I have reservations in answering this question. The truth is, I am, at best, guardedly optimistic (though more so for the aborted children of Christians [whether because of elective abortion or miscarriage] than of non-Christians; see Acts 2:38–39; 1 Corinthians 7:14).
In the end, the most Biblical and responsible answer is to be agnostic on the matter.
Let’s start with some foundational Biblical presuppositions.
1. The doctrine of original sin says every human being, from conception, is legally guilty of sin. (David alludes to his own prenatal guilt in Psalm 51:5.)
2. The general way that people come to faith is through the preaching of the word of Christ (Romans 10:17).
3. The unborn are human beings (see my previous posts), which means they have an eternal destiny: a resurrection of the body either to eternal glory or eternal wrath (John 5:28–29; Acts 24:15). (Note: this resurrection doesn’t happen at death, either for the aborted fetus or for any of us. Resurrection happens when Jesus returns. Resurrection should also not be equated with “heaven,” but that’s the subject for another post.)
We may say of the unborn, then: (1) they are guilty of sin; (2) they haven’t come to faith (at least, in the usual manner); and (3) they have an eternal destiny. The fate of individuals who are guilty of (1) and (2) is, according to the New Testament, hell. It must be admitted that the unborn are guilty of unrepentant sin.
However, we should also concede that it is possible for God to save the unborn (and very young, infant children) in an atypical way. (He’s God!) Both the fetal Jesus and the fetal John the Baptist are examples of the Spirit dwelling in the unborn (Luke 1:39–45). King David seems to expect to join his dead infant son when he, himself, dies (2 Samuel 12:23); a possible indication of the view that the unborn (and those who do not have the capacity for faith) will be saved in the end.
John Piper holds this view. He believes “God has a way to cover [the sins of those who don’t have the capacity for faith, such as babies and the profoundly mentally disabled].” He appeals to Romans 1:19–20. You can read his argument here. I must confess that I am not entirely convinced, though I dearly hope that he is right.
It does bears noting that the Bible’s silence on this matter is one for which we should be thankful. Imagine, for instance, if we had chapter and verse clearly stating that all children who die before they reach the age of three will be resurrected to eternal life. How many babies, infants, and toddlers would be killed by well-meaning parents to secure their eternal destiny?
Ultimately, I don’t believe we can say with complete certainty what happens to aborted fetuses and must be content to leave things in the hands of our just and merciful God.
[Answered by Dr. Stephen Tu]
