CAPA Corner

    Beginning in 1984, Americans have noted the third Sunday of January as a day to recognize and honor the sanctity of human life. Perhaps no better guide to such recognition and celebration can be found than the words in Psalm 8 where first is given a proper view of God as majestic, glorious, powerful but near to His people (8:1-2). It’s a valid conclusion to make from this Psalm that seeing human life as sacred begins with a proper view of God Himself.
    The words of Psalm 8:3-8 then expound on the proper honor that is due human life. First, humanity is created by God Himself just a little lower than “heavenly beings.” Second, God has crowned humanity with glory and honor. Third, He conferred on humanity dominion over all else that God created. And, next, God counts humanity as supreme among everything else He created.
    This is a solid basis for respecting and holding as sacred all human life – from conception, into the cradle, and even to the coffin. All human life is to be respected and held as sacred regardless of ability or disability, race or ethnicity, wealth or poverty, language or locale.
    Perhaps the way forward to respect all human life is not to look at how humanity is like the animals but how we all are created in the image of a majestic, glorious, powerful God who has acted in history with the life and death of His Son Jesus Christ so we can be near Him again.
Jeff Stanfill
Covenant Church