Analyzing the Theological Arguments for Abortion Abolitionism

Dr. Kody W. Cooper examines the theological and biblical arguments used by the abortion abolitionist movement in an article for Word on Fire. The movement, which was once considered a fringe group, is gaining traction and creating strategic divisions within pro-life circles.

The abolitionist movement began roughly a decade ago in Texas, where participants called for the total removal of abortion at the city, county, and state levels. This approach often relies on a constitutional interpretation suggesting that the Fourteenth Amendment protects all persons, whether born or unborn. However, Cooper notes that this maximalist goal faces challenges because many states maintain majorities that support abortion, and originalist judges have generally held that the Constitution is silent on the issue, leaving such decisions to individual states.

While mainstream pro-life advocates previously focused on incremental laws designed to survive legal challenges and save as many lives as possible, the rise of abolitionism highlights new debates regarding the most effective strategies for the movement following the Dobbs decision.