Pro-life student organization Life139 hosted a forum on human dignity and the imago Dei (image of God) in Harvey Hall on Monday, Sept. 27 at 7 p.m.
Justin D. Barnard, professor of philosophy and honors at Union University, outlined an approach to human dignity in both a philosophical light and a biblical one in his lecture entitled “Human Dignity as Vocation.”
“To say that human beings are made in the image of God is to speak of that for which they have been destined,” Barnard said, referencing his motif of the imago Dei. “To kill another human being, even one whose life will certainly be cut short by the tragedy of disease is an act of despair. It is a failure to believe that God has spoken from beyond the horizon of our experience. Murder says to God, ‘I do not believe the story you are writing about human life is true.'”
The forum drew a full audience to Harvey Hall. By the time Barnard began speaking, every seat was taken by both Life139 members and unaffiliated attendees. Remaining attendees sat on the floor along the sides of the room.
“It’s wonderful to see so many people out tonight,” Barnard said. “I really am greatly and deeply humbled by this invitation to speak tonight.”
Life139 regularly invites speakers like Barnard to lecture, inform and discuss their views and experiences. Additionally, the club regularly serves at Birth Choice in Jackson, Tenn. and sidewalk counsels outside Planned Parenthood in Nashville. On campus, they are known for their chalk art on the sidewalks around Union.
Life139 is a campus organization named after Psalm 139:13-16. The club’s mission is to defend the sanctity of human life from a Christian perspective.
“I know whenever I come, I’m building God’s kingdom in a positive way,” Jaime Christley, president of Life139, said. “I’m not just doing something I enjoy, I’m not just hanging out with friends—which definitely does happen because I am friends with people in the club—but I’m doing something that can, in turn, impact another’s life—even save a life.”
Life139 will observe the Day of Silent Solidarity on Tuesday, Oct. 19 to mourn those lost to abortion, and they encourage others to observe as well. The club meets on Monday nights at 7 p.m. in Bowld 221.
