C Michael Patton
C Michael Patton

C. Michael Patton is the primary contributor to the Parchment and Pen/Credo House Blog. He has been in ministry for nearly twenty years as a pastor, author, speaker, and blogger. Th.M. Dallas Theological Seminary (2001), president of Credo House Ministries and Credo Courses, author of Now that I'm a Christian (Crossway, 2014) Increase My Faith (Credo House, 2011), and The Theology Program (Reclaiming the Mind Ministries, 2001-2006), host of Theology Unplugged, and primary blogger here at Parchment and Pen. But, most importantly, husband to a beautiful wife and father to four awesome children. Michael is available for speaking engagements. Find him everywhere: Find him everywhere

    5 replies to "The Theology of Abortion — Can A Christian Be Pro-Choice?"

    • scott K mcnamara

      You amaze me Michael. I learn and continue to learn from you. Thank You

    • David

      My comments in (parenthesis)

      God created man and declared him “very good,” both body and soul.
      -(I think what God calls “very good” is humanity within what God created for him. Creation was ‘good’ without man, and man would be ‘good’ without creation. Together ‘very good’.)
      Man fell, both body and soul was involved in the fall. Everyone after Adam is born corrupted and fallen, having both inherited sin (the tendency to sin) and imputed sin (the judgement of the first sin is on them). The inherited sin is “sinful from conception.”
      -(Agree)
      How did the our souls become sinful? It was either through God’s direct creation of the soul and him,
      -(Agree -Not possible)
      independently from Adam, corrupting the soul, or our soul fell due to our relation with Adam.
      -(Yes – Corrupted by Adam and Self)
      God does not create sinful things. There is no possibility of the soul being affected due to its contact with the body at conception or sometime after,
      -(Why not? Seems like it could be corrupted as soon as it becomes part of the person)
      therefore the parents must be responsible for the creation of the soul and it was created indirectly by God through the parents just as the body was.
      -(This is a big unsubstantiated leap. It speaks very much like God gets creation started, gives the earth a spin and walks away but He didn’t. He is the creator and sustainer of all things and sent His son for us). It seems more in his nature to provide each person a unique created soul that becomes corrupted first by imputed sin and then personal sin.)
      The Bible values the body and soul equally as demonstrated by the resurrection. Therefore, the soul is a part of the body and grows in and with the physical. If the soul is part of the body, then we are full persons at conception.
      -(Generally agree, I do see in Genesis where the soul and breath of life are connected. I would agree physical life begins at conception, unsure of the soul)
      Therefore, one cannot have a correct theology and support abortion.
      -(I find it hard to support abortion for many biblical reasons. I think you have to misplace many things in the Christian worldview hierarchy to reason your way to a supporting position. All that said, the gospel message is that God’s grace is sufficient for all who call on his name.)

    • Adam

      Michael, this piece of writing makes you seem like a real simple-minded and self-satisfied idiot, which is the most unsavory and ridiculous type of idiot. Good luck.

      • C Michael Patton

        I would argue that your “argument” is self-defeating, since it’s merely an accusation. I am willing to consider that I look simple-minded, but I suppose your complex mind is going to have to convince me. Otherwise, I have a responsibility to remain in my camp.

        So, convince me…

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