Right now, one of those necessary restatements is the truth about humanity: Every human being is an image bearer of God. No exceptions.
The foundational declaration about the creation of man and woman in the Word of God says so: "So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them" (Genesis 1:27).
Our church's Confession of Faith affirms so: "Each human being, as an image bearer of God, is worthy of respect and protection at every stage and condition from conception until natural death."
The church of Jesus Christ should lead the way in proclaiming this vital truth about all human beings. It is not just a declaration to be offered by political conservatives who oppose abortion. It is not just a declaration to be offered by political progressives who oppose discrimination against minorities.
We -- as the true church -- should boldly assert this reality no matter the context. Within the church, our policy positions on a variety of issues may differ, but our defense of the dignity of every human being should not waver.
Lately in the news, the victims of unbiblical views of humanity -- considered by their victimizers lives not worth respecting or protecting -- have included Hispanics, sex-trafficked girls, and babies unborn and newly born. And there are many more in our world.
Against these wicked, ungodly ideologies and acts the church must proclaim again: Every human being is an image bearer of God. No exceptions.
-- Photo by Nathan Anderson on Unsplash
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