Christians and Abortion Part 2

As I discussed in my previous post “Christians and Abortion Part 1” people attempt to use the Bible to justify a position in favor of abortion. I first discussed the application of G_d creation Adam in this light now I would like to point out the error of using Exodus 21:22-25 as a defense stating that G_d places a lesser value on an unborn child.

22 "If men who are fighting hit a pregnant woman and she gives birth prematurely but there is no serious injury, the offender must be fined whatever the woman's husband demands and the court allows.
23 But if there is serious injury, you are to take life for life,
24 eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot,
25 burn for burn, wound for wound, bruise for bruise.
NIV

22 "If men struggle with each other and strike a woman with child so that she gives birth prematurely, yet there is no injury, he shall surely be fined as the woman's husband may demand of him, and he shall pay as the judges decide.
23 "But if there is any further injury, then you shall appoint as a penalty life for life,
24 eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot,
25 burn for burn, wound for wound, bruise for bruise.
NASB

22 If men strive, and hurt a woman with child, so that her fruit depart from her, and yet no mischief follow: he shall be surely punished, according as the woman's husband will lay upon him; and he shall pay as the judges determine.
23 And if any mischief follow, then thou shalt give life for life,
24 Eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot,
25 Burning for burning, wound for wound, stripe for stripe.
KJV

Now this is almost more of a stretch that Genesis 2:7. The basic premise of those who support abortion is that the child is killed in the accident, and that any further harm is based upon the mother not the child. This unfortunately is only applying current western thinking to these verses. In the Hebrew culture the sanctity of life was never questioned and the further harm part was actually directed at both mother and child. This also fits in context of the verses around it discussing injury resulting in death being punished by death and injury not resulting in death being punished by fines and restitution.

To often we look at scripture in our own understanding and look for what we want to see not for what is actually being revealed by G_d. It is a sad commentary on the current state of our churches. Our enemy rejoices in the victory he gets when scripture is twisted to make it fit what we want it to say and as long as we continue to look at scripture for what we can selfishly get out of it he will continue to win.