Life?

[BigToe]

Ok, I have no idea where to post this, so if this is not the correct place, please move it accordingly. Thanks

So my question is, according to the Bible, when does life begin? I've heard some say that in the times of the Bible, conception as it is known now wasn't thought of then. BUt then, I have read the word in the Bible, so I am getting confused. Does it all depend on the translation? Or is the meaning the same no matter the words being used?

This has nothing to do with an abortioin debate, as I understand it may look like. I am really just confused as to when, according to God, our lives start. Or, since He knew us before birth, have our lives some sort of unknown beginning?

 

[Blindfaith]

Well, scripture tells us that God "knew us before we were formed in our mothers wombs" (paraphrasing), so that says to me that my life started if not at conception, before that if you will. He knew us before the foundation of the earth was set. That is pretty amazing to me.

And I'll just bet that wasn't what you were looking for, was it?!

 

[BigToe]

haha no, i was just wondering what people thought. i was reading through the psalms and it said something about knowing us before we were conceived. and i was wondering if that was mentioned because of the translation and i was misinterpreting it or what

 

[JillLars]

I'm not sure if you can pinpoint an exact moment when life begins. God knowing us before we were conceived doesn't neccesarily mean that life begins at conception. I'm not sure of the exact numbers, but many fertalized eggs never make it past that, they never implant in the uterus. I think that God creates us and knows what we will do, I think that if we are meant to exist and live, then we will do so. His will will be done. If that makes any sense.

 

[BigToe]

so then when does life start? or is life some trivial term that we get choked up on?

 

[Blindfaith]

I think that sometimes it does, Blanton. We, in our humanness, attempt to put a "date" on when life actually begins. I just don't choose to do that.

I truly believe that God is in control over everything, and that means conception as well. God has never created an accident. Just my two cents.

JillLars, you bring up some good points

 

[BigToe]

did we exist in any way before conception? like as "Gods thought" or something?

i am just in a weird mood and curious as to what life even means hehe. no, this wont change my belief in Jesus or anything, don't worry about that. just weird questions i get from time to time.

 

[nyj]

Jeremiah 1:5 - Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations.

 

[Bastoune]

Also Psalm 139:13-16 --


For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother's womb.
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.
My frame was not hidden from you
when I was made in the secret place.
When I was woven together in the depths of the earth,
your eyes saw my unformed body.
All the days ordained for me
were written in your book
before one of them came to be.

Now, we see in Ephesians 1:4: "For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight."

So He's had us on His mind for some time!

 

[Caedmon]

How about fertilized eggs that do not implant or spontaneously miscarry shortly after implantation? Are they counted among the "us" that God knew before the foundations of the Earth were laid, and that were appointed to be prophets? I'm just curious as to how others understand this.

 

[BigToe]

good question... i am sure that God knew them before fertilization too, i mean how could he not?

 

[Caedmon]

Yep... me personally, I think they have souls too. I believe that when the creative act occurs, a new being comes into existence, and God places a new soul there. Now why He allows that stuff to happen... Well, God lets a lot of bad stuff happen that I don't understand, so I'll just wait till I get to Heaven to ask Him face-to-face.

 

[Icystwolf]

Ummm.....arn't we forgetting God knows everything, including the future as well, and his soverign hands is control since the beginning and forever?

So I like what blindfaith has said, life began before creation, it was waiting to happen, and it's all scripted by God.
Jesus, God's word, existed before us...

So for arguments such as these, I usually stay away from them. Cause I've seen catholics vs protestants, going abouts cut->edit->paste techniques to form their argument.

But an argument once in a while is good...I think!

 

[BigToe]

oh i wasnt trying to start an argument. i just wanted to know what the thoughts were out there. some random question that popped in my head the other night.

 

[Yitzchak]

How about this scripture passage to further reveal how much more there may be to this issue?
Hebrews 7: 9,10 " And as I may so say, Levi also, who receiveth tithes, payed tithes in Abraham. For he was yet in the loins of his father, when Melchisedec met him."
Now Abraham had Isaac who had Jacob who had Levi. How does this passage relate to your question?
Maybe a person has to define which life they are refering to. Meaning as the scripture teaches there is this present life in the flesh and then after death is a second death for some and life eternal for others.
I would suppose that our souls (or spirits?) may have been created long before we actually were conceived and indwelt a fetus in our mother's womb.