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LIBERTY UNIVERSITY
An Analysis of Abortion
Submitted to Dr. Allen
in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the completion of
APOL 201-002
Apologetics and Cultural Engagement
by
John Anthony Courtright
December 12th, 2021
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Introduction
The contemporary issue that I selected is abortion. This is a grave issue that should be on
the mind of every Christian. Every year, millions of innocent babies around the world are
intentionally murdered. Of course, the individuals practicing abortion believe their reasons for
performing this horrible act are justified. JoAnn Ruppert recently published an article in The
New York Times concerning the justification of abortion.1 She praised the practice of abortion
and described how she aborted a child of her own in her 20s.2 Ruppert also detailed how
unprepared she was for a child and stated that she had grave misgivings about her skills at her
age to be a parent.3 She continued by claiming that unwanted children are unloved and should
not be born at all if they are not going to be loved.4
In this paper, I will use the Inside-Out approach to apologetics to critique Ruppert’s
article. Roughly framing my critique as an article for The New York Times, I will argue that
while Ruppert values abortion for the sake of convenience, she falsely considers the immense
consequences of abortion.
Affirm: Health/Status of Mother and Convenience
Ruppert’s article certainly has its valuable emphases. For instance, she offers a
convincing argument that she was not ready for a child since she was only in her 20s. Raising a
child is absolutely a massive commitment that takes finances, time, a suitable housing situation,
and so much more. She doubted her skills to be a parent at that time, and that is completely
reasonable.
1 Ruppert, JoAnn. “Abortion: Real Stories, Not Abstractions”, December 1, 2021.
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/12/11/opinion/letters/abortion.html
2 Ibid
3 Ibid
4 Ibid
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Moreover, Ruppert discusses the opportunity of convenience. She claimed that since she
aborted her baby, that she was given more freedom in contrast to having a baby.5 Ruppert
proclaimed that she was able to go to graduate school and become a licensed clinical social
worker.6 Obviously, if she had a child, this would have been immensely difficult, if not
impossible. Ruppert insisted that her life changed for the better because she got an abortion.7 She
now has a stable job, graduated college, and bears no regret for getting an abortion.8
Critique: Is abortion ethical?
First, Christianity states that all humans are created in the image of God. Moreover,
humans have inherent value and possess more value than all the other creatures of the earth. One
of God’s ten commandments states that we are to not murder. Since a fetus is a living being,
humans defy God when they have an abortion.9 Christianity advocates a pro-life stance.
Therefore, humans should choose life over quality of life.
Ruppert believed that it is the right of the mother to do what she pleases with her body.10
However, it is not her body, nor her baby. Both she and the baby were created by God. When an
abortion is committed, an amazing creation of God is destroyed. Ruppert also believes in a
“quality of life” perspective.11 Therefore, Ruppert believes that if the mother’s well-being is
possibly at risk, then she possesses the right to eradicate the fetus.12 The moral stance that
5 Ibid
6 Ibid
7 Ibid
8 Ibid
9 Schu, Montgomery. If you think abortion is wrong, speak up for the voiceless, September 28, 2018.
https://www.courier-journal.com/story/opinion/2018/09/28/if-you-think-abortion-wrong-speak-up-
voiceless/1455171002/
10 Ruppert, “Abortion: Real Stories, Not Abstractions.”
11 Ibid
12 Ibid
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Ruppert would support is an egoism stance, which implies that individuals will do what works
best for them or what is most convenient for them.13
Furthermore, Ruppert argued that abortion is helpful because the world needs fewer
people because of the scarcities that climate change will introduce.14 Who are we as humans to
determine if a baby gets to live or die? That is only God’s decision. Also, Ruppert added that
since some unwanted children are abused, they would be better off by being aborted to save them
the trouble and the pain.15 However, there are several ways around this troubling situation. First,
the police should be called by any witness if child abuse occurs. Second, the child should be put
up for adoption. Third, the parent(s) should go seek therapy before they are ready to take care of
children. There are so many ways around the immediate termination of life.
Outside: Abortion should be Avoided
As previously stated, since all human beings are image-bearers of God, the unique value
of all human life is affirmed. In Genesis 1:26, God made mankind in His image and in His
likeness, so that humanity could have dominion over all the other creatures of the earth. God
directly and intentionally created man in His image. This certifies that we as humans bear the
capability of rational thought and moral responsibility. Furthermore, Exodus 20:13 states that
humans are to not murder. Abortion is an act of murder and is the cause of death for millions of
innocent pre-mature humans. Human life should be preserved at all costs, no matter the
circumstance. Sometimes, an abortion is performed because the child may have a birth defect
when they are born. This is a result of human depravity. However, this does not justify the
termination of the fetus.
13 Ibid
14 Ibid
15 Ibid
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In Exodus 4:11, God stated that He is the One who gave human beings their mouths,
makes them deaf or mute, or gives them sight or makes them blind. God uniquely creates every
human being that is born, and He has a unique plan for each of their lives. Everyone deserves the
right to life. In Jeremiah 1:5 states, God states that before He formed us in the womb, He knew
us. In Isaiah 44:24, The Lord proclaims that not only did He form us from the womb, but He is
also the One who made all things, who alone stretched out the heavens, and who spread out the
earth. Therefore, we can know that God is the Creator of humans, and that the fetus is a
premature and alive human. From Psalms 139:13-16, we can know that God knitted together
each human from their mother’s womb and that each human is fearfully and wonderfully made.
Moreover, we read that God saw our unformed substance and had every day that he had formed
for us written in His book, even prior to conception.
Furthermore, there are situations where the child is unwanted.16 This may have occurred
because of rape or incest.17 However, there are alterations to having an abortion.18 If the
circumstance is so severe that the parent(s) are unable to support the child, then they should
consider adoption.19 Nevertheless, those faced with the consideration of having an abortion
should put their trust and faith in God and know that He is in control. The termination of human
life because of convenience is an abomination to the Lord. If the mother is at risk of death
through the birth, the doctors need to still strive to do whatever possible to save both the mother
and the baby before the baby is intentionally murdered.20
16 Taylor Hass. “Reasons Why Women Have Induced Abortions: Evidence from 27 Countries”, September 2, 1998.
https://www.guttmacher.org/journals/ipsrh/1998/09/reasons-why-women-have-induced-abortions-evidence-27-
countries
17 Ibid
18 James Patterson. “Abortion in self-defense”, 2014.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/ethics/abortion/philosophical/selfdefence.shtml
19 Shana Schutte. “How to help a friend who wants an abortion”, March 31, 2021.
https://www.focusonthefamily.com/pro-life/how-to-help-a-friend-who-wants-an-abortion/
20 Ibid
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Additionally, Christians can play a significant role in reducing abortions. First, we can
financially support organizations that strive to consult and provide for pregnant mothers facing
thoughts of abortion. Someone in a situation such as this would certainly desire help and service.
Also, we can pray. The power of prayer is boundless. We need to continuously reach out to God
and ask for His guidance and help on this topic. Finally, wherever we go, we should remind
others of how the Bible and a biblical worldview addresses abortion.
Bibliography
Hass, Taylor. Reasons Why Women Have Induced Abortions: Evidence from 27 Countries,
September 2, 1998. https://www.guttmacher.org/journals/ipsrh/1998/09/reasons-why-
women-have-induced-abortions-evidence-27-countries
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Patterson., James. Abortion in self-defense, 2014.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/ethics/abortion/philosophical/selfdefence.shtml
Ruppert, JoAnn. Abortion: Real Stories, Not Abstractions, December 1, 2021.
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/12/11/opinion/letters/abortion.html
Schu, Montgomery. If you think abortion is wrong, speak up for the voiceless, September 28,
2018. https://www.courier-journal.com/story/opinion/2018/09/28/if-you-think-abortion-
wrong-speak-up-voiceless/1455171002/
Schutte, Shana. How to help a friend who wants an abortion. March 31, 2021.
https://www.focusonthefamily.com/pro-life/how-to-help-a-friend-who-wants-an-abortion/
