Podcast Summary: Does the Bible Support Abortion?! | Live Free with Josh Howerton

Podcast: Live Free with Josh Howerton
Host: Lakepointe Church
Episode: Does the Bible Support Abortion?!
Date: August 4, 2025

Overview

This episode tackles a hot-button cultural and theological issue: Does the Bible support abortion? The hosts—Pastor Josh Howerton, Pastor Paul Cunningham, and Carlos Araza—respond directly to a viral clip from a Joe Rogan interview featuring James Talo, who claims the Bible (and Jesus in particular) does not clearly condemn abortion or homosexuality. The conversation navigates key biblical texts, church history, and practical discipleship, aiming to equip Christians for clear thinking and compassionate conviction.

Key Discussion Points

1. Viral Joe Rogan Clip: Setting the Stage (03:21, 56:28)

• The hosts introduce a widespread, controversial clip in which James Talo claims that:
  • Jesus never spoke about abortion or homosexuality
  • Early churches did not universally oppose abortion
  • Christians should allow for "theological arguments" supporting abortion

2. Stewarding Your Life and Time (11:00–41:08)

• Digression into Ephesians 5's command to "make the best use of your time."
• Pastors discuss how Christians should live with eternity in mind, prioritizing what lasts forever—especially the souls of people.
  • Quote: "Reverse engineer my time allocation...from what are the things that will matter in eternity." – Pastor Josh (15:00)
• Challenges of focus, distraction, and "the devil doesn't have to destroy you if he can distract you" (28:26).
• Practical principles: set priorities, define commitments, say "no" to good things for the sake of best things—especially in family and calling.

3. Dating & Relationships—Biblical Wisdom (41:44–56:28)

• Brief segment on dating for young adults:
  • Only date Christians—“Do not be unequally yoked”
  • Build friendship first; character matters most
  • Quote: "Try to become the type of person that the type of person you're looking for is looking for." – Pastor Josh (50:58)
  • Men should lead in purity, set boundaries, fish in the right ponds (i.e. seek a spouse in the church context)
  • Modesty matters: "If you fish with junk bait, you're going to catch junk fish." (49:56)

4. Responding to Viral Arguments: Does the Bible Support Abortion or Homosexuality? (56:28–End)

a) “Jesus Never Talked About Homosexuality or Abortion”

(57:05–60:23)

• Argument from silence is weak—Jesus didn’t mention nuclear warheads either.
• Jesus did define marriage and sexual ethics explicitly (Matthew 19). By affirming marriage as between a man and a woman, Jesus excluded all other sexual expressions.
  • Quote: "If somebody were to ask me, 'Josh, which one is your wife?' I could point to everybody and say 'not her, not her', or I could just point to Janet and say, 'That’s my wife.' That’s what Jesus does with marriage." (60:29)
• The broader New Testament (Romans 1, 1 Corinthians 6) directly addresses homosexuality.

b) “Early Baptists and the Church Supported Abortion”

(65:24–69:53)

• James Talo claims the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) was pro-choice until the 1970s.

• Reality: The SBC’s 1971 statement called for abortion exceptions but rooted that in a commitment to "the sanctity of life." Shortly after, a conservative resurgence reaffirmed biblical pro-life positions.

• The Didache (early church manual, ~A.D. 70), Tertullian (A.D. 197), and many other early sources show a consistent Christian opposition to abortion.

  • Quote: "You shall not procure abortion" – The Didache, A.D. 70 (68:32)
  • “This view [that abortion is a Christian liberty] would have been described as heresy anywhere before the last 50 years.” – Paul Cunningham (69:53)

c) “Numbers 5: The Bible Commands Abortion”

(71:08–74:44)

• Claim: Numbers 5 allegedly includes instructions for abortion.
• Correct context: The passage is a test for adultery, not abortion—pregnancy is never mentioned, and it concerns divine judgment, not human intervention.
  • “If you're seeing something no one has seen before, it's because it isn't there.” – Paul Cunningham (73:01)

d) “Biblical Human Life Begins at First Breath (Genesis Creation)”

(76:38–78:45)

• Claim: Because God breathed into Adam, life begins with first breath.
• Rebuttal: Adam is a supernatural exception, created uniquely; normal human life begins at conception, as seen in Luke 1 (John the Baptist leaping in the womb), Psalm 139, Jeremiah 1:5.
  • The Greek word brephos applies equally to unborn and born children.

e) Mary’s “Consent” and Women’s Autonomy

(83:08–87:28)

• Talo claims Mary gave consent, thus modeling reproductive autonomy.
• Text shows Mary obediently submits, not that God waits for consent.
  • “If anything, this confirms our viewpoint—she basically says, 'I am going to be obedient.' If she had not, it would have been sin.” – Paul Cunningham (86:39)

f) Addressing Tone & Clarity: Why Speak So Boldly?

(88:03–End)

• Clear teaching and strong language are biblical, especially when protecting vulnerable lives and the church.
  • “It’s a loving thing to be clear. Whenever the flock is being misled, Christian leaders have the responsibility to rise up and speak very pointedly.” – Paul Cunningham (90:35)
• The pulpit must be clear because the culture is loud and confused; confusion about core moral issues is often due to unclear teachings in churches.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On eternal perspective:
  "I preached as never sure to preach again, as a dying man to dying men." – Richard Baxter, quoted by Pastor Josh (19:55)
• On attention:
  "If you don't pre-decide your priorities, then your only input is how you feel in the moment." – Pastor Josh (38:46)
• On distraction:
  "The devil doesn't have to destroy you if he can distract you." – Pastor Josh (28:26)
• On abortion’s moral framework:
  "The only question is: is it murder? That’s the only question that matters." – Pastor Josh (81:19)
• On gospel hope for those who’ve aborted:
  “The death that most defines your life is not the death of your son or your daughter. It’s the death of the Son of God that cleanses you from all sin.” – Pastor Josh (83:00)
• On progressive Christianity and politics:
  "Progressive Christianity grows social media platforms but shrinks churches...They preach against Christian nationalism but then use Scripture to push their own preferred policies.” – Pastor Josh (91:57)
• On Christian leaders' duty:
  “What's mean is allowing someone to continue teaching things that, if believed, will result in death and people going to hell. That’s mean.” – Pastor Josh (90:30)

Important Segment Timestamps

• 03:21 – Viral Joe Rogan clip introduction & context
• 11:00 – Principles on stewarding time biblically
• 41:44 – Dating and relationship advice
• 56:28 – Begin analysis/response to viral arguments
• 57:05 – "Jesus never addressed homosexuality/abortion" argument
• 65:24 – SBC/Church and abortion history
• 71:08 – Numbers 5 and “biblical” abortion
• 76:38 – When does life begin? Breath vs. conception
• 83:08 – Mary’s “consent” argument
• 88:03 – Why pastors must speak clearly, even strongly
• 91:09 – Pastors’ responsibility for clarity in teaching
• 95:18 – Closing prayer and gospel hope

Final Thoughts

The episode asserts unambiguously that both the Bible and historic Christianity reject abortion and same-sex sexual behavior, not as political points but as matters of faithfulness and truth. The hosts urge clarity in teaching, compassion for sinners, and confidence in the gospel's grace to cover and heal every sin—including abortion.

If you’re wrestling with these issues or your church is unsure, this episode is a call to return to the Word and the wisdom of church history, walking in conviction, clarity, and the kindness of Christ.

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