Essay

Running Head: ABORTION 1

ABORTION 5

Abortion

Institution Affiliation

Student’s Name

The Divine nature theory is one of the best approaches employed by Christians in dealing with various issues. This theory presents God as the source of morality. My Christian faith makes me believe that the Bible is the ultimate source of answers to moral questions. Michael Jones in his book "Moral Reasoning", points out three ways in which logic can be used to apply the biblical views on ethical dilemmas. The first approach involves seeking passages directly addressing the issue at hand. While it is the simplest approach, some issues are not in the Bible[footnoteRef:1]. The second approach involves seeking general principles applicable to issues that are not directly given in the Bible. The third approach involves the use of analogous induction. This is achieved by first looking at a similar situation in the Bible and comparing how the characters in the Bible responded. [1: Jones, Michael. Moral Reasoning: An Intentional Approach to Distinguishing Right from Wrong. Dubuque: Kendall Hunt Publishing Company, 2017. ]

Abortion is one of the moral issues in applied ethics that has brought about ethical dilemmas among Christians[footnoteRef:2]. Abortion can be spontaneous or induced. For this assignment, I will concentrate on induced abortions. This form of abortion involves various procedures carried out on a pregnant woman purposely to clear out an embryo or fetus in the womb. Induced abortion has become a common issue in our society and across the world. There is high controversy regarding this topic not only for Christians but also in other religions. [2: McQuilkin, and Paul Copan. An introduction to biblical ethics. (2014) ]

Notably, the Bible does not talk directly about moral issues concerning abortion. Although that is the case, I believe that the scriptures still provide approaches that can be applied in this ethical dilemma. In discussing abortion, the following four elements are considered. The beginning of life, what is regarded as murder, the value in a human developing, and the issue of self-sacrifice[footnoteRef:3]. [3: McQuilkin, and Paul Copan. An introduction to biblical ethics. (2014)]

Most activists object that that life starts at conception but believe that it begins within a given number of weeks after conception. Their argument is supported by the fact no heartbeat is detectable until about 6 to 8 weeks of gestation. Their claims are further supported by the fact that a fetus is not viable outside the womb until 22 weeks. Regardless of these claims, I believe that the Bible infers that life starts at conception. The bible says that our bodies were already ordained by God even before birth[footnoteRef:4]. Regardless of whether a fetus is fully formed or not, abortion is wrong in the eyes of God. [4: Bible, Holy. "New international version." Grand Rapids: Zondervan (1984).]

Secondly, among the ten commandments, the bible points out that "you shall not murder"[footnoteRef:5]. When Christians establish conception as the start of life, abortion is thus considered as murder and goes against God's commandments. A common counterargument for this view concerns the beginning of life. Thirdly, the Bible puts great emphasis on the value and importance of unborn children. The Bible establishes that the penalty for hurting a pregnant woman without hurting the fetus is less than that given when both are hurt[footnoteRef:6]. Abortion activists believe that the passage puts more importance on the mother, not the fetus. While their argument has some degree of validity, I believe the emphasis is on the pregnancy of a woman, if not, it would simply generalize a woman getting hurt, not a pregnant one. [5: Bible, Holy. "New international version." Grand Rapids: Zondervan (1984).] [6: Bible, Holy. "New international version." Grand Rapids: Zondervan (1984).]

Lastly, the element of self-sacrifice is important when applying biblical teachings on abortion. Jesus died on the cross as an act of self-sacrifice for the sake of others[footnoteRef:7]. I believe this applies to unborn children too. A counterargument is referenced back to when a fetus is considered a human. Also, it is argued that Jesus sacrificed himself for humans, and given that a fetus is not yet regarded as a human, then it does not apply. Despite these claims, Christians should establish conception as the beginning of human life. [7: Bible, Holy. "New international version." Grand Rapids: Zondervan (1984).]

In conclusion, looking at abortion from Divine Nature Theory approach, I believe that it is morally wrong in the eyes of God. Life is valuable regardless of the development stage. Every child is formed purposely by God and their life is ordained right from the moment they are conceived[footnoteRef:8]. Christians should always choose life over abortion. [8: McQuilkin, and Paul Copan. An introduction to biblical ethics. (2014) ]

References

Bible, Holy. "New international version." Grand Rapids: Zondervan (1984).

Jones, Michael. Moral Reasoning: An Intentional Approach to Distinguishing Right from Wrong. Dubuque: Kendall Hunt Publishing Company, 2017.

McQuilkin, and Paul Copan. An introduction to biblical ethics. (2014)