Pastor Mark Driscoll stirred controversy on social media when he shared some harsh words against pro-choicers. “The Gospel of Jesus Christ fundamentally transforms you at the soul level,” Driscoll wrote. “This is why there are no pro-choice Christians in heaven.” In a follow-up post to address criticism that he was “putting a political issue over faith in Jesus Christ,” he added, “The ‘christian’ neo-conservative move is to classify genocide as a political issue so that those pesky Christians and their pesky God-given morals stop losing us elections. If God has not given you a new heart–which includes His values at no charge–then you do not have saving faith in Jesus Christ.”

The post caused a debate amongst evangelicals, with Southern Baptist church leader Dwight McKissic posting, “I’m unapologetically pro-life. But…to protect the integrity of Scripture and the doctrine of salvation by grace through faith, being a gift of God, lest any man should boast….it must be pointed out that being pro-choice is not a disqualification for salvation, and does not prohibit one from going to heaven,” he wrote. “What Driscoll is teaching here is [antithetical] to the gospel, and actually the teaching of ‘another gospel’…that may come closer to landing one in hell.” Another commentor wrote, “Of course pro choice Christians will be in heaven, they’re Christian, wrong but Christian.” Some commentors agreed, however, with one writing, “Mark Driscoll is 100% correct. His faults and past failures notwithstanding, this statement is true to the utmost.” Driscoll has been often outspoken about his views on abortion and whether it is compatible with Christian faith. On Instagram, he wrote, “Can Christians be pro-choice? No. That’s it.” He did, however, state that having an abortion does not mean someone is beyond salvation. “If you’re a Christian and you’ve had an abortion, YOU ARE FORGIVEN,” he added.

His critics, however, stated he was adding works as a requirement to salvation rather than the saving blood of Christ. Got Questions addressed the issue of “pro-choice Christians,” stating, “Salvation is a gift of God through faith in the finished work of Jesus Christ (John 3:16-18; Ephesians 2:8-9; Acts 16:31; Romans 10:9). What we believe about other things is a matter of growth, not of salvation. However, 2 Corinthians 5:17 says, ‘If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.’ When we give our lives to Christ, He begins to change us: our way of thinking and our way of behaving (see Isaiah 55:7).” After a lengthy reflection on whether abortion is a biblical view or not, with the conclusion that life begins at conception and thus all life is sacred and should be protected, including the pre-born, the article concludes that while someone may be a Christian and have pro-choice beliefs, the work of God will remove those beliefs. “The Bible is clear: since God is the Creator of human life, only He can determine who lives or dies. And every person who claims the name of Christ has the obligation to make certain his or her views line up with His Word. Is it possible for a born-again Christian to be pro-choice? Yes. Is it likely that such a person will remain pro-choice? Not if he or she is allowing God’s Word to transform and renew his or her mind (Romans 12:2).”