Page 44 - Christ and Culture Textbook

morality we recognize the separation of power between church and state, we cannot recognize the
autonomy of the state before God. The state is also a servant of God. The church has the responsibility
to speak to the legislature. The state’s primary function is the preservation of society and the
preservation of life. When the state is involved in legislation that does not respect and promote the
sanctity of life, the church must speak out. The church has the responsibility to speak out, since the
heart of the issue is the sanctity of life.

The real basis of the right to choose abortion is “want.” The unspoken assumption of the pro-choice
position is that I am free to choose whatever I want—an assumption inacceptable to both God and
nature. We have no moral right to do evil. I may have the civil and legal right to sin but never the moral
right. The only moral rights I have are to righteousness. Is not the issue more complex? Does it not hang
together with the broader issue of the extent of government intrusion in our private lives? Surely it
does.

Standard Viewpoints on Abortion – Probe Ministries Humanities Studies

Classic Roman Catholic – The fetus is fully human life at the moment of conception and to destroy it is
murder. All human life falls under the fifth commandment, “you shall not kill.”

Prominent Jewish/Protestant – The fetus is nascent (developing) human life. God is at work creating.
The fetus, while not fully human, is potential human and should be viewed with a holy awe. To destroy
life is a serious consideration.

Majority Medical/Legal – The fetus is a non-person. It is tissue. To remove it is no different than
removing the appendix or gall bladder. There is no moral issue involved.

Biblical Considerations
Psalm 139:1-6 LORD, You have searched me and known me You know when I sit down and when I rise
up; You understand my thought from afar. You scrutinize my path and my lying down, And are intimately
acquainted with all my ways. Even before there is a word on my tongue, Behold, O LORD, You know it all.
You have enclosed me behind and before. And laid Your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful
for me…

Jer. 1:5 Now the word of the LORD came to me saying, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you,
And before you were born I consecrated you; I have appointed you a prophet to the nations.

Luke. 1:15 For he will be great in the sight of the Lord; and he will drink no wine or liquor, and he will be
filled with the Holy Spirit while yet in his mother’s womb. “And he will turn many of the sons of Israel
back to the Lord their God. “It is he who will ago as a forerunner before Him in the spirit and power of
Elijah, TO TURN THE HEARTS OF THE FATHERS BACK TO THE CHILDREN, and the disobedient to the
attitude of the righteous, so as to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”

Psalm. 127:3-6 Behold, children are a gift of the LORD, The fruit of the womb is a reward.

Psalm. 51:5 Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, And in sin my mother conceived me.

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