- Dec 20, 2019
- 3,816
- 116
There are Bible verses supporting the idea that life begins at conception, but do science and medicine line up with our faith-based claims?
The question, “When does life begin” continues to spark debate in courtrooms, classrooms, churches and communities. It is a heavily saturated question that is surrounded with emotion, politics and spiritual conviction. The answer, however, has significant implications for how we value human dignity at its most foundational level.
What do we know biblically? What do we know scientifically? Both science and Scripture line up. Even though we can rest in what the Bible says, it is encouraging to share the scientific evidence with those searching for truth that are not of the faith.
For the sake of clarification, let’s define what it means to be a living being. In the most scientific sense of the word, biology defines life as an organism that can grow, metabolize, respond to stimuli and reproduce.
Using these criteria, life begins at the moment a sperm cell fuses with an egg to form a zygote, otherwise known as fertilization. This single cell is not a potential human being. It is already a new, genetically distinct human life with its own unique DNA.
A nationwide study cited in a brief filed with the U.S. Supreme Court in the Dobbs v. Jackson case found that 96% of 5,577 biologists in over 1,000 academic institutions agreed that human life begins at fertilization.
Many other medical professionals agree that life begins at conception. Moreover, they acknowledge that mother and preborn child are two patients. Each may be treated and diagnosed differently since their medical needs may vary. As Dr. Jérôme Lejeune, the “Father of Modern Genetics,” stated, “To accept the fact that after fertilization has taken place, a new human has come into being is no longer a matter of taste or opinion … it is plain experimental evidence. Each individual has a very neat beginning, at conception.”
Dr. Lejeune is one of many medical professionals that confirm that life begins at conception scientifically.
While some argue that there’s no way to know when life begins, advancements in technology and medicine say otherwise. Several obstetric tools like ultrasound, embryology and genetics support that a fetus is a human by showing it has:
Ultrasound technology has vastly improved since the first ruling on abortion in the Roe vs. Wade case (1973). At that time, they thought the zygote was a clump of cells. Now life in the womb is detectable as early as 8 to 12 days post-conception. Additionally, evidence of preborn life can now be viewed through 2D, 3D and 4D ultrasounds.
Equally as interesting, scientists were able to record that bursts of light, fireworks made of zinc, occur at the moment of conception. Researchers say the spark of light hints at the health and viability of an egg. It is interesting to watch.
The Bible is far from silent on the topic of the sanctity of human life, especially preborn life in the womb. This resource provides just a few of the Scripture verses that speak to the value of preborn life created in God’s image from the moment of fertilization
“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations.”
God tells Jeremiah that His knowledge of him began before physical formation. This verse affirms that God not only recognizes life in the womb but knows each person personally before birth.
Additional Resources:
“But now, O Lord, you are our Father; we are the clay, and you are our potter; we are all the work of your hand.”
Each human life is intentionally shaped by God’s own hand. It is not random or accidental but carefully crafted from the beginning.
Additional Resources:
“For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made… Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them.”
God has intimate involvement in his creation. The phrases “knitted me together” and “unformed substance” point to the earliest stage of life. This shows that life in the womb is sacred and seen by the Creator.
Additional Resources:
“Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb is a reward.”
Women are uniquely blessed with the sacred ability to bear children. Each new life and every child is a testimony to His design and care for all his children.
Additional Resources:
“Thus says the Lord, your Redeemer, who formed you from the womb: ‘I am the Lord, who made all things…’”
The God who created all things formed us from the womb. This is the start of the creation of our lives.
Additional Resources:
The post When Does Life Begin appeared first on Focus on the Family.
Continue reading...
The question, “When does life begin” continues to spark debate in courtrooms, classrooms, churches and communities. It is a heavily saturated question that is surrounded with emotion, politics and spiritual conviction. The answer, however, has significant implications for how we value human dignity at its most foundational level.
What do we know biblically? What do we know scientifically? Both science and Scripture line up. Even though we can rest in what the Bible says, it is encouraging to share the scientific evidence with those searching for truth that are not of the faith.
When Does Life Begin Scientifically?
For the sake of clarification, let’s define what it means to be a living being. In the most scientific sense of the word, biology defines life as an organism that can grow, metabolize, respond to stimuli and reproduce.
Using these criteria, life begins at the moment a sperm cell fuses with an egg to form a zygote, otherwise known as fertilization. This single cell is not a potential human being. It is already a new, genetically distinct human life with its own unique DNA.
Does Life Begin at Conception?
A nationwide study cited in a brief filed with the U.S. Supreme Court in the Dobbs v. Jackson case found that 96% of 5,577 biologists in over 1,000 academic institutions agreed that human life begins at fertilization.
Many other medical professionals agree that life begins at conception. Moreover, they acknowledge that mother and preborn child are two patients. Each may be treated and diagnosed differently since their medical needs may vary. As Dr. Jérôme Lejeune, the “Father of Modern Genetics,” stated, “To accept the fact that after fertilization has taken place, a new human has come into being is no longer a matter of taste or opinion … it is plain experimental evidence. Each individual has a very neat beginning, at conception.”
Dr. Lejeune is one of many medical professionals that confirm that life begins at conception scientifically.
Is a Fetus a Human?
While some argue that there’s no way to know when life begins, advancements in technology and medicine say otherwise. Several obstetric tools like ultrasound, embryology and genetics support that a fetus is a human by showing it has:
- Own unique DNA
- Rapid growth
- Cellular differentiation
- Organ formation
- A heartbeat as early as 5 weeks
Ultrasound Technology
Ultrasound technology has vastly improved since the first ruling on abortion in the Roe vs. Wade case (1973). At that time, they thought the zygote was a clump of cells. Now life in the womb is detectable as early as 8 to 12 days post-conception. Additionally, evidence of preborn life can now be viewed through 2D, 3D and 4D ultrasounds.
Equally as interesting, scientists were able to record that bursts of light, fireworks made of zinc, occur at the moment of conception. Researchers say the spark of light hints at the health and viability of an egg. It is interesting to watch.
When Does Life Begin According to the Bible?
The Bible is far from silent on the topic of the sanctity of human life, especially preborn life in the womb. This resource provides just a few of the Scripture verses that speak to the value of preborn life created in God’s image from the moment of fertilization
Jeremiah 1:5 (ESV)
“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations.”
God tells Jeremiah that His knowledge of him began before physical formation. This verse affirms that God not only recognizes life in the womb but knows each person personally before birth.
Additional Resources:
Isaiah 64:8 (ESV)
“But now, O Lord, you are our Father; we are the clay, and you are our potter; we are all the work of your hand.”
Each human life is intentionally shaped by God’s own hand. It is not random or accidental but carefully crafted from the beginning.
Additional Resources:
Psalm 139:13–16 (ESV)
“For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made… Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them.”
God has intimate involvement in his creation. The phrases “knitted me together” and “unformed substance” point to the earliest stage of life. This shows that life in the womb is sacred and seen by the Creator.
Additional Resources:
Psalm 127:3 (ESV)
“Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb is a reward.”
Women are uniquely blessed with the sacred ability to bear children. Each new life and every child is a testimony to His design and care for all his children.
Additional Resources:
Isaiah 44:24 (ESV)
“Thus says the Lord, your Redeemer, who formed you from the womb: ‘I am the Lord, who made all things…’”
The God who created all things formed us from the womb. This is the start of the creation of our lives.
Additional Resources:
The post When Does Life Begin appeared first on Focus on the Family.
Continue reading...
