January 21: what is human life worth?

People in some cultures treat life almost casually. We sometimes say of them, "Life is cheap." That tells only part of the story. In some nations, as in Hitler's Germany, weak babies were destroyed in order to develop a stronger racial stock. However, mothers whose children are destroyed always weep at their loss. Parents may not agree with the national policy. So, how do we determine what life is worth?

Wiley Richards is a retired professor of theology and philosophy at The Baptist College of Florida in Graceville.

•For Bible believers, whether Christians or Jews, life is valuable because every human being possesses God's image (Gen. 9:5-6). The Bible treats premeditated murder as a horrible sin because the murder has destroyed a being made in the image of God. It assigns to society the obligation to require blood for blood so that the punishment must fit the crime. While we all recognize the necessity of trying to rehabilitate wrong-doers, justice demands punishment for the violation of the law.

We might add that opposition to abortions based on the argument of the "sanctity of life" rests on the premise of God's image in the unborn. For those who believe no God exists, the unborn cannot bear His image. Abortions, therefore, amount to little more than removing an unwanted growth. It ceases to be an immoral act.

•For believers in God, the unborn are precious because they exhibit in their form God's plan (Psa. 139:12-16). Our text from this beautiful psalm begins with the relevant observation that daylight and night darkness mean nothing when it comes to God's control of events (v. 12). He has no need for night goggles or darkness penetrating radar. We cannot hide from His knowledge of everything about us. That knowledge reinforces David's confidence in God's providential care.

God's supervision came while David was yet in his mother's womb (v. 13). In fact, God Himself gave substance to the form that eventually became a baby while yet unborn. The "substance," the bones and skeletal structure, followed their designated sequence as the embryo began to take shape (v. 15). In a majestic outburst of praise, David recognized the baby when born could be assured of God's plan because it was written in God's book of members as a testimony for what he could become.

•However, in projecting our attention to the Book of Proverbs, we see a segment of society which views the taking of life as little more than a casual act (Prov. 1:10-11, 15-16, 18). It pictures a father, wise in the ways of the world, warning his son about the evil intentions of the robbers lying in wait. Surely we can see a parallel in the drive-by shootings which have no apparent reason except the depravity of the shooters. Further, the Islamic Jihadists who indiscriminately blow up women and children for their twisted purposes are equally evil.

•Finally, another class of people views life as worthless (24:10-12). The Bible chastises all who fail to act when they observe the cruel treatment of the defenseless and do nothing about it. They cannot defend themselves by claiming they did not know what was happening (v. 12). God knows the heart and will render to all according to their works, even for the sins of omission. We know better, especially in the matter of aborting unwanted babies.