Abortion Part 2

In addition to Exodus 21:22-23 and Genesis 2:7 the Bible in many places talks about the unborn fetus not as something less than human, but as a human being created by God. In Luke 1:41-44 the unborn are referred to as children. In Matthew 1:20-21 Jesus is said to be human while still in the womb. Jeremiah 1:5 and Isaiah 49:1 indicate that God knows the unborn and even calls them. In Judges 13:2-7 Samson’s Nazarite vow is in effect from the point of conception. There can be no doubt that the Bible knows nothing of the unborn as being anything but human beings created by God. 

If one simply considers what the Bible says about the unborn that would be sufficient to show that abortion is murder in the eyes of God and therefore sinful. However as with all truth the Bible and science are in agreement. From a scientific standpoint abortion is also ending a human life. The most obvious way this can be demonstrated is by considering that the genetic makeup of the fetus is no different from what it will be at birth or at 75 years of age. From the point of conception the fetus has 46 Chromosomes that will determine all of its physical characteristics. The only difference between a 10 minute old fetus and a 10 year old child is time and nutrition. Given the necessary nutrients the fetus will develop everything else. This means that nutrition has become the determining factor of humanness which again, can be logically extended to say that anyone lacking the means to develop is less than human. 

The early development of the fetus is another strong indication of humanness. It has already been noticed that at the point of conception the infant has all of the genetic material that it will ever have. By the first month the fetus has a heart beat as well as head arms legs. By forty two days brain waves can be detected. During the second month the baby will have it’s own blood type finger prints and is sensitive to touch. In the third month the baby will swallow, swim, suck its thumb, and be able to feel pain (remember abortion is commonly performed any time prior to the fifth month). By month four the infant will have reached half its birth weight and be eight to ten inches long. Finally by month five the baby has hair, nails, can cry, and live outside the womb. When all of these physical characteristics are considered it is hard to even imagine destroying this little life. 

There is also the understanding accepted by all biologists that when two animals of a species conceive the result is another of the same species. No one says when a dog is pregnant that it is carrying anything but more dogs. With regards to human beings though there is confusion as to whether or not the human mother is carrying a human. 

Before we leave this idea it must be stated that in addition to Abortion the concepts being discussed here have many further implications. If we as a society can decide that certain human’s are not worthy of the same rights and privileges as others there are many things that become allowable. Western society as a whole generally holds to a view of human dignity that ensures certain rights. If humans fall on a scale of value instead of having equal intrinsic value we are in a moral quandary. This opens the door to racism, to slavery and prostitution which is a close cousin to slavery. It means that in some cases institutions need not be concerned about human rights violations if those violated fall lower on the scale of value. 

It would seem that what we think about abortion has far reaching consequences for many moral and ethical issues. The immediate one is euthanasia but there are many other issues.  A better more consistent and more moral view would be that God grants life and humans are not at liberty to take it outside of very specific circumstances related to defense of self or nation or in the enacting of Justice on behalf of the government. 

~ Kevin Cleary

September 29, 202

The population of Canada is about 35million people. It would be considered at tragedy if some disease or industrial accident were to wipe out the whole population. If a foreign invader did it would be considered genocide and that nation would be guilty of war crimes. However in North America every year over 30million babies are killed mercilessly and no one bats an eye. They are killed by their own mothers who because of embarrassment or inconvenience see fit to end the life of their unborn child by abortion.

The reality is that there are many views about the rightness or wrongness of abortion. From these many views three main categories can be identified;
1) Abortion is always acceptable
2) Abortion is sometimes acceptable
3) Abortion is never acceptable

The view one holds is determined by how that one sees the unborn fetus. If the fetus is human than laws against murder that apply to humans are applicable to abortion however if the fetus in not human then they do not. This is true both for Christians and non-christians since Christians would consider God’s admonitions against killing to apply only to human beings. This means that the real question under consideration is when does a fetus become a human being.

The three views of abortion stated above correlate with how one understands the humanness of a fetus. Those who say that abortions is acceptable all the time would say that until the point of birth the fetus in something less than human. Those who say that abortion is acceptable some of the time would say that the fetus is potentially human and becomes human sometime during gestation. And those who would say that abortion never acceptable would say that the fetus is human at conception. By identifying the right view we can determine whether abortion is right or wrong and when.

To determine which of the above views is the correct one we can look to scripture and ask when God calls a fetus human. We can also consider what medical science has discovered that would be pertinent to our discussion. By considering these things we can know if when a child is aborted murder is being committed and therefore, if the abortion is right or wrong.

There are a few passages of scripture that must be considered if we are to have a grasp of what the bible teaches about the state of the fetus:

The First of these and possibly most important is Exodus 21:22-23 the reason this text is especially significant is that it is often used by pro-choice groups to say that the Bible differentiates between born and unborn and that the unborn are not given equal rights. In fact this passage teaches the opposite. The passage reads as follows: 22 “If men struggle with each other and strike a woman with child so that she gives birth prematurely, yet there is no injury, he shall surely be fined as the woman’s husband may demand of him, and he shall pay as the judges decide. 23 “But if there is any further injury, then you shall appoint as a penalty life for life,”. It has been said that this passage teaches that if the baby is miscarried then only a fine is imparted showing that it is not considered a human life (this argument is based on a misunderstanding of mischief in the KJV and totally falls apart when the passage is read in a modern translation) . What this passage really teaches is that the life of the unborn infant is equal to that of the man who killed it.

Another key passage often used by pro-choicers is Genesis 2:7, they claim that this passage indicates that until there is breath there is no life. There are two problems with this first they are using a situation that has never and will never be repeated after Adam. They fail to recognize that a fetus does need oxygen and takes it in through the mother from the moment of conception. This argument would mean that anyone who is unable to breath by their own power is not human. This would include those on life support, clearly this argument in nonsensical. 

~ Kevin Cleary

 

September 22, 202

• We all use messages all the time. Whether it’s to plan a family gathering or communicate what you need or want to a business or associate. We also know that the importance of the message has a lot to do with how we send it.
• I can remember numerous occasions while working for Habitat Insulfoam a spray foam contractor when I would need to get a message to the crew on a job site. Sometimes it was a small change maybe to the depth of foam or to make sure they didn’t overlook some detail. Most of us have had that situation, usually in this case I would leave a note or call or even have another person pass the information along.
• However when the information was more important maybe relating to fire code or building inspector specifications I would not pass a note or have another person convey the information. I would show up on site.
• We all do this quite often. If something needs to be done that relates to your child’s safety or the quality or safety of your home you won’t usually send a message you show up in person.

     There are a number of terms in scripture which actually just mean messenger. An apostle is simply one sent with a message. The Greek word aggelos from which we get our English word angel simply means messenger. We know of many instances when God works through these messengers. Just like us however when something really important is happening God knows this is something that can’t be done through a messenger. “In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God. And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the father full of grace and truth.” John 1:1 and 14. “And she gave birth to her first born son and wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn. And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them and the glory of the Lord shone around them and they were filled with fear. And the angel said to them “Fear not for behold I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a saviour who is Christ the Lord.” Luke 2:7-11

     The task that was important enough to bring the Son of God to earth was the salvation of all mankind Mat 1:21; Luke 19:10; Gal 4:4; Rom 5:10. The task was achieved Christ was not just born but lived the perfect life died on the cross to redeem us from sin and rose again and is now seated at the right hand of God in heaven Act 2:22-36. 

     Having done the task that no one else could Jesus returned to heaven to mediate on our behalf. The work is now back in the hands of messengers. For a time there were apostles and prophets these men gave us the Bible which is the completed message. It falls to us to carry that message to all who need it. We often remember the arrival and ministry of Jesus but let’s not just remember that he came but why and use this as an opportunity to tell others.

~ Kevin

 

September 15, 202

We live in a constantly connected world. A world where no question goes unanswered and no information goes unshared. There are many benefits to this: we can connect with loved ones, we can share important news quickly and easily. We may be able to learn new things start new hobbies or even find a career. That said there is a danger that comes with instant access to the world through a screen. 

1. Not all of the information being shared it true.
2. Even some information that is true is not helpful.
3. We can perpetuate our own bad habits and ideas by focusing on these things and or allowing an algorithm to manipulate us into focusing on them.
4. The lack of face to face contact can make us more likely to say things that we wouldn’t say in person.
5. We perpetuate an unhealthy obsession with 24hr news where many things that don’t deserve attention get it just because there is nothing else going on.

I Thess 5:21 Test everything hold fast to what is good

I Cor 10:23 All things are lawful, ”but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful,” but not all things build up.

Phil 4:8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable-if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-think about such things.

Social media is a great way to stay in touch with friends, share encouraging stories or jokes, have some fun in a little debate or check in on that person you met that one time. 

It can also be a way to disseminate lies disguised as credible information. It can cause those who struggle with stress or anxiety to be bombarded with more worries and concerns than they can bear. It can cause frustration and even aggression.

Use social media to keep in touch and catch up. Share encouragement, check in on people who may need help, have a group devotional via Skype or Facebook. Make sure that you are checking the things you read with verifiable facts. Make sure you hold up religious meme’s to the standard of scripture. 

Make sure you are taking a break, getting enough exercise (that’s probably more than you usually get), eating healthy meals, spending time with family, working on home projects. It may surprise you to know that none of these things require an internet connection. 

God Bless

Kevin Cleary

 

September 8, 202

     Here is the event for which all of the various theories regarding the end times get their name. Premillennialists are so named because of their belief that Christ will return to earth before his thousand year reign or “millennium.” The key passage is Revelation 20:1-6 Christ is said to reign with some of the dead for 1000 years. To the premillennialist this will be Christ ruling in Jerusalem during a time of peace and prosperity, when everyone will be good and right and the world will be a beautiful place.

     We know from Jn 18:36 that Jesus never intended an earthly kingdom. But let’s focus a little on Revelation 20. First, Revelation is a figurative book (Rev 1:1). Further, the images used in these verses are clearly figurative. Can a pit literally have no bottom? 1000 is simply a number indicating a large but definite period of time. We will use the number this way today when we say “If I’ve told you once I’ve told you a thousand times.” Wayne Jackson points out that a number of key things are missing from Revelation 20 that we would expect to find his comments on these verses are especially helpful:

Significant Omissions

Nothing is said of: Christ’s second coming, the establishment of a kingdom, an earthly regime, a bodily reining, the throne of David of the Jews being regathered to Palestine. 

     It makes more sense to understand that in the context of Revelation we are seeing the reversal of the oppression and persecution that Christians were experiencing. Those martyred from chapter 6:9-11 are now reigning. 

     We know that Jesus is seated at the right hand of the throne of God Mrk 16:19; Rom 8:34; Heb 1:3; 1Pet 3:22. These verses and others would indicate that the reign of Christ is now and those who accept and respond to the gospel experience that reign in their lives.

     The question we must ask ourselves is given what we know about Jesus work, position and intersession are we willing to give him the rightful trust and submission that he has earned? 

     As he has told us “I stand at the door and knock if anyone should hear my voice and open the door then I will come in to him and will dine with him and he with me.” Jesus doesn’t barge in a take-over we must invite him. 

     My prayer is that we accept Jesus reign in our hearts and in our churches. 

~ Kevin Cleary