Richard Mourdock, the Problem of Evil, and God’s Sovereignty

From Laurie Higgins:

Another conservative has made another inept comment regarding rape. I am referring to this comment from Indiana Republican U.S. Senate candidate Richard Mourdock in response to a question regarding his views on abortion:

Life is that gift from God. I think that even when life begins in that horrible situation of rape, that it is something God intended to happen.

First, it should be clear that the demonstrative pronoun “that” was referring to conception, not rape. To some listeners, Mourdock’s comment was offensive because they mistakenly thought he was saying that God intended rape “to happen.”

Second, it should be equally clear—at least to Christians—that God is the author and creator of life. So, if a new life begins, God has, indeed, “intended it to happen.” All human beings are precious gifts from God and are created in the image and likeness of God.

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