The Sanctity of Human Life in the Womb
January 24, 2010
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Posted by Ray Fowler
This message takes a close look at the Hebrew text of Psalm 139 in order to affirm the sanctity of human life in the womb. I had the privilege of preaching at Plantation Community Church Sunday for National Sanctity of Human Life Day. The message was called The Sanctity of Human Life in the Womb, taken from Psalm 139:13-16.
Here is a brief outline of the message:
Five reasons why we should affirm the sanctity of human life in the womb:
1) God has ownership rights as Creator. (13a)
2) Human life should be treated with special reverence and awe. (13b-14)
3) God designed the womb as a place of nurture and protection. (15a)
4) God personally fashions the baby in the womb. (15b-16a)
5) God has a plan for each child’s life even before the child is born. (16b)
What can you do?
1) Pray concerning the problem of abortion.
2) Vote for people and policies which affirm life.
3) Support mothers in crisis and those who give them aid.
Note: Click on the Sermons tab at the top of the blog for this and other messages.
Categories: Abortion, Sermons
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Leave a reply
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.
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.
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.
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.
Dana – Oh, I haven’t read that one, just Fearfully and Wonderfully Made and In His Image.
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 John – Good to hear from you! I’m glad you were able to use some of the material.
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?
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