Written to Pastors, Christian healthcare workers, and Christians sitting in our churches, On the Sanctity of Human Life is a straightforward book detailing a biblical perspective of the sanctity of human life; but more than that, it delves into how we as Christians need to view life when we are faced with decisions such as having a family, dealing with sickness and death, and maintaining a proper perspective of the uniqueness and value of every human life from the moment of conception. This book is written with the purpose of informing ministry and laity alike of some of the complex issues that face and will face every family in every one of our congregations. It also seeks to alert believers who work in the medical community to the humanistic influences behind some of the changes being implemented in medical institutions across America. Additionally, pastors have a duty to be informed and aware of what is happening in the world around us. We must become aware of a worldview that is prevalent and growing in modern medicine, academia, government and public media that is quite contrary to Scripture. This prevalent worldview, by reason of its pervasiveness in many parts of our society, will invariably affect our thinking unless it is countered with sound, biblical teaching that inculcates a biblical worldview as it relates to these issues. Some areas of the United States generally have a more Judeo-Christian mindset than other areas of the country, and the secular worldview described in this book is not as prevalent in those areas-even though that secular worldview is making serious inroads even in those areas. Much of the country, however, is profoundly influenced by a culture that devalues human life, and this has infiltrated the healthcare industry. Pastors should read these pages with interest and use this book as a stepping stone to become vitally informed about the issues that face every family. In doing so, it will better equip them to wisely counsel families and individuals in their congregations-and teach them these principles before their times of need. Every Christian needs to understand these principles and how they apply to life and end-of-life situations so they will not have to try to digest it all during a time of crisis.
About the Author: Peter Connell is founding pastor of Cornerstone Pentecostal Church in Oakley, California and Dean of Undergraduate Studies at the Institute of Conservative Apostolic Theology in San Antonio, Texas. He holds a master's degree in Apostolic theology and has written several scholarly papers, a variety of pamphlets, articles for national periodicals, and is the author of Letters to Pastors & Other Saints: Thoughts and Expositions on the First Three Chapters of Revelation; Yirat Shamayim: A Call for a Revival of the Doctrine of the Fear of the LORD and, Go, Stand and Speak! Thoughts on Soul-Winning and Evangelism. He and his family reside in Northern California where he pastors.