Let's continue our attempt to answer the top ten questions asked in relation to the topic of abortion.  We've answered Question #1: "Who's in charge of life and death?" and #2: "When does life begin?"  Today we'll start with Question #3: "Is God concerned with unborn children?"

I have a rather lengthy but I believe important answer to this question.  Both Isaiah and Jeremiah reveal that God has an interest in us not just from conception in the womb but also from conception in His Eternal Mind!  We are conceived by God in His own mind from eternity past, eons before we are ever physically conceived in our mother's womb.  In Isaiah 49:1 we read, "Before I was born the Lord called me; form my birth he has made mention of my name."  Then, in Jeremiah 1:5 we read, "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before I was born you set me apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations." 

God knows us before we are physically conceived.  Some argue here that these quotes from both Isaiah and Jeremiah are nothing more than poetic verse meant only to establish the close relationship that these prophets have with God.  Those who see this as nothing more than poetic verse, say that it is figurative language, not to be taken literally.  Others will say that this kind of relationship with God was only reserved for a select few men of God such as the prophets Isaiah and Jeremiah.  To those who charge that it is only poetic language I simply say that an eternal God has no reason to speak of eternity and of knowledge within that realm in a poetic way.  He alone experiences eternity and he alone can speak of it.  Who are we to question what we read and assume upon an eternal Being?  Who are we to say that these verses must be poetic because we cannot understand such language literally?  These types of arguments show a disregard for the potential magnitude of God both in existence, experience, and action.  If God is eternal then such language taken literally is completely reasonable.

To those who suggest that these verses describe a relationship with God that only a few great men experienced should rethink such an argument.  God does use some men for greater earthly purpose but he says time and time again that he desires that all should be saved and that none should perish! (2 Peter 3:9)  Further, he tells us that "before the beginning of time" (Titus 1:2) he gave us the hope of "eternal life" (Titus 1:2) through Jesus Christ.  Each of us are made in God's image and are fearfully and wonderfully made! (Psalm 139)  We alone are made in God's image and in this way we are unique in all of God's creation.  Each one of us then was conceived in the mind of God from eternity past and share with Jeremiah and Isaiah the blessing of these words, "before I formed you in the womb, I knew you." (Jeremiah 1:5)

So, does God show concern for unborn children?  The answer can be summed up is this way:  God is not only concerned with children in the womb, he is concerned with every child that has been fashioned in His eternal mind, those in the womb as well as those who, at present, exist as Divine Idea.  My contention is that life begins before biological conception.  Or, to put it another way, life began for all of us in the mind of God.  Science cannot debate such a matter of faith and my conclusions may seem too "out of the box" for even the most mature believers.  Scripture, however, bears out my conclusions in spades. 

Your thoughts?

Carpe Deum! (Seize God!),

Todd Phillips

www.frontline.to

www.toddphillips.net