... The husband of the woman who lost the fetus through a struggle can adjudge a monetary fine upon the one who causes the fetus to abort if the woman herself received no other mischief. The fine had to be approved by the elders within the Israelite community, but it was not considered a “murder” (which was a much more serious crime). However, if in the struggle the woman herself was wounded (or even died) then the judgment would be an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth, a hand for a hand, a life for a life. This law of reprisal using the eye for an eye principle only referred to the mother, not the unborn fetus. This is a legal teaching:
“If men strive, and hurt a woman with child, so that her fruit depart from her, and yet no mischief [damage] follow: he shall be surely punished, according as the woman's husband will lay upon him; and he shall pay as the judges determine. And if any mischief [damage] follow, then you shall give life for life, Eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, Burning for burning, wound for wound, stripe for stripe.” *Exodus 21:22-25
Summation
The legal teaching within the Bible shows that aborting a fetus in the womb of a mother is not murder because the fetus is not yet a human being. Righteous men and women are encouraged to demonstrate a deep respect for life and for the rights of all living things.
On the other hand, there is nothing in the Bible to show that the practice of abortion for birth control alone is proper, although the life of the mother is infinitely more important than a fetus.
The proper principles of living as shown in the Scripture would cause both men and women to give utter respect to the unborn, but fetuses are NOT human beings. They are considered by God as “NOT HAVING BEEN.”
Ernest L Martin, July 1991
Edited by David Sielaff, February 2005
Re: "Also keep in mind that the scripture, especially with the new testament is not all of the holy writings. There are many letters from St. Peter, Paul, and other apostles which did not get cannonized."
Well... including religious texts that were eventually excluded from the Bible when it was later assembled is starting down a slippery slope. (Fine by me, but who determines what's OK to consider, and what not?) Do I get to bring in the Gnostic Gospels and Dead Sea Scrolls, which definitely pre-date some of the texts you want to consider? :) |
