The Preborn Child and Faith
Rev. Robert Fleischmann, National Director, Christian Life Resources
Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. (Hebrews 11:1)
The biological argument for protecting preborn human life should be compelling enough. Arguing for abortion rights because the preborn child is not a person yet is outdated. The modern argument for abortion has shifted to the prevailing right of a woman to make decisions about her body – what she does with it and what she has growing in it.
This argument has caught many by surprise. We presumed that if we showed pictures of an unborn baby or an aborted baby even the strongest abortion advocate would crumble. Not so!
Drawings of what takes place in a partial-birth abortion were shown on posters, in newspapers and even displayed to members of Congress. Many people were aghast at the procedure to partially deliver a baby in the last months of pregnancy and then kill him or her before complete delivery. It became clear that for abortion-rights leaders, the humanity of the preborn child was not their issue. Their single issue is that a woman controls her own body – including human life growing in it.
Christians easily find themselves trusting the tools of this world, but that is not where the solution is found. As we have heard often, it is the Word of God that changes hearts.
It is true, so what is our problem? As with all areas of life – it is a matter of faith.
When the man sought healing for his sick son Jesus told him, “Everything is possible for him who believes.” The man’s reply hits close to home for most of us: “I do believe, help me overcome my unbelief.” (Mark 9:17-24).
Within all of us exists a faith paradox – a coexistence of belief and unbelief. The Apostle Paul spoke about it (cf. Romans 7:7ff). You and I see it daily. We sit in church, sing the hymns, listen to the readings and the sermons, confess publicly our sin and the need for the Savior, sing confidently that “Our Redeemer Lives” and then, when challenged, doubt.
For the Christian, the pro-life position is first an article of faith. No church body that accepts the Bible as God’s Word favors abortion rights. Every church body that accepts abortion rights selectively carves up God’s Word in a manner that negates the revelation about the personhood of the preborn.
Job spoke of himself as existing and living in the womb (Job 10:18,19). Psalm 51:5 clearly speaks of accountability for sin not just from birth but from conception. The psalmist knew that it was God who made him – not just at birth – but miraculously in the womb (Psalm 139:13). The prophet Isaiah talked of life beginning not at birth but already in the womb (Isaiah 44:2,24 and 49:5). John the Baptist – the real person – kicked in the womb at the presence of Mary, the mother of Jesus (Luke 1:41).
It is also by faith that Christians take up the cause of protecting all human life through acts of justice (Proverbs 31:8,9), love (Philippians 2:3-5), compassion (Colossians 3:12), and courage (2 Timothy 1:7).
The Christian community needs to feel comfortable in its skin of faith. Retribution by others because we live by faith should come as no surprise (John 15:18). Nevertheless, right is right, and living by faith is always right.
Let your light of faith shine in cherishing human life, born and preborn, healthy or ailing. Let your actions reflect a heart of faith, focused on loving others as a testimony to your love for God.
Recommended Posts
The Things I Have Learned – A Mom’s Look at the Potential of a Child with Down Syndrome
April 20, 2018
Faith and Planned Parenthood
April 15, 2018