I've been thinking these exact same thoughts about drawing these lines. One aspect to consider is what kind of medical procedure is required to end the baby's life. Through first trimester, chemical means work well. Second and third requires actual surgery/physical destruction by scalpel or equivalent. I think that's a pretty good dividing line, if my understanding holds up. And forget about the US, I'm trying to figure out how to have the kind of debate you're talking about just internally in my church. The old standard of theological councils (however much they devolved into violence!) is looking pretty reasonable now. How do we actually talk about all sides of an issue so people have the possibility of changing minds?
I'd love a theological council on the matter, but I don't think it will work. For liberally-minded people like you and I, sure -- but in the end, religious people like to refer to Scriptures for absolute answers. And there aren't really any for abortion. There are Scriptures about how "before you were in the womb I knew you" and such. There are declarations of dignity and personhood. And in the end there's a prohibition, universally, against murdering persons. I think these make a solid case if all you care about are theological considerations -- and that's primarily what theological councils decide on. Except for the Jews I mentioned above, of course. Who knows which ass they pulled those "mandates" from.
I've been thinking these exact same thoughts about drawing these lines. One aspect to consider is what kind of medical procedure is required to end the baby's life. Through first trimester, chemical means work well. Second and third requires actual surgery/physical destruction by scalpel or equivalent. I think that's a pretty good dividing line, if my understanding holds up. And forget about the US, I'm trying to figure out how to have the kind of debate you're talking about just internally in my church. The old standard of theological councils (however much they devolved into violence!) is looking pretty reasonable now. How do we actually talk about all sides of an issue so people have the possibility of changing minds?
I'd love a theological council on the matter, but I don't think it will work. For liberally-minded people like you and I, sure -- but in the end, religious people like to refer to Scriptures for absolute answers. And there aren't really any for abortion. There are Scriptures about how "before you were in the womb I knew you" and such. There are declarations of dignity and personhood. And in the end there's a prohibition, universally, against murdering persons. I think these make a solid case if all you care about are theological considerations -- and that's primarily what theological councils decide on. Except for the Jews I mentioned above, of course. Who knows which ass they pulled those "mandates" from.