Important Questions, Meaningful Answers

A cursory review of various outlets of news media and "water cooler" conversations will illuminate the fact that we are surrounded today with a wealth of important questions; questions regarding safety, security, health, wealth and prosperity, life and the future. Many times we encounter these important issues without ever considering whether or not the answers we get to these questions are meaningful. Do we really want a well thought out answer that is based in truth, that corresponds to reality, and that is personally relevant, or are we satisfied with any response as long as it sounds right?

There are many factors that contribute to answers we give to important questions: worldview, emotion, experience, knowledge, and motivations to name a few. But what is a legitimate and meaningful foundation for important answers? Why not consider an important and sensitive current topic, like the recent address our President made concerning embryonic stem cell research. "But in recent years, when it comes to stem cell research, rather than furthering discovery, our government has forced what I believe is a false choice between sound science and moral values. In this case, I believe the two are not inconsistent. As a person of faith, I believe we are called to care for each other and work to ease human suffering. I believe we have been given the capacity and will to pursue this research - and the humanity and conscience to do so responsibly." Sound science and moral values are not, and have never been, inconsistent because they both have the same point of reference.

The key is the origination of the value-laden terms that are used. According to the address human beings are called to care for each other and ease human suffering, and are given the capacity and will for research, humanity and conscience. But who called us, and who gave to us? If the majority of us believe that the universe and everything in it is a product of time and chance then there is no meaning, no value, no reason and no purpose in life. We are just another piece of furniture in the universe. It would be like a rock saying that it had been given the capacity and will to remain in the river for all its days.

In my opinion, the God of the Bible is the reason there is no inconsistency between sound science and moral values. Genesis 2:1 says, "Thus the heavens and the earth were completed in their vast array." Genesis 1:27 states, "So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them." Colossians 1:15-17 informs us concerning Jesus, "He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together." There has never been a time when God did not exist, and at a specific point in time He created everything and established all physical interrelationships. God created human beings in His image (creativity, conscience, reason, etc.) and gave us the tools to discover the wonders of His creation (sound science).

A meaningful answer to the question at hand can only come from first asking the one question that is absent from almost every recent conversation I hear on the issue: Is life precious? Human life is a creation of God, in His image, and is so precious to Him that He established a means for personal relationship through the suffering of His only Son. In his address, the President stated, "...scientists believe these tiny cells may have the potential to help us understand, and possibly cure, some of our most devastating diseases and conditions. To regenerate a severed spinal cord and lift someone from a wheelchair. To spur insulin production and spare a child from a lifetime of needles. To treat Parkinson's, cancer, heart disease and others that affect millions of Americans and the people who love them.” While our hearts go out to those suffering with physical maladies, we cannot use those emotions as the reason to endorse research that would destroy other equally valuable lives.

"For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made." (Psalm 139:13-14) God has already established the value of every life. That value applies to those with a severed spinal cord, diabetes, Parkinson's, cancer, heart disease and the unborn fetus. If there is a chance that one life (human embryo) will be destroyed, then it would be despicable to destroy that life for the sake of research. Our meaningful answer would then be at odds with the current address, and more in line with a previous Presidential response on the issue, "Research on embryonic stem cells raises profound ethical questions, because extracting the stem cell destroys the embryo and thus destroys its potential for life...And while we must devote enormous energy to conquering disease, it is equally important that we pay attention to the moral concerns raised by the new frontier of human embryo stem cell research. Even the most noble ends do not justify any means."