Abortion (Pro-Life vs Pro-Choice)

Craig Strand

(Pro-Choice)Arthur, J. (n.d.). Anti-Choicers Don’t Have a Biblical Leg to Stand On. Retrieved November 3, 2014, from http://www.prochoiceactionnetwork-canada.org/articles/bible.shtml

(Pro-Life)Pavone, F. (2008, April 8). The Bible’s Teaching Against Abortion. Retrieved November 3, 2014, from http://www.priestsforlife.org/articles/4376-the-bibles-teaching-against-abortion

The pro-life article uses bible verses to back up its claims that abortion is murder and that birth is a blessing. The article states that “children are a gift from the Lord; the fruit of the womb is a reward” (Psalm 127:3). God has given the gift of life and to take that away is unholy and sinful. The article also argues that everything god does has a purpose and that god’s actions are holy so therefore; “we really reflect an eternal God who knew us from before we were made, and purposely called us into being.” This article also uses a literary method of arguing by appealing to the reader’s emotions, or Pathos. The article claims “if you believe the Bible, you have to believe that human life is sacred, more sacred than we have ever imagined!” The article calls into question the reader’s strength of belief in god. Questioning ones religion can often have drastic responses and in this case the article aims to direct that response into acceptance “that the deliberate destruction of a child in the womb, is very wrong.”

The pro-choice article uses bible verses to both counter pro-life claims and to make their own arguments. In the article it is argued that life does not actually begain until the person breathes. In Genesis 2:7, God: “…breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and man became a living being.” The article argues that one must be breathing to be considered alive thus rendering pro-life’s argument that life begins within the womb. The article also uses some literary criticism to support its claims, “[t]he Hebrew word for human being or living soul is nephesh, which is also the word for “breathing.”… fetuses do not breath and therefore cannot be considered as human beings according to the Bible.” This article uses more then just an interpretation of the bible to back up its points. This use of literary criticism shows in-depth analysis of the bible and developed understanding of the complexity with in the bible. The article also understands that within the complexity of the bible there is room for interpretation and that “Bible can be, and is, interpreted in many different ways by other believers.” There is no one correct way to interpret the bible but there are strategies that can be used to make a well informed interpretation. This article believes many pro-life supporters use irrelevant or misinterpret the bible passages that they choice to backup their claims.

The pro life and pro choice articles both use direct quotes and interpretation to support its argument. However, the articles use different methods and techniques of arguing that determine the effectiveness and creditably of their argument. Interpretation of the bible is an ongoing struggle and often a clash of opinions and views can cause major social conflicts.

Soulen, Richard N., and R. Kendall Soulen. Handbook of Biblical Criticism. 4th ed. Louisville, Kentucky: Westminster John Knox, 1976. Print.

Richard N. Soulen and R. Kendall Soulen
I used the Lafayette College Library Catalog to search for my book. I typed in “analytical bible” and clicked search. The first result sounded promising so I went to the shelves to look for it. However during my search for the book another book caught my eye. I found Richard N. Soulen and R. Kendall Soulen’s “Handbook of Biblical Criticism”. After briefly flipping through the pages and realizing that I was in the reference section I figured out the book was more of a helpful guide to a reader reading the bible or works that analyze the bible. The handbook does no analyzing of its own from what I can tell, however, I provides quick definitions to common biblical ideas, words, phrases, and analytical terms. For example the Documentary hypothesis is explained in the handbook. The individual letters, their origin, creator, and meanings, of the Doc. Hypothesis are discussed. The books around this one also provide full list of all male and female biblical characters and other helpful resources for a bible critique. The handbook might not further the class yet rather help fortify the class along the way.