Philosophical Argument against (most) Human Abortion

Introducing the Argument:

Below is a philosophical, deductive argument I have authored against most forms of human abortion.  Many strict abolitionists may be disappointed to find that this argument does not fully condemn human abortion in every possible instance, but I find that what I have presented is the most coherent, loving solution to all parties.  Regardless where you're coming from, I hope that you will find my conclusions presented in this argument well thought and convincing.

The Argument:

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1. All qualifiers for determining human personhood other than genetics are exclusive or subjective.

2. Any living organism that is genetically human must be considered ontologically human (i.e. a human being) and be recognized as having inherent, inalienable human rights.

3. A zygote and all subsequent stages of its development are living organisms that are genetically human and genetically independent from their mother.

4. Therefore, a zygote and all subsequent stages of its development are to be considered human beings with inherent, inalienable human rights.

5. The killing of a human being may only be objectively justified in the following instances:

5a. Self-defense or defending the life of another human being from acts of aggression.
5b. Acts of war for national defense.
5c. Mercy killing in which the sufferer, next of kin, or bystander (in that order) consents when all circumstantially feasible options to save the sufferer's life have failed.
5d. Moral dilemmas in which a choice must be made between saving one life by the death of another.

6. Unjustified killing is a violation of inherent, inalienable human rights.

7. Abortion is the killing of an unborn human being.

8. This follows from 3 and 4.

9. Therefore, with the exception of mercy killing and moral dilemmas, abortion is unjustified killing.

10. This follows from 5 and 7.

11. Therefore, with the exception of mercy killing and moral dilemmas, abortion is in blatant opposition of inherent, inalienable human rights.

12. This follows from 6 and 9.
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For the uninitiated, it should be noted that the way deductive arguments work is that if each premise (numbered statement) is found to be more true than false, then one must follow the argument to its natural conclusion and accept its truth claims (in this case, the claims of premises 4, 9, and 11).

So if there is a premise you find you take objection to, please note that in order for your objection to be coherent, you must provide a reason for denying that premise.  Wishful thinking or any kind of "nuh uh!" statement simply will not do.

If you find that you agree with the conclusions of this argument... welcome to the Pro-Life camp! : )

Common Objections: 

"Premise #1... other qualifiers than genetics are exclusive to what?  Who would we be excluding?"

Any other qualifiers (such as race, physical ability, viability, etc) all exclude living people groups.  But the main purpose of Premise #1 is to rule out "being born" as a qualifier to being human.  I believe that birth is a sociological device (subjective to perception) and speaks nothing of objective truth (the way things really are potentially).  The common phrase we use these days is "social construct".  Allow me to explain:

Our views on abortion are largely shaped by our cultural perceptions of the sacred and the profane.  By sacred I mean something that is set apart for you, that exists within your realm of ontological space (the clothes in your closet), and by profane I mean things that belong to no one or everyone and exist outside of your ontological space (clothing found on the street or in a store).

Something that is profane must go through a ritual "crossing of lines" before it is considered sacred.  When you see clothing in the store that you like, you must go through the ritual of monetary exchange, officiated by the sales representative, in order for that clothing to cross the line of "not yours" into "yours", from profane space into sacred space.  To solidify this abstract concept, think of how you would feel if someone accidentally dumped a drink on the same clothing in either state: on the clothing rack, you probably wouldn't care much; but after you purchased it, you'd most likely be upset.

All that to say, when a person is unborn, they are typically considered profane, outside of the realm of the "living" and in the realm of the "unborn".  They are outside of your ontological space.  To be considered sacred, the unborn child must cross the figurative line from the "unborn" to the "living" via the ritual of birth, thus entering your ontological space shared by other "living" humans.

Such line drawing is sociologically inevitable, but claiming that being "unborn" is a qualifier for denying personhood is clearly subjective.  Genetics however, are scientifically concrete and are the one thing that all "living" share in common.  Upon further examination, we find that it is also shared in common by the "unborn".

Thus, if we reduce our qualifiers to a minimum, the bare minimum necessary to exclude the least amount of "people", we find that the qualifier of genetics shatters the sociologically constructed lines of "unborn" and "living".

"Premise #2 is rather dubious.  Why should we consider something human simply because it is genetically so?"

As stated in my response to Premise #1's objection, I find there is no other alternative.  To claim as such is to be exclusive simply upon socially subjective merit.  We are dealing with absolutes here: objective realities and truths.  If you want to draw lines between the "unborn" and the "living" simply because you choose to, then dare I say I must deem you an classist, exclusivist bigot.

 

A Layman's Guide to Christian Apologetics

With the rise of militant skepticism and anti-theism, apologetics have never been needed more than they are now.  Unfortunately, from my observation, the idea of apologetics has been relatively criticized by the Evangelical community.  But in recent times with popular writers like Lee Strobel and films such as God is Not Dead, the realization for the importance of apologetics has really come to surface.

... So, you want to learn more about Christian apologetics?  Great!

I've been doing this whole apologetics thing now for a good six or seven years, and I must tell you up front that it is a lifestyle and a journey that never ends, much like our faith at large.  I will also tell you that if you think you are not smart enough for apologetics, you could not be more wrong.

Intelligence, articulation, and expertise are all skills that can be honed and refined like any other.  Some may have a genetic advantage over others, but it is something that anyone can build up and accomplish.

What is a required prerequisite however, is discipline.  It is hard work, it is not always fun, and it doesn't help if you hate reading (like I used to).  Perhaps even discipline is something you'll have to develop as you go, but I promise it get's easier the more you settle into the lifestyle of an apologist.

... So, you still want to be an apologist?  Then let's get started!

Below I am going to present a rather condensed guide of how you can effectively facilitate the start of your apologetics journey.  I'm going to start with some epistemic issues, talk a little bit about how to approach study, and the like.  Afterwards, I'll be presenting a list of materials to get you started.

Ready?

I. The Foundations of Thinking

A truth claim is a claim that something is objectively true.  Every opinion or statement is, at its core, a truth claim.  The primary truth claim of Christianity is that Jesus was crucified and resurrected bodily from the dead (and all that it entails: e.g. virgin birth, trinitarianism, etc).

Truth claims are analyzed in a variety of ways, all of which depend upon the laws of modal logic.  Modal logic encompasses the set of rules that determine what is coherent thought and what is fallacious, or incoherent.  In order to become an effective apologist (for anything), one must gain a mastery of modal logic.

A fallacy, as previously mentioned, is a flaw in the process of thinking.  To master modal logic, it is imperative that one be well acquainted with common logical fallacies to not only identify them in critical statements, but perhaps more importantly to ensure that one does not commit them personally.

Here is a list of common fallacies to help you take your first step in becoming an apologist.  Learn them well!

II. The Epistemology of Evidence and Opinions

Believers and skeptics must understand this principle when addressing truth claims: Nothing is 100% provable.

Well, not entirely.  There are only two things I know of that are 100% true:

1.  I am something that thinks ("cogito ergo sum").  I don't know if the physical world really exists or of other minds exist than my own, but I know that I am something that is capable of thought.

2.  Objective truth exists.  Take the statement, "Truth does not exist."  If it is true, then truth exists.  If it is false, truth exists.  Therefore, objective truth exists.

I call those two facts "absolute certainties".  Everything else (and I mean everything) is what I would call a "near certainty", and is something that must involve a presupposition of some kind in order to be believed.  For instance, we must presuppose that the physical world exists in order to study it.

Furthermore I'd like to discuss the idea of open-mindedness.  By open-mindedness I mean the principle of changing one's opinion if the evidence falls in favor of the contrasting opinion.  If you and your opponent are not willing to listen to each other with the possibility of changing your mind, the discussion is vain.  Good can still come from it (such as bystanders listening and deciding for themselves), but as far as winning over your opponent... you can forget it.  It is also very respectable to skeptics if you hold yourself to this standard.

In summation, when we are either making, criticizing, or defending truth claims, know that you will never prove or disprove something with "absolute certainty", and in order to prove anything your listener(s) must be open to the idea of changing their minds.  As an apologist, it is important to reiterate this to your opponents (honest or malicious) before entering discussions about evidence.

III. Expanding Your Vocabulary

Any specialized field of research has its own set of high-context words that must be understood in order to communicate properly.  If you see a word that you don't know, write it down and look up its definition later.  This will help you learn quickly.

It is also important in conversation to define your terms.  By this I mean, let people know what you mean by a certain word, and ask others what they mean by a certain word, even if it's one that you assume is commonly understood to mean one thing.  Often times people apply subjective definitions to words, and it's important to break down those linguistic walls in order to communicate properly.  Not doing so risks committing the fallacies of equivocation (taking a word or phrase to mean something else, e.g. "John saw a house fly") or a straw man (attacking a misrepresentation of someone's argument).

IV. Understand the Opposition

Understanding opposing positions is key to becoming an affective apologist.  Learn their common objections, learn the criticisms of those objections, and learn the objections to the criticisms of those objections.  The better prepared you are in all subjects, the more effective you will be.  Which brings me to our next point:

V. Building a General Foundation

Every Christian apologist should build a generalized foundation in at least the following subjects:

1. Modal Logic
2. Reliability of the New Testament
3. The Resurrection of Jesus
4. Christian Doctrine
5. Ancient Near-Eastern Sociology
6. Philosophy
7. Historiography
8. Other Religions
9. Social Issues

This is no doubt an intimidating list to the uninitiated, and in a sense, rightly so.  It is a lot of hard work.  But when you know the right authors to read and have apologists around you to help you, this process becomes quite enjoyable and enlightening.  Later I will provide a list of resources for these topics.

VI. Specialize in a Field

Once you've been working on building your general foundation, you will probably realize that there is at least one subject that you resonate with more than others.  It can be a general subject or a very specific one.  Myself for instance, I resonate greatly with ANE Sociology, Philosophy (namely moral and human-rights philosophy), and Social Issues (namely abortion and homosexual practice).  Thus, I have devoted the majority of my study to these fields now that my general foundation is stable.  This way I can help other apologists where I am stronger, and be helped by them where I am weaker.

You may already have a subject in mind.  That's good!  If not, don't worry.  I didn't have mine when I first started either.  But it will reveal itself through time and study.

VII. Know Who to Read

It's time to put down your Max Lucado and dig into some real scholarship! 

By scholarship I mean those who have dedicated their lives to specific fields, much like I mentioned above.  Scholars have expert, specialized knowledge in their relevant fields that most pastors, laity, and devotional authors simply do not have.

One thing that I admire about Lee Strobel is while he himself is not a scholar, he cites the work of scholars.  Citing a popular Christian speaker such as Billy Graham might glean some nugget of wisdom, but academically speaking would not be an expert source.  I hope I'm making that distinction clearly.

"So who do I read from then?"  I'm glad you asked!

Below I will provide a list of authors and some of their introductory and advanced works.  Follow this list and you'll be off to a great start.

Apologetics: Beginner Resources

Martin Franzmann / Thomas Williams - Thy Strong Word

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Rating:

Theological Correctness:  5/5

Use of Group Pronouns:   5/5
Focus on Victory:             5/5
The Lordship of God:       5/5
Musicality:                        5/5

Total:                                 5/5

Please read the details about our rating standard here!

Lyrics:

Thy strong Word did cleave the darkness;
At Thy speaking it was done,
For created light we thank thee,
While Thine ordered seasons run.

Alleluia!  Alleluia!
Praise to thee who light dost send!
Alleluia without end!

Lo, on those who dwelt in darkness,
Dark as night and deep as death,
Broke the light of Thy salvation,
Breathed Thine own life-giving breath.

Thy strong Word bespeaks us righteous;
Bright with Thine own holiness,
Glorious now, we press toward glory,
And our lives our hopes confess.

From the cross Thy wisdom shining
Breaketh forth in conqu'ring might;
From the cross forever beameth
All Thy bright redeeming light.

Give us lips to sing Thy glory,
Tongues Thy mercy to proclaim,
Throats to shout the hope that fills us,
Mouths to speak Thy holy name.

Alleluia!  Alleluia!
May the light which Thou dost send,
Fill our songs with alleluias,
Alleluias without end!

God the Father, Light-Creator,
To Thee laud and honor be.
To Thee, Light from Light begotten,
Praise be sung eternally.
Holy Spirit, Light-Revealer,
Glory, glory be to Thee.
Mortals, angels, now and ever
Praise the Holy Trinity!

Alleluia,
Amen!

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Yet again, songs like this practically speak for themselves.  This particular songs, in my opinion, meets all five categories with sheer excellence.  The theology is amazing, it is unifying in it's pronouns, it is victorious, proclaims the triune God as Lord over all, and musically it is gorgeously reverent without manipulative melodies.  I give this song a perfect 5/5!

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Are you enjoying the music you listen to on this blog?  You can find it all in one place by visiting our Theologically Correct Music Playlist!

Isaac Watts/Heather Sorenson - Creation Hymn in Classic Style

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Rating:

Theological Correctness:  5/5

Use of Group Pronouns:   1/5
Focus on Victory:             5/5
The Lordship of God:       5/5
Musicality:                        5/5

Total:                                 4.2/5

Please read the details about our rating standard here!

Lyrics:

I sing the mighty power of God, that made the mountains rise
That spread the flowing seas abroad, and built the lofty skies
I sing the wisdom that ordained the sun to rule the day
the moon shines full at His command, and all the stars obey

I sing the goodness of the Lord, that filled the earth with food
He formed the creatures with His Word, and then pronounced them good
Lord, how Thy wonders are displayed, where e'er I turn my eye,
If I survey the ground I tread, or gaze upon the sky!

There's not a plant or flower below, but makes Thy glories known
And clouds arise, and tempests blow by order from Thy throne
While all that borrows life from Thee is ever in Thy care,
And everywhere that we can be, Thou, God, art present there!

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After doing our last review on another Isaac Watts hymn, I decided to look a little bit more into his works and found this lovely piece.  It's very unique in my opinion, while still being reverent and well written.

The obvious problem with this song however is it's lack of group pronouns, though the argument could be made with this (or any song) that simply replacing personal pronouns with groups pronouns would solve the problem:

We sing the mighty power of God... etc.

Other than that, I like the song because it points to God in His role as Creator, as well as Jesus (His word/wisdom) being the instrument by which creation was formed.  Great theology, very much emphasizing the lordship of God, it's victorious, and it's very catchy in a non-manipulative way.

It may be our lowest rated song yet simply because of the low score on Group Pronouns, but it still passes and I approve nonetheless!

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Are you enjoying the music you listen to on this blog?  You can find it all in one place by visiting our Theologically Correct Music Playlist!

Isaac Watts - Praise the One Who Breaks the Darkness

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Rating:

Theological Correctness:  5/5

Use of Group Pronouns:   4/5
Focus on Victory:             5/5
The Lordship of God:       5/5
Musicality:                        5/5

Total:                                 4.8/5

Please read the details about our rating standard here!

Lyrics:

Praise the one who breaks the darkness
with a liberating light.
Praise the one who frees the prisoners,
turning blindness into sight.
Praise the one who preached the Gospel,
healing every dread disease,
calming storms and feeding thousands
with the very bread of peace.

Praise the one who blessed the children
with a strong yet gentle word.
Praise the one who drove out demons
with a piercing two-edged sword.
Praise the one who brings cool water
to the desert's burning sand.
From this well comes living water,
quenching thirst in every land.

Let us praise the Word incarnate:
Christ who suffered in our place.
Jesus died and rose victorious
that we may know God by grace.
Let us sing for joy and gladness,
seeing what our God has done.
Let us praise the true Redeemer,
praise the One who makes us one. 
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Seriously, this song made my tear up a little when I first heard it in a Lutheran service.  I confess that I was moved by the beautiful words written by Rusty Edwards, and his poetic declaration of Christ's miracles.  Allow me to go into further detail as to why I love and approve this amazing hymn:

Theological Correctness:

The song is littered with scriptural reference and parallels, and we could go on and on trying to mention all of them.  But allow me to discuss a few: 

Among my favorites are the Old Testament parallels to Christ.  While not explicitly mentioned in the song, I think of God feeding the Israelites with manna, and Christ feeding the thousands by multiplication of the loaves; not to mention "feeding thousands" with the very bread of His body.

Secondly, and more explicitly, the equation of Jesus being the Living Water as well as the rock in the desert that, once struck by Moses, produced a spring for the Israelites to drink from.

The appeal to and focus on the miracles of Christ (and His resurrection) very much pleases the Christian apologist in me as well.  Great stuff!

Use of Group Pronouns:

The only reason I didn't give this song a 5/5 for use of group pronouns is simply because it is not until the third stanza in which an actual group pronoun is used.  Because of that, it could be confused that the author is writing directly to individuals to have an individual experience rather than a collective act of worship.  He wraps this up in the third stanza of course, putting it into context, but I find it's always better to establish that solidarity as quickly as possible.

Remember, church is not an individual experience, and with how much the music we listens to shapes our perceptions, we have to be strict about this one!  Call me ideological if you like, but it's hard enough trying to "do church" (or any group activity) in Western Individualist cultures, so I think it really helps to try as hard as we can to tip the scale in the other direction.

Musicality:

I'm tempted to rate this song as a 4/5 for musicality, as one may find themselves more moved by the beautiful melody than the theologically inclined lyrics.  But regardless the song is simple, yet wonderfully composed, and I believe anyone could appreciate the composition.

Being catchy and having good theology is a plus though.  Remember that the teachers of antiquity (even Jesus) often set their teachings to rhymes, play-on-words, song, and other such tools to help their audience memorize what they were hearing or reading.  In that regard, having a catchy tune to help you memorize these lyrics is actually a really great thing! 


I hope you've enjoyed this piece as much as I have and add it to your rotation.  Stay tuned for more great music like this!

Traditional Hymn - Joy to the World

 

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Rating:

Theological Correctness:  5/5

Use of Group Pronouns:   5/5
Focus on Victory:             5/5
The Lordship of God:       5/5
Musicality:                        5/5

Total:                                 5/5

Please read the details about our rating standard here!

Lyrics:

Joy to the world! The Lord is come
Let earth receive her King!
Let every heart prepare His room
And heaven and nature sing
And heaven and nature sing
And heaven, and heaven and nature sing

Joy to the world! the Savior reigns
Let men their songs employ
While fields and floods
Rocks, hills and plains
Repeat the sounding joy
Repeat the sounding joy
Repeat, repeat the sound joy

No more let sin and sorrow grow
Nor thorns infest the ground
He comes to make
His blessings flow
Far as the curse is found
Far as the curse is found
Far as, far as the curse is found

He rules the world with truth and grace
And makes the nations prove
The glories of His righteousness
And wonders of His love
And wonders of is love
And wonders and wonders of His love

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Wow!  That's all I can say.  My eyes were really opened to this song after reading the works of New Testament scholar N.T. Wright.

N.T. Wright shares my conviction as for the importance of such music, and in one of his books he mentioned that Joy to the World was one of the best, if not the best hymn we have out there in this regard.

Joy to the World was written by Isaac Watts in 1719 and is based off Psalm 98.

Theological Correctness:

New Creation, the marriage of heaven and earth on the last day.  Everything restored to the way it was meant to be since the Garden of Eden.  This is the final destiny for all created order, and this song nails it!

Use of Group Pronouns:

Not much to point out on this one specifically, but the implication is definitely there:

Let men (sometimes written all) their songs employ...

And makes the nations prove

Focus on Victory:

Need I say more?

The Lordship of God:

Any song that refers to God as "King" and less imply a "cuddle bug daddy God" is definitely a step in the right direction.  As we've briefly mentioned before, God was understood by the ancients to be in the position of a king or a patron, and even when referred to as a father never had that context.  I'm not saying God can't be like that, but it is ethnocentric to read that view into the text.  So when we celebrate God as "King", I feel that is the more contextual role to give God.

Musicality:

What Christian out there doesn't like sacred Christmas hymns?  This song is amazing musically and lyrically.

Thus, I am happy to approve Joy to the World and give it a perfect score of 5/5! 

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Are you enjoying the music you listen to on this blog?  You can find it all in one place by visiting our Theologically Correct Music Playlist!  

Rend Collective - Build Your Kingdom Here

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Rating:

Theological Correctness:  4.5/5
Use of Group Pronouns:   5/5
Focus on Victory:             5/5
The Lordship of God:       5/5
Musicality:                        4/5

Total:                                 4.7/5

Please read the details about our rating standard here!

Lyrics:

Come set Your rule and reign
in our hearts again.
Increase in us we pray.
Unveil why we're made.
Come set our hearts ablaze with hope
like wildfire in our very souls.
Holy Spirit, come invade us now.
We are Your church.
We need Your power in us.

We seek Your kingdom first.
We hunger and we thirst.
Refuse to waste our lives
for You're our joy and prize.
To see the captive hearts released.
The hurt, the sick, the poor at peace.
We lay down our lives for Heaven's cause.

We are Your church.
We pray revive this earth.

Build Your kingdom here.
Let the darkness fear.
Show Your mighty hand.
Heal our streets and land.
Set Your church on fire.
Win this nation back.
Change the atmosphere.
Build Your kingdom here.
We pray.

Unleash Your kingdom's power
reaching the near and far.
No force of Hell can stop
Your beauty changing hearts.
You made us for much more than this!
Awake the kingdom seed in us!
Fill us with the strength and love of Christ.

We are Your church.
We are the hope on earth.

Build Your kingdom here.
Let the darkness fear.
Show Your mighty hand.
Heal our streets and land.
Set Your church on fire.
Win this nation back.
Change the atmosphere.
Build Your kingdom here!
We pray!

Build Your kingdom here.
Let the darkness fear.
Show Your mighty hand.
Heal our streets and land!
Set Your church on fire!
Win this nation back.
Change the atmosphere!
Build Your kingdom here!
We pray!
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This song has a lot of interesting things to chew on, so let's dive right in.

Theological Correctness:

The song is ripe with New Creation theology and the establishment of God's kingdom on earth, making it very refreshing in the sense that it's not about "forsaking this rock and going to heaven."  It seems to fall straight in line with Rev. 21:1-8 and the reality that God will make His dwelling with humanity when heaven and earth are united on the last day.

My only reservation about the song's theological content is the following lyrics:

No force of Hell can stop
Your beauty changing hearts.

I'm sure God is beautiful, and of course what Christ accomplished on the cross could be considered "beautiful" I suppose, but language like this does feminize God who is otherwise portrayed as the conquering king.

Granted in ancient Jewish thought, God was acknowledged to possess both masculine and feminine qualities and assume both masculine and feminine roles:

"Mark Smith in The Origins of Biblical Monotheism adds another salient point: "Attribution of female roles to gods was by no means an Israelite invention." [91] Even the OT attributes female imagery to Yahweh (Deut. 32:18, Ps. 22:9-10, Is. 46:3, 66:9, 13) as Jesus applies female imagery to himself (as a mother hen over Jerusalem). Yahweh and other ancient deities were beyond sexuality, but nevertheless expressed themselves in "genderly" ways." [1]

Nevertheless, I think over-feminizing God runs the risk of perpetuating MTD.  Also:

You made us for much more than this!

This lyric begs the question in me: Made for much more than what?  This world?  This life?  Let us not forget that while this time on earth could be considered "training" for the New Creation that awaits us, that same New Creation will only be different in the sense that pain and suffering exist no longer.  There is still life to be lived, work to be done, laws to be followed, all in the presence of God in holy perfection, unbound by the tethers of sin.  But isn't that we're already trying to emulate here?  To show people that we can live Resurrection lives now?

All in all I give this song's theological accuracy a very strong 4.5/5.  Good job Rend Collective, you got it right with this one!

Musicality:

The song is very catchy, and very well composed.  To me at least, it is almost too experience-oriented musically however.  Like I mentioned in the "rating standards" link above, the musical experience can kind of overshadow the intellectual gold that can be found in lyrics.  By no means am I telling Rend Collective to "stop writing well!", but it is a thing.  If a person's heart and focus is in the right place, I don't think this is a danger though.  We just need to all work together on making worship less of a spiritual-high experience (as priority) and more of a sacrament.

The lyrics are for the most part amazing, though to nit-pick, there is one word I would change:

We are the church
We pray revive this earth

In theological language, to revive essentially means to bring back to life; it is what Jesus did when He brought people back to life, such as the case with Lazarus.  When Jesus Himself rose from the dead, He was resurrected into His glorified body that is both flesh and spirit.  There is a big difference!  One is temporary and only involves the physical, the other is eternal and involves both matter and spirit.  If I were a part of Rend Collective, I would have written it as such:

We are the church
We pray resurrect this earth

I have also decided to mark down the musicality rating for the sake of some cliché Christian lyrical content, such as:

Come set our hearts ablaze with hope
like wildfire in our very souls...

Set Your church on fire...

Still, this song holds a strong 4/5 for musicality.  Well done, Rend Collective!

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Are you enjoying the music you listen to on this blog?  You can find it all in one place by visiting our Theologically Correct Music Playlist!