By Martin Morrison
This foundational truth that “man is created in the image of God”, has huge implications. Let me spell out two implications, though there are many.
Firstly, it means that we oppose the sin of racism, for every person is created in the image of God, regardless of race, ethnicity, language or culture. Tim Keller in a recent article entitled, The Sin of Racism, argues that it is a sin to violate this principle, the divine truth that all humans have equal dignity and worth as persons created in the image of God. James 3:9, states that to even curse a human being, to address them without respect, violates the image of God. Jesus tell says that cursing a human being, “will be liable to the hell of fire”, Matthew 5: 22. “To presuppose one’s own race or nationality is inherently superior to another, and to treat those of other races and nationalities with a) unfairness or unequal justice, with b) dismissiveness or with c) active contempt is a sin, and one that is danger of the fire of hell”. Tim Keller.
Keller continues and says that God’s law is based on his character. The Lord is literally, no respecter of persons, “For the Lord your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great, the mighty, and the awesome god, who is not partial, and takes no bribe”, Deuteronomy 10:17. The context for this statement is a discussion of race and class prejudice. “He executes justice for the fatherless and the widow, and loves the sojourner, giving him food and clothing”, Deuteronomy 10:17 – 18. In Acts 10:34, Peter learns that God shows no partiality on the basis of national or ethnic status. It is a sin to be partial, and discriminatory, because it falls short of God’s character and glory.
In Shakespeare’s Merchant of Venice, there is a magnificent quote by Shylock, a Jew, who is being discriminated against by Christians!
“I am a Jew. Hath not a Jew eyes? Hath not a Jew hands, organs, dimensions, senses, affections, passions? Fed with the same food, hurt with the same weapons, subject to the same diseases, healed by the same means, warmed and cooled by the same winter and summer, a Christian is? If you prick us, do we not bleed? If you tickle us, do we not laugh? If you poison us, do we not die?”
Secondly, it means that we oppose abortion. According to the World Health Organisation, there are approximately, 40 – 50 million abortions per annum. Worldwide, 25% of pregnancies end in abortion. In the UK, girls aged 13 and above may have an abortion without the consent of their parents. This means that at 13 years of age, you cannot drink alcohol, you cannot smoke tobacco, you cannot frequent a pub, you cannot watch certain movies, but you can have an abortion without the consent of your parents! Both the United Nations and Amnesty International campaign that access to abortion is a basic human right. The USA Senate on 25 February 2019, would not pass a bill to protect the lives of children born alive after a failed abortion. The result, “No doctor has a duty to provide medical care to a child born alive after an attempted abortion”. As Al Mohler says, “We are living in a culture of death”.
The principle of evolution tells us that, we humans are here through blind, purposeless forces, products of mutation and no different in principle from animals or other creatures. If that is true, then there is no ultimate basis for opposing abortion or any other human rights abuse, or even genocide. However, because we believe that man, both male and female, are made in the image of God, we believe that every human being, including the unborn human being has infinite value.
The Bible says almost nothing about abortion as such. The Bible does however, speak about God relating to unborn children:
“For you formed my inwards parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb. My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret. Intricately woven in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed substance”, Psalm 139:13 – 16. This Psalm speaks of the omnipresence of God, and affirms God relating to us, or being concerned about us even in the womb.
“Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me”, Psalm 51:5. This verse is not teaching that David’s mother was immoral in some way, but rather that we are sinful from conception, that we are born sinners. David regards himself as a moral agent from the moment that he was conceived. Sin was programmed into that one fertilized cell clinging to his mother’s womb.
It is quite striking that in the New Testament, the Greek word “brephos” is used for both children and the unborn child, Luke 1:41; 2:5; 2:16.
One objection to my argument goes something like this: “Surely, a woman ought to have the right to choose what she does with her body?”. It is horrifically true and tragic, that women have too often had their bodies abused by men. I am well aware that this is an understatement! Too often women have been the subject of human trafficking, slavery, rape, labour abuse, abuse by fathers, brothers, husbands and more. The sins and abuses against women cry out to heaven for justice. Due to the horrific gender based violence and abuse of women, men and children in our country, our church has built and is opening a Care and Crisis Centre specifically because of these particular sins and evils in our society. The Centre also cares deeply for those dealing with unplanned pregnancies. In all of the above, the love of Christ constrains us.
We would certainly agree with the above mentioned objection, that a woman ought to have the right to choose what she does with her body. However, we would argue that the unborn child in her womb is another body. Surely, that body also has rights. Surely, we are to protect that body in the same way that we protect any other body made in the image of God. Surely, we are to provide support, help and adoption options to any woman who has some form of unplanned pregnancy.
But what about rape, you ask? Rape is the most terrible, terrible violent act. It causes unspeakable damage and we can never minimize the trauma. However, I would argue, that when a woman has been raped and she falls pregnant, that she seriously considers carrying the baby to full term and if necessary, have the child adopted. Abortion, does not de-rape the mother. Abortion does not eliminate the trauma of the rape, it only adds another trauma! Surely, we cannot solve one sin with another sin. Surely, we do not punish the mother and child, who are innocent, for the sin of the father.
Any woman, who may approach me and state that she had an abortion after being raped, will not find me judgemental, but deeply concerned and empathetic for a woman who has been subject to multiple traumas. How much more, does she not need the love of Christ and his church!
See Pam Stenzel YouTube: Pam gives her testimony as the product of the rape of her mother.