We see this objection come up all the time in debates and discussions where we're dealing with the sanctification of those without the ability to reason, whether it be the unborn, children under a certain age, or the developmentally challenged. To many of us this a ridiculous suggestion, but I believe that the question does have a measure of force to it. From a godless perspective, it may make a logical, if absurd, sense for the theist to condone the abortion of children in order to save them ultimately.
John Piper has a decent, six reason response
I think his points 1 4, and 6 are his strongest, and by themselves offer a great rebuttal. Someone in another thread mentioned that the unborn would not be able to obtain rewards in this life in heaven if they were/are prematurely killed, and while this sort of goes with Piper's point 5, I don't think by itself it is a very good argument. It puts into the mind of the skeptic that Christianity is purely rewards based, which offers ammunition to the common skeptical view that Christianity is nothing but a carrot and stick religion. Rather, we should be emphasizing the innate divine sanctity and preciousness of those created in God's image, and the fact that we have no right to play God.
Okay, that's all I had. If others have more to offer I'd love to see it. Thanks!
John Piper has a decent, six reason response
I think his points 1 4, and 6 are his strongest, and by themselves offer a great rebuttal. Someone in another thread mentioned that the unborn would not be able to obtain rewards in this life in heaven if they were/are prematurely killed, and while this sort of goes with Piper's point 5, I don't think by itself it is a very good argument. It puts into the mind of the skeptic that Christianity is purely rewards based, which offers ammunition to the common skeptical view that Christianity is nothing but a carrot and stick religion. Rather, we should be emphasizing the innate divine sanctity and preciousness of those created in God's image, and the fact that we have no right to play God.
Okay, that's all I had. If others have more to offer I'd love to see it. Thanks!
Comment