Sin

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.

ORIGINAL SIN

April 2025

SIN, THE “PRIVATION OF THE GOOD”

                                                                           

People often don’t recognize their own brokenness, which can lead to ongoing pain, loss, and destruction, because they don’t fully understand who God is, who they are, or how harmful sin really is. The Fall took away much of humanity’s grace but left an innate sense and basic understanding of right and wrong. Then comes that “aha” moment—a revelation—when a believer humbly realizes how unaware they’ve been all along. It’s like suddenly being given new eyes and ears.

A true believer cannot love God and the world (Matt 6), and will experience the following:

1. Battle between flesh (selfishness) and spirit (other-centered) as the flesh desires to have what it wants and what it wants is sinful pleasures all the time.

2. Heart and mind continually undergoes a process of transformation as they grow to become more Christ-like, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect” (Romans 12:2 ESV).

3. Hold a Christian worldview that sees the world differently than before; truly for what it is, dark, unjust, unfair, cruel, idolatrous, and deceiving with its ruler, Satan (enemy, devil, prince of this world).

4. Expect to be rejected by friends and family; Jesus was hated, expect the same (John 15:18).

In Romans 5, Paul teaches that humanity began “in Adam” but was later redeemed through the “second Adam,” Jesus Christ. Original sin separated people from God, but Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross closed that gap, making a relationship with God possible. Humanity’s brokenness wasn’t part of the original design—it came from losing something once within reach. Because God is love, holy, and completely unique, His nature produces only goodness (Bird). As Matthew says, “A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit” (Matthew 7:18 NIV). God made Adam and Eve “good,” giving them some of His divine attributes (Bird). Out of love, He gave them freedom, which came with risk. That freedom led to their rebellion, plunging the world into brokenness and making the knowledge of good and evil real—what we call Original Sin (Highfield). Tempted by the serpent in Genesis 3, they sought to be like God, “…when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil” (Genesis 3:4 NIV). The Old Testament shows humanity’s tendency toward sin, and as Bird notes, Adam’s condition carried over to all his descendants (Bird, 2013, p. 681). This disobedience set a pattern—from eating the forbidden fruit to Cain killing Abel, worshipping false gods, and ultimately crucifying the Messiah.

Sin can show up in all kinds of ways. Thomas Aquinas believed Adam and Eve had original justice until the events of Genesis 3. In his view, desire is a natural part of being human, as people long for their ultimate purpose, and this desire was meant to be guided by divine intellect—what he called original justice. Adam’s original justice meant he had righteousness and integrity, living in line with God’s laws. Original sin is simply the loss of that justice, which should have remained through Adam’s will but didn’t. Classical theology says sin comes from the lower part of human nature, showing self-centeredness instead of God-centeredness, and slavery instead of freedom. Kevin Vanhoozer, cited in Bird, urges evangelicals to rekindle their passion for biblical formation—a willingness to be shaped and transformed by the truth of the Gospel. Desire itself isn’t wrong until it’s tied to sin; as Romans 8 and Galatians 5 point out, people can live in obedience to God, resisting the flesh and sinful urges. Sin often starts as the devil’s thoughts slipping into our own, becoming powerful once they take root.

Our Hope

Through Jesus, God provides a way to restore creation to goodness and holiness, making a renewed relationship with Him possible. Both the Old and New Testaments show that humans were created to live in health. He “shared in their humanity so that by his death he might break the power of him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil—and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death” (Hebrews 2:14-15 NIV). In Genesis 3, the serpent tempted Adam and Eve by appealing to the lower desires of the soul (Berkhof). The Gospel reveals how we can move from brokenness in mind, body, and soul toward wholeness and true humanity. This flaw in human nature brought physical, mental, and spiritual sickness, yet Jesus healed the suffering, the demon-possessed, the paralyzed, and even raised the dead. God is the Creator, as The Gospel of John tells us: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God” (John 1:1). Through Jesus, “all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind” (John 1:3-4). Humanity’s journey from potential to fulfillment is only possible through God, who is “pure actual,” fully real and complete, with no need to become anything else. God is perfect and pure. Paul teaches that through Adam, sin entered the world (Romans 5:12), and while our fallen nature shapes human behavior, we remain intentional beings who look beyond ourselves. The Gospel is the good news of Jesus Christ, offering salvation by God’s grace through the power of the Holy Spirit. Because of Adam and Eve’s sin, all people are born sinners: “The Lord saw how great the wickedness of humanity had become on the earth, and that every inclination of the human heart was only evil all the time” (Genesis 6:5 NIV). Humanity moves from recognizing sin through God’s Law in Exodus and Deuteronomy to gaining a deeper understanding of our purpose.

Berkhof, L.. Man in the State of Sin in Part Two: The Doctrine of Man in Relation to God. Systematic Theology. Retrieved by: https://www.monergism.com/thethreshold/sdg/berkhof/systematic_theology.html

References:
Bird, M. F., (2013). Evangelical Theology: A Biblical and Systematic Introduction. Grand Rapids, MI: William B. Eerdmans Publishing.  Retrieved from: http://www.gcumedia.com/digital-resources/harpercollins/2013/evangelical-theology_a-biblical-and-systematic-introduction_ebook_1e.php
Highfield, R. (2008). Great is the Lord: Theology for the praise of God. Grand Rapids, MI: William B. Eerdmans Publishing. Retrieved from: https://lc-ugrad3.gcu.edu/learningPlatform/externalLinks/externalLinks.html?operation=redirectToExternalLink&externalLink=http%3A%2F%2Fgcumedia.com%2Fdigital-resources%2Fwm-b-eerdmans-publishing-co%2F2008%2Fgreat-is-the-lord_theology-for-the-praise-of-god_ebook_1e.php
Houck, D. W. (2016). Natura Humana Relieta est Christo: Thomas Aquinas on the Effects of Original Sin. Archa Verbi, (13), 68-102. Retrieved from: https://lopes.idm.oclc.org/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=a9h&AN=123947781&site=eds-live&scope=site
Hybels, B., Mittelberg, M. (1994). Becoming a contagious Christian. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan. ISBN-13: 9780310210085. Retrieved from http://gcumedia.com/digital-resources/harpercollins/1996/becoming-a-contagious-christian_ebook_1e.php
Novello, H. L. (2009). Lack of Personal, Social and Cosmic Integration: Original Sin from an Eschatological Perspective. Pacifica, 22(2), 171-197. Retrieved from: https://lopes.idm.oclc.org/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=a9h&AN=58618677&site=eds-live&scope=site
Stillwaggon, J. (2014). The Problem of Propagation: Original Sin as Inherited Discourse. Studies In Philosophy & Education, 33(1), 61-73. doi:10.1007/s11217-013-9362-7. Retrieved from: https://lopes.idm.oclc.org/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=a9h&AN=93447361&site=eds-live&scope=site c