The Sacredness of Life: A Biblical Perspective

 

Summary

The sanctity of human life is a profound and complex issue that demands our careful consideration. It is essential to remain focused on the core question rather than getting sidetracked by tangential arguments. The sanctity of life is not merely about proving that abortion is murder or inherently wrong, but rather understanding the weight of the concept when dealing with potential life and death matters. If we are uncertain whether a fetus is a living human being, our understanding of the sanctity of life should act as a restraint, guiding us to approach the issue with the utmost seriousness.

The biblical perspective on the sanctity of life begins with the concept of the imago dei, the image of God in man. This idea, found in the opening chapters of the Old Testament, asserts that every human being bears the indelible mark of their Creator. This divine image bestows inherent dignity and value upon all human life, making any attack on a human being an attack on God Himself. The biblical rationale for capital punishment, as seen in Genesis 9, underscores the sacredness of life, as it is a response to the violation of the divine image.

From a natural law perspective, the sanctity of life is evident in the universal struggle for survival and the principle of self-preservation. Across cultures and societies, there is a general consensus that murder is wrong and that human life should be protected. This is further supported by scientific observations, such as the biological drive for reproduction and survival, which reflect a natural inclination towards preserving life.

Legally, the sanctity of life is enshrined in foundational documents like the Declaration of Independence, which asserts that life is an unalienable right endowed by the Creator. This legal perspective reinforces the idea that life is the most fundamental right, preceding liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

Ultimately, while proving the sanctity of life does not directly answer the question of abortion, it shifts the burden of proof. When dealing with potential human life, the responsibility lies with those who claim it is not actual life. Before making decisions that could end a potential life, we must be absolutely certain of our grounds, as life is too sacred to be decided by mere preference or convenience.

Key Takeaways:

1. The sanctity of human life is a central issue that requires us to remain focused and avoid distractions. Our understanding of this concept should guide us in matters of life and death, ensuring we approach them with the seriousness they deserve. [02:45]

2. The biblical concept of the imago dei, or the image of God in man, bestows inherent dignity and value upon every human being. This divine image makes any attack on a human being an attack on God Himself, underscoring the sacredness of life. [08:36]

3. Natural law and scientific observations reveal a universal struggle for survival and a principle of self-preservation. Across cultures, there is a consensus that murder is wrong and that human life should be protected, reflecting a natural inclination towards preserving life. [18:05]

4. Legally, the sanctity of life is enshrined in foundational documents like the Declaration of Independence, which asserts that life is an unalienable right endowed by the Creator. This legal perspective reinforces the idea that life is the most fundamental right. [27:11]

5. The burden of proof lies with those who claim that a fetus is not actual life. Before making decisions that could end a potential life, we must be absolutely certain of our grounds, as life is too sacred to be decided by mere preference or convenience. [29:39]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:42] - Introduction to the Sanctity of Life
- [01:25] - The Courtroom Analogy
- [02:45] - The Weight of the Sanctity of Life
- [04:27] - Common Desires for Dignity
- [06:18] - The Core Issue of Abortion
- [07:09] - Biblical Perspective on Life
- [08:36] - Imago Dei: Image of God in Man
- [10:05] - Capital Punishment and Sacredness
- [12:04] - Dignity and Value of Human Life
- [13:49] - Teachings of Jesus on Life
- [16:18] - Natural Law and Science
- [18:05] - Universal Consensus on Murder
- [20:14] - Biological Drive for Survival
- [27:11] - Legal Perspective on Life
- [29:39] - Burden of Proof in Life Decisions

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide: The Sanctity of Human Life

#### Bible Reading
1. Genesis 1:26-27 (Imago Dei: Image of God in Man)
2. Genesis 9:6 (Capital Punishment and Sacredness)
3. Matthew 5:21-22 (Teachings of Jesus on Life)

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#### Observation Questions
1. What is the significance of the imago dei, or the image of God in man, as discussed in the sermon? [08:36]
2. How does the sermon describe the biblical rationale for capital punishment in Genesis 9? [10:05]
3. According to the sermon, what does Jesus teach about anger and its relation to the sanctity of life in Matthew 5? [13:49]
4. How does the sermon illustrate the concept of natural law and the universal struggle for survival? [18:05]

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#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the concept of the imago dei influence the way we view the dignity and value of human life? [08:36]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that the sanctity of life should act as a restraint in our decision-making processes? [02:45]
3. How does the sermon differentiate between the legal perspective on life and the biblical perspective? [27:11]
4. What implications does the sermon suggest about the burden of proof when it comes to decisions involving potential human life? [29:39]

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#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you had to make a difficult decision involving life and death. How did your understanding of the sanctity of life influence your decision? [02:45]
2. How can the concept of the imago dei change the way you interact with others, especially those you disagree with? [08:36]
3. In what ways can you promote the dignity and value of human life in your community? Consider specific actions you can take this week. [12:34]
4. How does the teaching of Jesus on anger challenge your current attitudes or behaviors towards others? What steps can you take to align more closely with His teachings? [13:49]
5. The sermon discusses the natural inclination towards preserving life. How can you apply this principle in your daily life, particularly in how you care for yourself and others? [18:05]
6. Consider the legal perspective on the sanctity of life. How does this align or conflict with your personal beliefs, and how might this affect your civic engagement? [27:11]
7. Before making decisions that could impact potential human life, what steps can you take to ensure you are fully informed and acting with certainty? [29:39]

Devotional

Day 1: The Weight of Life's Sanctity
The sanctity of human life is a profound and complex issue that requires our careful consideration. It is essential to remain focused on the core question rather than getting sidetracked by tangential arguments. The sanctity of life is not merely about proving that abortion is murder or inherently wrong, but rather understanding the weight of the concept when dealing with potential life and death matters. If we are uncertain whether a fetus is a living human being, our understanding of the sanctity of life should act as a restraint, guiding us to approach the issue with the utmost seriousness. [02:45]

"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. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well." (Psalm 139:13-14, ESV)

Reflection: In what ways can you ensure that your decisions reflect the seriousness and weight of the sanctity of life today?


Day 2: Imago Dei: Our Divine Image
The biblical perspective on the sanctity of life begins with the concept of the imago dei, the image of God in man. This idea, found in the opening chapters of the Old Testament, asserts that every human being bears the indelible mark of their Creator. This divine image bestows inherent dignity and value upon all human life, making any attack on a human being an attack on God Himself. The biblical rationale for capital punishment, as seen in Genesis 9, underscores the sacredness of life, as it is a response to the violation of the divine image. [08:36]

"So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them." (Genesis 1:27, ESV)

Reflection: How does recognizing the image of God in others change the way you interact with them today?


Day 3: Natural Law and the Universal Struggle for Life
From a natural law perspective, the sanctity of life is evident in the universal struggle for survival and the principle of self-preservation. Across cultures and societies, there is a general consensus that murder is wrong and that human life should be protected. This is further supported by scientific observations, such as the biological drive for reproduction and survival, which reflect a natural inclination towards preserving life. [18:05]

"For the life of every creature is its blood: its blood is its life. Therefore I have said to the people of Israel, You shall not eat the blood of any creature, for the life of every creature is its blood. Whoever eats it shall be cut off." (Leviticus 17:14, ESV)

Reflection: What natural inclinations do you observe in your own life that align with the principle of preserving life?


Day 4: Life as a Legal Right
Legally, the sanctity of life is enshrined in foundational documents like the Declaration of Independence, which asserts that life is an unalienable right endowed by the Creator. This legal perspective reinforces the idea that life is the most fundamental right, preceding liberty and the pursuit of happiness. [27:11]

"Open your mouth for the mute, for the rights of all who are destitute. Open your mouth, judge righteously, defend the rights of the poor and needy." (Proverbs 31:8-9, ESV)

Reflection: How can you advocate for the sanctity of life as a fundamental right in your community today?


Day 5: The Burden of Proof in Life Decisions
Ultimately, while proving the sanctity of life does not directly answer the question of abortion, it shifts the burden of proof. When dealing with potential human life, the responsibility lies with those who claim it is not actual life. Before making decisions that could end a potential life, we must be absolutely certain of our grounds, as life is too sacred to be decided by mere preference or convenience. [29:39]

"Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man shall his blood be shed, for God made man in his own image." (Genesis 9:6, ESV)

Reflection: What steps can you take to ensure that your decisions about life are made with absolute certainty and not based on convenience?

Quotes

The sanctity of life is not merely about proving that abortion is murder or inherently wrong, but rather understanding the weight of the concept when dealing with potential life and death matters. If we are uncertain whether a fetus is a living human being, our understanding of the sanctity of life should act as a restraint, guiding us to approach the issue with the utmost seriousness. [00:02:45]

The biblical perspective on the sanctity of life begins with the concept of the imago dei, the image of God in man. This idea, found in the opening chapters of the Old Testament, asserts that every human being bears the indelible mark of their Creator. This divine image bestows inherent dignity and value upon all human life, making any attack on a human being an attack on God Himself. [00:08:36]

In Genesis 9, the rationale for capital punishment is as it says "If you shed the blood of man by man shall your blood be shed, because man is created in the image of God." In other words, what that means, ladies and gentlemen, is that God is saying here that human life is so sacred that an attack upon a human being is regarded by God as an attack upon Himself because any malicious attack on a human being is an attack upon one who bears the image of God. [00:11:51]

The biblical message is that man has dignity because God not only creates him, but because God assigns and declares that every human being has value, that every human life is sacred. Now, that theme is not just found in the ancient pages of Genesis or in the arcane elements of Mosaic legislation, but ladies and gentlemen, it's on every page from Old Testament through the New Testament. The overarching message is that human life is profoundly sacred. [00:12:44]

The overarching message is that human life is profoundly sacred. Just one other reminder quickly comes from the teachings of Jesus in the most famous sermon ever preached. The Sermon on the Mount in the fifth chapter of Matthew, Jesus makes this comment to His hearers. He said: "You have heard that it was said of them of old time 'Thou shall not kill and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment.'" [00:13:49]

When we talk about natural law on the question of the sanctity of life, we're talking not about a private individual conscience, ladies and gentlemen. We're not even talking about a national conscience. We're talking about an international conscience, something that comes out of the very wellspring of our common humanity, that we abhor murder. Now again, I didn't say that the universal consensus is that we abhor abortion. I said that we abhor murder. [00:18:05]

One of the principles that we find in biology has been called, through natural lawyers, the Principle of Self-Preservation, and this can be seen in many, many ways. There is an obvious apparent universal struggle for life and struggle against death in the biological world. I think, for example, of some of the insights of Charles Darwin when he first developed his theories on the Origins of the Species. [00:20:00]

Finally, we consider the legal or the governmental view of the sanctity of life. We are told in the most rudimentary of our national documents that we hold certain truths to be self-evident. We don't even need to argue them. They're self-evident. They're what, Descartes called "clear and distinct ideas." Ideas that are so plain, so manifest that one doesn't have to have a degree in philosophy to recognize them or to discern them. [00:27:11]

Our government has taken a position, taken a stand on this legally that there are certain truths that we regard to be self-evident and that we are to understand that we have been given by our Creator certain and unalienable rights as an endowment, a gift from our Creator among which are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. [00:27:23]

The most fundamental right according to the law of the United States of America is the right of life and that's the one that we're concerned about in this discussion. Now, as I said repeatedly, I think everybody on all sides of this issue agrees for the most part that there is a special dimension, sanctity, value to human life. We are not barbarians. [00:28:29]

When we are talking about something that may or may not be living human persons, we know we're talking about something that is that the very minimum potential human life. It is of the complex of human life, and we're not exactly sure whether it's actual life or merely potential life. I urge you to consider that the burden of proof is on the one who says it isn't an actual life. [00:29:39]

Before you hire a surgeon to take a knife in his hand and to destroy an unborn human embryo, I hope you are absolutely sure that this is not a living human being, because life is too sacred to decide it with a roll of a dice. We need better grounds than my preference, my convenience, or my economic condition before we decide on a matter this serious. [00:31:17]

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Transcript
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