SON SON
The debate surrounding abortion in the United States is one of the most contentious and enduring cultural conflicts in modern history. Central to the legal framework of abortion rights is the Supreme Court’s 1973 decision in Roe v. Wade, which recognized a woman’s constitutional right to choose abortion. This decision was framed primarily around issues of privacy and bodily autonomy. However, for many who hold religious convictions, especially those rooted in Judeo-Christian values, Roe v. Wade is seen not just as a legal misstep, but as a moral and theological error. The book of Genesis, the first book of the Bible, presents a starkly different view of human life?one that places immense value on life from the moment of conception or even before, thus creating a foundational contradiction with the legal assumptions of Roe v. Wade.
In Genesis, the origin of human life is not portrayed as a process governed merely by biology or choice, but as an act of divine creation. Genesis 1:27 proclaims, “So God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.” This passage speaks to the inherent dignity and sanctity of every human being, derived from being made in the image of God. Life is not a matter of personal or societal preference?it is sacred, purposeful, and ultimately belongs to God. This theological view does not align with Roe v. Wade, which positions the beginning of meaningful life within a legal and medical framework rather than a divine one.
Genesis also emphasizes God’s intimate involvement in the formation of life. In Genesis 2:7, it says, “Then 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.” This vivid image of God personally crafting the first human being and giving him life suggests that human life is a gift, not a right to be granted or denied by other humans. This contradicts the logic of abortion rights which often centers on individual autonomy and choice. According to Genesis, the origin and value of life are not determined by human decision but by divine intention.
Further, the biblical view of children, as seen throughout Genesis and the rest of Scripture, is overwhelmingly positive. Children are seen as a blessing and a reward, not a burden or an inconvenience. Genesis 4:1 shows Eve exclaiming, “With the help of the Lord I have brought forth a man,” acknowledging the divine partnership in the creation of life. Such a perspective makes it difficult to reconcile the termination of unborn life with the biblical worldview. In this context, abortion becomes not just a medical procedure but a denial of God’s creative work.
Ultimately, Roe v. Wade and the worldview of Genesis are incompatible. Where Roe asserts human autonomy and legal rights, Genesis asserts divine authority and the sanctity of life. The conflict is not merely political or social; it is deeply spiritual and moral. For those who hold Scripture as authoritative, Genesis provides a powerful critique of Roe v. Wade?one that insists that life, from its earliest moments, is sacred, intentional, and worthy of protection.