As a fellow Christian, I appreciate your thoughtful reflection on how your worldview shapes your perspective on bioethical issues, particularly abortion

QUESTION

Hi, I need to add/reply to this and have two references with page numbers in the citations.

According to my worldview as a Christian, humans have moral, ethical, and spiritual values via the Christian narrative.  The Christian narrative answers the questions of the creation of man, the fall of man, the redemption of man, and the restoration of man (Bogue, 2022, pp. 70).  This is important because it explains who I am in this world, why I am here on earth, my downfall, and my redemption plan (Bogue, 2022, pp. 70).  According to my Christian worldview, God forms the foundation of morality, right and wrong.  Man is created in the image of God, imago Dei and through God, man’s morality is seen and learned through the holy scriptures and Godly commandments (Bogue, 2022, pp. 70).   Therefore, my position affects my stance on controversial bioethical issues, such as abortion, designer babies, and stem cell research.  My position on bioethics, such as abortion, align with God’s word in regard to abortion not being ethical.  One’s religion influences one’s position on abortion and the death penalty (Unnever et al., 2010, pp. 308).  God gave man ten (10) commandments to follow.  One commandment states that man shall not kill.  Christians believe that abortions kill unborn babies.  Therefore, I do not debate whether the unborn baby is a person.  I believe that the unborn child is not a mistake but a gift from God, and a living soul.  To abort an unborn baby is committing murder.  Only God can give a soul to a person or baby.  Therefore, just as God has power, he has given power unto man to love one another and be good stewards of the earth.   Though it is clear as to the Christian stance on abortion, the will of the individual man cannot be ignored, even if this will go against the word of God.  Every day Christians take the worldly view and abort their unborn gifts from God, only to later regret their irreversible decision.  Thus, the value of a human person is different to many people, but distinctly important to Christians because every person is unique.  No two people were ever created identically.  My worldview values each and every person’s uniqueness and image of God.

Bogue, D. W., Hogan, M., White , N. H., Hoehner, P. J., Self, C. W., & Evens, K. A. (2022). BibliU – Reader Foundational Issues in Christian Spiritually and Ethics. Practicing Dignity: An Introduction to Christian Values and Decision Making in Health Care (2 ed.). Bibliu.com; Grand Canyon University. https://bibliu.com/app/#/view/books/1000000000591/epub/Chapter2.html#page_70.

Unnever, J. D., Bartkowski, J. P., & Cullen, F. T. (2010). God Imagery and Opposition to Abortion and Capital Punishment: A Partial Test of Religious Support for the Consistent Life Ethic. Sociology of Religion, 71(3), 307-322. https://doi.org/10.1093/socrel/srq046

‌ (Unnever et al., 2010)

ANSWER

As a fellow Christian, I appreciate your thoughtful reflection on how your worldview shapes your perspective on bioethical issues, particularly abortion. The Christian narrative indeed forms the foundation of our moral, ethical, and spiritual values, providing answers to fundamental questions about our creation, fall, redemption, and restoration (Bogue, 2022, p. 70). This understanding gives us a profound sense of identity and purpose in this world, guiding our beliefs and actions.

I agree that the Christian worldview leads us to view abortion as unethical, aligning with God’s commandment against killing (Exodus 20:13). As Christians, we believe that every life is a gift from God and has inherent value, including unborn babies. Consequently, the act of abortion is perceived as taking a life and goes against God’s design for human beings. I appreciate how you emphasize that the unborn child is not a mistake but a living soul, intricately created by God.

However, you also rightly acknowledge that individuals may make decisions contrary to God’s word, including opting for abortion. It is essential to recognize the complexities that people face, and while we may hold firm to our beliefs, we must approach those with differing perspectives with compassion and understanding. Our role as Christians is not to condemn but to show love, support, and guidance, just as God has given us the power to love one another and be good stewards of the earth.

Your insights about valuing each person’s uniqueness and recognizing the image of God in every individual are truly commendable. It is a reminder that every human life is precious and deserving of respect, irrespective of our differences. As Christians, we are called to advocate for the sanctity of life and to extend God’s love to all, including those who may have made different choices.

Regarding the use of your scholarly references, both Bogue (2022) and Unnever et al. (2010) provide valuable insights into the intersection of Christian values and bioethical issues. Bogue’s work offers foundational discussions on Christian spirituality and ethics, while Unnever et al. explore the influence of God imagery on opposition to abortion and capital punishment. These references enrich your argument and support your perspective on the topic.

In conclusion, your reflection highlights the profound impact of our Christian worldview on our understanding of bioethical issues such as abortion. As Christians, our beliefs in the sanctity of life, the image of God in each individual, and our commitment to follow God’s word guide our stance on these matters. It is essential to engage in compassionate and respectful dialogue with those who hold different views, seeking to promote understanding and love in all our interactions.