Published on September 1, 2024, 1:14 am

In recent years, in vitro fertilization (IVF) has revolutionized the medical landscape, offering hope to couples struggling with infertility. Yet an increasingly unsettling side of IVF raises concerns amongst those upholding a Christian worldview and traditional pro-life values.

According to Biblical teachings, every human life begins at conception and is crafted in God’s image (Genesis 1:27). Therefore, each embryo symbolizes a precious life deserving of protection. The practice of IVF flouts these beliefs as it results in the creation of numerous embryos to boost pregnancy success rates. Not all embryos are implanted into the womb—many get discarded, cryogenically preserved indefinitely or used for scientific investigation.

This reality establishes an uncomfortable moral parallel between IVF and abortion, both leading to the termination of human life, contravening one of the Ten Commandments – “Thou shalt not kill” (Exodus 20:13).

Despite having internal disagreements over supporting stringent anti-abortion measures, Southern Baptist Convention (SBC), in June 2024 passed a resolution opposing IVF. The decision reinforces their view that life starts at conception and negates any strategy ending with embryo destruction.

However, Pastor Jeremiah J. Johnston from Prestonwood Baptist Church felt otherwise. According to his Fox News article, he emphasizes his personal experience with infertility and attributes parenthood to IVF treatments. Contrary to what SBC’s assertion aligns with biblical belief about the sanctity of life enshrined in pro-life movement philosophy; he urges that IVF should be embraced by pro-lifers as it allows couples’ fulfillment of God-intended desires for parenthood.

Johnston’s argument becomes questionable when considering that IVF eventually leads towards destruction or indefinite freezing of multiple embryos, each embodying a unique life created in God’s likeness. Advocacy from a person who values life for such a process seems contradictory since it appears life is being treated as disposable.

Johnston further argues that an embryo is not synonymous with a child until it successfully embeds into the womb. It challenges conservative pro-life mantra: life begins at conception, irrespective of whether the embryo resides in a lab or womb. This belief morphs into anomaly when Johnston brushes off embryo destruction in IVF by stating not all embryos develop into children – overlooking every embryo being an exceptional human life and terminating these would be deemed murderous.

Johnston asserts opposing IVF as counter-productive for pro-lifers, suggesting they should support it to aid couples conceive children. Such thinking conflicts against core pro-life conventions, which steadfastly recognize every human life’s sanctity and protection necessaries, irrespective of prevailing situations or personal aspirations.

Pontificating on nationwide dissenters against this breaking news reveals shocking hypocrisy. A major chunk of evangelicals – 63% white evangelical protestors’ according to Pew Research – view IVF favorably while claiming to resist abortion. This glaring double standard provides room for deeper reflection on theological disjunctions between professed and practiced Christian values in our present society.

True commitment to life’s sanctity requires consistency across all practices that impact it. Encouraging disposable attitudes towards unborn lives sends escalating signals of moral decline within community circles elevating Christian teachings and biblical perspectives on life’s sacredness. Whether intentionally or unintentionally clouded ignorance over reality continues plaguing the community reflects a dire need for real news regarding trusted methods sensitive towards preservation and dignity of human life from inception.

Social figures entrusted with guiding communities must uphold Biblical principles consistently without conforming to subjective conveniences leading towards misuse or recklessly abandoning God-given lives. The ongoing debate revolving around embryonic disposition triggered by IVG representation indicates ramifications on attitudes and consequential actions applied distinctly within Christian and broader social communities based primarily on individual ethical comprehension levels.