Understanding the Divine Authority Over Life and Abortion
Abortion is a deeply contentious issue that lies at the intersection of ethics, religion, and science. At its core, abortion raises profound questions about the authority and power of the Creator God over life and death. Both scientific observation and religious scripture recognize the unique quality and complex design of each human life from its very earliest beginnings in the womb. In contrast, abortion rejects the inherent value of individual life and attempts to usurp this divine authority, overriding God’s will with man’s hubris.
The Bible, as the foundational text for Christians, provides crucial insights into the sanctity of life and the authority of God over creation. In Genesis 1:27, we learn that God created mankind in His own image, imbuing us with inherent dignity and worth. Unique from any other living thing in creation, we are the image bearers of the Creator Himself. This image of God reflected in humanity extends to every stage of life, including the unborn. Psalm 139:13-16 further reinforces this, describing how God intricately knits us together in the womb, shaping our very being before we are born. This is the picture of a God who acknowledges our personhood and loves us from the moment we are conceived.
From a scientific perspective, the question of when life begins is a central concern in the abortion debate. Fully 96% of modern biologists agree that human life begins at conception, when a sperm cell fertilizes an egg cell to form a unique, genetically distinct organism. This newly created organism, known as a zygote, has its own DNA, unique from the mother and father, and the other 8 billion people on Earth. From this moment, the zygote is a human being, and will continue to grow and change over the course of its entire life, going from one stage of development to the next. From zygote to toddler to teenager to adult, each individual is fully human and fully alive at every point throughout their life cycle.
Abortion, then, can be understood as an attempt to disrupt this natural process of life and development, thereby asserting human will over divine authority. By ending a pregnancy, individuals are making a decision that only God should have the authority to make – the decision to end a human life. This act of abortion is not simply a medical procedure; it is a moral and spiritual issue that challenges the very nature of God’s sovereignty.
Furthermore, abortion reflects a desire to control and manipulate life, to play God in determining who lives and who dies. In the book of Revelation, the story is told of Lucifer who turned from God, refusing to obey his Creator. The archangel Michael and other angels loyal to God fought Lucifer and those who followed him, ultimately casting them out of heaven. The name “Michael” is the question Michael used to challenge Lucifer: “Who is like God?”
The arrogance and presumption of Lucifer was echoed in Genesis by Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, when the serpent, a fallen angel, tempted them. The temptation was essentially the same: Satan told them that disobeying God would make them like God. Of course, that was a lie: instead of making them like God, their disobedience brought sin, suffering, and death into the world. Similarly, in seeking to assert our own will over the will of God, we repeat this ancient rebellion, with similarly devastating consequences.
I am often asked, “Why would a physician study for four years in college, continue four years in medical school, endure four years of residency training in Obstetrics and Gynecology to learn how to have healthy moms and babies, and then pursue a career of abortion?”
There are three distinct motivations.
- Greed. An abortionist can generate a substantial income with minimal effort.
- Pride. After medical lectures, well known late term abortionists will often have a line of other physicians waiting to meet, greet, and have photos taken with them. These other physicians can be heard saying “Thank you SO much for providing this service that I don’t feel comfortable providing for so many women.” They bask in this recognition. Their egos are stroked and their pride is elevated.
- ‘To be like the Most High’. When an abortion is about to be performed, the abortionist has power over the life of the baby in the womb. “I can now grant you life or take your life away. I have the power of the Most High.” Like Satan, the abortionist desires to be like God. Abortion is clearly a spiritual battle and must be defeated with spiritual tools.
As Christians, we are called to uphold the sanctity of life and to defend the vulnerable, including the preborn. This means speaking out against the injustice of abortion and extending compassion and support to women facing unplanned pregnancies. It also means recognizing the complexity of the issue and the many factors that can lead someone to consider abortion, and offering grace and understanding to those who have made this choice. Though you may not know about it, the odds are that someone in your life has had an abortion or been emotionally affected by someone else’s decision to abort. While we are fervent in protecting and defending life, we must also remember that we are called to love and forgiveness, and expand our empathy to encompass those who are suffering grief or guilt over abortion. 36% of women were attending a Christian church once a month or more at the time of their first abortion, according to LifeWay Research. These women and men are hurting, and they need healing. Healing comes through true forgiveness, which is only available through Jesus Christ.
In conclusion, abortion represents a profound challenge to the authority and power of the Creator God over life. By upholding the sacredness of life and seeking to protect the vulnerable, we can bear witness to the truth that God alone is the giver and sustainer of life, and that He alone has the right to determine our days.
As an obstetrician, Dr. William Lile, the ProLife Doc, is continually awed by the miracle of new life. It is a privilege to play a small part in the lives of so many women and their beautiful babies. ProLife Doc tours the country lecturing on the amazing strides that doctors have been making in helping preborn babies facing medical difficulties. This is what the medical profession should be doing: saving and preserving life, not destroying it through abortion.
To learn more about Dr. Lile, subscribe to his newsletter, or support his ProLife Doc ministry, please contact ProLife Doc.
