In the history of American law, the landmark Supreme Court decision Roe v. Wade (1973) is often revered as a sacred cow, protected from challenge or revision. However, many have pointed out that the biblical account of creation in Genesis 1-2 may actually contradict the foundational principles upon which Roe v. Wade was built. As we delve deeper into the biblical text, we will explore the striking parallels between the Genesis account and the controversy surrounding abortion.
Before examining the biblical text, it is essential to understand the context and logic behind Roe v. Wade. Justice Harry Blackmun’s majority opinion in 1973 claimed that the Constitution protects a woman’s right to choose abortion, safeguarding her reproductive freedom. Furthermore, the court determined that the Fourteenth Amendment’s Equal Protection Clause guarantees reproductive autonomy. This decision has since become the cornerstone of American abortion law, with an estimated 40 million abortions performed in the United States since 1973.
Genesis, on the other hand, is the first book of the Hebrew Bible, telling the story of creation, the early history of humanity, and the descendants of Adam. In Genesis 1 and 2, we find a comprehensive narrative about the creation of the world and humanity. Key themes and events in these chapters will be crucial in understanding the potential contradiction between Genesis and Roe v. Wade.
One of the most significant aspects of the Genesis account is the importance of the image of God in which humanity was created. At the core of this image is the concept of being created in the likeness and image of God (Genesis 1:26-27). This image of God conveys dignity, value, and worth. As such, it can be argued that the created being is inherently valuable and contains inherent worth. Intrinsically, this concept challenges the notion that a developing fetus is merely a clump of cells or mere tissue without inherent value.
Moreover, the Genesis narrative emphasizes the sacredness of life. Genesis describes the creation of humanity with the phrase, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness” (Genesis 1:26). This creation is accompanied by the assertion that God “saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good” (Genesis 1:31). This affirmation highlights the inherent value and goodness of the created being. Inversely, the termination of life would seem to contradict this assessment, implying the intentional destruction of the very good creation.
Another crucial aspect of the Genesis narrative is the account of humanity’s creation in the image of God and its implications for human relationships. The Genesis account emphasizes the connection between humanity’s inherent value and the divinely ordained responsibility to care for and preserve one another. For instance, Genesis 9:5-6 commands, “For your lifeblood I will demand vengeance; from every beast I will require it, and at the hand of every human being, and at every beast I will require the blood of every human being. Whoever sheds human blood, by humans shall their blood be shed.” In this context, the value of human life becomes a fundamental principle guiding human relationships and institutions.
Since the Genesis account reinforces the inherent value and worth of human life, it is rational to assume that this concept should inform our understanding of the beginning of human life. Assuming that the embryo or fetus is a human being from the moment of conception, as most Christians believe, based on Genesis, it is difficult to reconcile the idea of abortion as anything but the intentional destruction of a human being’s life, contrary to the sacredness and value inherent in Genesis.
In conclusion, Genesis contradicts Roe v. Wade by emphasizing the inherent value, dignity, and worth of humanity created in the image of God. The biblical account reinforces the sacredness of life, the importance of human relationships, and the inherent value of human life. The Genesis narrative explicitly communicates these values through its portrayal of creation, the concept of human dignity, and the command to preserve human life. In light of this concept, it is essential to re-examine the assumption that unborn human life lacks inherent value or worth.
Furthermore, considering the Genesis account, it is imperative to re-evaluate the fundamental principles upon which Roe v. Wade was built. This review may lead to a new understanding of human dignity, life, and the inherent value invested in every human being, regardless of age or stage of development. As we re-examine our understanding of the creation narrative in Genesis and its implications for our understanding of human life, we are compelled to re-evaluate our approach to the most fundamental questions surrounding the beginning of human life. Such a re-examination may result in a more accurate and just understanding of the inherent value and worth of human life, as reflected in the biblical account.
