“Along Comes Mary” (Again)

Back in the mid-60’s the fad which developed among college students was “doing drugs.” This infatuation with mind-altering substances became a large part of the popular music scene with psychedelic lyrics (“I tripped on a cloud and fell eight miles high; I tore my mind on the jagged sky”) and colorful groups (Strawberry Alarm Clock, who woke everyone up with “Incense and Peppermints”).

The Association came along with “Along Comes Mary” (“now my empty cup is as sweet as the punch”). “Mary” and “Mary Jane” were designations for marijuana in those days, but now young people are referring to it as “dank,” “bo,” “chronic,” and “hemp,” according to “The New Pot Culture” by Monika Guttman in last Sunday’s (2-18-96) USA WEEKEND (4).

And, sadly, the use of marijuana has sharply increased during the past four years. Reader’s Digest credited Nancy Reagan’s “Just Say No” campaign (in part) with the sharp decline in young people’s use of the drug (February 73). According to the information presented in USA Weekend the number of high school seniors smoking pot declined from 50% in 1979 to 22% in 1992; since that time the number has risen dramatically to 34.7% (5). Something is terribly wrong for the number of users to increase so rapidly in such a short period of time.

One reason for this change may be society’s deemphasis of the subject. Reader’s Digest cites several factors. “In 1989, 518 drug stories were aired on the evening news of the three major networks. By 1994, there were just 78. The number of PDFA spots is down 20 percent since 1990.” And many of those ads are aired at times when young people are not watching (75).

Furthermore, drugs seem to be more acceptable in the entertainment media. According to USA Weekend, approval of marijuana has been suggested on Roseanne , in movies such as How To Make An American Quilt, and once again in the realm of popular music. In fact, a recent CD entitled Hempilation, was released specifically to earn money for marijuana decriminalization (5), a cause which even some misguided conservatives (and liberals such as former Surgeon General Jocelyn Elders-RD 74) champion. There are also some potthemed hats and T-shirts that one may find young people starting to wear.

 

Keep Off the GrassToday’s adults who survived “hippie-hood” may not be too alarmed about this resurgent craze, but they should be because the primary psychoactive chemical (THC) of today’s marijuana has doubled in potency during the past ten years (USA 5). The ease of obtaining the drug should strike fear into most people.

Becoming commonplace are “Phillies blunts,” which are cigars which have been hollowed out and refilled with marijuana. “The nicotine helps increase the high” (4). But consider the following information carefully. Marijuana is currently this nation’s largest cash crop (6). Furthermore, many teens who were interviewed for the USA article said that the average time it would take them to find and buy pot was three minutes (6-7). A Seattle teenager confided to Reader’s Digest that “Weed is as common as school lunch” (72).

 

EffectsThe effects of smoking marijuana are detrimental to both the individual and society. Let’s begin with the latter. Many who desire either to legalize or decriminalize marijuana have cited “the European model” as a system that works. According to the February Reader’s Digest ,”Dutch adolescent marijuana use, for example, nearly tripled between 1984 and 1992, while the flow of drugs into bordering countries has grown. At the same time the Netherlands is ranked No. 1 in Europe for forcible assaults, up 65 percent since 1985″ (74). Similar unsavory results have been Zurich, Switzerland’s reward. “Today, Switzerland is left with Europe’s highest percapita rate of drug addiction and second highest rate of HIV infection” (75).

The personal effects on the individual user are well known. USA Weekend states them succinctly: “Marijuana reduces coordination; slows reflexes; interferes with the ability to measure distance, speed and time; and disrupts concentration in short term memory. A marijuana smoker is exposed to six times as many carcinogens as a tobacco smoker” (5).

Another danger of marijuana is that (as a “gateway” drug) it leads its devotees to experiment with drugs even more dangerous than it is, as some users admit: “Pot makes you lazy. I don’t like to do schoolwork,” a former 3.5 average student admitted. “A lot of people move on to acid” (Reader’s Digest 71-72). Parents need to be aware of this revived threat against young people and caution them not to be deceived by it.

Many enjoy the high and think they are more lucid when stoned, possessing greater insights. The following letter was written to Ann Landers several years ago–before I began documenting articles properly. The misspellings and errors were on the part of the letter writer. It serves to demonstrate how marijuana affects the brain.

Dear Ann Landers:

Your letter against pot last week was a joke. If you dryed up creeps want kids to believe you, who don’t you tell the truth? I like my hair long. It looks fine. I have yet to see a single letter in your column to tell the GOOD things about pot. Why is that? Because you are a bunch of fuddy-dudies who are scare us kids to death. Well, it won’t work. Most of us know more about pot than our parents and teachers put together. Getting turned on by Jesus is definately. I’m a 16 year-old girl who lives in a medium-size midwestern town. I have been smoking pot at least once a day for two years. It hasn’t hurt me at all. In fax it has done me a lot of good. Not only is pot-smoking fun but it has expanded my conscientiousness and opened my eyes to the beaties of the world and unquestionable. This proves the police are pigs.

Grass has not dulled my mind. It has sharpen it. My think is clearer than it ever was. I am more aware things I never noticed before. Objicts that used to look small look large, especially when I. When I smoke, I see mental imagines in color instead of black and white. I used to be too shy to speak up in a crowd. Now I am a brilliant conversationist. I get stoned but I am 100 percent lucid. I am express my inmost feelings brilliantly. Feet can be friends. When I finish this letter it will be a mastpiece.

If you fail to print it, I will know you are a Communist. In Russia they print only one side of the story. The side they want people to believe. I’ll be watch and waiting. –The Truth Will Win

“The Best Revenge”

Peace and serenity are wonderful commodities: they are the ideal, and they are by far what most of us prefer. What we experience, however, are conflicts. How should these be handled?

The Lord anticipated that problems would arise among His people. In the Old Testament, for example, there were so many difficulties (Ex. 18:19) that it was necessary for Moses to judge matters between the Israelites from morning until evening (Ex. 18:13).

The Corinthians mishandled their complaints, and some members of the body of Christ took their brethren to law–before unbelievers, at that (1 Cor. 6:1-8). A few other indications of disharmony are indicated in the book of Philippians. Paul exhorts the brethren to “stand fast in one spirit” (1:27) and to be “of one accord, of one mind” (2:2). Later, he singles out two ladies, Euodia and Syntyche, “to be of the same mind” (4:2). Paul charges brethren in Ephesus to endeavor “to keep the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace” (Eph. 4:3). If internal unity among brethren were automatic, there would be no need for all these admonitions. Harmony does not just happen; it must be sought.

How, then, should conflicts be handled? Jesus specified what to do in Matthew 18:15. “Moreover, if your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he hears you, you have gained your brother.” [Notice that this is a personal matter between two brothers, not a rationale for dealing with false teachers, authors, or college presidents.]

Many situations will be resolved at this point, if both parties are sincere and genuinely concerned about taking care of the matter. Of course, if the offending party persists, one or two more brethren are to discuss it, and finally the church must be informed and fellowship withdrawn from the stubbornly impenitent one.

But what happens when this divine process breaks down? What if, as in the case of Marian Guinn, aperson refuses to talk to the elders or anyone else, and then files a lawsuit for harassment? Or what happens if a person confesses sin before the church for appearance’s sake but never brings forth fruit worthy of repentance (Matt. 3:8; Acts 26:20)? Or what happens if the individual leaves, attends another congregation, and misrepresents those he/she has left behind?

When the process the Lord authorized breaks down due to the impenitence of the person who has caused the problem, that itself reveals the insincerity of the individual who assumes such a rebellious posture. The congregation should withdraw fellowship from such a person.

No one should be allowed to repent verbally when no effort has been or will be made to correct the problem. Some have repented of fornication–after each illegitimate birth. Obviously, something did not change. Others have said things such as, “I repented; so I don’t have to talk to you.” How could an attitude be any more unspiritual than that? Who dares to play the hypocrite before God and the church by pretending to repent in order to “resolve” a problem? For shame.

And what of those who leave one congregation for another, in which they feel free to spread rumors and untruths? How can such matters be handled, especially when those listening to suchmisrepresentations have such itching ears? Some of these insults may be against individuals, or they may be against the church as a whole.

 

Handling Personal AttacksCertain responses should be ruled out, such as smacking them “up side of the head.” Sure, it would feel good for the moment, but it’s not the Lord’s way. (Besides, if they have never developed a conscience or integrity in all the years they’ve been studying the Bible and listening to sermons, it probably can’t be beaten into them, either.) If Paul had personal enemies in the first century (and he did), chances are we are going to have a difficult time escaping false brethren, too (2 Cor. 11:26).

1. Be willing to discuss a problem with someone who is genuinely concerned about it, but the basis for the discussion must reside in objectivity. Nothing will be accomplished if all that is going to occur is an exchange of allegations and denials of private conversations which no one witnessed. “By the mouth of two or three witnesses every word shall be established” (Deut. 19:15, 2 Cor. 13:1).

2. Let someone arbitrate in a dispute. Both parties should select a neutral group of people to hear both sides and make suggestions. Paul says there ought to be at least one wise man among us to judge between brethren (1 Cor. 6:5).

3. But what if all these techniques fail? What if some do not want a resolution? What if they really enjoy reveling in hit-and-run character assassination?

“When somebody has been so unkind to you, some word spoken that pierces you through and through, think how He was beguiled, spat upon, and reviled. Let the beauty of Jesus be seen in you.” As English poet George Herbert wrote: “Living well is the best revenge.” In other words, keep being a faithful Christian, work for the Master, and forget those who have nothing better to do than carp,complain, criticize, and accuse falsely Another’s servant (or church).

If we devote ourselves to going on to perfection, people will come to doubt those whose favorite pastime is “badmouthing.” If the congregation busies itself in evangelism, edification, and benevolence, the inaccurate and false representations of others will eventually fall on deaf ears. We cannot allow others to disturb and distract us from doing and being what pleases our Lord.

4. Realize that those who engage in the negative behavior of attacking others have fallen prey to Satan’s influence. Wise brethren are not ignorant of the devil’s devices (2 Cor. 2:11). Pray that they see the errors of their ways, and repent. (Remember Matt. 5:38-48 and Rom. 12:17-21.)

Of course, murmurers and complainers would be out of business in a week were it not for the fact that too many people delight in hearing what they have to say. All of us need to turn away our ears from “hearsay.” If a brother has some objective evidence to present against another brother, fine. Present it. Otherwise, keep silence. The body of Christ does not need to “bite and devour one another” (Gal. 5:15).

We should be careful not to be foolish enough to hear only one side of a story. “He’s my friend, my child, my neighbor. That’s good enough for me.” Since when do personal attachments take the place of evidence? Friends, children, and neighbors have been known to lie or be mistaken. As Solomon wrote: “He who answers a matter before he hears it, It is folly and shame to him” (Pr. 18:13).

“Brothers In Error”

This week the analysis continues of the lead article of Leroy Garrett’s Last Time Around from October, 1995. A woman had written him a letter which he published. Much of his article responds to this sentence: “All these years I have been able to ignore this ‘in error’ applied to others but not ourselves.”

The reader can tell that the editor is delighted with this sentence since it affords him the opportunity to launch into one of his favorite themes. Garrett writes: “As for this ‘in error’ mentality, it is a judgment that one will find only in Churches of Christ. I am not sure how or why it got started. It is a dubious construct, reflective of our inability to see ourselves as others see us. Even when we refer to others in the Movement who have been baptized, we refer to them as ‘brothers in error.’ If there are Christians in other churches, which we often question, they too are ‘brothers in error.’ I have never in all these years heard anyone among us refer to ourselves as ‘in error.’ It is always others who are ‘in error,’ not ourselves.”

Is it true that the “in error” mentality is found only in Churches of Christ? One wonders if Leroy has ever heard of Jehovah’s Witnesses. He may be unaware of it, but there are some fairly staunch Calvinists who would not hesitate to say that those who subscribe to the opposite doctrine (in this case, the Truth) are “in error.”

Anyway, the point should not be how many groups would say such a thing; the question is, “What does the Bible say?” So Manasseh made Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem to err, and to do worse than the heathen…” (2 Chron. 33:9). The people were in error–spiritual and moral error.

Consider these two statements in Isaiah: “O my people, they which lead thee cause thee to err, and destroy the way of thy paths” (3:12b); “For the leaders of this people cause them to err; and they that are led of them are destroyed” (9: 16). Jeremiah 23:13 states: “And I have seen folly in the prophets of Samaria; they prophesied in Baal, and caused my people Israel to err.”

Would Leroy like to convince God that this “in error” mentality is of dubious construct? When people embrace lies in place of the truth, they are “in error.” It’s that simple.

“Thus saith the Lord; For three transgressions of Judah, and for four, I will not turn away the punishment thereof; because they have despised the law of the Lord, and have not kept his commandments, and their lies caused them to err, after the which their fathers have walked” (Amos 2:4). Just as people can walk in the truth (3 John 3), so can they walk in error, according to the Scriptures.

The reason that people are “in error” is that they are like the Sadducees, not knowing the Scriptures (Matt. 22:29). Jesus warned the disciples, “Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the Saducees” (Matt. 16:6). Later, they understood that he referred to their teaching (Matt. 16:12). They were “in error” on their teaching!

What else could Jesus mean when He refers to them as “blind leaders of the blind” (Matt. 15:14) except that, like many religious leaders of today, they are in error and teaching error. James says that brethren who wander from the truth must be turned back; those outside of truth must be brought back from the error of their ways (and are even called “sinners” instead of brethren). Peter speaks of those who “live in error” (2 Peter 2: 18) and warns against being led away with “the error of the wicked” (2 Peter 3:17). Hopefully, these few passages will serve to provide Mr. Garrett the origin of the concept.

 

“As Others See Us”Leroy seems concerned about how others see us. It is always nice to be well-liked, well-thought-of. But whatever men think must take second place behind what God thinks? Elijah, Jeremiah, and Amos were not highly regarded in the community. Jesus was hated by the religious leaders of His day. In teaching the truth, He offended them (Matt. 15: 12). “We ought to obey God rather than men” (Acts 5:29). Likewise, we must teach truth regardless of how those “in error” feel about it.

 

“The Movement”Many people are baptized for the remission of their sins, including Mormons. Why does Garrett choose to use this phrase? And whom does he include in it? Wouldn’t it be better to use Scriptural terminology so that we all might understand what he means?

 

ARE WE “IN ERROR”?Garrett seems surprised that we do not refer to ourselves as “in error.” Is this phenomenon really a mystery? The Bible says, “If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God…” (1 Peter 4:11). Would it not be the height of folly to tell someone, “I don’t know the truth; I am in error. But come and let me teach you anyway”?

“Buy the truth and sell it not,” Proverbs 23:23 advises, and the New Testament likewise emphasizes this sentiment. “Sanctify them through thy truth,” the Lord prayed, and added, “Thy word is truth. “Others may not care about Truth, but members of the Lord’s church do. For such reasons we study carefully and are willing to test our beliefs in public debate. Liberals seem unwilling to do so, and we can’t help wondering why. We sincerely believe we are teaching and practicing the truth, but if someone thinks we are “in error,” let him point out the error and be willing to discuss it rather than hide behind vague innuendoes.

 

Nonsense Versus God’s SenseLeroy further pontificates: “It is nonsense because no such distinction can be drawn between those ‘in error’ and those who are not. We are all in error about some things, unless we presume that both our knowledge and behavior are perfect…” Anyone who is not absolutely stupefied by the preceding statements needs to read them again. Garrett believes that one cannot distinguish between those “in error” and those not. No wonder he can fellowship anyone!

Fortunately, the Word of God teaches no such foolishness. “You reject all those who stray [err, KJV] from Your statutes: for their deceit is falsehood” (Ps. 119:118, NKJ). Notice that: (1) God can distinguish between those in error and those not; (2) He rejects those who do err; and (3) There must be some who do not err from God’s statutes, or there would not have been a psalmist left to record this verse!

Certainly, God knew that all are imperfect, especially in behavior. And He knows that all of us may hold a peculiar view or two, but even so, it is still possible to determine that someone has gone “onward” (2 John 9-11) into “error.”

“A Request By Leroy Garrett”

During the 14th Annual Denton Lectureship last November my task was to review Monroe Hawley’s 1992 book, Is Christ Divided? Attending that particular session was Leroy Garrett, who has lived in Denton a number of years and now attends the Singing Oaks Church of Christ, which observes Christmas and Easter with special programs (and which has departed from the faith in a number of other ways).

After the discussion forum had ended, Leroy introduced himself to me and gave me a copy of his current paper, Last Time Around (he used to publish Restoration Review, which I first saw thirty years ago). The invitation was to read it and let him know what I thought of it, which I am now doing. He was very cordial, and the analysis which follows reflects no personal animosity since he was in no way personally unkind to me.

Perhaps he is not unkind to anyone. On page four of the October, 1995, issue that he gave me, he provides an “update” on the “International Church of Christ, formerly Boston Church of Christ.” He extends no criticism to the group which has correctly been identified by many as a cult; in fact, he considers them “phenomenal.”

The front page article is entitled “Concerning Those ‘In Error.'” Leroy says he suspects many will identify with a letter he has received from a sister who has “hung in all her life.” She apparently is on Garrett’s mailing list (who else would write to him?), which means she must have been pondering his views for a while, which may explain her confusion.

She identifies herself as one who “grew up in the Church of Christ,” which presumably means under its influence since one can only be Jewish by birth; one becomes a Christian by being taught (Heb. 8:10-11) and then obeying the gospel, not by birth. She (seemingly unashamedly) confesses: “I have never as an adult believed that only those in the Church of Christ are Christians,” and wants to know if she should leave it.

Now many faithful gospel preachers would probably ask her some questions, such as, “How does one become a Christian?” Or “If you think there are Christians besides in the Lord’s church, could you explain where they are and how they came to be there?” Or even: “What you think is not nearly so important was what the Bible teaches on the matter; what does It say?”

It may be very high-sounding and in harmony with the spirit of the age to allege that Christians can be in all denominations, but it is altogether different to explain how such a phenomenon occurs. Take the Presbyterian Church, for example (which the woman’s husband grew up in). It is a man-made denomination, not the Lord’s church. Calvinism, which doctrine they follow, teaches that children are depraved sinners at birth; they are thus baptized (actually sprinkled) while mere babies.

Is the letter-writer willing to assert that those who have never heard the gospel and who have been baptized as babies are saved? If so, exactly what New Testament has she been reading? Certainly, she did not get such an idea from Jesus (Mark 16: 15-16), Peter (Acts 2:38), or Paul (Romans 6:3-5). In order to become a Christian, one must “obey the gospel” (1 Cor. 15:1-4, Rom. 6:17-18). Those who fail to obey it are lost (2 Thess. 1: 6-10). So how can there be a Christian in the Presbyterian Church, when they neither teach nor practice what the New Testament teaches?

 

Leroy’s ResponseMost faithful gospel preachers would probably answer somewhat along the lines presented above (and send along some lessons on the nature of the church), but Leroy Garrett does not see fit to reply in such a fashion. He “advised this sister and her husband that leaving one church and going to another does not always solve the problem.” Please understand that Mr. Garrett is equating the Lord’s church with a denominational church when he gives such advice. The woman had written about leaving “the Church of Christ.” Since there is only one true church (Eph. 1:22-23, 4:4), Garrett must know the only other “church” she could attend would be a denomination, and that appears not to bother him–even though he encourages her to stay where she is.

Why does he advise her to remain with a group that makes her feel like a “hypocrite” since she can not agree with them? “… they have a better chance of being a catalyst for change if they remain where they are.” Such is apparently the philosophy of Shelly and others–don’t leave the church; be a “catalyst for change” instead. Remain as the Trojan Horse to destroy (oh, excuse me) reform it from within. The church needs these people about like a house needs termites.

 

Notice to the Fifth ColumnTo all of those who think they can “help” the church by subtly getting it to change, consider the response of at least one conservative.

Thanks for your consideration, but we do not want or need your help. We have the Bible and find it utterly sufficient in matters of doctrine and morality. If you had something constructive to offer, we would be happy to listen, but all you seem to want to do is tear down those things it took faithful brethren generations to build.

You mock the old hermeneutics of “command,” “example,” and “implication” (which Jesus Himself used as methods of interpretation) and have replaced them with the touchy-feelies (if it feels good do it). You accuse us of causing division over the instrument when you know full well that the source of the problem involved those who introduced it and who still refuse to renounce it for the sake of unity.

You would make of the Lord’s church a denomination and do away with the Bible’s teaching about salvation (Acts 2:38). Truth is of no consequence to you whatsoever; it has been cast aside for “love,” a soft, warm, gooey feeling that overlooks practically everything instead of looking out for the best interests of others (1 Thess. 5:15), such as communicating the truth that could set people free (John 8:31-32).

Many of us intend to stand with the Scriptures rather than follow the lead of the culture we live in. Homosexuals will not convince us that the Bible is in error about them, nor will feminists cause us to be silent about 1 Timothy 2:9-14. Neither will you remove us from the Biblical doctrine of fellowship (2 John 9-11).

By aligning yourselves with the denominations you have robbed yourself of the chance to offer anything of value. Those defending the concept have been met and defeated by us for decades. And you don’t even have the courage to defend your beliefs in honorable public debate. Instead of remaining among the churches of Christ, why don’t you shed a modicum of your cowardice and join your denominational buddies? You will be happier not associating with those you hold in contempt, and we will be free of “catalysts.”

“Historical Evidences”

She was 21, single, poor, and pregnant. Too poor, in fact, to afford even a back-alley butcher in her home state of Texas, where abortion was then illegal. Too poor to travel to California, where the procedure was permitted. Supposedly pregnant from a gang rape, she filed a suit challenging the Texas abortion law, then went ahead and reluctantly had her child, who was put up for adoption.

This is the history of Norma McCorvey, the “Jane Roe” whose lawsuit led to the Supreme Court’s 1973 landmark Roe v. Wade decision legalizing abortion on demand. Now, McCorvey, an abortion-rights activist, has admitted to columnist Carl Rowen that her gang rape story was a fabrication to bolster her legal claim. Like so many other young single women in her predicament, McCorvey says, she became pregnant “through what I thought was love.”

Jesse Whitlock wrote the above two paragraphs, citing as his source U.S. News and World Report (Sept. 21, 1987, page 13). This information, as well as the chart across the page, appeared in the August 24, 1989, issue of The Edifier.

As most people are probably aware, Norma McCorvey has recently (1995) changed her views: she is now thoroughly pro-life. These historical notes are of great value since an entire generation has now grown up with abortion being legal.

Historically, people have seen a need to protect life before birth. Hippocrates, in the fifth century B.C., wrote the “oath” which doctors have used for a long time: “I swear by Apollo Physician, by Asclepius… I will use treatment to help the sick according to my ability and judgment, but never with a view to injury and wrong-doing. Neither will I administer a poison to anybody when asked to do so, nor will I suggest such a course. Similarly, I will not give a woman a pessary to cause abortion” (The Abortion Holocaust 142).

Christians, by 150 A.D., mentioned specifically this sin in The Didache : “… thou shalt not murder a child by abortion nor kill them when born…” (The Apostolic Fathers 123-24). Of course, the New Testament is our authority, but this quotation shows that brethren were consistent with the Bible.

Doctors under the rule of the Third Reich were required to destroy life, as well as conduct grotesque experiments on the living. Perhaps this fact explains the wording of the Declaration of Geneva, which was passed in 1948: “… I will not permit considerations of religion, nationality, race, party politics, or social standing to intervene between my duty and my patient; I will maintain the utmost respect for human life, from the time of conception; even under threat, I will not use my medical knowledge contrary to the laws of humanity. I make these promises solemnly, freely, and upon my honor” (Abortion: Questions and Answers 184-85).

It is time once again to restore the respect for life–from the womb–that our forefathers also found necessary to protect.

“The progress of human life”

When does human life begin? Many have disputed the point over the past twenty-three years, but Christians have no difficulty in determining a truthful and accurate answer to the question. Although several Biblical passages relate to the issue, the four verses cited last week (Luke 1:41, 44 and 2:12,16) are more than sufficient to know and understand that God views the babe a human being whether in or out of the womb. The Bible is the greatest proof and the final authority in the matter of abortion or any other moral issue. God reveals truth; the Bible is right.

But the medical evidence for the child being a human being is also compelling. Consider the following factual information derived from the book, The Rites of Life, by Landrum Shettles, M.D., and David Rorvik (pages 47-57).

1. Within the first 30 days, “the embryo has already developed a beating heart and put down the foundations of its nervous system, including brain, nerves, and spinal cord. The eyes have begun to develop, as have most of the major organs” (47). All of this has begun to occur even before a woman knows for sure that she is pregnant.

2. During the fifth week “leg and arm buds are becoming prominent” (52); “the jaw has begun to form” (53).

3. During the sixth week “bone begins forming”; “the heart becomes more complex as its chambers are completed” (53).

4. During the seventh week “the tongue takes shape, and the stomach assumes its final position. Muscles are strengthening, nerve fiber is rapidly growing” (53); “differentiation is occurring in the sex glands” (54).

5. During the eighth week “the digits of the hands and feet are now well-formed… The lungs and heart are now in an advanced state of development. Major blood vessels are in permanent place. Taste buds and olfactory apparatus, serving the sense of smell, are present” (54).

6. During the ninth week the face becomes quite “appealing, exhibiting large eyes, button nose, and expressive lips which often as not are sucking a tiny thumb. The internal organs are in place” (54). “Teeth, fingernails, toenails, and hair follicles are all forming. The fetal heartbeat can now be detected through the mother’s abdominal wall by listening through a stethoscope” (55).

7. During the tenth week “palms close into fists if something brushes across them… Bone growth is rapid.”

8. At the end of the twelfth week “the limbs are well-shaped,” and the “rib structure is visible through the skin. The digestive system is complete. Blood is beginning to be produced in the bone marrow” (55).

From this point onward nothing new is formed. The baby begins to grow rapidly and to mature. Is this fetus a human life? The baby has had brain waves that can be measured by an EEG since the sixth week (56).

More importantly, the child has been a unique individual since conception, at which time 23 male chromosomes united with 23 female chromosomes to produce a unique individual with his own distinctive DNA. Medically, as well as Biblically, the “fetus” is a human being.