The Bible and Abortion: Exodus 21:22-23 in the Septuagint and Other Opinions

What is it about?

This research aims to contribute to the discussion on the subject of Abortion by analyzing the concepts of formed and unformed in the Septuagint in Exodus 21:22-23, and the opinions of St. Augustine and St. Thomas Aquinas on the social status of the fetus. The Greek version of the Hebrew Bible, which was translated in stages into Greek between the 3rd century BC and the 1st century BC, presents a different point of view than that found in the Hebrew text of Exodus 21:22-23. It introduces the notions of formed and unformed fetus. In other words, he understood the fetus (embryo) in a perspective of developing reality. Augustine and Aquinas, two important names in Christian theology, seem to have reflected a tradition that granted protection to the unborn child according to the stages of its development. The discussion around the topic of abortion is complex, very sensitive, but it should not be avoided. Bibliographical research was used as methodology. As a result, it will be pointed out that the biblical presentation of human beings does not begin with an explanation of conception or the fetal period. It does not discuss the point at which the embryo attains the full moral status of a human person. Thus, for this research, the discussion about abortion must necessarily take into account issues such as risk to the pregnant woman's life; fetal malformation etc. But, above all, it must be centered on the personality of the pregnant woman.

Featured Image

Photo by Gayatri Malhotra on Unsplash

Photo by Gayatri Malhotra on Unsplash

Why is it important?

The abortion debate is back in prominence in Brazil after the United States Supreme Court suspended the decision known as Roe v Wade, arguing that there is no longer a federal right to abortion. In this discussion, religious, legal, medical, sociocultural and political aspects have been considered. Some religious groups, more specifically Christians (Catholic and Evangelical) insist that human life (as a divine gift) must be protected at any embryonic or fetal stage. They cite many biblical texts to support this position. Pope Francis said that "abortion is murder and said that health professionals can refuse to perform the procedure, even if the practice is authorized by law. However, it has been observed that claiming an absolute right to life for the embryo or fetus would be morally awkward:"the claim is inconsistent with other accepted moral claims". Furthermore, it has been pointed out that absolute protection for the human embryo "from the beginning" is a novelty in Western and Christian moral traditions: it is practically a creation of the late 19th century . But does the bible discuss the point at which the embryo reaches full moral status? In other words, does the biblical presentation of the human being begin with an explanation of conception? To elucidate these questions, this research sought to dialogue mainly with Michael J. Gorman; Thomas F. Mcdaniel; G. R. Dunstan; Wilson-Kastner; B. Blair.; and M. J. Elsakkers. Authors who deal with the subject and contribute to the reflection of this investigation. Bibliographic research was used as a methodology.

Perspectives