2 Kings 22:1-2: Josiah was eight years old when he became king, and
he reigned in
Josiah was trul a remarkable kind. The Holy
Spirit of God lived powerfully within this man so that in his personal life,
Josiah would not deliberately
depart from God to the right or to the left.
But Josiah had a problem he was not even
aware of. He and the believers within his nation were accidentally sinning against God in
ignorance. You see, most likely Josiah had no copy of the original Book of the
Law written by Moses. He and the believers within his nation were relying upon
the way the Law of God had been handed down in the traditional teaching of
their forefathers. Over time, however, various points of the Law became
overlooked and forgotten as their ancestors were influenced by the ungodly
world.
Then Josiah underwent the greatest
experience of his life when he was 26 years old. While the temple was being
repaired, the original Book of the Law written by Moses was found! When the
government officials opened it and read it, they were stunned. They read it to
Josiah, who also was stunned. Josiah tore his robes; he felt sick, ashamed and
worried. He and the people had been sinning against God in ways that they had
not even realized! For years Josiah's heart was right with God, but still he
had been sinning against the God whom he loved because he did not know better!
Can the same thing still happen today?
Absolutely yes! For example, a believer may love God and desire to serve Him,
but the believer still may misunderstand a particular command and thereby may
sin against God in ignorance. Or a believer may love God and desire to serve
Him, and he may correctly understand a particular command of God, but he may
misunderstand the worldly or temporal facts with the result that he may sin
against God in ignorance. An example of this latter type of sin would be a
Christian unknowingly killing an unborn baby through abortive chemicals and
devices. Our church takes a firm stand against abortion as a clear and
deliberate violation of the Fifth Commandment: "You shall not
murder." And yet many genuine and sincere Christians, who would never
think of aborting a child, are still having millions of "silent
abortions". Why? The answer is simply this. Thousands of Christians use an
IUD without realizing that they "control" birth by causing abortions.
Millions of Christians use modern birth control pills without realizing that
part of their birth "control" function is to abort a human being who
has been conceived! Yes, you read correctly --- modern birth control pills work
partly by causing "silent abortions" of humans already conceived.
Some people say that this is an unanswerable
question. They say, "We cannot be sure of when life begins because there
is no consensus between theologians or scientists." But do you know
anything upon which all humans agree? Some people still believe that the earth
is flat. No, this is not an unanswerable question. An honest evaluation of the
Biblical and scientific facts will reveal the answers.
When we turn to the Holy Bible, we see tht
unborn babies are always granted the status of being real human beings. They
are treated as real human beings from the point of conception (fertilization)
as we can see in Psalm 51:5 "Surely I have been a sinner from birth, sinful
from the time my mother conceived me." It is also clear that unborn babies
are never treated as
"things" which turn into human beings at some point in their
development. The Scriptures ascribe to them personalities, intelligence,
emotions, individuality and worth in God's eyes. The Scriptures show that God
personally watches over their development in the womb.
Genesis 25:21-23
Exodus 21:22-25
Psalm 51:5
Psalm 139:13-16
Ecclesiastes 11:5
Isaiah 49:1-5
Jeremiah 1:4-5
Matthew 1:18
Luke 1:41,44*
*Please note that the Greek word used here
is "brephos". This same word is also used in Luke 2:12 in reference
to a newborn babe and in II Timothy 3:15 in reference to a young child.
Scientists also know that a new human life
begins at conception (fertilization). In an excellent book entitled The Position of Modern Science on the Beginning of
Human Life (Copyright 1975, Scientists for Life, Inc.) we read
this brilliantly simple and clear explanation on page 15:
"When did your life begin? The answer
to this question can be phrased simply by going backward in time. Before you
were an adult, you were an adolescent, and before that a child, and before that
an infant. Before you were an infant --- i.e., before you were born --- you were
a fetus, and before that an embryo. Before you were an embryo, around the time
of your implantation, you were a blastocyst, and before that a morula, and
before that a zygote or fertilized ovum. However, you were never a sperm or an
unfertilized ovum. Therefore, while life is continuous, your life began when
the nucleus of your father's sperm fused with the nucleus of your mother's
ovum, or at fertilization."
Thus, by honestly examining Scripture and
science, the answer is clear: a new human life begins at conception. God
created human life (Genesis
When God states in Exodus 20:13, "You
shall not murder", He is clearly prohibiting the murder of any human
beings, whether born or unborn. It is murder to kill a baby 8 months after
conception. It is also murder to kill a baby one minute after conception.
What follows ia
material written by Dr. J.C. Willke, Chairman of National Right to Life
Committee, Inc. Please consider it carefully.
What is the mechanism of action of the IUD?
It would seem at this time that medical opinion has crystallized to a near
unaniminity. The presence of this foreign body within the cavity of the uterus
produces a foreign body reaction. This is a local, sterile (usually),
inflammatory reaction, which alters the normal body fluids within the uterus.
It changes what had been a friendly environment, for the migration of sperm and
the subsequent implantation of the new human being, to an unfriendly
environment. Some hasve described the intra-uterine fluid produced as
containing "sterile pus". This unfriendly fluid environment can have
an influence on the sperm migrating into the uterus and tubes, and quite
clearly does have an influence on later implantation.
Not too much has been said or written to
indicate that the sperm are incapacitated in their passage through the uterus,
for if they were, fertilization could not occur. Most of thr research done
tells us the same thing. A substantial number of sperm do pass through the
uterine cavity, proceed out to the ovary, and fertilization can and does occur.
What is quite plain is that, following fertilization,
the process does not proceed to a normally implanted pregnancy. What are the
mechanisms postulated as to why she does not "get pregnant"?
Overwhelmingly, almost all medical studies have demonstrated various mechanisms
that prevent implantation into the nutrient lining of the womb, due to the
foreign body and inflammatory reaction caused by the IUD. The end result,
however, in almost every case, when fertilization does occur (an occasional
pregnancy is carried to full term and delivery with the IUD still in the
uterus), it is followed by a process that ends in the destruction of the
developing new human life in the uterus through his or her inability to
implant. This can be accurately described as an abortion. Clearly, almost all
current evidence indicates that the IUD's major effect is to act to prevent
implantation.
The fact that it is described as a
"contraceptive" agent is because of a change in the meaning of words
by the Food and Drug Administration and the
One other relevant medical comment should be
made. In all likelihood, the IUD possibly could be withdrawn from the market
within a reasonable period of time for it has serious side effects. The
"sterile pus" mentioned above does not always remain sterile. At
times it becomes infected, resulting in various degrees of inflammation of the
female organs and at times sterility. All practicing physicians in the
The "pill" consists now of over 30
different varieties of chemical combinations of the synthetic equivalent of the
female hormones estrogen and progesterone, as well as the so-called
"mini-pill" which contains progesterone alone. Understanding that
there are different degrees of actions with different pills, that one has more
of this effect and the other has more of that effect, they can. to some extent at least, be described generically.
The combination pills basically exert three
actions in "preventing" pregnancy. The first effect of the
contraceptive pill is to prevent ovulation or release of the ovum from the
ovary. This has been described as "freezing" of the ovary. Even if
the sperm do reach the ovary, fertilization cannot occur because the ovum has
not been released. This action is accurately described as temporary
sterilization. but in common usage it is usually
spoken of as "contraceptive" action.
The first contraceptive pill, Enovid,
contained ten milligrams of estrogen-like hormone. It was believed that its
physiologic function was almost totally that of temporary sterilization.
Enovid-5 was then marketed, to be followed by Enovid E (2-5 mg.). Since that
time lower and lower doses of estrogen have been presented to the consumer so
that now doses of 0.5 mgm. and 0.35 mgm. are commonly used. The well known reason for the reduction
of the estrogen dosage was to try to minimize the threat of blood clot
complications. Paralleling the reduction of the estrogen dosage, however, there
has been the development of breakthrough ovulation, as the lower doses have
apparently not been successful in completely suppressing ovulation. With
breakthrough ovulation it is now generally accepted that actual fertilization
occurs at times in those taking these pills. but as
described below, these women do not ordinarily "get pregnant."
The second action is one of thickening of
the mucous plug at the cervical opening- This normally obtains at the beginning
and at the end of a menstrual cycle, with the plug melting away at mid-cycle,
and being replaced by an egg white like substance containing nutrient fluids,
which are "friendly" to the passage of sperm. The combination pill
prevents this from occuring at mid-cycle, maintaining the plug, and as such
probably exerts true "anti-fertilization" action by preventing
entrance of the sperm.
The third function of the combination pill
is an anti-implantaion or anti-nidatory. When this is the function that is
dominant in that particular month, there is sperm passage, there is
fertilization and migration of the new human through the tube and into the
uterus, but implantation does not occur. This is because the action of the pill
has "hardened" the lining of the uterus, created a hostile
environment, and the mullicelled tiny human being cannot implant. This function is one of an abortion at one week of
life. [emphasis mine] There is no
definitive medical agreement as to what percentage of times this function
occurs, in which woman and with which pill.
This is a form of birth control pill different
from the combination of estrogen and progesterone alone which is commonly known
as the "mini-pill." This contains only a small dose of progesterone.
It is taken daily, 30 days a month, rather than the 21-7 schedule for the
combination pill. It allows a menstrual flow to occur monthly while the pill is
being taken. There is considerable controversy as to whether or not its action
is primarily in preventing implantation, as other mechanisms of action have
been suggested, but general scientific opinion at this time is in substantial
agreement. It would seem that it does allow a substantial amount of
breakthrough ovulation, and presumably at times fertilization. When
fertilization occurs it "prevents" pregnancy by an anti-implantation
action. This action is best described as an abortifacient effect.
DES or Diethylstilbestrol is a synthetic
estrogen. Given in high dosage. in
the days immediately following intercourse. it is
known as the morning-after pill. What is its function? This is best illustrated
by giving two examples.
In the first, a woman is raped at
In the second case, rape also occurs at
Which mechanism occurs in any specific case
may well not be known. But the sterilizing action will probably occur two or
three times for every abortive action.
What of the morality of the use of the
morning-after pill? Many would not use it on their own daughters because of its
possible abortifacient action, but this group almost certainly will not seek an
abortion later in any case.
Other medications, such as a shot of
progesterone, are often used in place of DES, as well as other forms of
estrogen. Without going into detail one can say that their mechanism of action
is substantially the same.
As is well known, these substances cause the
onset of strong uterine contractions and delivery of whatever size baby the
uterus contains. If used before viability, this is the equivalent of abortion.
The first form licensed, Prostin F2 alpha,
carried a directive from the FDA that limited its use to the induction of
mid-trimester abortion only. Subsequently, Prostin A2 and 15M have been
licensed. These have now been authorized for use for several therapeutic
medical conditions (uterine inertia, non-malignant Hyatidaform mole and missed
abortion).
J.C. Willke, M.D.
This paper was reviewed before publication
by Matthew Bulfin, M.D., Thomas Hilgers, M.D., and Richard Schmidt, M.D.
The fact that every modern birth control
pill can and at times does function as an abortilacient (although they will
often use different words than abortifacient) is freely admitted by The Food
and Drug Administration, by medical books such as Physicians' Desk Reference
and Nursing '85 Drug Handbook, by pro-abortion books such as My Body, My Health
by Felicia Stewart M.D., by pro-abortion groups such as Planned Parenthood, by
the drug companies in their literature which accompanies the pill, and by some
non- medical reference books such as Random House College Dictionary. Some
quotes from the sources will follow.
(1) Federal Register, Part 11,
Combination oral contraceptives act
primarily through the mechanism of gonadaotropin suppression due to the
estrogenic and progestational activity of the ingredients. Although the primary
mechanism of action is inhibition of ovulation, alterations in the genital
tract including changes in the cervical mucus (which increase the difficulty of
sperm penetration) and the endometrium (which reduce the likelihood of
implantation) may also contribute to contraceptive effectiveness... but
progestogen only contraceptives are known to alter the cervical mucus, exert a
progestational effect on the endometrium, interfering with implantation and in
some patients, supress ovulation.
(2) Federal Register, Part III,
How the IUD prevents pregnancy is not
completely understood. Several theories have been suggested. IUD's seem to
interfere in some manner with the implantation of the fertilized egg in the
uterine cavity. The IUD does not prevent ovulation.
(3) Physicians' Desk Reference Medical
Economics Co., Inc, Copyright 1985, Clinical Pharmacology agrees with the Food
and Drug Administration. See quote 1 above.
(4) Nursing '85 Drug Handbook, Spring House
Corporation, Copyright 1985, page470, in a chapter entitied "Oral
Contraceptives," states: Progestogen... also causes endometrial changes
that prevent implantation of the fertilized ovum.
(5) My Body, My Health, by Felicia Stewart,
M.D., Felicia Guest, Gary Stewart, M.D., and Robert Hatcher, M.D., published by
Consumers Union, states on pages 169 & 170: In a natural cycle, the uterus
lining thickens under the influence of estrogen during the first part of the
cycle, and then matures under the influence of both progesterone and estrogen
after ovulation. This development sequence is not possible during a pill cycle
because both progestin and estrogen are present throughout the cycle. Even if
ovulation and conception did occur, successful implantation would be unlikely.
(6)Planned Parenthood, in Grant Application
submitted on
(7) LO/ORVAL (Brand Name) WYETH
(Manufacturer): Combination oral contraceptives act primarily through the
mechanism of gonadaotropin suppression due to the estrogenic and progestational
activity of the ingredients. Although the primary mechanism of action is
inhibition of ovulation, alterations in the genital tract including changes in
the cervical mucus (which increase the difficulty of sperm penetration) and the
emdometrium (which reduce the likelihood of implantation) may also contribute
to contraceptive effectiveness.
(8) An Article "What We Know About the
Pill", in Changing Times (July,1977, page 21)
states:
For example, the pill may affect the
movement of the fertilized egg toward the uterus or prevent it from imbedding
itself in the uterine lining.
(9) Random House College Dictionary, Revised
Edition, Copyright 1982, page 137, states:
Birth control pill: an oral contraceptive
for women that inhibits ovulation, ferilization, or implantation of a
fertilized ovurn, causing temporary infertility.
One question that many thinking people
immediately ask is, "How often?". Granted
that every type of modern birth control pill can and sometimes will function as
an abortifacient, how often do they function that way? Is it 10% of the time?
Is it .0001% of the time? Is it a percentage which is high enough to be
significant in my attitude toward the pill?" Absolute percentages are
impossible to obtain. There are too many variables, yet doctors and scientists
are able to obtain estimates from their research which realistically should be
in the ballpark. Here are some figures:
(1) Planned Parenthood in their Grant
Application state that the hormones in the mini-pill prevent ovulation and
corpus luteum formation in approximately 1/3 of the cycles. That means that 67%
of the lime the women still do ovulate. Women using the mini-pill have a real
possibility of a silent abortion on any given month!
(2)Albert D. Lorincz, M.D. in The Pill - How
Does It Work? cites a study in which 1200 women were
given .5 mg daily of progestogen (an amount equivalent to many birth control
pills). Yet 60% of these women ovulated. That means that 60% of the women on
this pill had a real possibility of a silent abortion on any given month!
(3) J.C. Espinoza, M-D, writes in his book
"Birth Control: Why Are They Lying To Women?",
page 27: When ovulation occurs, pregnancy is possible. Years ago Roland noticed
ovulation in 30% of the women taking an estrogen-progestin preparation
(combined Pill). Today it is clear that in at least 5% of the cycles of women
on the combined Pill, "escape ovulation" occurs.
This fact means that conception is possible during those cycles but
implantation will be prevented and the "conceptus" (child) will die.
That rate is statistically equivalent to one abortion every other year for all
women on the Pill. Mini-pills have a much higher ovulation rate. Pituitary
block to prevent ovulation is evident in only 50% of the cycles. Conception,
then, is possible every other month. This new Pill may produce abortion 50% of
the time - six for every year of use. The very low dose progestin-only Pill may
never prevent ovulation. With any pill there are a small percentage of
pregnancies that go to full term.
Some doctors my give somewhat different
numbers, but the evidence is clear - every modern birth control pill can and at
times does function as an abortifacient. The IUD works only as an
abortifacient.
Your heart may be in pain right now. You may
be a woman who has been using the IUD or modern birth control pill without ever
realizing that they could be abortive. (You may be a man who has asked his wife
to use these without realizing that they could be abortive.) You probably are
asking yourself, "Could I have had a silent abortion? Or
even serveral of them? Could I have ended the life of a child which God
intended me to have?" Theanswer, of course, is: "Only God
knows". It is possible that God enabled the pill to prevent you from ever
ovulating, and that no silent abortion took place. It is possible that God
prevented any silent abortion because you did this not understanding the entire
function of the pill. But on the other hand, it is a definite possibility that
you have had a silent abortion, if not several. Nowhere in Scripture does God
promise to keep us from committing sins in ignorance.
But whether you have had a
silent abortion or not, you can find peace in Jesus. Every one of us has sinned against God; all of us
stand guilty before His divine law. And the only peace any of us can ever find
is Jesus. We know that Jesus died for us. God's Holy Scripture shows us clearly
the objective forgiveness we have received in Jesus' substitutionary blood
sacrifice for our sins. We are assured of that forgiveness in such passages as
these:
Isaiah 1:18
"Come now, let us reason together,"
says the Lord. "'Though your sins are like scarlet they shall be as white
as snow; though they are as red as crimson, they shall be like wool."
Isaiah 53:4-6
Surely he took up our infirmities and
carried our sorrows, yet we considered him stricken by God, smitten by him, and
afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our
iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his
wounds we are healed. We all like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has
turned to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.
John 1:29
The next day John saw Jesus coming toward
him and said, "Look the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the
world."
I John 1:7-9
But if we walk in the light as he is in the
light we have fellowhip with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son,
purif ies us from every sin. It we claim to be without sin, we deceive
ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful
and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
Whenever we realize that we have sinned, or
may have sinned against God, we focus our eyes on Jesus. He is the one who
already made the payment to God for our sins. Confident of that fact, we go to
God and confess our sins. Because God's Holy Spirit is working in us, we are
able to go to God and say,
Heavenly Father, I come to you with great
sorrow in my heart. I have just learned that the pill I was taking to prevent
pregnancy can be abortive. I do not know if I have had a silent abortion or
not. If You have prevented that sin, 0 Lord, I praise
Your Holy Name. If I have had a silent abortion, O Lord, I plead the blood of
Jesus which was shed for me. Wash me with Jesus' blood and make me clean in Your eyes. And, Heavenly Father, since this is such a
complicated and confusing world, I plead with You,
fill me with Your Holy Spirit. Through Your Holy Spirit enable me to understand
Your Holy Scripture and show me Your Holy Will for my life. Enable me to live
by faith, trusting that You will protect and bless all
who trust in You. I ask this in Jesus' name. Amen.
And then dear friend in Christ, rise from
your knees and do not grieve, for the Lord our God is gracious, omniscient and
omnipotent. Not only has He granted us the forgiveness of our sins, He also has
the ability to turn our sins and mistakes into blessings. As Nehemiah told the
weeping people in Nehemiah 8:10,
Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks,
and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is sacred to our
Lord. Do not grieve for the Joy of the Lord is your strength.
And right now may we in faith set aside any
IUD, birth control pill or hormonal implants or shots taken for contraception.
Now that we know how than devices and chemicals work, how can we use them
anymore?
To the Glory of our
Gracious God.