How Did Christianity Decide That Life Begins at Conception Instead of Birth?

It is often assumed that Christianity, coupled with a religious posture that emphasizes the sanctity of life, teaches that life begins at conception. However, this view is not universally upheld by all Christians and is not explicitly stated in the Bible. In this article, we will explore the primary religious texts that support this belief and delve into the implications of these texts in modern times.

Scientific Understanding of Life's Beginning

'By any scientific measure, life doesn’t begin on birth; it begins much much earlier.' This statement is supported by the five fundamental requirements that biology considers necessary for life: a cell membrane, a way of storing DNA, a means of reading and using DNA to create components, fuel metabolism, and the ability to copy information. In the case of a human, these requirements are met long before birth.

A zygote, the result of fertilization, already contains all the necessary genetic material to sustain life. When the DNA of an ovum and a sperm combine, they form a single-cell organism that has the potential to develop into a fully formed human. This is why many religious scholars and advocates for reproductive rights argue that life begins at conception.

Exodus 21:21-22 and the Biblical View

However, the question remains: is there a passage within the Bible that explicitly supports the view that life begins at conception rather than birth? The answer, as we shall see, lies in the context of punishments prescribed in the book of Exodus.

Exodus 21:21-22 specifically addresses a scenario where a pregnant woman is affected by a fight involving two men. The passage states:

If two men are fighting, and one accidentally strikes a pregnant woman, and she gives birth prematurely, he shall be fined as the woman's husband may demand of him; and he shall pay as the court decrees. But if there is any lasting injury, then you shall give life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, burn for burn, wound for wound, bruise for bruise.

Key phrases in this verse, such as 'gives birth prematurely' and 'lasting injury,' point towards the idea that the 'unborn' in this context is not synonymous with a person. The term 'miscarriage' is used, indicating that the child is not yet a viable life outside the womb. Therefore, the punishment ('fine') is not equivalent to that of a full-fledged person.

Moreover, Exodus 22:22-24 provides a broader perspective, stating:

You shall not oppress a stranger or mistreat him, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt. You shall not afflict any widow or orphan. If you afflict them in any way, and they cry out to Me, I will surely hear their cry.

You shall not deprive your neighbor of justice or show partiality to the poor or be partial to the rich; you shall fear your God, for I am the Lord your God.

These verses emphasize the protection of the vulnerable and weak, rather than any specific mention of the unborn as a protected individual.

Conclusion: Authority and Interpretation

The Biblical texts create a nuanced position on the status of the unborn. While they do not explicitly mandate that life begins at conception, they do provide a framework that may support this view. The final determination of when life begins is often left to the interpretation of individual Christians and their personal beliefs.

Keywords: Bible, Life, Conception, Pro-Life, Exodus