Theologians are preparing a “statement” on abortion that will be submitted to a 26-member committee called the “Working Group on Abortion.” This committee was created to prepare a “unified statement” for Seventh-day Adventists on the subject of abortion. [1]
The goal is to present a document during the next General Conference Annual Council for discussion and a possible vote later this year. According to church officials, the document will cover two areas: (1) “Biblical principles that underline the sanctity of life,” and a recognition of (2) “exceptionally difficult cases/anomalies women can face.”
Point #2 sounds eerily similar to many of the old, discredited arguments used to justify abortion. [2] But what’s even more concerning is who will actually be included in the process of formulating this “unified statement” on abortion. Once the Working Group on Abortion Committee completes their final draft they will consult with “representatives from the Church’s five healthcare systems in North America.”
Healthcare systems? You mean the same Adventist healthcare systems that are currently performing abortions? These are the very same hospital CEOs who are responsible for introducing the abortion crisis into Adventism in the first place. How can they help bring us out of a crisis which they created?
After all this renewed effort to bring leaders, theologians, executives and other professionals (no laypeople) together to prepare a “unified statement” on abortion – will we finally get a definitive statement that states unequivocally that “Abortion is Murder” or will we get another vague, watered-down, weak and indecisive view that accommodates all positions?
A Theology for the Unborn
Adventists don’t need anymore “statements” on abortion; we need a “Theology for the Unborn.” We need to start developing a theology that lays out all the biblical evidence regarding the unborn.
For example, the Greek word “brephos” is found in the New Testament eight times. “Brephos” is translated as baby. The New Testament uses this word six times to refer to children who have already been born; but on two occasions the Bible uses this same word to refer to a baby who is still in their mother’s womb.
“As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby.” 1 Peter 2:2.
“And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.” 2 Timothy 3:15.
“The same dealt subtilly with our kindred, and evil entreated our fathers, so that they cast out their young children, to the end they might not live.” Acts 7:19.
“And they brought unto him also infants, that he would touch them: but when his disciples saw it, they rebuked them.” Like 18:15.
“And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.” Luke 2:12.
“And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.” Luke 2:16
The above six verses refer to living babies who were born. The Greek word is “brephos.” Now look at the next two examples of the same Greek word “brephos.”
“And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost.” Luke 1:41.
“For, lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy.” Like 1:44.
A simple word analysis on the word “brephos” is convincing evidence that God sees a “baby” in the mother’s womb. An unborn child and a born child are the same “brephos” in God’s eyes. Praise the Lord! But then there are other scriptures, examples and proof that declare the value, worth and life of unborn babies.
“The LORD hath called me from the womb; from the bowels of my mother hath he made mention of my name.” Isaiah 49:1.
“Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.” Jeremiah 1:5.
“Because he slew me not from the womb; or that my mother might have been my grave.” Jeremiah 20:17.
“For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb.” Psalm 139:13 (ESV).
Evidently, God recognizes the life of the unborn and even calls them by name. We need a “Theology for the Unborn.” Only then can we properly address solutions for families. We just can’t keep killing the lives of unborn babies who have no fault for their own conception.
Overcoming the “Life of the Mother, Rape and Incest” Argument
Child births from rape and incest are extremely rare, [2] and placing these babies up for adoption is an alternative to killing them. A baby born from a loving relationship is just as much a baby as the innocent one born from rape. Can you look at these two living babies and determine that one should die for no fault of its own?
Then we have advances in medicine that have eliminated maternal medical situations for which abortion is the only solution. Abortion is not a type of medicine or medical cure to help a pregnant woman recuperate. The main question is this: How many abortions are medically necessary? “None!” [3]
But I suspect that the “life of the mother, rape and incest” argument will be used to justify abortion in the new “unified” statement on abortion by Seventh-day Adventists. I pray I’m wrong. I really do.
Let us remember that as the church meets to review its position on abortion, this new “unified statement” could have implications as to whether the lives of the unborn are saved or whether they will continue being slaughtered in our Adventist medical institutions. Let us not forget that God is watching, and that another “review” is taking place in heaven:
“In the balances of the sanctuary the Seventh-day Adventist church is to be weighed. She will be judged by the privileges and advantages that she has had. If her spiritual experience does not correspond to the advantages that Christ, at infinite cost, has bestowed on her, if the blessings conferred have not qualified her to do the work entrusted to her, on her will be pronounced the sentence: ‘Found wanting.’ By the light bestowed, the opportunities given, will she be judged” (Last Day Events, p. 59).
Sources
[2] http://adventmessenger.org/during-a-national-abortion-showdown-adventists-remain-on-the-sidelines/
[3] https://www.hli.org/resources/what-percentage-of-abortions-are-medically-necessary/
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