“Fearfully and Wonderfully Made”

A primer on the Newborn Screening Act of 2004

Dr. Paul Brand, world-renowned surgeon specializing in the treatment of leprosy, in collaboration with popular author Philip Yancey, has written two best-selling books, namely “In His Image” and “Fearfully and Wonderfully Made.” Both of these books have been reprinted by Christian Literature Crusade and are thus available at affordable prices in Christian bookstores (OMF Lit, PCBS, Back to the Bible, etc) and at National Bookstore branches.

(I have read both of these books and have found them to be full of interesting tidbits of information. I can’t recall the exact passage but in one portion, Brand and Yancey discuss why a world-class female sprinter, because of her physical make-up, cannot outrun a world-class male sprinter. In another portion, Brand and Yancey say that high heeled, sharply pointed shoes aren’t right for women because they go against the way the human foot is designed. Hey, what can I say? My mind gets caught up in trivia like these!)

The title of Brand and Yancey’s book “Fearfully and Wonderfully Made” is taken from Psalms chapter 139, King James Version, specifically verse 14. Below is the complete text of Psalms 139.

Psalms 1391. O Lord, thou hast searched me, and known me.
2. Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off.
3. Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways.
4. For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O Lord, thou knowest it altogether.
5. Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid thine hand upon me.
6. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it.
7. Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence?
8. If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there.
9. If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea;
10. Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me.
11. If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me; even the night shall be light about me.
12. Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee; but the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the light are both alike to thee.
13. For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother's womb.
14. I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.
15. My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.
16. Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them.
17. How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them!
18. If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand: when I awake, I am still with thee.
19. Surely thou wilt slay the wicked, O God: depart from me therefore, ye bloody men.
20. For they speak against thee wickedly, and thine enemies take thy name in vain.
21. Do not I hate them, O Lord, that hate thee? and am not I grieved with those that rise up against thee?
22. I hate them with perfect hatred: I count them mine enemies.
23. Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts:
24. And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

I think it was Rabindranath Tagore, Indian poet, who said decades ago that “Every child comes with the hope that God is not yet through with mankind.” Since Tagore said these words however, abortion has been the scourge of millions of the unborn. It is estimated that there are 50 million abortions every year worldwide. (Probe Ministries has a very interesting article on the long term effects of post-abortion trauma).

Psalms 139 poetically but forcefully reminds us that even that tiny, pin-prick fertilized egg inside a woman’s body has infinite value in the eyes of its Creator.

A very positive, recent development in our laws is the promulgation into law of Republic Act 9288 or the Newborn Screening Act of 2004. You can find the complete text of RA 9288 in my website www.familymatters.org.ph. Please surf over to my Legal Updates blog for a primer on RA 9288.