This can be an intimidating question. In fact one person said it was above his pay grade to answer it. No, that is not a slap at our historic 44th president, but it is an example of the fact that the question sparks debate. I’m not intending for this post to be political. However, the issue I want to propose is why should people, specifically Christians, be pro-life over pro-choice.
God is the Creator of human life (Genesis 1:26-28; Psalm 8:3-4, 103:14).
Both man and woman were created in the image of God. This elevates human life above all other created beings since nothing else is said to be created in God’s image. It gives humanity significance and also stewardship in creation.
Life begins at conception (Psalm 139:13-16; Isaiah 49:1; Jeremiah 1:5; Luke 1:44; Galatians 1:15; Ephesians 1:3-4).
Individual life occurs from the union of the male and female sex parts, t
hus making a fully capable person with potential for every human capacity. Ultrasounds have literally become eye-opening pictures of the baby moving body parts, responding to external pressures and sound and performing human actions. At eight weeks all the organs are present with the brain functioning, heart pumping, liver and kidneys active. This is none other than the fingerprint of God. And it is reported that virtually all abortions happen after the eight week period.
Murder is wrong (Genesis 9:6, Exodus 20:13).
In every society murder of an innocent being is wrong. Not only is this an innate understanding in society but it is also mandated by the Divine Creator, who alone has the power to give and take life. Unfortunately in the case of the unborn child this is not so in our society. Based on the above beliefs, the unborn child should be protected as any other individual. “A strong argument can in fact be made for this even apart from biblical revelation, for the only differences between babies in utero and babies that are born are: (1) their location; (2) their size; (3) their level of dependence; and (4) their level of development”.[1] Such differences should not allow death for one set of babies (pre-born) and life for another (those born).
Two other coinciding thoughts from pastor-theologian, John Piper are [2]:
1. Existing fetal homicide laws make a man guilty of manslaughter if he kills the baby in a mother's womb (except in the case of abortion).
2. Fetal surgery is performed on babies in the womb to save them while another child the same age is being legally destroyed.
Those who do not have a voice need those who do to speak up; no in fact they need us to rise up. Rise Up to speak of the horrific actions taking the innocent lives of over a million babies each year; Rise Up to educate and inform others on life related issues such as abortion, stem cell research and use and offer the Biblical worldview for life; Rise Up to get involved in sacrificial ways (prayer, crisis pregnancy centers, adoption, rallies, banquets, finances and perhaps even protests when appropriate); and lastly Rise Up to sensitively offer the hope and forgiveness of Jesus Christ who have experienced or encouraged abortion in the past.
Will we Rise Up?
God is the Creator of human life (Genesis 1:26-28; Psalm 8:3-4, 103:14).
Both man and woman were created in the image of God. This elevates human life above all other created beings since nothing else is said to be created in God’s image. It gives humanity significance and also stewardship in creation.
Life begins at conception (Psalm 139:13-16; Isaiah 49:1; Jeremiah 1:5; Luke 1:44; Galatians 1:15; Ephesians 1:3-4).
Individual life occurs from the union of the male and female sex parts, t
hus making a fully capable person with potential for every human capacity. Ultrasounds have literally become eye-opening pictures of the baby moving body parts, responding to external pressures and sound and performing human actions. At eight weeks all the organs are present with the brain functioning, heart pumping, liver and kidneys active. This is none other than the fingerprint of God. And it is reported that virtually all abortions happen after the eight week period.Murder is wrong (Genesis 9:6, Exodus 20:13).
In every society murder of an innocent being is wrong. Not only is this an innate understanding in society but it is also mandated by the Divine Creator, who alone has the power to give and take life. Unfortunately in the case of the unborn child this is not so in our society. Based on the above beliefs, the unborn child should be protected as any other individual. “A strong argument can in fact be made for this even apart from biblical revelation, for the only differences between babies in utero and babies that are born are: (1) their location; (2) their size; (3) their level of dependence; and (4) their level of development”.[1] Such differences should not allow death for one set of babies (pre-born) and life for another (those born).
Two other coinciding thoughts from pastor-theologian, John Piper are [2]:
1. Existing fetal homicide laws make a man guilty of manslaughter if he kills the baby in a mother's womb (except in the case of abortion).
2. Fetal surgery is performed on babies in the womb to save them while another child the same age is being legally destroyed.
Those who do not have a voice need those who do to speak up; no in fact they need us to rise up. Rise Up to speak of the horrific actions taking the innocent lives of over a million babies each year; Rise Up to educate and inform others on life related issues such as abortion, stem cell research and use and offer the Biblical worldview for life; Rise Up to get involved in sacrificial ways (prayer, crisis pregnancy centers, adoption, rallies, banquets, finances and perhaps even protests when appropriate); and lastly Rise Up to sensitively offer the hope and forgiveness of Jesus Christ who have experienced or encouraged abortion in the past.
Will we Rise Up?
[1] From ESV Study Bible, Biblical Ethics: The Beginning of Life and Abortion, p. 2539.
[2] Fifteen Pro-Life Truths to Speak, found at http://www.desiringgod.org/ResourceLibrary/TasteAndSee/ByDate/2003/1690_Fifteen_ProLife_Truths_to_Speak/
No comments:
Post a Comment