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By Pastor Brian Stowe
Psalm 139; Jeremiah 1; John 3
Last Sunday evening I made a statement to you to the effect, "As believers there will come a day where we will be called to stand. Monday morning, about 3:30 in the morning, I got the answer to one area where we must stand. We are to stand for life. Today is Sanctity of Life Day throughout our nation. This is one of those days that many of our liberal media will not give much attention, or at least just attention. Ever since the dreadful decision in 1973 in Roe vs. Wade, our country's stand on the sanctity of life has been in rapid declension. But the good news over the last couple of years is that the number of abortions have decreased - this past year there was a decrease of 280,000 to just over 1.3 million that occurred last year. Thank God for the decline, but we have so far to go. But I want you to understand that sanctity of life involves more than just saving babies in the womb. Sanctity of life means having a biblical and moral respect of every part of life - from conception in the womb to death at a ripe old age. That means the stage of life that you are in now is a precious time, and if you don't speak up for your time period, someone may very well just do away with it. What do I mean? There are countries across the world that are already practicing infanticide - the killing of babies outside the womb. Euthanasia (killing of elderly, disabled, and medically vulnerable) is already happening in the U.S. and around the world. That means some of you in this room would be a target for being killed.
I want you to understand that this issue of life is not a political issue. Don't let anyone fool you on that. This has to do with morality. This has to do with conscience and respect for life. Some would quickly throw up the idea of a woman's right to choose - but convenience is not the issue here. I want to give you some scenarios. What would you do if you were in that predicament?1
A preacher and his wife are very, very poor. They already have 14 kids when she discovers she is pregnant with number 15. They're living in tremendous poverty. Considering their poverty and the excessive world population, would you choose abortion? If so, you just killed John Wesley - one of the most powerful preachers in the 19th century.
The father is very sick; the mother has tuberculosis. They have four children. The first one is blind, the second is dead, the third is deaf and the fourth has tuberculosis. She finds out she's pregnant again. Given the extreme situation, would you consider abortion? If you said yes to abortion, you just killed Ludwig van Beethoven.
A white man raped a 13-year old black girl, resulting in pregnancy. If you were her mother, would you consider abortion? If so, you just killed Ethyl Waters, the great black gospel singer.
A teenage girl is pregnant. She's not married. Her fiance is not the father of the baby, and he's very upset. Would you consider abortion? If so, you just killed Jesus Christ.
You see, so many times we look at "instances" where we may want to choose abortion. "What about the health of the mother?" C. Everett Coop, former Surgeon General for the U.S. and a doctor for over 35 years said that he never saw one instance where a baby jeopardized the health of the mother. You see, we need not look for exceptions when talking about this issue. The real issue is not the list of exceptions; it's the value of life!
And God's Word is so very, very clear about the value of life. What does He say? We are going to look at three different passages tonight - but we are going to understand what the Bible has to say about our God and our lives. And as we talk about life tonight we are going to talk about some current topics - cloning and stem cell research specifically.
139:14 I will praise You, for I am fearfully [and] wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works, And [that] my soul knows very well.
139:15 My frame was not hidden from You, When I was made in secret, [And] skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.
139:16 Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed. And in Your book they all were written, The days fashioned for me, When [as yet there were] none of them.
1:1 The words of Jeremiah the son of Hilkiah, of the priests who [were] in Anathoth in the land of Benjamin,
1:2 to whom the word of the LORD came in the days of Josiah the son of Amon, king of Judah, in the thirteenth year of his reign.
1:3 It came also in the days of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah, king of Judah, until the end of the eleventh year of Zedekiah the son of Josiah, king of Judah, until the carrying away of Jerusalem captive in the fifth month.
1:4 Then the word of the LORD came to me, saying:
1:5 "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; Before you were born I sanctified you; I ordained you a prophet to the nations."
Here in these verses in both the psalms and Jeremiah these two men lay out the divine aspect of their period here on earth. For Jeremiah, he was a son of a priest and he was born when his country was going through a time of turmoil. In fact, Jeremiah would be part of a group taken captive that would be forced to go to Babylon. After he lays out this time period, he then states God's call on his life. And how profound it really is. Read v 5. Even before conception, God knew Jeremiah. David makes the same profound statement! God is the author of life.
Who is it that did the forming? It is God! God is the author of life - not you and me.
Research is being done today where man is attempting to do what he has wanted to do all along - that is, to play the part of God. It is called cloning. This, by the way, is not a political issue. It is moral as well. This has been a relatively new subject. We were probably introduced to cloning when, in 1997, a sheep named Dolly (who, by the way, now has arthritis) was cloned. The intention behind cloning was the production of body parts to replace those that may have ailing ones. But some scientists have no problem with this. Chicago physicist Richard Seed is one such scientist. He believes "that human cloning is a necessary venture in the name of research and scientific progress. According to Seed, "[God's] plan for humankind is that we should become one with God... [and] this is a significant step in the right direction."2 You could not be further from the truth Mr. Seed.
"But aren't there some benefits to cloning? Wouldn't it be worth it for the benefits?" Some have said that cloning animals could increase food production or medicine, or even produce animals that have specific diseases so that they can be studied easily. But I want to remind you that it took 277 sheep embryos before Dolly was formed. "This means that 276 sheep embryos either failed to develop fully or were destroyed because of complications - all to clone one sheep."3 Moving this over to human cloning; "a human cloning project could mean hundreds, if not thousands, of human embryos would be discarded before one human being is successfully created through the nuclear transfusion process."4
Someone created just so that I might have access to his body parts when something may not go so well with me? Creating a life just to destroy that life so that my life might be aided a small bit? That's selfishness and inhumane! Only one person allowed His body to be broken for me - Jesus Christ and that's enough. Folks, please understand that there is great detriment to human cloning. Let me give you five reasons to oppose human cloning. These were taken from Focus on the Family's website.5 "1. Human cloning risks reducing human beings to objects, ultimately leading to genetic manipulation and possibly to the practice of eugenic - or population purification. 2. Cloning is not proven to be a safe process. 3. Humans are not objects for laboratory experimentation. 4. Cloning violates two values God bestows upon each human being at their conception: pricelessness and uniqueness. (And by the way, our constitution begins by saying, "we hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal." But listen to what Arthur Caplan, director for the Center of Bioethics at the University of Pennsylvania, said, speaking of humans in embryo form; "Not all human embryos can be treated as morally equal. Most of the tens of thousands that are frozen in tanks all around this nation are the unfortunate, unwanted remains of attempts to treat infertility. They are not human life, nor are they alive nor are the vast majority of them even potential human lives."6 So, as the assertion would go, "use them for a "good" medical cause." Go back and read that Constitution Mr. Caplan and understand that every human being - embryos included are created equal. And if you don't like that let me send you to some country that has the same disrespect for life as you do. Another reason against human cloning, 5. Cloning threatens the traditional family structure. The Scripture is clear that God is the author of life and that He "designed human life to be created in the context of a loving relationship between a husband and a wife, committed to a life-long marriage and providing a home for children who are the expression and gift of that marital union."7
What's the biblical view of cloning? It's wrong. Benefits? The bottom line is not everything. Morality, holiness and a great respect for life go much farther than attempting to play God.
In Psalm 139:16 David makes a great declaration that God in eternity past knew and fashioned the days of his life, my life and your life. In other words, God has a divine plan for you and me. God has an awesome plan for you and me. "Well, preacher, if God knows everything and planned everything, then He planned for me to sin." No. God has a plan for your life, yet He gives you and me the opportunity to accept it or reject it. Sin is not God's will. He is a perfect and holy God. Rebellion is not God's will. Suicide is not God's will. He is holy and expects us to be holy. And for us to be holy, He has a plan, and we must follow it. And the way you live your life can affect others too.
There is yet a very new area of research that is taking place where some scientists are affecting the plans of thousands of precious lives. That new area of research is called stem cell research. If you are not familiar with this study, let me give you a brief background of it. If you are like me I really had no idea what a stem cell was or is, until recently. Here is a description. "Stem cells develop into the cells that provide the basic building blocks of the human body. During early development, these cells give rise to all of the cells that form the 210 distinct cell types in our bodies. In adults, these stem cells provide support to the body by replenishing existing cells when they wear out or are destroyed."8
Now, there are two types of stem cells that are currently being researched. There are embryonic stem cells and adult stem cells. "Embryonic stem cells come from human embryos and form in the early days of human development before individual cells receive their "assignment" - for example, before they turn into blood, brain, or hair cells. Scientists speculate that these immature (or blank) cells can easily be coaxed into becoming any number of cell types, thereby holding great promise for healing the human body, with possible cures for diabetes and heart disease to treatments for burns and spinal-cord injuries. But there is a great price - a living human embryo must be destroyed.
"Adult stem cells, on the other hand, come from a variety of sources, including the placenta, umbilical-cord blood, brain tissue, skin, bone marrow and body fat. Harvesting these cells requires no destruction of human life. The use of adult stem cells in medical treatment is not new. For years, leukemia patients have obtained adult stem cells through bone-marrow transplants, and cancer patients often receive their own "cleansed" stem cells after chemotherapy. Adult stem cells have a proven track record of helping patients in the healing process."9
Am I against stem cell research? I am against embryonic stem cell research because it means a destruction of life. Scientists are claiming that the embryonic stem cells are more versatile than adult stem cells. At the embryonic stage those cells are "called pluripotent and can develop into virtually any cell or tissue in the human body. In order to harvest these stem cells, scientists must break through the outer ring of the embryo - an act that always kills the tiny human life."10
Those doctors that are making great claims regarding the effectiveness and versatility of embryonic stem cells aren't delivering on their promise. There is in fact, a multitude of scientific problems with the embryonic stem cell research that you won't hear on the evening news. From Science magazine, July, 2001 issue this statement was made. "In reality there have been very few successes along those lines, in the culture dish or in mice. Instead, the cells tend to just grow, or form tumors when injected into mice, or form a mixed collection of partially-formed tissue."11
Another article read, "Geron researchers (a group in California) seem no closer than other groups to devising therapeutic uses for stem cells... [When some human embryonic stem cells were entered into rats] they did not readily differentiate into brain cells, the researchers found. Instead, they stayed in a disorganized cluster, and brain cells near them began to die."12 In three other articles I read, there was mention tumors and developmental compromise in using embryonic stem cells.
But, there is much hope for adult stem cells. Let me read you some titles that I found from reputable scientific journals. "Adult Stem Cells Can "Be Cultured and Expand Indefinitely." "Adult Stem Cells Offer Hope Without Hype." "Successful Repair of Heart Damage Using Adult Stem Cells." Japanese Scientists use Neural Stem Cells to Decrease Parkinson's Symptoms." "Human Adult Bone Marrow Stem Cells Can Form Kidney Tissue." "Treatment of Multiple Sclerosis using the Patient's Own Stem Cells." "Umbilical Cord Blood Effective at Treating Adult Blood Disorders." "Sickle Cell Anemia treated with umbilical cord stem cells." "New Corneas Grown from Patients' Own Adult Stem Cells Treat Corneal Scarring."13
I want to give you a couple of public opinions regarding embryonic stem cell research. It is varied. Christopher Reeve, Superman, who is now paralyzed, responded to President Bush's statement last year on limiting the embryonic stem cell research to the 60 existing stem cell lines said, "the president is still limiting the pace and effectiveness of federally supported research... It may now be up to Congress to enact legislation that will enable scientists to fully explore the potential of human embryonic stem cell research."
I think Senator Sam Brownback had the best words on President Bush's decision a few months ago. "I am pleased the president has made a strong, clear statement about the need to ban human cloning and stopping the creation of human life for research purposes. Throughout human history, we've learned the painful lesson of using one class of human beings for the benefit of others. It was wrong then, it was wrong now." [He is speaking of years ago when those in Nazi concentration camps were considered expendable for the good of scientific advancement; as well as the syphilis-infected African-American men in Tuskegee, Alabama that were never treated.14] Senator Brownback continues, "I am saddened by the president's decision to allow taxpayer dollars to fund the use of stem cells derived from young humans. We already have success with adult stem cells in treating human diseases without the moral dilemma posed by embryonic stem cell research. We should substantially increase the funding for adult stem cell research rather than research on young humans - a practice which is opposed by millions of American taxpayers."
Well how do our senators and congressman stand on these issues of abortion, cloning and stem cell research? I called our two senators' and congressman's office this week and asked them. I'll tell you what I know. I was unable to find out Senator Miller's (202-224-3643) stand on abortion and partial birth abortion. But he is against human cloning and is in support Bush's proposal and of no more embryonic research. Senator Cleland's (202-224-3521) stand on abortion is that he supports it. He supports partial birth abortion - the most heinous murder there is folks. If I were to show you pictures (drawings) of what this procedure is, some of you would get literally sick and would be very upset with me. I cannot imagine even the vilest person murdering in such a fashion. Cleland supports it. He opposes cloning for reproduction, but supports it for therapeutic purposes (in other words to help people who may have sickness and disease) - with regulations and guidelines. And stem cell research - he supports Bush's decision. Congressman Linder (202-225-4272)- is strongly pro-life. He is against abortion, partial birth abortion, human cloning and embryonic stem cell research. You and I have a moral responsibility to let these guys know our convictions. Won't you call and tell them yours?
Once again, the ends do not justify the means. The bottom line or the attitude, "What's in it for me?" should not drive us to compromise morals, and more importantly Scripture. Folks, life is precious. God is the Planner of life.
But there is a third point that should be the driving force for us all.
These very familiar words ring loud and clear the great value of life. "For God so loved the world..." Every person that has ever been born, were created in God's image. Every person that has been born since Cain and Abel were born with a sin nature. And ever since that sin in the Garden of Eden, God had a plan to take the penalty, power and punishment of sin away from mankind. And it was fulfilled in Jesus Christ.
Why did Jesus die? To take away the sin of the world! That's what John the Baptist declared when he saw Jesus, the Lamb of God. God authored life and planned life so that each and every person would have an encounter with the Savior of life. That goes for you and me. That goes for every one of the almost 40 million aborted babies in the last 30 years. That goes for every one of those human embryos that were destroyed all in the name of advancing science. That is the sanctity of life.
I want you to look at your neighbor. When you get home tonight look in the mirror at yourself. Someone may have told you along the way that you weren't worth much, but I want you to know what God the Father said you were and are worth. He gave His only Son, Jesus Christ, so that He could live a perfect life, be mocked, spat upon and ridiculed; die a horrible death - just to give you an invitation to eternal life. I would say that makes you and me far more valuable than what some would say you are worth.
Life, how so very, very precious. Do you value your life and others' lives? Moms and Dads, do you value your children's lives? You show them that value by spending time with them. Christian, do you value others' lives? You show them that value by sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ with them. Let them hear you loud and clear.
1. Taken from Hope Resource Center, January, 2002 newsletter.
2. Quoted from Francis J. Beckwith, Ph.D., "Cloning Humans: A Bad Idea," Citizen, March 1998, p. 7; on www.family.org/pregnancy/general/human cloning.
3. www.family.org/pregnancy/general/reasons to oppose human cloning.
4. www.family.org/pregnancy/general/reasons to oppose human cloning.
5. www.family.org/pregnancy/general/reasons to oppose human cloning.
6. Arthur Caplan, director, Center of Bioethics, University of Pennsylvania, quoted on www.nationalreview.com/comment.html.
7. www.family.org/pregnancy/general/reasons to oppose human cloning.
8. Carrie Gordon, Stem Cell Research: Truth vs. Hype, in Focus on the Family Magazine, January 2002, 4.
9. Carrie Gordon, Stem Cell Research: Truth vs. Hype, in Focus on the Family Magazine, January 2002, 2-3.
10. Carrie Gordon, Stem Cell Research: Truth vs. Hype, in Focus on the Family Magazine, January 2002, 4.
11. From Humpherys D et al.; "Epigenetic instability in ES cells and cloned mice"; Science 293, 95-97; July 6, 2001, in Scientific Problems Using Embryonic Stem Cells on www.stemcellresearch.org.
12. From Gretchen Vogel; "Can Adult Stem Cells Suffice?" Science 292, 1820-1822, June 8, 2001, in Scientific Problems Using Embryonic Stem Cells on www.stemcellresearch.org.
13. Titles taken from Stem Cell Report: from Fall 2001: Advances in Alternatives to Embryonic Stem Cell Research, on www.stemcellresearch.org.
14. Carrie Gordon, Stem Cell Research: Truth vs. Hype, in Focus on the Family Magazine, January 2002, 4.
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