Hello.  I've prayed to God on this subject many times, but I do not seem to get a clear answer either way.  I'm hoping you can help.  What do you think is God's view on embryo adoption?  Many infertile couples undergo IVF treatments, and as a result, many surplus embryos are left over.  These are either frozen indefinitely, destroyed, or used for scientific research.

We are unable to have children of our own and would dearly love to adopt one of these embryos which would otherwise never be given the chance of life.

Do you think it is morally wrong to bring a child into the world this way?

Surely it's better for them to have a life and be loved and cherished rather than just destroyed.  Okay, we may not be the biological parents, but we would love them with the same intensity.  I know it's an unusual question, but I'd appreciate any guidance on this matter.

Sincerely,
Maternal Instinct

Dear Maternal Instinct,

What a wonderful heart for children that you and your husband have!  Very few people realize that there are tens of thousands of fertilized embryos that exist in America and are being stored because of in-vitro fertilization procedures.  This poses a huge ethical dilemma.  Since the Bible never tells us when a human life begins, it is impossible to simply treat fertilized embryos as waste.  As far as we know, life begins at conception (this is the same argument used against abortion – read “A Voice For The Voiceless” for further details), and that would include these embryos.  So what is to be done?  Embryo adoption is becoming an increasingly popular option for couples that are seeking to have children and also feel morally compelled to save these children.  Adoption is a wonderful option.

The Bible is very pro-adoption.  In fact, the greatest adoption story in history is the church.  Jesus died, so God could adopt us as His children (Eph 1:4-5, Rom 8:15).  What a wonderful legacy of love that you can provide your children with.  Your children will always know that they were loved from the earliest stages of life and that their parents chose life.

Are Jesus and God the same person?

Sincerely,
Recalculating

Dear Recalculating,

There are three members of the Godhead: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit (Matt 28:19).  Each of the three is fully God and have all the powers of Deity.  Read "The Father, The Son, & The Holy Spirit" for details on their relationship one to the other.  Jesus is definitely one of the Godhead.  Jhn 1:1 and Php 2:5-9 make it clear that Jesus is Deity.

If God is so powerful and mighty, can't He just destroy the devil and evil?  Why doesn't He just be, like, “BAM!”… and the devil and the evil in the world be gone?

Sincerely,
Ka-Pow

Dear Ka-Pow,

God does have the power to destroy the devil and all evil, and eventually, that is exactly what He will do (Matt 25:41).  God tells us that the reason He hasn’t destroyed all evil is because that would involve destroying all sinful people as well.  After all, sin is what causes evil.  God, in His abundant patience, is waiting to give as many people as possible the chance to repent and turn to Him, so they can be forgiven (2 Pet 3:5-9).  God promises that one day He will destroy all evil; the really question is: whose side will we be on in that day?

My twelve-year-old has always been able to discuss religion and pray with me; recently, as I taught her more, she has turned against me and says based on what she sees, there is no life, and to spend eternity in hell is better than wasting time believing in a god that doesn’t exist.  My husband also doesn’t believe, so I am alone in my home.  I do not go to church; I pray and have faith on my own, turn to the Bible and others for help and guidance, and believe the Lord will send me where He wants me to be, but I can’t push religion.  I can just plant a seed.  So what should I do?

Sincerely,
All By Myself

Dear All By Myself,

You are in a very difficult situation, but take comfort; the Lord gives very specific instructions for how a wife should behave to impact her unbelieving family.  1 Pet 3:1-2 says that the most effective influence a wife can have is her behavior.  It isn’t the words that you say that will have the most impact; it is the godly life you live.  When your choices show that you put God first and that your fear and respect of the Lord is the guiding light of your life, it will begin to influence your family members.

This means that you have to focus on your own spiritual life.  You need to start attending services.  It is wrong to forsake assembling with God’s people (Heb 10:24-25).  We would be happy to help you find a faithful congregation in your area that can support you.  Feel free to e-mail us at askyourpreacher@mvchurchofchrist.org.  As they see that you are serious about your own spiritual life, it will begin to affect your family.  Your example will plant that seed you are hoping for.

What are feelings, where do they come from, and what is their purpose?

Sincerely,
Full Of Emotion

Dear Full Of Emotion,

Feelings are a gift from God, and they are part of what makes us made in His image (Gen 1:27).  God has emotions, just like humans do… or rather, humans have emotions, just like God does.  God gets angry (2 Sam 6:7).  God can be jealous (Ex 34:14).  God has times of sadness and grief (Gen 6:6).  God can also have great joy (Lk 15:10).  Our emotions are just like God’s – except we have sin in our lives and immaturity in our hearts.  When God angers, He never acts inappropriately… but we do.  Humans don’t always show proper control of our feelings, and instead, we let them control us.  Feelings can be a wonderful blessing (life would be bland without them), but they are only a blessing if we guard our hearts with the truth (Pr 4:23).