This article is sourced from a statement, lightly edited for this column, that I read to our congregation on Feb. 3, 2019. It concerns the subject of abortion, which I acknowledge is a very controversial topic in our culture. However, it is one we Christians see as primarily a biblical issue, not merely a political one. And so, I hope it is encouraging to some in their faith and perhaps challenging to others who may differ.
Last week, Gov. Cuomo of New York signed a bill into law allowing abortion through the third trimester in his state. This bill was intended to “protect” women’s health in case Roe v. Wade is overturned by the Supreme Court.
Also in the news, Gov. Northam of Virginia indicated he supported a similar bill that was proposed (but failed) there, that appeared to allow abortion up to and even after a baby was born alive if it was considered unviable after live birth.
We wanted to take just a moment to affirm a section from our Statement of Faith, which reads under the heading “The Sanctity of Human Life”:
“We believe that all human life is sacred and created by God in His image. Human life is of inestimable worth in all its dimensions, including pre-born babies, the aged, the physically or mentally challenged, and every other stage or condition from conception through natural death. We are therefore called to defend, protect, and value all human life.”
You all know that we do not have a political pulpit in this church. We do, however, speak to issues that the Bible speaks to. And the Bible is clear in this regard. David writes in Psalm 51, “Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me.” That is why we believe that life begins at conception — a moral being has come into existence at that moment. We believe in personhood before birth.
The prophet Jeremiah wrote on God’s behalf, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you.” God could not initiate a relationship with a non-person. The Bible records that John the Baptist as a pre-born baby “leaped for joy” at the arrival of the pregnant Mary at his mother Elizabeth’s home. A non-person, non-moral, unviable mass of cells cannot express joy.
The Scripture records, “For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made” (Psalm 139:13-14). God is the one who puts us together, who makes us in the womb.
We take vows at marriage to not separate what God has put together. Perhaps we should make such a vow to God when a couple makes a baby too.
We denounce the actions of elected officials and medical professionals that would result in the destruction of what God is creating in the wombs of pregnant women. And we encourage all followers of Jesus to join us in prayer for God’s mercy and God’s defense of these most vulnerable ones in our world.
We also want to affirm that although abortion is sin and very serious, that God’s mercy is greater than our sins. Those who have committed this sin can have forgiveness because of Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross. It is not an unforgivable sin.
And if we can ever help women in our congregation or surrounding community who have been through an abortion, we stand ready to help them find forgiveness and peace with God.
Pastors Brian McCrorie, Trey Oetjen, and Greg Oertel of Heather Hills Baptist Church. Send comments to [email protected]
