STEM CELLS, MODERN SCIENCE AND BIBLICAL FAITH

Last week President Bush announced his decision regarding federal financial 
support of stem cell research.  This issue has created a firestorm of debate as two 
different sides have squared off against each other.  One group supports federal aid 
in hopes of finding cures for many debilitating diseases such as Parkinson's 
disease and Alzheimer's.  Others are against federal aid because many stem cell 
lines are taken from embryos.

Because President Bush is pro-life, he rejected additional federal aid to create new 
stem cell lines from embryos.  However, he authorized aid to continue research 
where stem cell lines already exists.  As expected, he basically offended both sides.  
I'm just glad I didn't have to make the decision.  I am adamantly pro-life.  At the 
same time, my father suffers from Alzheimer's and I dream of the day when that 
disease goes the way of polio and small pox.  It is a horrible way to die.

The reason we are faced with questions like this debate on stem cell research is 
because of the advances of science.  As new discoveries give us better abilities to 
extend life and as our population ages, we will be faced with a growing array of 
difficult issues that bring moral issues in conflict with one another.  Most medical 
institutions now require classes on ethics due to the advances of science.

A helpful tool for answering many of these questions would be classes and in-
depth studies of the Bible.  I believe the Bible gives us the insights we need to face 
life's difficult choices.  In 2 Timothy 3:16-17, the inspired apostle Paul wrote, "All 
Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and 
training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped 
for every good work."

The Bible will not give us clear, simple answers to many of the questions raised by 
modern science.  But God's Word will give us the training in righteousness 
necessary to thoroughly examine the issues and to make a prayerfully considered 
godly decision.

Do you want to be prepared to have a voice in life's debates?  Acquaint yourself 
thoroughly with the issues and then read the Bible diligently.  Then you will be 
prepared to be a voice of godly reason in an age of godless uncertainty.

							God Bless,
							Leslie Chapman