February 2009

Early Christians
and Abortion

by David W.T. Brattston

This article presents the Christian attitude toward abortion before the first ecumenical council, that is, until A.D. 325. Because the New Testament does not comment on the morality of abortion, this article considers the writings of the first generations of Christians after the apostles, for they indicate that opposition to abortion (1) was shared at a time when the writers-or Christians not many generations earlier-personally knew the apostles or their first disciples and thus benefited from their unwritten teachings and interpretations of Scripture, (2) comes from a date so early that there was no likelihood for the original gospel to have been corrupted, and (3) is not based on only one interpretation of the Bible among many but was the interpretation of Christians who were personally familiar with the New Testament writers or their early followers.-
With the exception of one author who wrote at length on the subject, early Christian writings do not discuss abortion in depth but merely state in a few words or phrases that it was forbidden to Christians. Most of the authors of the period do not touch on the subject but those who did considered it among the worst of sins. Read more.

PPL Celebrates 30 years!
It seems a little odd to celebrate an organization whose birth was a response to error in the church. But it is right to celebrate the faithfulness of God and a multitude of steadfast witnesses.
In March 19-21, 1979 a strategy conference was held by Southern Presbyterians Pro-Life (SPPL) at Columbia Seminary in Decatur, Georgia. In June, 1979 the first Presbyterians Pro-Life News headline read:
"SPPL Becomes PPL"

"March 21, 1979 in Decatur, Georgia marked the beginning of a new attack on the abortion forces who have so firmly taken hold in the Presbyterian and Reformed Family of Churches. For on that date Presbyterians Pro-Life was formed. This new group succeeds Southern Presbyterians Pro-Life." Read More.

For More about PPL's History.....

To read letters from PPL's Four Presidents, quotes from a multitude of pro-life witnesses over 30 years, and articles by PPL's Two Executive Directors...
Download a PDF of our January 2009 Presbyterians Pro-Life NEWS

Visit PPL website

Topical Index of PPL Resources

In This Issue

PPL Celebrates 30 Years!

A Multitude of Witnesses

Calvin 500

In 2009, Presbyterians will also celebrate the 500th anniversary of John Calvin's day of birth, July 10, 1509. Calvin had this to say about the unborn:

"...for the foetus, though enclosed in the womb of its mother, is already a human being, (homo,) and it is almost a monstrous crime to rob it of the life which it has not yet begun to enjoy. If it seems more horrible to kill a man in his own house than in a field, because a man's house is his place of most secure refuge, it ought surely to be deemed more atrocious to destroy a foetus in the womb before it has come to light."

There are many ways YOU
can help PPL

Join Partner's For Life.

DONATE ONLINE through PAYPAL

Join the discussion on PPL's New BLOG

Join the Presbyterians Pro-Life Facebook group.

If there is any way that PPL can be of service to you in your efforts to uphold the precious gift of human life, please contact us. It has been our great joy to stand with you as partners in this effort for 30 years. We have much more to accomplish and we hope you will stand with us into PPL's future!

Yours in Christ for Life,

Marie Bowen, Executive Director
Presbyterians Pro-Life

*Philippians 1:5-7*	"Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus."