Killing at the Beginning of Life

Last time we were looking at the Bible and also modern law, talking about various terms for murder, and various different categories.

Interestingly enough, our culture has piled on all kinds of terms and terminology around killing, especially at the “borders of life”. For example, killing a baby before it’s born is “abortion”. Killing a baby after it’s born is “infanticide”, or more commonly now “postpartum abortion”.

And instead of “baby” we use various words depending on the stage of development, “fetus” being the most well-known (of course, “baby” refers to development as well).

We know more about the development of human life in the womb now than ever before in history. For example, we know that from day 1, the new little life has its own DNA. It is not its mother – it is a different, growing, alive, human being.

From the start, this new human is an independent life. Not, of course, in the sense of not needing its mother. We all depend on others, to a certain point (see Genesis 1 and 2: Keywords #2 and #3). A two year old depends on its parents (which does not give them the right to kill it!). But it’s independent in the sense that it’s its own living human life, apart from its mother.

At only 8 weeks old, we can see the hands and feet of the baby. The baby can already suck its thumb! The main component of its eyes has already formed. “I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made!” (Psalm 139:14a)

People in past ages didn’t know as much about baby development as we do, but they did know that there was a new life in the womb. And yet, in some places in the world, people seem to have the irrational and seemingly archaic idea that if you can’t see it, it’s not really a person! (Just cover your eyes and look in a mirror and see if it works.) I’m not sure how else you can explain why some seem so willing to kill a baby in the womb, but not a newborn (although, of course, there are many advocating for the right to kill the newborn as well).

Sadly, in the first days and weeks, some mothers voluntarily take a “morning after” or “plan B” pill, which murders this precious new person. And we have to say that some so-called contraceptives actually do murder the baby. And some go to clinics where the baby is murdered. Maybe we should use the word as it should be used.

And speaking of terminology, what do we call people who commit murder? I’m not talking about anyone in particular at this point, just clarifying terminology. But it’s hard to say – even to type – when you’re talking about certain categories….

There are some arguments that are used in favour of killing the unborn baby which disappear when we start using biblical categories.

What about in the case of rape? Well, why should the child be murdered for the sake of a parent?

The mother was too young. So you’ll murder the child because of the mother’s age?

The baby is part of my body, and “my body my choice”.

We already know that this is another life, so saying it’s part of the mother’s body isn’t exactly honest in the first place. But it begs the question again, what magic changes the baby into a person worthy of life when it’s born? Does it depend on its location? You can murder someone who is here, but not there?

There’s a reason why many people have pointed out that it’s important to know what it being “terminated” in an abortion. Terminology is important.

This is not to ignore the challenges and pain and complications and emotions in all the many different situations that mothers find themselves in. It’s not to ignore the complications of law and society. I understand the differences of opinion about how we should try to legislate or not in various situations. But let’s not ignore the seriousness of taking a life either. God takes it very seriously. And we must start with His Word, not with out current legal situation.

Those are just a few quick thoughts, but next time we’ll take a look at a much-discussed Bible passage, and then go on to see how the Church and the world look at this topic.