Is the Unborn Child My Neighbor?

Thursday, October 1st 2020

Following from last week in which I mentioned that the burden of proof surely lies with those who permit medically induced, elective abortions that this procedure is not a taking of an innocent human being. For Judaism and Christianity, we understand this to fall under the Fifth Commandment, “You shall not murder.” And Luther’s explanation is spot on! “We are to fear and love God so that we do not harm our neighbor in any way, but help him in all his physical needs.”

Is the unborn child my neighbor?

Twenty-one times in the Bible a pregnant woman is described as “with child.” Mary, mother of our Lord, is described that way in Mt. 1:18 and Lk 2:5. And concerning Mary, Luke 1 provides the fascinating account, soon after the conception of the Holy Child, of her visiting her cousin, Elizabeth who is said to “have conceived a son, and this is the sixth month with her.” There is interplay between the two children at various stages of gestation in their mother’s wombs, with Elizabeth’s son leaping for joy in her womb! If this doesn’t give pause for the Christian, I don’t know what will!

The question of personhood is the discussion we should be having. And especially at this time of focus on racial justice, it should not escape our attention that at one time in our nation’s history, blacks were understood to be humans, but they were not accorded full dignity as “persons”. In some States five blacks counted as three persons. This was not full personhood!

In essence, the decision, made by a few States, and then ratified by the Supreme Court, to permit elective abortions, fails to accord full personhood on nascent human life in the womb. That these lives were not intended, wanted, or are a burden, tells us nothing as to personhood. And the consistent moral teaching of the Church from the start is that they are persons!

Since You Asked…

What is meant by the term “liturgy”? (from the Greek, “work of the people” or “public service”): more than a set form of service or one particular service, the liturgy is the whole body of texts and music used for the worship of God. The Lutheran Book of Worship is the liturgy of many Lutheran churches in North America.

(from “Manual on the Liturgy” companion to the LBW, from Augsburg Pub.)

Our Lutheran liturgy involves the participation of all who are gathered: clergy, worship assistants, and laity. Worship is not a spectator sport. We have been gathered by God to receive from Him. And so in reverence, we give thanks by offering praise and thanksgiving to our Triune God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Liturgical worship helps us all share in this.

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