SoCal Theologica: Musings from the West Coast

JT

Kevin DeYoung posts on the connection between the arguments for slavery and abortion as seen in Abraham Lincoln’s arguments against the former. For example, Kevin substitutes the word “choice” for “liberty” in this excerpt from Lincoln’s 1864 speech at a Sanitary Fair in Baltimore:

We all declare for choice; but in using the same word we do not all mean the same thing. With some the word choice may mean for each man to do as he pleases with himself, and the product of his labor. While with others the same word may mean for some men [and women] to do as they please with others, and with other men’s labors. Here are two, not only different, but incompatible things, called by the same name–choice. And it follows that each of the things is, by the respective parties, called by two different and incompatible names–choice and tyranny.”

See also John Piper’s post from earlier this year making the same connection between arguments against slavery and against abortion.