Biblical perspectives on the tough topics of today.Robin Calamaio (136)   Robin Calamaio    RC Publications Can the Fertile Egg Be Excluded from the Abortion Argument?Posted Friday, February 15, 2008 (159 days 12 hours ago.) Viewed 90 times. For starters, the fertile egg is the result of a successful merging of an egg and sperm cell. And these two building blocks hold a deceptive power. A sperm cell, if left to itself, cannot grow ... into anything. So also, the egg cell. As solitary cells, they soon expire. But, once merged, they burst into a phenomenally complex life form. And that complex life form is already genetically complete inside that single fertile egg. With nourishment and time, each fertile egg will become a unique adult - 100% of the time. All this from two obscure ... powerhouses. Some have called the human fertile egg, "potential human life." Scientifically, this statement is nonsense. It is not "potential human life" - it is human life. It is nothing else and it cannot become anything else. The fertile human egg is simply, and only, the earliest stage of human life. But there is something even more basic about a fertile egg. It is living matter. This elemental fact is actually an extremely substantive observation. Many things are not alive. Most of the matter on our planet is not alive. In fact, there may be no other living matter in the universe. If the weight of all living matter was added to all nonliving matter - it would not equal a speck of dust on the scales. In a universe ruled by inorganic material, the fertile egg is an extremely rare piece of living matter. The "Life Element" The human body is composed of twenty-eight elements. None are alive. Indeed, "life" is totally foreign to them all. Carbon is not alive. Iron is not alive. Lead is not alive. Calcium is not alive. Arsenic is not alive. The other twenty-three elements are also nonliving. And it is error to refer to these elements as "dead." That infers "life" is in some way a part of their sphere. In fact, all the elements of Organic Chemistry are themselves - inorganic. Life, whatever it is, is alien to every element. How any combination of non-living elements is alive ... is a total mystery. When present, the "life element" is obviously there - but, it continues to elude the scientist's grasp. If some of these twenty-eight elements are missing from the fertile egg, then this "life element" is all the more astonishing. It collects the missing elements in the right quantities - at the right time - and constructs the body. In a sense, inorganics are being ingested. But, too much lead, iron or arsenic will result in the "life element" vacating the matter in which it resides - as will too little of these elements. This is all beyond comprehension. But, is it "a person?" With that question, we have now entered ... the abortion argument. Is the fertile egg, "a person?" There are three perspectives from which to examine this question - Naturalism, Theism and Humanism. But, actually there is a fourth perspective. Let's start there ... with you. I want you to put yourself in the shoes ... of a fertile egg. You are now a fertile egg. The exact instant you became this fertile egg ... a clock started. With time and nourishment, you will turn into a unique adult - 100% of the time. Come to think of it ... that is exactly what you did. Now along the way, some people decided to crown you with the title - "being" or "person." Of course, the instant you were crowned as such, nothing physically changed. And, had this apposition been withheld, well, that would not have changed anything either. Actually, this title has no physical impact - one way or the other. So, what is this title? Well, it is ... a word. It is a metaphysical, subjective concept based upon nothing but the thin air between the ears of the adult humans bestowing it. One evidence this "designation" lacks foundation lies here: credentialing adults disagree on "being's" meaning, its essence ... or when it starts. Arbitrary points are picked all along the life-line for this coronation. Some wait until air can be breathed - but others grant this mystical designation much earlier. "Being" is synonymous with another word - "opinion." But rest assured, O fertile egg. Your physical march toward adulthood is separate from these opinions. The Naturalist ... and "Being" For the Naturalist (atheistic evolutionist), the question of "being" is as ridiculous as it is irrelevant. It is a vain attempt to make humans - more than an animal. No one ever wonders when cows or dogs reach "cow-hood" or "dog-hood." Naturalists summarily dismiss this "being" query as dribble. Furthermore, any assault on a fertile egg is seen by Naturalists - as actions of fools. Every species is continually battling to adapt and survive. Each fertile egg is a jewel of evolution - as profitable mutations arise randomly. Any one may contain the needed adaptation(s) for that life line to continue. Each fertile egg is the future of any species. The Biblical Theist ... and "Being" For the Biblical Theist, this personhood concept is also irrelevant. Since God "Himself gives to all life" (Acts 17:25), if the "being" issue is of concern to Him - well, that will be resolved between Him and that life. No one else is inside that loop. In light of this, an assault on a fertile egg leaves the realm of "fool". It is insanity. "The hearts of the sons of men are full of evil, and insanity is in their hearts throughout their lives" (Eccl 9:3). God, "the Lord ... makes alive" (1Sam 2:6), and the stronger among us are given a special charge for protecting the weaker. To attack "innocent" human life at any point on its life-line ... well, you do the math. The Humanist ... and "Being" For the Humanist, this personhood issue is of great importance. By withholding this designation, the "non-being" is relegated to a blob of protoplasm. It depends on which Humanist you are talking with as to when "being" arrives. Some believe a severed umbilical cord ushers it in. For others, being "wanted" by one or more of the parents, earns "personhood" - while still in the womb. Other Humanists talk trimesters. The point? The "being" issue has about as many opinions as there are Humanists. But all Humanists do agree on one point. Before the moment when "being" is reached, anyone can do anything he/she wants with this subhuman blob of protoplasm. A Word To - "Mom" Mom, if you search every mountaintop, every ocean bottom, every cave on earth - and even scour the nest of every living thing - in all of nature, you will not find even one human egg. If you gaze into the night sky, that immense expanse (of which you are seeing almost nothing) does not contain ... one human egg. If humanity does indeed have value, just realize it originates in ... you. Through you come all the world's thinkers, inventors, artists and leaders ... and no one knows who will come from any particular womb. Humble circumstances have often spawned the world's most productive citizens. Your womb, and man's future, are inextricably intertwined. You are humanity's gatekeeper. Conclusion Each fertile egg is a one-of-a-kind entity in all of past reality, present reality, and future reality. Each one is genetically unique ... and totally complete. Furthermore, as living matter, it is an extremely rare thing. It contains genetic "triggers" that engage at the proper times so the correct elements, in proper proportions, are corralled for the construction that unique adult. We may find that the most complex physical entity in the entire universe is the human fertile egg. No matter rivals it. From a scientific perspective, one fertile egg is filled with inexhaustible wonders. The abortion debate begins here. I now stand in awe of the fertile egg ... and its Creator. -------- This Article is an excerpt from an extraordinary Ebook on the abortion argument and abortion in the Bible . Robin has other Ebooks on capital punishment, death, love, and no tithe for the Christian. Each Free Christian Ebook and free online article is at freelygive-n.com ! Robin: BA, Bus Admin (Milligan Collge '90) and M-Div (Emmanuel School of Relign '92). Mental adventurers - welcome! 
Permalink Comments (4) How Can Imperfect Beings Be Made By A Perfect God?Posted Monday, February 04, 2008 (170 days 8 hours ago.) Viewed 12 times. People often ask questions - when they are not really looking for an answer. They are just making conversation. But, if a person is in need - and needs accurate information - the questions are normally quite focused and reflect a degree of previous thought and information gathering. I recently received these questions from a website visitor: "Why didn't God just create us perfect to begin with? And how does a perfect God create imperfect beings? At the end of time, He will make us all perfect beings - those that have accepted him - so why not just do this to begin with ...?" These questions are the product of ... thought. When God calls me to stand before Him, the forthcoming material ... may not. But, then again ... it might. The Perfect God The Bible declares we have a perfect Creator (Deut 32:4, Mt 5:48, and Heb 7:28). When He was by Himself, sin did not exist. "In Him there is no sin" (1Jn 3:5). This "Being's" capabilities are immeasurable. Somewhere along the way, He decided He wanted to reveal things about Himself to morally sentient beings. So, ... He created some. Now, I have some questions for you. If all those creatures were perfect for eternity, how well would God actually be known? For example, we know from the Bible that God can be angered. But, how would that ever be exposed if eternal obedience surrounded Him? How could His longsuffering, patience, empathy, mercy or justice ever be known? You already know the answer. These traits would be hidden forever. I believe God decided to reveal aspects of His character that would only come out if there were morally accountable beings in rebellion to Him. In that setting, many complexities of his character - some subtle and some not so subtle - would be revealed for all to see. Created Innocent ... and with the capacity to sin. God created two orders of beings with the capacity to sin - angels and man. Had they been created perfect, they would never have sinned. They were created innocent - and then sinned. Most believe this passage refers to Satan: "You were in Eden, the Garden of God ... You were blameless in your ways from the day you were created - until unrighteousness was found in you ... You were internally filled with violence and you sinned ... Your heart was lifted up because of your beauty (Ezek 28:13, 15-17). "You said in your heart ... 'I will raise my throne above the stars of God ... I will make myself like the Most High'" (Isa 14:13,14). Thus, sin number one. It did not surprise God. He declares He knows "the end from the beginning" (Isa 41:21-23, 42:9, 44:6-8, 45:21, Rev 1:8, 22:13). God made Adam in His own image (Gen 1:26,27). Initially, he was free of sin. But, Satan was given the opportunity to interact with an innocent Adam and Eve in the Garden. If they had been perfect, they would have rebuffed Satan's advances. But, the fallen angel prevailed. With Adam's rebellion, monumental changes were ushered into this world. Here are a couple. God decided that Adam's "gift" to billions of descendants would be ... to inherit a sin nature. But, there was another "gain." Satan was granted enough dominion by God to be called, "the god of this world" (2Cor 4:4). And, he brought his legions. Catastrophies were allowed by God in both created orders ... but, He Himself remains guiltless. "God cannot be tempted by evil, and He Himself does not tempt anyone. But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lusts" (Ja 1:13-15). Every sinful creature will acknowledge this at The Judgment - "even he who did not keep his soul alive" (Ps 22:29 and Isa 45:23,24). Our Creator will emerge from this ... perfect. More On The Angels Many believe a third of the angels were infected by sin. Satan is the dragon in Revelation 12 whose "tail swept away a third of heaven." Many think this means that one third of the angels rebelled with him (Rev 12:3-9). My guess is that God created a finite number of angels and they do not reproduce (Mt 22:30). It may be that all the angels could have joined the rebellion ... but only some did. If that is correct, we may find that God confirmed the uninfected angels - in righteousness - somewhere along the way. On the other hand, Michael, Gabriel and the rest, may have been locked in as righteous from the start as "His chosen angels" (1Tim 5:21). But whatever the case, I believe the angels "who kept their place" credit God for that - or else they too would have gone Satan's way. It is doubtful they consider themselves "superior angels" (Jude 9). Do you think they believe they can keep their own selves free from sin - by their own power - for eternity? But here's my main point: Satan's angelic ranks are full. There will be no increase. God's Opportunity With this setting and reality, God made some determinations. As the Ultimate Ruler, He can still impose His will - when He wills. "Whatever the Lord pleases, He does, in heaven and in earth ..." (Ps 135:6). For starters, it appears the fallen angels are so heavily accountable that no remedy for their rebellion will ever be extended. But, with man, God decided to mount a "rescue operation." But how could He righteously redeem man without violating His own standards of justice? How could He be active in this trough ... remain unsullied ... and still dominantly impose His will? These are "things into which angels long to look" (1Pet 1:12). God has revealed a multitude of complexities - about Himself - in this scenario. But, some of these "scenes" are one time events. For example, I do not believe He will ever prepare another body for Himself, enter into that order of creatures - and allow them to murder Him. But, that is exactly what occurred in Jesus Christ. Mercy could now be extended through that death - with justice being satisfied. Life is required for sin - and since He had no guilt of His own, He could take mine into Himself as He died. That is why I say, "Jesus died for me." He died to pay for my sins. He acted in mercy toward me - undeserved ... and needed. The act of the cross is permeated with God's righteousness, justice, compassion and power - and I believe its inexhaustible depths of wisdom will be on open display ... forever. But the act itself will be a once in eternity event. A fallen creation presents occasions for God to reveal other things, too. For example, as "the god of this world" how did Satan's rule go? Perhaps his "rule" will be an eternal warning - showing what is produced when a creature attempts to displace God. And look at the children he fathered ... us! You know, the Pharisees did not like being told their father was the devil either (Jn 8:44). Moral creatures operating outside the moral jurisdiction of the living God - create an age of injustice, oppression and death. "I Don't Like This! I Never Asked to be Born!" Well, I'm not so thrilled either. But, if my suspicions are accurate, can you stop God? He alone can stop, or restrict, His actions. " ... He does according to His will in the host of heaven (angels) and among the inhabitants of earth; and no one can ward off His Hand or say to Him, 'What have You done?'" (Dan 4:35). "For the Lord of Hosts has planned, and who can frustrate it? And as for His outstretched Hand, who can turn it back?" (Isa 14:27). "Even from eternity, I am He; and there is none who can deliver out of My Hand; I act and who can reverse it?" (Isa 43:13). "I know that You can do all things, and that no purpose of Yours can be thwarted" (Job 42:2). "... our God is in the heavens; He does whatever He pleases" (Ps 115:3). Also read Job 9:1-12, Isaiah 45:9 and Romans 9:10-22. Conclusion I believe this situation of fallen moral creatures will prove to be a once in eternity, limited event. Only the fallen angels and man will ever be infected by sin. Other orders of sentient beings - assuming others do, or will, exist - will never experience sin. I know the views presented here may not sit well with some of you. But, if you have a better explanation for why imperfect beings were created by a perfect God ... well, I'm listening. -------- Robin has been a Christian since 1977. Education: BA, Bus Admin (Milligan Collg '90) and M-Div (Emmanuel School of Relign '92). He addresses the Abortion Argument and Abortion and the Bible in one Ebook. He has other free Christian ebook downloads that biblically address death, no tithe, love, and capital punishment. All are free at freelygive-n.com! You will be changed!
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