How
should the worldwide Christian community think about the human embryonicstem
cell controversy? We recommend thoughtful Christians abide by three rules.
First, trust the truth. To
acknowledge Jesus Christ as the “way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6) is
to acknowledge that our faith is rooted in truth, that no genuine truth can
take us away from God. Theological truth should work in concert with scientific
truth. As we understand the science of human development better, our
theological views must encompass that truth.
Second, steward our
talents (Matthew 25:14-30). In our own era, we count as talents the fact
that our society is poised on the brink of breakthroughs in science and
medicine that could dramatically enhance human health and wellbeing. Christian
input to public policy is a matter of stewardship. It is important for all
Christian voices to be heard, including and especially those from the
“beneficence” perspective that have been overridden by the “embryo protection”
voices.
Third, strive for
human betterment. The biblical commandment to love God and neighbor
(Matthew -40) applies to us
both directly and indirectly. Indirectly, thoughtful Christians support thrusts
in the wider society toward increased levels of justice, peace, caring, and
human flourishing. Directly, we believe that Christians can, with good
conscience, support scientists engaged in stem cell research.
This means we should pause, open
our ears, and through the din of the shrill public debate listen carefully for
coherent moral positions to be set forth. Thoughtful Christians should examine
the three moral framework: the embryo protection framework, the naturalist or
anti-playing God framework, and the medical benefits framework. Are they
internally coherent? Are they supported by truth? By theology? Can common
ground be found among them? We recommend weighing judiciously what is being
said in every argument; then make a commitment, and then leap into the public
fray. Such a commitment will be the result of careful judgment, not an
unequivocally clear demand by God. The purpose of the field of ethics is to
help people by providing a way through an otherwise messy situation. Thoughtful
Christians have an opportunity and a responsibility to offer carefully
considered judgments and suggested paths for the wider society to follow.
