Creating People and Universes: On reading premodern theologians in light of modern science

If conservative Christian theologians think it makes sense to cite premodern theologians on the scientific creation of the universe, they should also cite premodern theologians on the scientific creation of the human fetus. So you better revise your “life begins at conception” nonsense. Rather, the male body is ensouled forty days after conception, the female 80 or 90 days. Thus, abortion is morally permissible before “quickening.”

Conversely, you could say that premodern theologians didn’t have the science we have either on the creation of the person or the creation of the universe. Not that we’re blaming them for that, of course. But it’s simply the case that we know a lot that they did not. And in that case, let contemporary science inform your opinions.

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