A Christian ethical perspective on the moral status of the human embryo
This investigation focuses on the moral status of the human embryo from a Christian ethical perspective. The central theoretical argument is that the embryo has a particular standing before God and should therefore have a special standing in the eyes of human beings. The article examines three bibl...
Saved in:
| Main Author: | |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
University of the Free State
2011-06-01
|
| Series: | Acta Theologica |
| Online Access: | https://journals.ufs.ac.za/index.php/at/article/view/2344 |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| _version_ | 1823858705519607808 |
|---|---|
| author | J. M. Vorster |
| author_facet | J. M. Vorster |
| author_sort | J. M. Vorster |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description |
This investigation focuses on the moral status of the human embryo from a Christian ethical perspective. The central theoretical argument is that the embryo has a particular standing before God and should therefore have a special standing in the eyes of human beings. The article examines three biblical concepts from the perspective of a biblical-theological hermeneutical model in order to unfold this argument. These are: the creation of the human being as a living being with the breath of God (nephesh); the creation of the human being in the image of God; and the biblical view of the human being as a covenantal being. The conclusion reached is that the human embryo must be regarded as a neighbour. Therefore, the commandment of neighbourly love, which is a core characteristic of deontological Christian ethics, should also be extended to include the human embryo.
|
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-7c0fe81aa89147a38524212ed05d06c0 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1015-8758 2309-9089 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2011-06-01 |
| publisher | University of the Free State |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Acta Theologica |
| spelling | doaj-art-7c0fe81aa89147a38524212ed05d06c02025-02-11T10:03:40ZengUniversity of the Free StateActa Theologica1015-87582309-90892011-06-0131110.38140/at.v31i1.2344A Christian ethical perspective on the moral status of the human embryoJ. M. Vorster0North-West University, South Africa This investigation focuses on the moral status of the human embryo from a Christian ethical perspective. The central theoretical argument is that the embryo has a particular standing before God and should therefore have a special standing in the eyes of human beings. The article examines three biblical concepts from the perspective of a biblical-theological hermeneutical model in order to unfold this argument. These are: the creation of the human being as a living being with the breath of God (nephesh); the creation of the human being in the image of God; and the biblical view of the human being as a covenantal being. The conclusion reached is that the human embryo must be regarded as a neighbour. Therefore, the commandment of neighbourly love, which is a core characteristic of deontological Christian ethics, should also be extended to include the human embryo. https://journals.ufs.ac.za/index.php/at/article/view/2344 |
| spellingShingle | J. M. Vorster A Christian ethical perspective on the moral status of the human embryo Acta Theologica |
| title | A Christian ethical perspective on the moral status of the human embryo |
| title_full | A Christian ethical perspective on the moral status of the human embryo |
| title_fullStr | A Christian ethical perspective on the moral status of the human embryo |
| title_full_unstemmed | A Christian ethical perspective on the moral status of the human embryo |
| title_short | A Christian ethical perspective on the moral status of the human embryo |
| title_sort | christian ethical perspective on the moral status of the human embryo |
| url | https://journals.ufs.ac.za/index.php/at/article/view/2344 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT jmvorster achristianethicalperspectiveonthemoralstatusofthehumanembryo AT jmvorster christianethicalperspectiveonthemoralstatusofthehumanembryo |