discussion reply to the following:
Book is Ken Magnuson Invitation to Christian ethics 2020
The moral framework of the Christian ethical system is based on the integration of three other ethical perspectives such as deontology, virtue ethics, and an objective teleology. With deontology, believers have a moral obligation on distinguishing right from wrong by honoring God’s universal laws for his creation. Through virtue ethics, we are to discern the type of moral principles to live by and how they help through the decision-making process that deals with moral dilemmas and how they shape a person’s character. Virtue ethics provides significant resolve by presenting a moral vision in which to evaluate human actions by the believer’s moral principles that would correspond with the nature and character of God. With objective teleology, there is a purpose behind the results of human actions. In the sense of Christian ethics, believers remain confident that there is purpose for God’s commands.
Beginning of life issues such as abortions and reproductive technologies remain a controversial issue due to many perspectives on reproductive rights and what it means to be a human person. Pro-abortionists argue for the right to be in full autonomy of their own bodies and to choose whether to continue or end a pregnancy. Anti-abortionists argue to be a voice for the unborn child as a separate living being and their right to live and be part of human flourishing. The definition of what exactly dictates a human being, and their personhood is behind the rationality of these debates. The two main arguments concerning human personhood before birth are a human being is not fully human or at least is not a person (and thus not deserving of full moral respect) until birth and a human being is fully human and therefore a person (and thus deserving of full moral respect) from the moment of fertilization.1
The view of Christian ethics on abortion stands to reason that at the moment of fertilization, another distinct human being is created that is deserving of care and protection and should not be a means of termination except on the grounds of extreme cases that threaten a mother’s life. These cases should first be weighed and evaluated carefully to provide a respectful and responsible solution for the mother and baby. Although there is no direct mention of abortion in the biblical texts, believers have a moral responsibility to shape an understanding of abortion from a biblical perspective. For example, biblical texts declare life is a gift from God, human beings are created in the image of God, the sixth commandment prohibits murder, and children are a blessing from God.2 Jesus appears in human form since the day he was conceived in Mary’s womb. The treatment of human life is central to Jesus’ teachings and is the second greatest commandment to love our neighbor such as ourselves. Since the embryo can be defined as a person according to Christian standards, then full moral respect should be followed.
Consequentialists believe in many reasons why an unborn should not have equal rights as others regardless of human status of the embryo or fetus. Full moral status is not granted to the unborn for reasons of destructive experimentation, treatment, and the rights of the mother or carrier taking precedence. They argue against the personhood of an embryo. For instance, terms such as “clump of cells” or “blob of tissue” have been in reference to embryos to justify abortion. This type of argument, or rather assertion, made its way into the Warnock Report, in support of allowing research that would involve the destruction of human embryos.3 Another similar argument would recognize the human aspect of an embryo but deny it as an actual person. This view holds the embryo lacks certain necessary qualities such as brain activity, heartbeat, and self-consciousness.
1. Ken Magnuson, Invitation to Christian Ethics: Moral Reasoning and Contemporary Issues, Invitation to Theological Studies Series (Grand Rapids, MI: Kregel Academic, 2020), 274.
