Cedarville Magazine, Spring/Summer 2016

Human Life as Fearfully and Wonderfully Made WeBelieve in means to make from nothing (creation ex nihilo ). By contrast, the words translated “knit” and “woven” in Psalm 139 imply an intimate, loving fashioning from existing parts, perhaps as a carpenter makes a beautiful object by working and honing it over time. Clearly, the Creator personally knows us as He fashions us in the womb. He knows our name and our destiny. UNCHANGING VIEWPOINT And this essential value is the same, regardless of my physical limitations or my length of life. The unique person I am today began when sperm and egg united to make me in the first place. This idea also means that we have continuity over time: I have the same essential personhood now as I had when I was five years old, even though all of my component chemicals and constituent parts have changed during that time. This process extends even into the womb and will extend into eternity. I am not defined by my functionality, age, or any other earthly measure of worth. I am valuable by divine fiat. There are many other scriptural examples of the value of human persons in the womb, but I will refer to one more, in Luke 1. This is the marvelous story of Elizabeth and Zacharias, the parents of John the Baptist, along with Mary, the mother of Jesus. Both Zacharias andMary had an encounter with the angel Gabriel, who foretold wonderful events that would soon unfold. Luke 1:39–44 tells the story of Mary, who after her visit with the angel, traveled in haste to see her cousin Elizabeth. Upon entering the house, John leapt for joy within Elizabeth in the presence of the Lord Jesus, who at that moment was a tiny embryo only a week or two old in His mother’s womb. Such a dramatic moment affirms the full value of these tiny players upon the stage of creation. STRONG CONVICTION Scripture affirms that life is sacred and that it is a gift from a loving God. So how do we communicate this to our students at Cedarville University? From political science to English, from chemistry to business administration, from Bible to pharmacy, and every other discipline on this campus, there is not an academic major or field of study that is not deeply impacted by our commitment to the sanctity of human life. People are valuable and have intrinsic human dignity, from the womb to the grave and at every moment in between. This truth has tremendous implications for the way our students view themselves, the purpose of their work and their lives, and the innate value of every human soul they meet — on the job, in church, or in their neighborhoods. In the midst of a society devaluing life at every turn, Cedarville is developing students who value each person from the perspective of the sixth day of Creation to the third day after the Cross. All mankind is fearfully and wonderfully made and is offered a salvation fearfully and wonderfully wrought by the same Sovereign Lord and King. Dennis M. Sullivan is Professor of Pharmacy Practice and Director of the Center for Bioethics at Cedarville University. He received his M.D. and an M.A. in bioethics. In the midst of a society devaluing life at every turn, Cedarville is developing students who value each person from the perspective of the sixth day of Creation to the third day after the Cross. To watch Thomas White’s chapel messages on this topic, visit cedarville.edu/godknows or cedarville.edu/maleandfemale . 26 | Cedarville Magazine