Published on August 31, 2024, 12:41 am

In vitro fertilization (IVF), lauded by many as a breakthrough in modern medicine, has been a beacon of hope for numerous couples challenged by fertility issues. However, the ethical and moral implications of this technological advancement seem to be overshadowed by its potential benefits. It sparks an uneasy debate among Christians when scrutinized through the lens of their biblical worldview.

The Christian doctrine unequivocally asserts that human life begins at conception and that every embryonic life is sacred, bearing God’s image as outlined in Genesis 1:27. Nevertheless, IVF’s underlying operational principle starkly contrasts with this key biblical truth. The IVF procedure involves creating multiple embryos to augment success chances in particular pregnancy attempts. Yet, not all embryos are utilized in the implantation process; most are either discarded or frozen indefinitely or used for experimental research, culminating ultimately in their death.

This unpalatable truth equates IVF with abortion as both practices involve intentionally terminating humanity’s blooms of life – a direct contravention of the Sixth Commandment, “Thou shalt not kill” (Exodus 20:13). Interestingly, skewing towards the left on this contentious matter is Jeremiah J. Johnston – a New Testament Scholar and Southern Baptist pastor – who publicly defends IVF despite it uprooting associated moral standards set forth in Scriptures.

Johnston depicts IVF as a medical boon enabling couples to fulfill their divine aspiration of having children – labelling it as a ‘modern miracle’. He pressingly veers benefactors away from recognizing the inherent destruction associated with the procedure – treating individual embryos formed through the process as expendable entities. His stance resonates with 63% percent white evangelical Protestants according to recent Pew Research statistics who view access to IVF positively despite maintaining a supposedly anti-abortion advocate standpoint.

His defense navigates around deep-seated contradictions and logical flaws that target conservative pro-life argumentation bases owing allegiance to the biblical understanding of sanctity and inception of life. Johnston asserts that an embryo only reaches a child’s status upon successful attachment inside the womb, reductively equating embryonic value with its physical localization. This goes against the steadfast belief held by pro-life supporters that every creation of life is sacred and demands protection irrespective of its developmental state or location.

Grossly undermining the gravity involved in the termination of embryos during IVF procedures, Johnston frames his argument by suggesting not all embryos transition into children anyway – drawing an unsubstantiated, unclear divide between embryonic existence and humanhood. However, this clever evasion from reality does not alter the simple, potent truth that every growing embryo preserves a distinct human life’s essence within it – thus mandating protection from avoidable destruction.

His baseless claims further extend into reaching dangerous territory where he posits opposing IVF to be ‘counter-productive’ for pro-life advocates. He calls for them to support IVF to help couples conceive irrespective of the involved moral clash with core principles defining their stand. Such views enable potential compromising with humanitarian dignity for personal convenience or gratification – typically contradicting what it means to uphold pro-life principles in true essence.

Irrespective of experiencing personal struggles around infertility challenges leading him towards endorsing IVF, Jeremiah J. Johnston’s viewpoint significantly contrasts conservative ethics centralizing on upholding sanctity of life. As a pastor claiming adherence to biblical teachings himself, advocating for practices dishonoring the concept’s spiritual bedrock can mislead countless believers supporting similar grounds inadvertently enabling negligence towards conforming consistently with their revered scriptures.