Depravity

Babies Begin at Conception: The Truth About Planned Parenthood

Abortion has often been seen as a political issue intended to be rare, but it’s become a more common method of birth control, especially among minority groups. Since the feminist movement and the 1973 Roe v. Wade decision, some have considered abortion a serious crime. As Americans continue to be divided, more people see the issue as a moral concern rather than merely a political one. There was a time when America regarded the Bible as the standard and God as the ultimate truth. Over the last 50 years, shifting values—particularly regarding abortion—have contributed to a decline in faith and family values. While the United States, India, and China report the highest abortion rates, about 24 countries, including Nicaragua, the Philippines, Egypt, Malta, and Haiti are pro-life.

Historical

The belief that life begins at conception isn’t new; for centuries, philosophical and theological perspectives have held this view, and in recent times, science has confirmed it. Plato supported population control and eugenics, while Aristotle believed unhealthy or deformed children should be disposed of. Jerome and Augustine couldn’t determine when a fetus transitioned from “formatus” to “informatus,” marking ensoulment. Tertullian held that body and soul began together at conception, whereas Aristotle claimed the soul entered the embryo 40 days after conception for males and 90 days for females. Tertullian viewed the seed as the potential person with the fruit already in its seed. Aquinas believed God created the soul with a mind at the moment of conception, coinciding with the embryo’s first formation. While science can’t confirm “sequential substantial changes” in fetal stages, modern philosophy aligns with natural science in recognizing that the ovum—the initial union of sperm and egg—contains the genetic code that guides the entire psycho-physical development of a human being (Czacorowski).

God is Truth

God is the ultimate scientist, and the universe is a product of intelligent design rather than random chance. The cell’s complexity and its ability to regenerate show the intentional work of a sovereign God, who ordains everything, including egg fertilization, no matter the circumstances. While this can be hard to fully understand with our limited minds, there’s much we do know. God says, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness…” (Genesis 1:26) and commands us to “be fruitful and multiply” (Genesis 1:28). From the very beginning with Adam and Eve, God entrusted humans with bearing His image, caring for the earth, and ruling over all living things (Genesis 2:28).

Children are treasured gifts from God, who has known each of us since the beginning of the world, even before time itself began. Psalm 139 describes how God formed our innermost parts and knitted us together in our mother’s womb, making us fearfully and wonderfully made. America’s stance has often reduced early stages of a baby’s development to just a clump of cells, despite evidence showing otherwise: by 17 days, the heart beats; at 6 weeks, brain waves are present; at 8 weeks, organs are forming and the baby responds to touch; by 9 weeks, fingerprints, genitals, toes, and fingers are formed; and between 12–20 weeks, the baby can feel pain, kick, grab, suck, and even cry in the womb.

Many Christians see abortion as one of the gravest sins in this fallen world, viewing it modern-day child sacrifice. For decades, America has been drifting away from God, creating a culture where truth is manipulated and right is seen as wrong. When sin is ignored, it leads to deeper moral decline, as scripture says, “…just as they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, so God gave them over to a depraved mind, so that they do what ought not to be done. They have become filled with every kind of wickedness…” (Romans 1:28-29). Sin first entered in Genesis 3, giving humans a sinful nature—“None is righteous, no, not one” (Romans 3:10-12; Psalm 14, 53).

Planned Parenthood

Planned Parenthood is known as the largest provider of abortions. It should not be viewed as a health center or pro-woman because nothing represents womanhood more than having a child. Women that have had abortions experience guilt, promiscuity, drug use, alcoholism, depression, and suicidal thoughts, which is clearly not being pro-woman. Most of Planned Parenthood’s services are reportedly abortions, along with other offerings like STD testing and birth control that are used to disguise abortions in order to obtain federal funding and be viewed in a positive light. Planned Parenthood also provides hormone therapy for gender transition, including for minors. They will avoid showing women a sonogram, as seeing the baby on the monitor will more than likely make them choose having their baby. Planned Parenthood’s significant portion of its work and revenue comes from surgical abortions and abortion pills like mifepristone. Costs for procedures range from about $350–$600 for the abortion pill (5–10 weeks), $320–$600 for suction D&C (5–14 weeks), $500–$2000 for dilation and evacuation (15–24 weeks), and $4000–$15,000 for third-trimester abortions (25 weeks to birth). Many of Planned Parenthood clinics are in lower-income, predominantly Black neighborhoods, a decision linked to its founder, Margaret Sanger. Sanger supported eugenics, believed Black women had too many children, and aimed to reduce the Black population. She considered them inferior, had ties to the Ku Klux Klan, and spoke at a Women’s Auxiliary rally in New Jersey advocating birth control. Her eugenics ideology even influenced Adolf Hitler’s views on eradicating the Jewish people.

Abortion Statistics

The highest number of abortions is 1,032,100 in 2023. Women having abortions are not due to rape or incest which accounts for <.05%. Statistics show abortion as result of it would “dramatically change my life” at 74% (Finer, Frohwirth, Dauphinee, Singh, & Moore). In the 1970s and 1980s when fetal alcohol syndrome was recognized, alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs (ATOD) was considered a medical reason suggesting ATOD acceptable in terminating pregnancies (Roberts, Avalos, Sinkford & Foster); with 1 out of 20 women claiming ATOD as the reason (Roberts). During this time, cautions surrounding alcohol consumption and its effects on pregnancy may have resulted in many women assuming something wrong with their baby after learning they were pregnant after having consumed alcohol (Roberts, 2012). Other and more recent data show “more than 1 in 8 U.S. women” living in poverty, and “76% of abortions occur[ing] among women at or below 200% of the federal poverty level” (Oberman). It is worthy to note an increase in contraception is likely responsible for the 13% decline of abortions from 2008 to 2011 (Jones & Jerman).

PSALM of King David
For you created my inmost being, you knit me together in mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful; I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when was made in the secret place when I was woven together in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. (Psalm 139:13-16)

God is Love, Love is Freedom, God is Freedom

God is freedom, giving humans the will to choose, including whether to love or reject Him. Instead of turning to Planned Parenthood, women can seek help from churches and other outreach organizations. Many ministries support women before, during, and after their baby’s birth, such as SIDEWALKS4LIFE.COM, ABORT73.COM, ABORTIONDOC.ORG, LIVINGWATERS.COM, ABORTIONPROCEDURES.COM, TINYHANDSBOOK.COM, ABORTIONNO.ORG, HH76.ORG, and ABORTIONWORKER.COM. There’s a misconception that pro-life organizations try to force a woman to have a baby or judge and shame her, but that’s not true. These groups don’t convince or coerce; they offer education about the life growing within her and the God who has blessed and loves her. Whatever her choice, the church or pro-life ministry will continue to stand by her.


References
Czachorowski, M., (2018). Abortion in The Universal Encyclopedia of Philosophy, volume 7.Studia Gilsoniana 7, no. 4: pages 567-578. Retrieved From http://cejsh.icm.edu.pl/cejsh/element/bwmeta1.element.desklight-d3998022-9494-40a6-bb41-9232cc491178.
Finer LB, Frohwirth LF, Dauphinee LA, Singh S, & Moore AM. (2005). Reasons U.S. women have abortions: quantitative and qualitative perspectives. Perspectives on Sexual & Reproductive Health, 37(3), 110–118. Retrieved from https://search-ebscohost-com.lopes.idm.oclc.org/login.aspx?direct=true&db=ccm&AN=106545873&site=eds-live&scope=site.
Jones, R. K., & Jerman, J., (2017). Abortion Incidence and Service Availability In the United States, 2014. Perspectives on Sexual & Reproductive Health, 49(1), 17–27. https://doi-org.lopes.idm.oclc.org/10.1363/psrh.12015.
McQuilkin, R., & Copan, P. (2014). An introduction to biblical ethics: Walking in the way of wisdom (3rd ed.). Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press. ISBN-13: 9780830828180.
Oberman, M. (2018). Motherhood, Abortion and the Medicalization of Poverty. The Journal of Law, Medicine, and Ethics 46: 665-671. doi: 10.1177/1073110518804221.

Heavenly vs. Utopia

Differing Worldviews

Are you more heavenly-minded, utopian-minded, or somewhere in between? For Christians, the heavenly perspective is the only answer, as James warns against being doubleminded (James 1:8). A heavenly mindset focuses on the supernatural, views life through an eternal lens, trusts in Jesus, and anticipates His return. In contrast, the utopia-minded hold a secular worldview, approach life naturally, rely on human effort, follow your heart, and aim to create an ideal world. Evolutionists believe creation happened by chance and often dismiss faith in the supernatural, claiming that if something can’t be physically seen, it doesn’t exist. For believers, it’s harder to deny the presence of an all-powerful, ever-present, and all-knowing God who reveals His power daily through creation. The rising and setting of the sun are seen as signs of the Creator’s unmatched wisdom, sovereignty, and control. From a heavenly perspective, the utopian view reflects John Lennon’s “Imagine,” longing for no heaven, no hell, no religion, and no borders are considered fantasy, illusion, and ultimately un-Godly. Some might wonder, if people are naturally flawed, what about an atheist who helps the poor? Both believers and nonbelievers can show kindness and generosity, since everyone is made in the image of God. From a heavenly view, any goodness in a person comes from God, not themselves. Those focused on the heavenly see it as a blessing to acknowledge their sinful nature while facing daily struggles of the flesh. Only God truly knows the heart’s deepest motives, as Jeremiah 17;9 says, “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?”

Utopia focus on the things below the firmament while the Heavenly focus on things above

Photo: letterstocreationists.wordpress.com








letterstocreationists.wordpress.com/2012

Globalization Since the Beginning

Throughout history, mankind has sought to dominate the world, from Babylon (605–539 BC) and Medo-Persia (539–332 BC) to Greece (332–168 BC), Rome (168 BC–476 AD), and the divided Rome/Catholic Church Papacy. Evil seems to come naturally to humanity, and when it becomes unified, its influence can grow beyond imagination (Jeremiah 19:5). This is why achieving a utopia is impossible. As one commentary notes, “men continue to band themselves together against God. They feel two or more men united against God have a better chance than one man set against God” (D. Guzik). Figures and groups like Hitler, the League of Nations after WWI, the United Nations after WWII, and more recently globally driven billionaires, serve as examples of attempts to unify the world under one government or order. The books of Ezekiel, Daniel, and Revelation speak of a day when God will allow a one-world order to take shape, after which the end will come. Revelation 13 describes all nations worshiping the beast through the Antichrist: “…And authority was given it over every tribe and people and language and nation, and all who dwell on earth will worship it, everyone whose name has not been written before the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb who was slain”.

The earliest hints of globalization trace back to Noah’s descendants who settled in the Mesopotamian region later known as Babel and gradually fell deeper into sin. Genesis 11:1 says, “the whole world had one language and a common speech”, and like Adam and Eve, these post-flood people were told to spread out and fill the earth (Gen 1:28; 9:7). Instead, they defied God, stayed in one place, and sank further into idolatry worshiping the sun, moon, and stars. As with Babel and many civilizations after, God turned away giving them over to “the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator…” (Romans 1:24-25). The Tower of Babel story concludes with God scattering the people by confusing their language, explaining how the world came to have so many different tongues.

Suffering for the Heavenly Worldview

Hardships and suffering come in many forms—some from the enemy but still under God’s sovereignty, as in the Book of Job; and others as tests from God to strengthen faith or reveal false believers. That doesn’t mean believers can’t have joy; it’s important to distinguish between joy and happiness. Joy is something you can experience in any circumstance, while happiness comes from external factors and tends to come and go. As James teaches, joy comes from being filled with the Holy Spirit, not from worldly possessions. Owning nice things isn’t wrong, but they should never take priority over our desire for God. False teachers like Joel Osteen often push a self-help, feel-good message focused on boosting self-esteem and improving life now, but that’s not the Gospel. Jesus warned that following Him means facing hatred because this world belongs to Satan: “…In this world you will have trouble…” (John 16:33). Christians are called to find joy, but seeking it through prosperity preaching is misleading and unbiblical. True spiritual growth happens not when life is easy, but through trials and challenges that pull us away from worldly attachments. Paul even asked God to remove his suffering, describing it as “a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me”, God’s response, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9).

In Conclusion

Recognizing one’s depravity is what sets the heavenly mindset apart from the utopian one. As Ezekiel says, “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh” (Ezekiel 36:26). The utopian view focuses on self-esteem, sees humanity as inherently good, and trusts in human wisdom and reason. From a heavenly perspective, this is seen as arrogant and misguided, leading to God’s promise to “…destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the discernment of the discerning I will thwart” (1 Corinthians 1:19). All people have a natural longing to connect with their Creator, being made in His image. As Spurgeon put it, “To a graceless neck the yoke of Christ is intolerable, but to the saved sinner it is easy and light … We may judge ourselves by this: do we love that yoke, or do we wish to cast it from us?” Recognizing our shortcomings and need for a Savior makes all the difference.

References:
Firmament Google Image. (2012). https://letterstocreationists.wordpress.com/2012/09/03/was-the-expanse-overhead-in-genesis-1-a-solid-dome/. Retrieved from: https://www.google.com/search?
Guzik, D. (2017). BlueLetterBible. Retrieved from: https://www.blueletterbible.org/Comm/guzik_david/StudyGuide2017-Psa/Psa-2.cfm
Spurgeon, C. (2017). BlueLetterBible. Retrieved from: https://www.blueletterbible.org/Comm/guzik_david/StudyGuide2017-Psa/Psa-2.cfm