The Bible teaches us that all human life is in God’s hands. He is both its author and the One who marks out our days (Psalm 139:16). As Hannah says in her song of praise, “The LORD brings death and makes alive; he brings down to the grave and makes alive” (1 Samuel 2:6).
This total sovereignty over our lives begins even before we are born. The Bible teaches us that God knows us in our mother’s womb and that we are fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:13-14). From the very first chapter of the Bible, we discover that humans, uniquely, are made in God’s image (Genesis 1:26-27) with a God-given mandate to procreate and to have dominion over the earth (Genesis 1:28).
In contrast to secular society, the Bible is clear that life begins at conception. Not only does God know us in the womb, but in the Law of Moses, the law specifically treats preborn babies as worthy of the same protection as adults (Exodus 22:22-25). In Luke 1:46, when Mary visits Elizabeth (both of whom are pregnant), Luke, records that the pre-born John the Baptist leaps for joy in Elizabeth’s womb. A pre-born baby may be small, but it is no less human than you or I.
One practical implication of this is that Christians will look support pregnant women, and to advocate on behalf of babies in the womb. But we are not to stop caring when a child is born: to be truly pro-life means believing in human flourishing at every stage of life, whether it be through supporting fostering and adoption services, supporting those with disabilities or who are in poverty, or advocating on behalf of the elderly.
Growing older can be very painful. The Bible never hides away from the reality of physical difficulties or from the anguish of death. Disease, suffering and death are all alien incursions into this world: they came into the world as a result of sin and God’s judgement.
Today there is an understandable fear of suffering in old age: this has led some to campaign for the introduction of Assisted Suicide (Assisted Dying), in order to reduce suffering. But the Bible distinguishes between removing suffering and removing the sufferer, and declares that humans have inherent value and dignity, regardless of physical decline and mental capacity. Furthermore, no one exists in isolation: introducing a law which permits assisted suicide would impact other vulnerable groups, who we have an obligation to protect, such as anyone who fears feeling like a burden, or the disabled.
Instead, as Christians, we want to reduce suffering by maximising care. This might be in supporting policies which will provide funding for adequate social care, support care givers, or extend provision of palliative care, which was first pioneered by a Christian, Dame Cicely Saunders, and which provides care for relational, emotional, mental and physical pain. Thanks to amazing advances in modern medicine, pain at the end of life can normally be managed.
Generally, life issues will be seen as “matters of conscience” by the main political parties, and parties may not have official positions on the them, but will allow a free vote. This makes it particularly important to ascertain the views of your local candidate, and what they would do, should a vote occur.
Ultimately, In Jesus, death is overcome and His resurrection proves that it will be finally defeated (1 Corinthians 15:26; 54-56). We look forward with hope, to a day when “there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away” (Revelation 21:4).
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17If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them.
28 God blessed them and said to them, ‘Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground.’
