Thomas Aquinas on When Life Begins

A Comparative Religions 352: History and Development of Modern Christian Thought essay by Brooke Paz.

 

Case Study: Thomas Aquinas on When Life Begins

            In The Summa Theologica, St. Thomas Aquinas provided an explanation for how the soul is produced. He suggested that sperm power generates the human soul[1], but this soul does not enter the fetus until later in development. In this case study I will explain what these ideas mean, why they are problematic, and provide my own case for the existence of the human soul at conception.

To begin, Aquinas was a priest dedicated to academics, service, and defending his faith. In the Middle Ages, mysticism and scholasticism were two important concepts characteristic of the time period. Theologians based their worldview on the reconciliation of Biblical doctrine and Greek philosophy. Aquinas accomplished this through the incorporation of many Aristotelian principles in his theology, including the idea that a human’s soul entered the male embryo 40 days after conception and the female embryo after 90 days[2]. Aristotle also believed the soul was distinct and separate from the body. Aquinas integrated these concepts into his own religious beliefs, claiming that God made intellectual souls at the beginning of the world, but they did not enter the embryo until later in development.

Additionally, this time period is known as the Dark Ages due to the lack of science, art, books, medicine, and literacy. The Catholic Church forbid dissection[3], limiting the understanding of anatomy. However, Aquinas studied under a well-known scientist, theologian, and philosopher named Albertus Magnus[4]. This education likely shaped his views of the body and spirituality. During this time, people also believed in spontaneous generation[5], or the production of living matter through nonliving matter. For example, a woman was thought to possess nonliving fetal matter, while a man produced nonliving seminal fluid. Bringing these two substances together through the process of sexual intercourse created a vegetative being, which later formed into a sensitive being, and then an intellectual being. This, again, incorporated ideas from Aristotle, who believed in a set of mental hierarchies called the chain of being. At the top of this chain was God. Below him were angels and then demons. These higher beings were said to interact with the lower dimension, which included humans, animals, fish, plants, and inanimate matter. The beings ranked lower on the chain indicated reduced mental capacities. Therefore, what made human beings distinct from plants and animals was their intellectual ability.

Moreover, Aquinas further developed this theory in The Summa Theologica. He believed in three types of souls: vegetative, sensitive, and intellectual. The vegetative soul performed basic functions of existence, such as growth, reproduction, and nourishment. The sensitive soul was related to movement, perception, and sensation. Plants only had a vegetative soul, while animals possessed both the vegetative soul and sensitive soul. On the other hand, a human was distinct due to their intellectual soul. This encompassed rationality, reason, and thought. The intellectual soul also carried that person’s knowledge into the afterlife[6]. However, Aquinas did not believe this intellectual soul was present in a human being until weeks after conception. Rather, he concluded that humans underwent a process of development physically and spiritually, leading to delayed ensoulment.

Despite the deficiency of scientific knowledge at the time, I think Aquinas’s understanding of the human body and soul were well-thought-out. However, I do not believe humans gain their personhood or what makes them non-animals through seminal power weeks after conception. Other possible theories of ensoulment include implantation, post-birth, and later in the baby’s development outside of the womb. To begin, a human may gain their soul when the embryo drops and settles in uterine lining one week after fertilization, officially causing pregnancy. On the other hand, the soul may enter the body when a baby takes its first breath out of the womb or when it demonstrates the capacity for rational thought.

However, these theories are problematic because they are just natural stages of physical development. Intellectual processes actually begin at conception when the cells intentionally form the embryo, causing it to develop and grow into a fully functioning fetus over time. The nutritive and sensitive “souls” are present in these physical reactions, but it seems intelligent design is also at play during the processes. Therefore, I believe humanness begins at conception when the semen and egg meet.

To start, Aquinas believed God put the baby in man, which was then transferred to the woman through intercourse. However, neither the semen nor the egg alone can produce an embryo. Because of the advances in science and technology, we now know that our cells contain 23 pairs of chromosomes, whereas an egg and sperm cell each carry only one part of the pairs. So when the sperm cell penetrates the egg, there is an immediate chemical reaction[7] causing the chromosomes to pair up[8]. This is the process of fertilization, which releases the genetic combinations of the parents, creating a new and unique set of DNA in the embryo. Therefore, the embryo needs both the sperm and egg to animate in the first place.

However, Aquinas accurately stated in The Summa Theologica that beings only reproduce after their own kind. Therefore, if humans only breed humans, their humanity must exist from the moment the being is created. Otherwise, without the intellectual soul to differentiate it, that being would be reduced to the status of nonhuman animal or plant.

Additionally, from a Biblical perspective, various verses seem to establish human life at conception. For example, Isaiah 44:24 says, “This is what the Lord says- your Redeemer, who formed you in the womb: ‘I am the Lord, the Maker of all things, who stretches out the heavens, who spreads out the earth by myself.’” In this verse, God established that He makes all things, including the child in the womb. Another passage that supports this idea is Psalm 139: 13-14, which says, “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful; I know that full well.” This passage reaffirms the idea that God intentionally creates life through processes that happen within the womb, indicating an intellectual design. God’s design for development is written in human cells, allowing them to naturally form and sustain the fetus.

Therefore, the human soul must enter the embryo when fertilization creates human life. Discussing this concept is particularly important due to the timely and contentious issue of abortion. Many people disagree on whether a fetus has moral value and the right to life. This dissension stems from arguments regarding the beginning of human life and personhood. Although a fetus begins as a clump of cells, there are important and intentional processes going on at the beginning of conception, which lead to rapid fetal growth and development in the womb.

To ensure that this proposed solution is correct, and that both the life and soul of a human begins at fertilization, there must be more scientific research into the forces that happen at conception. Unfortunately, it is difficult to make spiritual observations in physical experiences. However, more examinations of reactions in the womb may prove that, even though the brain isn’t formed yet in the embryo, cells function in an intentional and logical manner indicative of an intellectual soul.

 

 

Bibliography

Aquinas, St. Thomas. “The Summa Theologica.” Dhspriory. Trans. Fathers of the English Dominican Province. N.p., 2 Jan. 1998. Web. 13 Feb. 2017.

Brind’Amour, Katherine. “St. Thomas Aquinas (c. 1225-1274).” The Embryo Project Encyclopedia. Arizona Board of Regents, 11 Nov. 2007. Web. 13 Feb. 2017.

Catholic Answers Staff. “Was St. Thomas Aquinas wrong about when human life begins?” Catholic Answers. Catholic Answers, 4 Aug. 2011. Web. 13 Feb. 2017.

“Ensoulment.” Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 13 Feb. 2017. Web. 13 Feb. 2017.

Harris, Dr. Beth, and Dr. Steven Zucker. “The study of anatomy.” Khan Academy. Khan Academy, 2017. Web. 13 Feb. 2017.

“How Fertilization Happens.” What To Expect. Everyday Health, 2017. Web. 13 Feb. 2017.

McInerny, Ralph. “Saint Thomas Aquinas.” Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. Stanford University, 23 May 2014. Web. 13 Feb. 2017.

Sapolsky, Robert. “Sperm contains dad’s lifestyle information alongside basic genetic material.” Genetic Literacy Project. Disqus, 11 Sept. 2014. Web. 13 Feb. 2017.

The NIV. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Bible Pub., 1983. Print.

[1] Aquinas, St. Thomas. “The Summa Theologica.” Dhspriory. January 2, 1998. Accessed February 13, 2017. http://dhspriory.org/thomas/english/summa/FP/FP118.html#FPQ118OUTP1.

[2] “Ensoulment.” Wikipedia. February 13, 2017. Accessed February 13, 2017. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ensoulment.

[3] Harris, Dr. Beth, and Dr. Steven Zucker. “The study of anatomy.” Khan Academy. 2017. Accessed February 13, 2017. https://www.khanacademy.org/humanities/renaissance-reformation/early-renaissance1/beginners-renaissance-florence/a/the-study-of-anatomy.

[4] Brind’Amour, Katherine. “St. Thomas Aquinas (c. 1225-1274).” The Embryo Project Encyclopedia. November 11, 2007. Accessed February 13, 2017. https://embryo.asu.edu/pages/st-thomas-aquinas-c-1225-1274.

[5] Catholic Answers Staff. “Was St. Thomas Aquinas wrong about when human life begins?” Catholic Answers. August 4, 2011. Accessed February 13, 2017. https://www.catholic.com/qa/was-st-thomas-aquinas-wrong-about-when-human-life-begins.

[6] McInerny, Ralph. “Saint Thomas Aquinas.” Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. May 23, 2014. Accessed February 13, 2017. https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/aquinas/#ThoAri.

[7] “How Fertilization Happens.” What To Expect. 2017. Accessed February 13, 2017. http://www.whattoexpect.com/preconception/fertility/how-fertilization-happens.aspx.

[8] Sapolsky, Robert. “Sperm contains dad’s lifestyle information alongside basic genetic material.” Genetic Literacy Project. September 11, 2014. Accessed February 13, 2017. https://www.geneticliteracyproject.org/2014/09/11/sperm-contain-dads-lifestyle-information-alongside-basic-genetic-material/.

How Homeschool Prepared Me for Adulting

“You’re homeschooled?! What are you going to do when you get to college?”

Ummm… Learn like everyone else?

See, I used to get asked questions like these all the time.

“Is your mom your teacher?”

“Do you have any friends?”

“Do you stay in your pjs all day?”

…Actually, that last one is true. ;D

But despite the increase in homeschool’s popularity, many people don’t really understand how it works. I can practically predict word for word the line of questions I’ll encounter as they express their surprise and disgust.

In fact, one of my closest friends in elementary school was so irritated that I’d start homeschool in junior high that she tried to convince me my mom was wrong and controlling, and I should try to change her mind.

She was wrong.

So why was I homeschooled in the first place? Well, most of my friends in school had older siblings in junior high and high school. Their parents told my mom about all the horror stories they encountered. Because we lived in a good area with top schools, the news was very unsettling. So my mom looked into alternative options. All of her hard word to raise good, obedient kids with Christian values would not go to waste. Our peers were heading to a school where kids grew up too quickly and engaged in inappropriate behaviors. But my mom wasn’t going to stand for that. And I’m so glad she took action. Besides, there was already a ton of bullying going on at our elementary school. I can only imagine how much worse it would’ve gotten as these kids grew older.

So my mom homeschooled us. But what is that exactly?

When my mom told me of her plans to homeschool us, I figured she’d would teach us at the kitchen table with old, cheesy textbooks. This was certainly not the case. Now, I laugh when people suggest that image of homeschooling.

Actually, homeschooling has changed tremendously over time as the federal government has intruded in the public school system. More and more people have decided to homeschool their kids, and are very happy with the decision. Also, there are plenty of options when it comes to homeschooling- online, personal tutoring, part time attendance at a public/private school, college courses etc.

I started with online homeschool. Personally, I didn’t like it. But that’s the beauty of homeschooling- there are so many options, you just have to find which method works best for you. When I started high school, I joined a program that’s affiliated with a local private Christian school. Classes had anywhere from 5 to 45 students, providing a more personalized and beneficial learning environment. We’d meet once or twice a week at a teacher’s house or a church. Then I’d complete my assignments, papers, and projects at home, turning them in later on. This set up was very similar to college.

Overall, I’m so grateful for my homeschooling experience. Despite what many think, I feel homeschool has actually done more to prepare me for college and life than public school ever would have.

Here are the ways homeschooling benefitted me:

1. Protection

As I understand it, public school is a dog-eat-dog world filled with many careless teachers, cruel students, and inappropriate behaviors taking place in a social mine field. And although these incidents may teach students invaluable lessons the hard way, they can be  very unnecessary or permanently damaging experiences. Sure, I was sheltered from these things HAPPENING to me, but I was not ignorant of their existence. My parents were vigilant in keeping me safe, as well as teaching me how to avoid and deal with various situations.

2. Learning

The educational aspect of homeschooling is incredible. Some may think homeschoolers get it easy because their parents grade their work. However, I’d actually argue that our parents and teachers were more helpful because they gave constructive criticism and really cared about the students. Also, they were able to cater our education to our strengths, interests, needs, pace, and learning style. If unforeseen circumstances arose, our teachers were compassionate and helpful. However, these teachers still had high standards in an effort to prepare us for college. In fact, some of my classes, such as biology, were college-level courses. During a field trip at APU, we actually found out we knew more and were better prepared for college biology than the university’s students. Our courses were also more interesting due to the freedom our teachers had, their personal interest in the subjects, and their desire for us to succeed. The band-aid protecting us from the obligations of adulthood was slowly peeled off, exposing us to new duties and expectations in a smooth and healthy transition. I learned more than I ever imagined, enjoyed the courses, and discovered my passions for writing and politics. Plus, my teachers became more like mentors to me than simple instructors.

3. Extracurricular Activities

With extra time and flexible schedules, my family had more opportunities to do fun and even educational activities. We went on field trips with school, enjoyed family vacations throughout the year, and visited Disneyland on weekdays when it wasn’t so busy. I believe this brought us closer together as a family and I cherish those memories.

And yes, I did have a prom. Let me tell you, I did go to a “real” prom. Mine was WAY better. It was legit- decorations, backdrops, photos, music, food… Plus, we had pool, foosball, and other activities for the over 90 students to enjoy. There was something for everyone- even the students who didn’t like to dance.

Additionally, our school had an ASB. This group put on service and social events every month. I served on ASB as fundraising commissioner, café manager, publicity commissioner, and President. This also gave me the opportunity to speak at my graduation. Due to the smaller class size, our ceremony was more personal and enjoyable, with great student and teacher speakers, a slideshow, worship music, etc.

4. College Structure

The structure of my classes was very much like college. For example, I could have 1 class on Monday, 2 on Thursday, 3 on Friday, and the rest of my electives at home. I’d go to class for a little over an hour, then head home to do homework. This prepared me for my first college schedule of 3 classes on Monday/Wednesday and 2 on Tuesday/Thursday. Public school students can’t say the same. In fact, many of my friends in college that were public schoolers admit the structure of their schedule and required independence really threw them for a loop. However, for homeschoolers, a lot of the responsibility to complete your work rests on you alone. This environment really breeds self-sufficiency, independence, determination, and self-motivation. Teachers aren’t telling you what’s due daily. And with more free time comes more responsibility to use that time wisely. In college and life, no one cares if you goof off and don’t do your work. That’s on you. Sure, there are consequences, failing a class or getting fired, but those only affect you… That’s life.

5. Values

My parents instilled values in me that were only strengthened through my schooling. Homeschooling with a Christian program allowed me to learn about politics, biology, and health with a Biblical perspective. I even took Bible courses every year, which helped me to really deepen my faith and strengthen my knowledge. This also prepared me to defend my beliefs in college, and sparked a love for apologetics that I still feed today with conferences and seminars. The friends and families surrounding me had similar world-views and moral values as well. It was great to be able to talk about God, ask questions, and pray in class. This would not be “appropriate” or normal in a public school today. In fact, I don’t think I would have a love for politics and Biblical knowledge if it weren’t for my interesting, in-depth, Biblically based classes with such knowledgeable, wise, and caring teachers. Because of them, I know what I want to do in life, and I’m so grateful for that.

 

Sure, everything didn’t go perfectly. We experienced normal drama and issues like any other teenager. But homeschooling allowed me to grow up in an environment of teachers, students, and parents with deep love and strong values. My family was able to support and walk alongside me in all I did. And I was able to learn and grow from each positive and negative situation.

Socially, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually, homeschooling only benefitted me. It prepared me for more situations than I can describe.

I’m eternally grateful for the time and effort my parents and teachers sacrificed to better me in my education and as a person. I’ve been able to make better decisions and feel comfortable in my independence, while enjoying the support and love of my family through my first year in college.

 

Have any questions about homeschooling? Let me know in the comments below!

To the Belligerent Atheist Professor

There are some really awesome professors out there. Ones that express their own views without cramming it down your throat. Ones that encourage you to share your own opinions without mistreatment. These educators encourage a positive learning environment with the free exchange of ideas.

However, other professors feel the need to not only impose their ideology on students, but force them to accept it as truth. If you don’t adopt their views, good luck passing the class. Instead of fairly grading your assignments based on the quality of your work, these instructors allow personal feelings and opinions to cloud their professional objectivity.

This post is for those professors.

So Professor, I have a question for you. Why do you feel such a strong obligation to publicly humiliate Christian students, attempting to destroy their faith? According to your faith- and yes, it does take faith to believe what you do- nothing happens to you when you die. So why do you need to tear down the hope and joy of others?

I know your excuse- to free them from the bondage of a false religion. But according to my Christian beliefs and experiences, my relationship with Christ is what frees me from the bondage of sin. I know you don’t understand that. I get it, it seems silly and ridiculous to you. But I think we can at least agree that Christians are often moral, joyful, and caring people. Yeah, we mess up like everyone else, but Christians do a lot of good in the world, too.

So what effect should their religious beliefs have on you?

You think you’re nobly shattering the “fairytale” of religion. But may I remind you that you’d never dare question the religious beliefs of a Muslim, Buddhist, or Hindu.

So here’s what I think you’re really about. Part of you may find pride in your accomplishment. Perhaps it feeds your ego to know how “smart” and “witty” you are. But what I think it really comes down to is trying to convince yourself you’re right. If you can destroy the faith of a young student, then maybe, just maybe, you can silence that voice deep inside your head and heart telling you you’re wrong.

But honestly, I’m not here to convince you why you’re wrong and I’m right. I know I can’t do that yet, at least not alone. You’re well-researched. You have many years of practice. It’s not exactly a fair fight to challenge some kid fresh out of high school. It’s like beating up your little brother… Good for you.

But I wish you’d stop belittling and demeaning people like me. This isn’t about whether atheism is right or wrong. This is about who you are as a teacher and a person. You’re doing more harm than good, despite you efforts to convince yourself otherwise.

Honestly, I pity you. I can’t stand you. But I thank you.

I pity you because YOU are wrong. Sadly, you find fulfillment in bringing other people down. For some reason, you don’t WANT to believe in God. You seem to reject all evidence presented no matter what. Now, I don’t know everything. Maybe I’m not as “intelligent” as you are. Maybe I can’t counter your attacks as well as I’d like to. But someone out there can. Even then, you’d probably choose not to believe, and I think there’s a deeper reason for that. Whether you hate God, you’ve been burned by Christians, life’s been difficult for you, or some other reason, you’ve hardened your heart against Christians. In fact, you take out your hatred and intolerance on us, venting your frustrations. But we don’t deserve that.

And to be honest, that’s why I can’t stand you. It agitates me to hear how you treat my friends. These are good people you’re mocking! Why do you think it’s appropriate or acceptable to aggressively initiate a religious conversation in class just to single out believers? You proceed to verbally attack and humiliate these students in front of their friends and classmates. Why is this okay- morally, legally, and by the standards of the school you work for? These students are your bread and butter. Without them, you wouldn’t have a paycheck. And newsflash, your job description does not include verbal assaults and religious lectures. You’re basically hired to instruct students about a specific subject, and unless it’s a religious studies class, you can kindly shut your mouth and teach math. We didn’t ask for your opinion.

Despite all of this, I thank you. Because of you, I’m challenged. I realize there’s more for me to learn. And when I come in contact with a hateful, hurtful person like you, I’ll be ready. No matter what, I know I have my God on my side. Sadly, you are without aid.

Which brings me back to pity. You have no hope, and that pains me. I can’t imagine how it feels to go through life as an atheist. For that reason, I will pray for you. Someday, I hope the Lord will bring someone into your life who you can’t dominate. Maybe then you’ll realize the error in your beliefs and behavior.

For now, can’t we all get along? Here’s the thing, I welcome a respectful, classy discussion. I’m glad to hear your perspective and I’d love to talk about our differing stances. But you’re an adult and a professional. You know better than to treat students so poorly.

Yes, you have freedom of speech, but I have freedom of religion.

With that said, I wish you the best.

God bless you Professor.

Risen Renewing My Faith

I’ll just be honest. I’ve been in a slump lately when it comes to my faith. With all of my challenging courses, demanding assignments, establishing my club on campus, and responsibilities at home, I’ve felt swamped. Times like these are when my relationship with God recedes to the background as I prioritize everything but my Lord and Savior. It pains me to admit it, but it’s true. I know it happens to me often… To all of us. But it’s still inexcusable. So I’ve been trying to revive my walk with God and was surprised to find that a movie could do just that for me.

I recently saw Risen. If you don’t know what that is, it’s a movie based on the Biblical account of Jesus’s resurrection. The twist? It’s from the perspective of a Roman tribune charged with the duty of locating the Messiah’s body in order to stifle the rumors, chaos and unrest among both Jews and Gentiles. Some were scared, others were skeptical and uneasy, but those who believed in Jesus were ecstatic.

Now, I’ll try to refrain from spoilers, but I’m pretty sure you can all guess how the movie goes. It’s not exactly a surprise that Jesus Christ was killed, buried in a tomb and then rose again three days later in the same physical body.

I’ve heard the story over and over so many times I’m sure I could never count them all. And most Christians probably feel the same way. In fact, even many nonbelievers know the story! But what’s amazing about this day and age of technology, effects, motion pictures and media is how it caters to our visual sense. There’s an old saying, “Seeing is believing.” Well this is exactly why the movie, which I will admit took some creative licensing, is a hit among pastors and the public alike. This is how my faith and relationship with God were renewed.

It’s interesting because the movie starts at the end of Jesus’s life. Literally, the first time we see Jesus is when He’s dead on the cross, His eyes and facial expression truly haunt the characters and the viewer. This starting point was an interesting choice to me because we usually see Christian movies that talk about the life of Jesus. Although those stories are crucial to understanding who Jesus is, the whole point of the Gospel is the death and resurrection of Jesus. He paid for our sins with His life and then conquered death to remove our debt and offer us eternal life. It was refreshing to see a movie start with and focus on that aspect.

 

*MINOR SPOILERS AHEAD*

Furthermore, we actually get to see the resurrected Jesus. How incredible is that?! It’s not the first movie to do this, but it is the first I’ve seen that tackles such a profound and incredible event. We even get to see Thomas touching Jesus’s wounds, verifying that it is truly Him. Later, when one of the characters expresses his awe and disbelief, Jesus says something along the lines of “Imagine the trouble for those who’ve never seen me.” That’s us. And my heart directly received that as a message saying, “Keep going and persevere. I know this can be hard to believe sometimes, but this is true and you know it.” All I can say is incredible.

And this is where the faith kicks in. I just sat in wonder seeing a well-depicted Jesus talking, teaching, performing miracles, and showing tremendous love. Oh to see the Lord of Lords hugging and kissing his disciples and a man with leprosy. It just gives you this satisfying visual of the relationship we are meant to have with Jesus. I couldn’t help but imagine that’s what it should be like when I’m with God, whether it be in times of trouble, moments of joy, or just the normal, daily talks with Him. Although I can’t physically hear, see, or feel Jesus on this earth, in that moment of watching an actor play Jesus on the screen, I felt so close to Him. It was like He was there, like this movie was documenting what Jesus truly did and said. And to see the love of Jesus with my own eyes just strengthened my faith in such a caring God and grew my own love for Him. How could I not accept what He has to offer?

And that’s what amazes me about movies. They transport us into a world that we feel is real. We get so lost in them and so invested; it’s a beautiful experience. No wonder the film industry is so successful. Not only do we love stories, but we want to relate to them and be emotionally involved. And boy, did Risen do that for me.

If you’ve got some downtime, please do yourself a favor and go see this movie. Not only are you supporting the Christian entertainment industry and sending a message to this fallen world of who we serve, but I truly believe that everyone can get something valuable out of this film. Some may get hung up on the fact that artistic license was taken on a few things, but this movie never claimed to be a completely true story.

Of course, as Christians we know that the life, death, and resurrection of Christ is real. But as far as the story goes with the Roman tribune Clavius, who knows what happened! This very well could have gone down in real life, and that’s what makes it so great to me. It seemed to be an accurate depiction of what would have happened under these circumstances. The Bible doesn’t tell us everything, but Risen did well with what the Bible does report, along with their other choices for storyline. Overall, I think everything was true to the story of Jesus and the message of the Gospel. Like I said, take a few hours out of your day to check it out for yourself. I truly believe you will find it worthwhile.

God bless you and keep you.

To Be Christian, but Unconcerned

The other day, my club was granted official membership at Cal State Fullerton. I’m ecstatic to finally be able to start on this mission. But the road to get to this point was not at all easy. And along the way I’ve felt very discouraged, especially by my own- my brothers and sisters in Christ.

As I set out to start the pro-life club Students for Life, my first thought was to gather support from fellow Christians. Being “pro-life” usually comes with the territory- not always, but I daresay it should.

When I set out collect emails from CSUF students interested in the pro-life movement, I decided to attend Discoverfest. This is an event that happens every semester where all CSUF clubs set up a booth on campus, spread awareness, pass out flyers, get email addresses, and hopefully gain new members. This seemed like a perfect opportunity for me considering there are about 15 Christian clubs on campus.

Turns out, it wasn’t as successful as I had hoped. Sure, I received some email addresses- mostly from reluctant people at the booths. I expected more to care about the issue of abortion, but they were really more interested when I said I was looking for a Christian club for myself. But by then, their true colors had shown and I didn’t appreciate how they treated me when I was talking about my club. They were disinterested, some even irritated. But they were more than happy to talk about their club…

In fact, even the Christian club I attended last semester was by far the rudest of them all. It’s safe to say, I don’t attend anymore.

Discouraged and running out of time, I finally approached the Catholic club, and boy did they make my day. It’s common knowledge that the Catholic church has really spearheaded the pro-life movement, and God bless them for that. When it comes to charity and doing good, they’ve really got their act together. They were friendly, encouraging, and excited to hear about what I was doing. And even though my more Protestant beliefs differ from theirs (in practice, more than core beliefs) I felt more acceptance and love from them than any “Christian” church ever before.

See, our God is very clear about who He is and how He cares for His people. Psalm 127:3 says, “Truly children are a gift from the Lord; the fruit of the womb is a reward.” Life is not a curse. Jesus loves children. The Bible talks about how, on earth, He reveled in their presence, their innocence, their heart, their faith.

In fact, Psalm 139:13,15 says, “You knit me in my mother’s womb . . . nor was my frame unknown to you when I was made in secret.” How incredible that, before we were even born, God KNEW us. But for that to happen, a fetus in the womb would actually have to be a real, living person, right?

Furthermore, God commands in Exodus 20:17 and Deuteronomy 5:17 that “Thou shalt not kill.” From scientific evidence, we know that the fetus is a human with essential functions and elements existing very early on in the pregnancy. If we permit the violent murder (yes, MURDER) of the most innocent of our kind, precious gems that cannot defend themselves, then what should stop us from killing one another no matter the reason?

And finally, Matthew 7:12 says, “Do unto others as you would have them do to you.” None of these kids consented to their abortion. They have as much right to live as anyone else. In fact, President Ronald Reagan said, “I’ve noticed that everyone who is for abortion has already been born.” How lucky are they that their mother did not choose abortion, which is what they push on other women every day!

Life, love, justice, and freedom are essential to the Christian faith and to the foundation of the United States of America. To be a Christian, to be an American, how could you not support these things? How could you deny the personhood and value of this precious, tiny baby?

Surprisingly, many people do. Some don’t want to get involved or infringe on a woman’s “right” to murder their child, while others see it only as a political issue. Someone who doesn’t like politics will often avoid the topic of abortion altogether. But those people are wrong. Yes, this issue has entered the political sphere because people wanted rules to be made nationally on both sides- pro-life and pro-choice. But this is a social issue. This is a moral issue. This is a personal issue. And that affects everyone.

But let’s be real. The “pro-choice” movement claims to be founded upon the grounds of a woman’s right to choose what to do with her body. But common sense and science clearly show us that the baby, though residing in the mother’s womb, has its own body, its own personhood, and its own rights. So if you won’t say it, I will. To be pro-choice is to be pro-abortion, and to support abortion is to flat out advocate for child murder.

The Church is supposed to be beacon of light for direction and morality in this dark, lost world. Sure, we are all called to various missions and blessed with different gifts for our unique purposes. But as Christians, God desires us to actively fight evil and spread love. That’s what the pro-life movement is truly about. And that’s exactly what I intend for my club. We are all about fighting injustice, saving the lives of children who were given no other choice, spreading awareness on campus, supporting pro-life legislation, and helping women in crisis pregnancies with much needed support and resources.

The Church is also supposed to be unified on the Word and love of God. But most of what I’ve faced from campus Christians is apathy or irritability.

I’m sorry. Did I bother you with the notion that countless children are killed from abortion daily, leaving their mothers and others around them left to suffer the consequences of physical pain, irreparable damage, depression, etc.

My point is, how sad is it that I cannot rely on my own for love and support in this critical issue? Not only from my brothers and sisters in Christ, but from the representative of a club I had been attending! Honestly, I think it’s ridiculous. Sure, I don’t expect everyone to be as passionate about this mission as I am. But if you’re a Christian, you should naturally be concerned about the wellbeing of others. And the lives and deaths of the unborn should certainly fit into this category. As Christians, we should be supporting the missions of those who help the poor, sick, homeless, lost, widowed, fatherless, and innocent. This is what the Lord has called us to do.

As the man on the road to Jericho in one of Jesus’s parables, I’ve felt beaten down and left stranded by my own kind. But when strangers who are different from myself picked me up, helped me, and offered such genuine encouragement, I saw the love of Christ truly play out in this world.

Am I perfect? Far from it! I, more than anyone, am learning the value of love, gentleness, and compassion. They aren’t ALWAYS my strong suits. And is the Church perfect? No. And it never will be. The Church is made up of many diverse individuals, all sinners, who struggle with different things. But I urge you, Christians, be careful how you treat your brothers and sisters. It does not go unnoticed by both believers and nonbelievers. Love thy neighbor- in your Church, in your home, in your school, in your workplace, and in your community. And perhaps we should take some notes from the Catholic church. Perhaps to be a “Christian,” but to be unconcerned about the injustices of this world is to really not understand the true nature of God at all.

Why Going to a Secular School is One of the Best Things That’s Ever Happened to Me

I’ve heard it countless times. “Aren’t you afraid of going to a liberal, secular college? How are you going to survive? You’re so outspoken and opinionated.”

Umm… Yes, yes I am. Thanks for the encouragement. Reeaally calms my nerves.

Well here’s the story. As a junior high student, I did some research on local Christian colleges, knowing I’d soon be expected to know what I wanted to do with my life. And ever since then, my heart was set on attending Azusa Pacific University. In high school, I did some research, visited the campus multiple times, stayed overnight, attended several meetings and a class, and worked on obtaining scholarships.

Then my plans abruptly stopped when my parents and I sat down to discuss finances. What a shock it was to learn that APU was far too expensive for me. At the time, a year at APU would cost me about $35,000 dollars. Now, it’s more than $40,000. So to earn a Bachelor’s degree in four years I’d have to spend $160,000+ that I didn’t have. Sounds ridiculous to me. But I was still upset and confused. I had spent 5 years envisioning my life at APU. I felt like God was leading me there. Why would He betray and deceive me so? I loved the people, the environment, and the Christian values.

But when I really thought about it, was a four-year education at a private university really worth constantly worrying about paying off debt while still trying to provide for my future children? Besides, I didn’t even like the class I attended at APU. That’s not to say that the education at APU is poor, but it’s not really a school known for journalism.

With that said, I truly believe that the Lord works in mysterious ways. They’re often hidden to us due to our one-track minds, so focused on the plans we have for ourselves. Maybe I was blinded by my own desires, or maybe the Lord was fixating my attentions on APU to keep me occupied while He worked in my life. I think both are true, actually. And looking back now, I’m so grateful I decided to enroll in California State University, Fullerton.

In no particular order, here’s why:

1. The Price

Let’s face it- money is a priority and concern for everyone. And as a middle-class, white female, I can’t get any assistance. (C’mon, it’s true.) Even a majority of scholarships exclude me, despite the fact that my parent’s income is not my own and I’m supposed to pay for my own college education. Of course, the applications don’t ask you that. But for this full-time semester at CSUF, the cost of tuition was a little over $3,000. Of course, room and board, parking, books, and supply costs differ for everyone, and the cost to attend CSUF could go up at any time. But based on the cost of this semester, I’m looking at a total of under $26,000 in tuition and fees. Basically, a 4-year bachelor’s degree at CSUF costs LESS than a year at APU! And CSUF offers quite a few scholarship opportunities that I intend to pursue.

2. The Campus

Sure, you could attend a raging frat party, which is probably a group of drunken kids throwing up and dancing like 80-year-old women- it’s quite glamorous. Perhaps you’d participate in the underwear run along with other students who tragically lack self-respect and modesty. OR you could attend debates, concerts, sporting events, plays, musicals, and club meetings, as well as volunteer, intern, climb the rock wall, go bowling with friends, watch a movie, learn a new skill, take an interesting class, or participate in one of the countless other activities offered at CSUF. Thanks to the school, ASI, and the plethora of clubs, your options are limitless! Furthermore, it’s located near many restaurants and stores, and isn’t far from the Brea Mall, Honda Center, Angel’s Stadium, Downtown Fullerton, Disneyland, etc. Finally, the CSUF campus is so close to me! I couldn’t find a closer school. I’m there and back so quickly, it’s incredibly convenient. Then I get to come home to my supportive family to share my day, enjoy time with my dogs, do my work in the comfort of my home, and sleep in my own bed. I wouldn’t give it up for any college dorm room!

3. The People

The saying is true- you are who you hang out with. At a Christian college, you’d expect to be surrounded by fellow Christians. This offers a comforting feeling that bonds the community through similar foundations. However, I’ve found that a lot of students at Christian universities aren’t actually Christians. Some attend for the scholarships, offers from sports teams, pressure from parents, etc. So really, you’ll find all kinds of people at any school- the partiers, the slackers, the druggies… It’s all at APU, it’s all at CSUF, and it’s everywhere else! That’s reality. That’s the world we live in. But there are also tons of good people out there. My school alone has 14 Christian clubs, a Catholic club, and a Republican club. That’s a great place to start! And although I haven’t found the group I really fit in with just yet, I trust that God will lead me there eventually, and he’s brought amazing people along my path that have encouraged me, guided me, included me, helped me, and brought me joy. And because I’m not assuming everyone is a Christian as I would at a private school, I’m really able to get to know who people truly are. And hopefully we can impact each other for the better, no matter our background and beliefs.

4. The Clubs

There are over 350 clubs at school for nearly any religion, culture, major, interest, or hobby. And like I said, there are MULTIPLE Christian clubs for me to try out and meet new people. And with these clubs come countless activities to participate in. Community is easy to find at this large school with countless opportunities and different people. Students are also encouraged to start their own own club on campus. The process is not too difficult, and there are helpful staff members ready to answer your questions.

5. The Faculty

I cannot say enough about the faculty that I’ve encountered this semester and last. Every staff member I’ve met so far has been helpful and friendly, brightening my day and teaching me. Some professors I’ve disliked, some I’ve misjudged, and others I’ve loved. But all have genuinely cared about my success as a student, did all they could to supplement my learning, and helped me do my best in the class. In fact, I recently discovered that one of my professors is a Christian. I was encouraged to hear her mention it in class, and when I thanked her for admitting it after class, she offered counsel and prayer if I ever needed it. Then, when I told her of my original plans to attend APU, she assured me that there are more Christians on campus than I realize. What a blessing it was to know one of my professors shares my beliefs, and to be encouraged by her kind and genuine sentiments. Furthermore, in pursuit of a faculty advisor for my Students for Life Club, I met two amazing faculty members that share my beliefs in both religion and the value of life. Both were so helpful, encouraging, positive, and excited about my mission. Because of the staff, I do not feel alone at my school.

6. The Opportunities

CSUF offers so many services to its students. When you pay for tuition, you have access to many free things including a student ID card, recreational facility use, library access, assistance with writing assignments, tutoring, access to sporting events, medical services, and counseling. Additionally, there are academic advisers for general education, minors, and majors. And with various classes offered in religion, culture, hobbies, sports, and career pursuits, students are bound to find something that interests them. For example, the Kinesiology department offers self defense, rock climbing, bowling, yoga, and walking for a few credits just for participating. In addition, many Christian courses are offered, such as Evolution and Creation, History and Development of Modern Christian Thought, and The Bible as Literature. And getting involved is easy with school events, clubs, volunteer opportunities, on campus jobs, and internships. There’s even a Career Center to help you with resumes, internship acquirement, and navigating your field of interest. Finally, I’m part of the awesome Finish in Four program, which helps students earn their degree in four years without wasting extra time or money. This program isn’t very well known, but it’s super easy to get into. You fill out some paperwork, attend an orientation that explains the program, and then turn in a signed contract every semester. With a big school comes endless accommodations and opportunities.

 

7. The Difficulties

My time so far at CSUF has not been free of problems. I’ve experienced fear, stress, frustration, hopelessness, and despair. I’ve dealt with verbal attacks from fellow students because of my views, received an expensive parking ticket for a mistake on the school’s part, endured difficult classes, argued with the editor of the school newspaper, had trouble navigating the requirements for my degree, struggled to find parking when my class was about to start, made my way through intimidating crowds, endured difficult teachers, endeavored to start a pro-life club on a very liberal campus, and put on my big girl pants to figure things out on my own and take initiative like the adult I’m supposed to be. In fact, I wasn’t even accepted when I first applied to CSUF due to a simple misunderstanding. But I realize now that God allowed that for a purpose- I was meant to start in the fall of 2015. Regardless, the whole transition to CSUF was scary and intimidating for me. I’ve been tried by fire- some bigger and hotter than others. But through it all, I have learned about God and grown in my relationship with Him more than ever before. I’ve experienced God in His fullness of love, grace, mercy, kindness, and compassion. He’s faithfully provided for me in every trying circumstance- my parking ticket was dismissed after I contested it, I’ve never had trouble getting classes, I’ve earned all A’s so far, enjoyed my newfound independence, made good decisions, took initiative on what was to be done, received favor from all my professors, stood fast in the face of mistreatment, and always found parking soon enough, especially this semester. (It may not seem like much, but sometimes parking feels like the end of the world. Just trust me.) Even in my econ class, when graphing seemed like nonsense and my professor might as well have just lectured in Mandarin, I prevailed and earned good grades on all of my quizzes, essays, and exams. And I’ve realized that my trust grows as each unappealing situation occurs. Because of the last provision, I’m confident He will not fail me. He’s brought me through everything, and I know He will continue to do so for the rest of my life. Not to myself, but to His name be the glory. He’s strengthened my resolve, trust, faith, and desire to be in relationship with Him. He’s taught me more about myself, and molded me into the person He intends me to be. As His Word says, we must endure the fire in order to be refined. I’d say it’s a small price to pay in comparison to the rich blessings He provides in the midst of difficult situations.

And I’m not saying that private Christian universities are terrible. Far from it. Every school has its positive and negative aspects. However, I’d hate to see Christians discouraged by others, making an impractical and insensible decision due to the fear of indoctrination. If you’re not strong in your faith, maybe it’s not the best option for you. Or maybe it could be a way to motivate you- to learn, grow, and strengthen your relationship with the living God in preparation for the opposition this broken world has to offer. One day, you will have to face your fears, concerns, and questions. Why not start now? It’s time- before you run out of time and determination. Additionally, I encourage you to make sensible decisions for your future. Don’t let anyone get in the way of the path the Lord has for you- whether it be in school, work, ministry, or anything else. I’ve faced many critics who believed I should attend a Christian school. But God closed those doors for a reason, and now I can see why.

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

~Jeremiah 29:11~