To Address the Practice of In Vitro Fertilization

Ov. 5-21

To Address the Practice of In Vitro Fertilization

WHEREAS, Holy Scripture teaches that human life is a sacred gift from God, who is the Creator of all life (Gen . 1:26–28; Ps alm 139:13–16); and

WHEREAS, Scripture affirms that man is made in the image of God and that this image is bestowed upon each person at conception (Jer. 1:5; Luke 1:41–44; Gen. 9:6); and

WHEREAS, Christ sanctified and redeemed even human embryos in His incarnation and conception by the Holy Spirit and of the Virgin Mary, His shed blood upon the cross, His resurrection, and His ascension to the right hand of the Father (Luke 1:35; Matt. 1:20– 23); and

WHEREAS, The tradition of the Christian Church, in accordance with the creation order revealed in Holy Scripture, has consistently upheld the sanctity of human life and the dignity of procreation as an act that belongs within the marital union between a man and a woman (Gen. 1:27–28; Heb. 13:4; Matt. 19:4–6; also found in the early Christian document Didache 2.2 “You shall not murder a child by abortion, nor kill a child at birth”); and

WHEREAS, The practice of In v itro fertilization (IVF) involves the creation of human embryos outside the womb, often resulting in the destruction or indefinite freezing of embryos, which contradicts the biblical teaching on the sanctity of human life and proper context for procreation; and

WHEREAS, The practice of IVF undermines biblical understanding, reducing the child to a product of human will and technological manipulation rather than seeing and receiving the child as a gift from God (Gen. 30:2; Psalm 127:3); and

WHEREAS, The use of IVF introduces a separation between the procreative and unitive aspects of marriage, thereby undermining the integrity of the marital union as God intended it (Gen. 2:24; Eph.

5:31–33; LC I 206–9); and

WHEREAS, The practice of IVF often involves surrogacy, which is the rental of another woman’s womb, also undermining the integrity of the marital union as God intended it; and

WHEREAS, IVF commodifies human life, treating embryos as objects to be used, purchased, stored, or discarded rather than recognizing them as persons created in the image of God (Gen. 9:6), deserving of dignity, protection, and all the rights thereof; and

WHEREAS, IVF commonly uses gametes (sperm and eggs) taken from a third party, thus violating the one flesh union and depriving the child of his natural right to his biological mother and father; and

WHEREAS, The desire for children is good, right, and godly, but Scripture teaches that sinful means may not be used to procure a good end; therefore be it

Resolved, That the Wyoming District affirm children conceived by IVF are created in the image of God; and be it further

Resolved, That the district condemn the practice of IVF as contrary to the teachings of Scripture, the tradition of the Church, the sanctity of human life, and the one flesh union; and be it further

Resolved, That the district urge its members to uphold the biblical understanding of procreation as a sacred act within the marital union, rejecting practices that treat human life as a commodity or a product of human will; and be it further

Resolved, That the district commit to educating its members about the ethical and theological problems and spiritual dangers surrounding IVF and surrogacy, encouraging them to seek alternatives that respect the sanctity of life and the God -given dignity of all human beings; and be it further

Resolved, That pastors of the district be exhorted to provide pastoral counseling and absolution for those who have engaged in the practice of IVF; and be it finally

Resolved, That the entire pastorate of the Synod be encouraged to do the same.

Wyoming District