Wanted: More Royal Babies
January 22, 2013
Kate Middleton
This guest column was written by Brian Bill, pastor of Pontiac (IL) Bible Church.
It was announced last week that Kate Middleton, the Duchess of Cambridge, will give birth to the “royal baby” in July. While this is exciting news to throne watchers, I find it fascinating that no one is calling her unborn child the “royal fetus.” One blogger wonders if we reserve the terms “baby” and “child” for unborn babies that are wanted and prefer the term “fetus” for those who are not.
While this baby will be royalty, every child, from conception on, is considered royalty by God. Every life is designed by our Creator and therefore has dignity, value and worth. The Almighty declares that the preborn have purpose: “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart” (Jeremiah 1:5).
After four decades of legalized abortion in America, it seems like the tide may be turning as more and more people are recognizing that the developing fetus is not a blob but a baby. TIME Magazine ran a cover story earlier this month about how the pro-abortion side is losing the abortion debate. Here’s the headline: “40 Years Ago, Abortion Rights Activists Won an Epic Victory with Roe v. Wade. They’ve been losing ever since.”
I listened to a podcast some time ago by Scott Klusendorf, author of “The Case for Life.” Here’s part of what he said:
“The debate itself is not complex. Either you believe that each and every human being has an equal right to life or you don’t.”
This is really helpful because for many of us we think the issue is so contentious, complicated and controversial that we just check out. The primary question is this: Are the preborn people? He argues that the preborn are distinct, living and whole members of the human species, regardless of their size or location.
Today marks the 40th Anniversary of America’s “war on the womb” when Roe v. Wade legalized and sanctioned the slaughter of innocent lives. This Sunday is Sanctity of Human Life Sunday. Pontiac Bible Church will affirm, along with thousands of other churches, that every human being, from conception on, is an image bearer of God, stamped with divine dignity, and therefore considered royalty by Him.
Yesterday our nation recognized the incredible impact that Martin Luther King, Jr. had in establishing the worth of every person, regardless of skin color. Someday I hope that our country will gain the conviction to stand up on behalf of the preborn. Proverbs 31:8-9 challenges us to advocate for those who have no voice: “Speak for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.”
I am so grateful for the ministry of the Caring Pregnancy Center located right here in Pontiac as they speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves. The New York Times ran a story earlier this month with this headline: “Pregnancy Centers Gain Influence in Anti-Abortion Arena.” The article begins with these words:
“With free pregnancy tests and ultrasounds, along with diapers, parenting classes and even temporary housing, pregnancy centers are playing an increasingly influential role in the anti-abortion movement.”
These pregnancy centers now number about 2,500 and they see about a million clients annually. That compares with about 1,800 abortion providers.
Let’s celebrate and support the CPC as they mark 25 years of life-giving and life-saving ministry in Livingston County. I love their motto: “Reaching 1 heart…2 lives.” This shows that they reach out with compassionate care to mothers and their children.
As a way to show your support for this ministry, I want to invite you to come and hear Pam Tebow, the mother of NFL Quarterback Tim Tebow, on April 11th at the Pontiac Township High School Auditorium. When she was pregnant with Tim, she contracted dysentery and was told by doctors to have an abortion or she might die. Because of her high regard for the sanctity of life, she refused and after some challenging times, Tim was born. Phil Joel of the Newsboys will be providing the music that evening.
If you’d like to partner with the Caring Pregnancy Center, or know of someone in need, visit them online at: caringpc.com or give them a call at 815-842-2484
Let’s speak up…so more royal babies can be born.