Biblical Origins of Life
The Bible is filled with stories from Genesis to Revelation and it includes some of the most explicative accounts of where human life originates. Ancient civilizations believed in the concept of a divine Creator, who was the source of life. It wasn’t until the 18th Century that the scientific approach to looking at life began. The Bible states “The Lord God formed the man of dust from the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living creature” (Genesis 2:7 ESV). This has been the Catholic Church’s view of when a new life begins since 1869. The Church’s position is that the soul is infused from this point. This idea of when life begins is debated in many circles, but the language in the Bible gives clear indication that life begins at the point of formation from the dust by God.
Fertilization
Scientifically, life begins at the moment of fertilization. The sperm and oocyte fuse and form a new individual. This individual cellular composition is genetically unique and contains a one-of-a-kind combination of chromosomal features inherited from the mother and father. Unmistakably, this is the beginning of a unique life. It may be difficult to conceptualize this microscopic person as a living human being, but all of the necessary individual components remain as part of the fusion and eventual growth. The development of this individual is part of the natural course of life, regardless of its size.
Formation of Soul
The Bible’s description of the soul, however, is a mysterious concept. The formation of the soul is not as scientifically evident as the moment of fertilization. Catholics believe that the soul is formed when God “breathes into his nostrils the breath of life” and that life begins immediately in the spiritual and physical act of creating the soul. This allows for a natural process of development but also has a spiritual resonance that cannot be scientifically isolated.
Biblical Perspective of Life
From a biblical standpoint, then, the exact moment a life begins remains somewhat mysterious and intertwined between the physical and spiritual realms. But the overarching principle of the bible is clear; life is the result of a divine Creator and is something to be protected, respected and nurtured. This is where the biblical perspective of life is pulled away from individual religious interpretation, and coalesces around a foundational Christian principle of life’s origin and respect for its sanctity.
Legal Discourse
The legal discourse of when life begins has turned into a heated debate with various sides staking claims based on religious or scientific understandings of life, with no clear consensus. However, all have the same goal of desiring respect and protection of the unborn. Many of these debates focus on the rights of a person or on when a fetus is considered a viable human being and not the concept of when a life begins. This can be problematic because of the myriad of views relating to when life begins. The Bible is clear about the beginning of life, though in the legal sense there is no obvious marker for life’s origin.
Personhood
Debates about personhood can be traced in religious and secular conversations, as it relates to when a life begins. Personhood is a combination of both physical and mental characteristics that define a being as human. Most agree that personhood is formed during the course of gestation and development. However, personhood is not the same as life and it is easily distinguishable in the Bible because of the language God uses when creating man. This language is clear and indicative of the divine origin of life even though personhood is a complex entity and is still under examination in the human sense.
Conclusion
Ultimately, the Bible makes clear statements about when life begins and many recognize that life begins at the point of formation by God. Scientifically, conception is the definite beginning of life, though the Bible’s account places emphasis on the divine origin of life. Additionally, personhood is not synonymous with life and their complexities differ significantly. Legal definitions for life remain a matter of debate, but the language in the Bible establishes the foundational concept of the beginning of a human life, even if the definition of personhood varies from culture to culture.
Legislative Controversy
The lack of clarity in when life begins has resulted in significant legislative debates. This makes it hard to design legislation that is generally accepted and protects the rights of both expectant mothers and the unborn. This is why Pro Life organizations focus on the protection of life throughout the pregnancy and argue that any termination of pregnancy is a violation of the right to life, given that the Bible clearly states when life begins. Cultural opinions can be difficult to navigate in a democratic society and the legal interpretation is complicated.
Biblical Perspective of Human Dignity
The Bible expresses a profound perspective of human dignity, from the moment of formation by God. This stands as a basis for many religious perspectives on the rights of the unborn and respect for life. It also establishes a defense for Pro Life organizations that for the first time in history stand at the forefront of debates on human rights. The language of God in the Bible is clear that life begins at the point of His creation and this has become the foundational perspective on when life begins.
Ethical and Moral Obligations
Life is valuable and has been endowed with purpose by its Creator. This means that life is to be respected, regardless of its stage of development. Ethical and moral obligations have been pointed out by the Bible repeatedly and provide support for the Pro Life movement. God’s choice of wording helps to define when life begins and paves the way for legal debates on when a human life is considered viable and protects the rights of the unborn. Acts of violence towards unborn human life are an affront to God and break His divine law on respect for life.
Medical Technology
Modern medical technology has provided further evidence of the existence of human life prior to the traditional 9 month gestational period. For instance, the viability of a premature baby is higher now than ever before and advancements in in vitro fertilization have made it easier to obtain evidence of life forms before birth. Regardless of modern technology, the Bible remains steadfast in its position that life begins when God forms and breathes life into man. There is no other time that life begins and it is unnecessary to search for other sources because the Bible is explicit in its opinion on the source of life.
Rhetoric of Controversy
Controversy over life’s beginning is seen in multiple facets. The focus, however, should be pulled back to the original source of life and that is God. Discussions of legal disputes should not cloud the actual source of life, which can be identified clearly in the Bible through its extensive language describing the moments of creation. The opinions of others may vary but the language in Scripture is clear and eligible on when life begins and should be used as the basis of any discussion.
The Purpose of Life
The Bible also speaks to the purpose of life. It states that human life is breathed for in order for us to live and be fruitful “in the image and likeness of God” (Gen 1:26). This is the true purpose of life and serves as the motivation for respecting human life at all stages of development. The language in Scripture encourages us to be mindful of the original source of life and to act according to divine principle. In doing so, we can appreciate, respect and protect the life of each and every human being, from the point of conception to the end of life.
