3. WHEN ARE ALL THE REQUIREMENTS PRESENT?
I'm afraid we will have to look to medical science to answer this question.
Gestation:
Week 5
The baby's heart and circulatory system are taking shape, but not fully formed.
No BONES, no SKIN, no MOVEMENT
It's POTENTIAL LIFE
Week 6
Heart is beating with a regular rhythm
Week 7
The umbilical cord is formed.
But still no BONES or MOVEMENT
Week 8
Baby's fingers and toes begin to form.
We are getting closer and closer.
Week 9
MOVEMENT BEGINS
Now have a central nervous system that is actually creating movement. There is a functioning heart, circulatory system and movement, but still no BONES.
Week 10
The bones begin to form.
So at this point all the requirements are present. We have skin, flesh, bones in movement (quickening) and a nervous system.
The baby has transitioned from POTENTIAL LIFE to a LIVING SOUL
4. INTERESTING STATISTICS ON ABORTION
61% occur within first 9 weeks of gestation.
Approx. 80% occur before 10/11th weeks of gestation.
Which means that 80% of abortions occur before you really have ALL the REQUIREMENTS for a LIVING SOUL.
CONCLUSION
In perspective the majority of abortions are NOT MURDER.
And so Dr Ruckman is probably correct although for the wrong Scriptural reasons.
Now, let me just make it quite clear that my own PERSONAL CONVICTION is that abortion is WRONG because "children are an heritage of the LORD and the fruit of the womb is his reward" (Ps 127:3) and "every good gift and every perfect gift is from above" (Jas 1:17).
However, if a baby is aborted before 10 weeks I don't believe it is MURDER.
Clearly this is a very emotive subject and NOT clear cut and I believe we should not judge the woman/couple if they abort the baby-it's between them and the Lord.
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