Comments on: The Sanctity of Human Life in the Womb http://www.rayfowler.org/2010/01/24/the-sanctity-of-human-life-in-the-womb/ Thoughts on God and life from a Christian perspective Mon, 06 Feb 2012 21:51:36 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Ray Fowler http://www.rayfowler.org/2010/01/24/the-sanctity-of-human-life-in-the-womb/#comment-22255 Ray Fowler Tue, 22 Feb 2011 17:25:18 +0000 http://www.rayfowler.org/?p=5068#comment-22255 <b>Domenic</b> - Thank you for taking the time to share your questions. Here are a couple thoughts on each of them. <strong>"How do we know ... [God] does n0t want these babies to be aborted? Doesn't God work in mysterious ways?"</strong>Yes, God works in mysterious ways, but he also reveals much of his will to us in the Scriptures. The sixth commandment forbids the taking of innocent human life, and Psalm 139 speaks of the sanctity of that life even in the womb. Taken together (along with many other Scriptures), it is clear that God does not advocate the taking of human life from the womb. <strong>"This statement [about God designing the womb as a place of nurture and protection] does not say not to penetrate this barrier."</strong>The point here is that God specifically designed the womb as a place of protection for the developing child. Coupled with what we know of God's will (from point 1 above), it is clear that God does not want us to penetrate this barrier for the purpose of taking the child's life. <strong>"How do we know that God's plan did not include the death of this child?"</strong> This is a dangerous line of thinking that could be used to justify all sorts of wrong-doing. We may not always know God's ultimate plan, but God has told us certain things that we may or may not do. If you have not already done so, I encourage you to read the full manuscript of this message where each of the bullet-point ideas outlined above are unpacked more fully. Here is the link: <a href="http://www.rayfowler.org/sermons/psalms/the-sanctity-of-human-life-in-the-womb-psalm-139/" rel="nofollow"><strong>The Sanctity of Human Life in the Womb</strong></a> Domenic – Thank you for taking the time to share your questions. Here are a couple thoughts on each of them.

“How do we know … [God] does n0t want these babies to be aborted? Doesn’t God work in mysterious ways?”Yes, God works in mysterious ways, but he also reveals much of his will to us in the Scriptures. The sixth commandment forbids the taking of innocent human life, and Psalm 139 speaks of the sanctity of that life even in the womb. Taken together (along with many other Scriptures), it is clear that God does not advocate the taking of human life from the womb.

“This statement [about God designing the womb as a place of nurture and protection] does not say not to penetrate this barrier.”The point here is that God specifically designed the womb as a place of protection for the developing child. Coupled with what we know of God’s will (from point 1 above), it is clear that God does not want us to penetrate this barrier for the purpose of taking the child’s life.

“How do we know that God’s plan did not include the death of this child?”
This is a dangerous line of thinking that could be used to justify all sorts of wrong-doing. We may not always know God’s ultimate plan, but God has told us certain things that we may or may not do.

If you have not already done so, I encourage you to read the full manuscript of this message where each of the bullet-point ideas outlined above are unpacked more fully. Here is the link: The Sanctity of Human Life in the Womb

]]> By: Domenic http://www.rayfowler.org/2010/01/24/the-sanctity-of-human-life-in-the-womb/#comment-22254 Domenic Tue, 22 Feb 2011 06:39:02 +0000 http://www.rayfowler.org/?p=5068#comment-22254 I have a few questions/comments about reasons to be pro-life: 1) God has ownership rights as Creator. (13a) As we know, humans use their belongings however they desire. How do we know that as owner, He does not want these babies to be aborted? Doesn't God work in mysterious ways? 3) God designed the womb as a place of nurture and protection. (15a) This seems like more of a comment on the intricacies and ingeniousness of the womb. This statement does not say not to penetrate this barrier. 5) God has a plan for each child’s life even before the child is born. (16b) How do we know that God's plan did not include the death of this child. Maybe this whole abortion battle is God's way of throwing us more obstacles to learn from? I have a few questions/comments about reasons to be pro-life:

1) God has ownership rights as Creator. (13a)
As we know, humans use their belongings however they desire. How do we know that as owner, He does not want these babies to be aborted? Doesn’t God work in mysterious ways?

3) God designed the womb as a place of nurture and protection. (15a)
This seems like more of a comment on the intricacies and ingeniousness of the womb. This statement does not say not to penetrate this barrier.

5) God has a plan for each child’s life even before the child is born. (16b)
How do we know that God’s plan did not include the death of this child. Maybe this whole abortion battle is God’s way of throwing us more obstacles to learn from?

]]> By: Abortion and The Health Bill at Ray Fowler .org http://www.rayfowler.org/2010/01/24/the-sanctity-of-human-life-in-the-womb/#comment-8295 Abortion and The Health Bill at Ray Fowler .org Fri, 05 Mar 2010 17:55:04 +0000 http://www.rayfowler.org/?p=5068#comment-8295 [...] posts:     • The Sanctity of Human Life in the Womb (Sermon from Psalm 139)     • Barack Obama on Health Care Then and [...] [...] posts:     • The Sanctity of Human Life in the Womb (Sermon from Psalm 139)     • Barack Obama on Health Care Then and [...]

]]> By: Ray Fowler http://www.rayfowler.org/2010/01/24/the-sanctity-of-human-life-in-the-womb/#comment-8146 Ray Fowler Thu, 04 Feb 2010 13:54:14 +0000 http://www.rayfowler.org/?p=5068#comment-8146 <b>Hi John</b> - Good to hear from you! I'm glad you were able to use some of the material. Hi John – Good to hear from you! I’m glad you were able to use some of the material.

]]> By: John Ayan http://www.rayfowler.org/2010/01/24/the-sanctity-of-human-life-in-the-womb/#comment-8108 John Ayan Sat, 30 Jan 2010 22:11:47 +0000 http://www.rayfowler.org/?p=5068#comment-8108 Hi Ray, Thanks for the blog updates. Hope you don't mind but I used some of your notes for the youth group newsletter for February. After the Pres's comment on health care and knowing they're attempting to pass it with publicly funded abortions, I felt this was a good piece for the teens to see and learn. To God goes the glory! Hi Ray,
Thanks for the blog updates. Hope you don’t mind but I used some of your notes for the youth group newsletter for February. After the Pres’s comment on health care and knowing they’re attempting to pass it with publicly funded abortions, I felt this was a good piece for the teens to see and learn. To God goes the glory!

]]> By: Ray Fowler http://www.rayfowler.org/2010/01/24/the-sanctity-of-human-life-in-the-womb/#comment-8100 Ray Fowler Fri, 29 Jan 2010 23:50:36 +0000 http://www.rayfowler.org/?p=5068#comment-8100 <b>Dana</b> - Oh, I haven't read that one, just <i>Fearfully and Wonderfully Made</i> and <i>In His Image</i>. Dana – Oh, I haven’t read that one, just Fearfully and Wonderfully Made and In His Image.

]]> By: Dana http://www.rayfowler.org/2010/01/24/the-sanctity-of-human-life-in-the-womb/#comment-8099 Dana Fri, 29 Jan 2010 21:19:21 +0000 http://www.rayfowler.org/?p=5068#comment-8099 I really love the books Paul Brand and Philip Yancey wrote together. Dr. Brand is one of my "heroes of the faith". I think my favorite book of theirs is The Gift of Pain. I really love the books Paul Brand and Philip Yancey wrote together. Dr. Brand is one of my “heroes of the faith”. I think my favorite book of theirs is The Gift of Pain.

]]> By: Ray Fowler http://www.rayfowler.org/2010/01/24/the-sanctity-of-human-life-in-the-womb/#comment-8080 Ray Fowler Tue, 26 Jan 2010 18:29:39 +0000 http://www.rayfowler.org/?p=5068#comment-8080 <b>Sally</b> - Thanks for your kind comments on the message. It was a joy to preach at PCC again! <b>Margaret</b> - I have the Yancey book and would definitely recommend it to others. It was actually in my notes for the message at one point but got edited out - just not enough time to say everything you want to in a sermon. Sally – Thanks for your kind comments on the message. It was a joy to preach at PCC again!

Margaret – I have the Yancey book and would definitely recommend it to others. It was actually in my notes for the message at one point but got edited out – just not enough time to say everything you want to in a sermon.

]]> By: Margaret http://www.rayfowler.org/2010/01/24/the-sanctity-of-human-life-in-the-womb/#comment-8072 Margaret Mon, 25 Jan 2010 22:52:49 +0000 http://www.rayfowler.org/?p=5068#comment-8072 I have read the outline of the sermon, and wish I could have heard it in person. I am reminded of the book "Fearfully and Wonderfully Made" by Philip Yancey and Paul Brand. (Hope I have both authors listed correctly.) The book describes the marvellous creation of the human body by our Creator God, and I think it would be recommended reading for your blog readers. I have read the outline of the sermon, and wish I could have heard it in person. I am reminded of the book “Fearfully and Wonderfully Made” by Philip Yancey and Paul Brand. (Hope I have both authors listed correctly.) The book describes the marvellous creation of the human body by our Creator God, and I think it would be recommended reading for your blog readers.

]]> By: Sally Lowe http://www.rayfowler.org/2010/01/24/the-sanctity-of-human-life-in-the-womb/#comment-8070 Sally Lowe Mon, 25 Jan 2010 18:20:27 +0000 http://www.rayfowler.org/?p=5068#comment-8070 Thanks so much for the sermon yesterday on the sanctity of life. I have heard several sermons address the issue of abortion, but this was the most clear, concise and moving. Especially appreciated is the example of the doctor who was confronted with a choice upon delivery of a handicapped baby. I am also grateful for the way you ended by affirming the forgiveness of God to those Christian women who confess an abortion. Several women I know have had an abortion and I believe that it is one of the most cruel and shameful sins a person lives with. Thanks so much for the sermon yesterday on the sanctity of life. I have heard several sermons address the issue of abortion, but this was the most clear, concise and moving. Especially appreciated is the example of the doctor who was confronted with a choice upon delivery of a handicapped baby. I am also grateful for the way you ended by affirming the forgiveness of God to those Christian women who confess an abortion. Several women I know have had an abortion and I believe that it is one of the most cruel and shameful sins a person lives with.

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