception

The Bible affirms the sanctity of life, beginning at conception. In Jeremiah 1:5, God declares, “Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.” This verse reveals that God not only forms life in the womb but also ordains a purpose for every individual before birth.

Similarly, Psalm 139:13-16 testifies to God’s intricate work in creating each human being: “For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother’s womb. I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.” From the earliest stages of development, the unborn child is a living soul, crafted by the hand of Almighty God.

The Sanctity of Human Life

Human life is sacred because every person bears the image of God. Genesis 1:27 proclaims, “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.” To destroy an innocent life is to destroy a person who bears the image of God Himself.

Abortion violates the sixth commandment: “Thou shalt not kill” (Exodus 20:13). While some may argue that the unborn are not yet persons, Scripture recognizes them as fully human, deserving of the same protection and dignity as those outside the womb. The Bible’s consistent message is that life—at every stage—is precious in the eyes of the LORD.

A Misuse of Christian Liberty

Some argue that Christians have liberty to pursue abortion, claiming that freedom in Christ permits personal choices based on individual conscience. However, Scripture makes it clear that Christian liberty is not a license to sin. Galatians 5:13 states, “For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.” True Christian freedom is rooted in righteousness and obedience to God’s commands, not self-indulgence. Furthermore, Romans 6:1-2 admonishes believers, “What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?” Abortion, as a deliberate taking of innocent life, violates God’s moral law and cannot be justified under the guise of liberty.

Trusting God in Difficult Circumstances

Many who consider abortion do so because of fear, hardship, or pressure. Yet, Christians are called to trust God’s sovereignty and provision, even in challenging circumstances. Proverbs 3:5-6 reminds us: “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.”

God’s Word assures us that He is near to the brokenhearted and provides grace for every need. Instead of turning to abortion as a solution, believers should rely on their church for support, counsel, and practical help. Church members are called to bear one another’s burdens (Galatians 6:2) and to demonstrate a gracious love (Luke 6:32-36)

The Gospel of Life

At its core, abortion is a sin that stems from humanity’s fallen nature. Yet, the good news of the Gospel is that Jesus Christ came to save sinners. Because of the death, burial and resurrection of Christ — and the blood that he shed to cover our sins — forgiveness is available to all who repent and come to him in faith.  The grace of God is greater than any sin, and His mercy is available to all who seek it.  Learn more at https://www.lhbaptist.com/salvation

A Call to Action

As Christians, we must boldly proclaim the truth about abortion and advocate for the protection of the unborn. Further, we must demonstrate a gracious love to those who have been involved in abortion. This includes:

1. Speak the Truth in Love: Share the biblical perspective on life with compassion and grace.

2. Pray for Our Nation: Intercede for leaders, lawmakers, and individuals to uphold the sanctity of life.

3. Live Out Our Faith: Demonstrate the love of Christ by providing practical support to mothers and fathers in need.

We also note that, for some, adoption may be an appropriate option. One writer states:

Giving children up for adoption can be a loving alternative for parents who may, for various reasons, be unable to care for their own children. It can also be an answer to prayer for many couples who have not been able to have children of their own. Adoption is, for some, a calling to multiply their impact as parents by expanding their family with children who are not their own, biologically. Adoption is spoken of favorably throughout Scripture.

Summary

In conclusion, abortion is not an option for those who seek to honor God and uphold his Word. Let us commit to being voices for the voiceless, standing firm on the truth of scripture, and reflecting the heart of our Creator, who values every life that he has made.

Acknowledgements:

The author has cited statistics from Just Facts, an independent research and educational institute dedicated to publishing objective analysis of public policy.  Access information related to abortion at https://www.justfacts.com/abortion

Material regarding adoption is quoted from GotQuestions.org. While we do not support their use of modern Bible versions, we often agree with their position on various topics.

This article was developed, in part, with the assistance of tools from OpenAI, including ChatGPT (December 27, 2024 version). Access at https://openai.com/chatgpt

How Should Christians View Family Planning & “Emergency Contraceptive” Pills?

Pastor Bob Hammond  |  Expanded version published November 2014

In recent years, Christian married couples have increasingly re-visited the debate regarding the use birth control.  Some have rejected birth control methods altogether--expressing a desire to give themselves more fully to the LORD’s plan for their families (Gen. 1:28; Ps. 127:3-5).  Others have chosen to limit their use of birth control non-hormonal methods -- noting concern about the potential for hormonal methods (e.g. “the pill”) to terminate early pregnancies.   To help guide your own decision, consider these four observations:

1.  Bearing children is one of the LORD’s primary purposes for marriage. 

Genesis 1:28   “And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.”

Also recognize that children are a reward from the LORD and a Godly source of happiness:

 Psalm 127:3-5   “Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward.  4 As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth.  5 Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate.” 

2.  The LORD knows us before we were conceived – and that He has mandated the protection of unborn children (without regard to the stage of development)

The LORD told Jeremiah that He knew Jeremiah “before I formed thee in the belly.” 

Jeremiah 1:5   “Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.”

Moses taught that a man who harms an unborn child should suffer punishment:

Exodus 21:22-23  “If men strive, and hurt a woman with child, so that her fruit depart from her, and yet no mischief follow: he shall be surely punished, according as the woman's husband will lay upon him; and he shall pay as the judges determine.  23 And if any mischief follow, then thou shalt give life for life." 

In Exodus 21, the LORD does not specify the point of development at which an unborn child is afforded this protection.  That wasn’t necessary because a fertilized human egg is simply a human being at the earliest stage of development.  The LORD knows us before conception and He calls for our protection in the womb.  It is clear that the LORD desires that unborn children be protected at all stages of development - from conception forward. 

3. If Christians choose to use birth control, they must recognize that many methods are abortive, i.e. they have potential to cause an early pregnancy to be terminated.

 One pastor argues that “outside of condoms, most birth control methods are not pre-emptive but rather abortive.   They do not prevent conception, but prevent the fertilized egg from adhering to the uterine wall so the pill and such causes an abortion since it kills the fertilized egg.” 

• Note that, in addition to condoms, various other so-called “barrier methods” have no known abortive potential (see section #4 below)

• All hormonal birth control methods have abortive potential.  These methods include all form of birth control pills and hormonal injections

• An IUD, or intrauterine device, also has abortive potential and should be avoided.

The potential for hormonal birth control methods to cause abortions is described by numerous physicians, including Dr. William Collitron, a clinical professor of obstetrics and gynecology at George Washington University Medical Center:   

• “The fact that the hormonal contraceptives have an abortive potential is discussed in (a) paper circulated at (the) 1998 midwinter meeting (of the 2,500 member American Association of Pro Life Obstetricians and Gynecologists).  “… virtually all literature dealing with hormonal contraception ascribes a three-fold action to these agents:   inhibition of ovulation, inhibition of sperm transport and production of a ‘hostile endometrium’, which presumably prevents or disrupts implantation of the developing baby if the first two mechanisms fail.”

EMERGENCY CONTRACEPTION.  Christians should also be aware that the so-called “morning after pill” is also intended to cause the rejection of a fertilized egg rather than to prevent conception:

• Ella® is a so-called “morning after” pill. According to Jeanne Monahan, Director of the Center for Human Dignity at the Family Research Council, "The FDA opted against including the critical fact that Ella can cause an abortion of a baby already implanted in its mother's womb in the drug labeling information.”  Other forms of “morning after pills” include Mifeprex (RU-486)  and Plan B.

4.     Various forms of contraception have no known abortive potential.
Two groups of methods have no known abortive potential:  barrier methods and behavioral methods.  Christian married couples who choose to use birth control should consider these methods

• Barrier Methods

  • Male condoms

  • Female condoms

  • Cervical cap (including Lea's Shield)

  • Diaphram

• Behavioral Methods. “Behavioral methods involve regulating the timing or methods of intercourse to prevent the introduction of sperm into the female reproductive tract, either altogether or when an egg may be present.”

  • Fertility awareness methods

    • Symptoms-based methods of fertility awareness involve a woman's observation and charting of her body's fertility signs, to determine the fertile and infertile phases of her cycle. Charting may be done by hand or with the assistance of fertility monitors. Most methods track one or more of the three primary fertility signs: changes in basal body temperature, in cervical mucus, and in cervical position. If a woman tracks both basal body temperature and another primary sign, the method is referred to as symptothermal. Other bodily cues include abdominal pain that occurs around the time of ovulation.

    • Calendar-based methods such as the rhythm method and Standard Days Method estimate the likelihood of fertility based on the length of past menstrual cycles. To avoid pregnancy with fertility awareness, unprotected sex is restricted to the least fertile period of time.

  • Lactational method. There’s significant evidence that the likelihood of a new pregnancy is dramatically reduced while a woman is breastfeeding.  The lactational amenorrhea method, or LAM, gives guidelines for determining the length of a woman's period of breastfeeding infertility.