Recently, Scott Klusendorf was in Human Coalition’s offices for a few days of staff apologetics training, catching up, and (as usual) some good wit.
He is a pro-life apologetic Jedi. I have recommended his book, The Case for Life, more times than I can count. And in all of my reading, I haven’t found an easier to understand or easier to apply pro-life training guide.
After attending one of Scott’s training sessions, one staff member remarked that Scott had used some of my apologetics material in his lessons. I laughed and said, “You have it backward – I heard it from him first.”
Scott’s organization, Life Training Institute, has a stable of trainers who teach students how to not only defend the pro-life worldview but also think according to the pro-life worldview. In other words, how to process America’s culture of death through the lens of Scripture, ethics, philosophy, and science.
Human Coalition and Life Training Institute recently inked a partnership agreement, and I couldn’t be more thrilled. Over the years, Scott has become a good friend to Human Coalition. While we work to rescue babies and families from abortion, Life Training Institute is on the front lines of changing the hearts and minds of our kids and students. It’s already been a fruitful relationship.
If you’ve ever read my blog or books or heard me speak in public, then you are more than aware that I am deeply concerned about abortion in America as it relates to the Church. Scott has similar concerns. And so, as you might imagine, the subject came up in our conversation. The essence of our concern is the tendency for Christians to ignore or downplay abortion – the leading cause of death in America.
Have you ever heard someone say that the Church has nothing to say about abortion because it doesn’t appear in the Bible? The Bible doesn’t contain the words “identity theft,” “Internet piracy,” or “swingers” either, but it surely addresses those topics.
The Bible has a lot to say about abortion – look no further than the sixth commandment in Exodus 20. The Bible roundly and consistently condemns the killing of innocent human life and, conversely, commands us to rescue those who are the intended victims of such killing. Proverbs 24:11-12 can be no clearer, “Deliver those who are being taken away to death and those who are staggering to slaughter, Oh hold them back” (NASB).
And since Scripture makes no distinction between the value of a human life inside the womb and a human life outside of it, the command to not kill innocent human life applies to both. As does the converse command to rescue innocent human life.
Since Scripture makes no distinction between the value of a human life inside the womb and a human life outside of it, the command to not kill innocent human life applies to both. Click To TweetThis rescue effort is inherent in the Christian Church and in our faith. Our faith must act; otherwise, it’s as good as dead – as James so clearly points out in the second chapter of his epistle. And this effort – to rescue innocent human life from death – is the very heart of justice and at the very heart of the Gospel.
This effort – to rescue innocent human life from death – is the very heart of justice and at the very heart of the Gospel. Click To TweetThe challenge is helping Christians understand the moral weight of killing children in the womb compared to other “issues.”
Helping couples through marriage counseling is a necessary and godly ministry of the Church. But it’s not as morally pressing as rescuing children in the womb.
Feeding the poor is a necessary and godly ministry of the Church. And yet it’s not as morally pressing as rescuing children in the womb.
Preparing a respectful and appropriate Sunday worship service is a necessary and godly ministry of the Church. However, it’s not as morally pressing as rescuing children in the womb.
Biblical justice oftentimes looks odd or even contrary to what we think of as justice today. It requires us to act very differently than how our culture expects us to act. Biblical justice requires us to love the vulnerable, the frail, the downtrodden, the rejected, the despised. It requires us to love and rescue the smallest, voiceless members of our human community – humans who’ve been stripped of their legal right to live so that we can live our lives as we so choose.
Many people would rush into a burning building to rescue people in danger of losing their lives. Most of us would sprint onto a playground to rescue elementary school kids from imminent danger. Life in the womb has the same value as those lives – what are we willing to do to rescue them?
Jesus came for “the least of these.” And there is no better example of “the least of these” than human beings in the womb, victims of mass genocide. Let’s follow His example by helping “deliver those who are being taken away to death.”
I appreciate the artical because it is so true that the church does so little to stand against abortion. What can we do to spur on one another to love and stand for our un-born neighbors? I appreciate the human coalition as well but I don’t think giving money is… Read more »
Very good thank you and so true thank you fur your hard work and words. I do agree Numbers 6:24-26 Love in Christ , Lauren Alexander
As a retired member of a large medical office, it was painful to see young women use abortion as “birth control” over and over again. Then, at a future date, they marry and choose to create a family, and often….it just doesn’t happen. I cannot get over the bizarre theory… Read more »
“The Bible has a lot to say about abortion”
That’s true. In Numbers 5, it documents the Ordeal of Bitter Waters. The Bible is A-OK with abortion, especially if it can help a man whose lady has been unfaithful.
“That you have done it unto the least of these, you have done it unto me”. – Jesus Far to many politicians from both major parties who “claim” to be Christians and “claim” to be prolife, and yet somehow rationalize that they must not only not condemn, but support people… Read more »
The real conundrum to me is how so many people who call themselves “Christians” continue to attend church, vote for, elect and/or support politicians who not only denigrate Christianity and people of faith but also lobby for and support abortion!! I will never understand how people who are so outraged… Read more »
Add to this what God told Noah when He put the first rainbow in the sky: “I will not send another worldwide flood, but I will require your lifeblood ” Note: the unborn is alive and has blood It may not even be the same type as the mother’s. Lookout… Read more »
One way to get the Church involved is do what we did when I was a volunteer peer counselor in Michigan: Some of us would have “baby showers” in our congregation. There would be a box for people to drop off baby items, and it gave us the opportunity to… Read more »
Brian, I support your organization wholeheartedly and believe only the true Church, the Bride of Christ can end the murder of children – tomorrow if truly unified. Unfortunately, we have become cowards and the western Church has become lukewarm, opting to be “lovers of the world” (1 John 2:15) and… Read more »
Rex – yes and amen. We have worked on and off with sidewalk counselors over the years, and I think they are a necessary part of our cooperative rescue mission.
Here’s An Addition To My Comment Earlier That Covers An Unborn Child…. Please Read Exodus Chapter 21 Verses 22-25.
GOD Demands That HIS People Speak Out Against The Slaughter Of Innocent Children…. Please Read Leviticus Chapter 20 Verses 1-5. GOD Calls Those Innocent Children HIS Children…. Please Read Ezekiel Chapter 16 Verses 20-24. GOD Will Judge A Nation And HIS People That Don’t Defend The Innocent Children… Please Read… Read more »
Hi, The Catholic church has declared bankruptcy on the abortion issue. on the sin issue and on the adultery issue. No more is abortion spoken of as an intrinsic evil from the pulpit. No more is sin spoken of from the pulpit. No more is adultery spoken of as a… Read more »
It is true, there are some in the Catholic Church that do not speak out against the evils of today, and yet most do. Read the writings and hear the words from the Vatican and our USCCB. Their messages are clear and consistent on abortion and other evils. Remember the… Read more »
Why do you keep deleting my comments in defense of the Catholic Church? Twice I have posted civil replies defending the Church against two different comments below that made false claims about the Church. A reply via email is fine. I would like to know what you find objectionable in… Read more »
David – I’ve not deleted them. I manually approve all comments (due to the fact some are not fit to print) and I don’t always get to them in short order. Sorry about that – I’ll keep trying to be timely.
Please excuse my lack of understanding how it works and my lack of patience. God bless,
Consider the wisdom of Solomon when the baby and two mothers claim him or her as their own. Wisely, Solomon threatened to “cut” the baby to the true mother would be discovered. Although this Biblical story deals with a born child, it applies well to abortion. No true mother would… Read more »
How can I get the training to stop abortion
Mary – Human Coalition will be releasing an online apologetics course shortly so keep watching your email. In the meantime, I strongly recommend Scott Klusendorf’s book The Case For Life. It’s a fantastic primer on how to get started defending and promoting the pro-life apologetic.
We as Christians all need to join the push to abolish human abortion by ignoring Roe v. Wade. We need to elect legislators who have the conviction to NOT obey an unconstitutional court decision. I urge everyone who is tired of fruitless posturing in the name of being pro-life, to… Read more »
Where would the world be if the unmarried, pregnant Mary, mother of Jesus, decided to abort her child?
GREAT thought
Beings in the womb are not “the least of these” humans. Not a good comparison.
Why not?
The definition of the word “least” in the Webster dictionary is, ” Smallest; little beyond others, either in size or degree; as the least insect; the least mercy.” So, “the least of these” can very well mean,” the smallest of these”. The smallest human beings that I know of are… Read more »
Very well said Pamela
Could you further opine on this comment? I am having a bit of trouble understanding it.
Thanks
Rev J
Often Progressives win their cause by redefining words. They try to put a wedge between those inside and outside the womb. Let’s use something like “innocent, developing human”, that would include those 1 week from conception, and 100 years from conception.
Some pastors fear that talking abt killing unborn children will negatively affect their collection.May God enlighten them.When discussing abort,it’s impt to mention God’s mercy.I liked the phrase that “the pursuit of justice is a manifestation of our faith”.
I am pro life. That being said my question is always what do we do with the unwanted babies and children of which there are many.? Just last Sunday there was a pictorial display of several hundred children who have been removed by Child Protective Services who are in foster… Read more »
Amen Carol
This question has been posed many times by those that look for a reason to not support the pro-life movement. Would it be better that we kill these unwanted children? Then, in their ignorance, they blame the churches for not doing anything. The Catholic Church is the largest adoption and… Read more »
The question of unwanted children is an excuse often used by those that don’t want to support the pro-life movement. Are you saying it is better that we kill them. I am often surprised that people don’t know that the Catholic Church is the largest adoption and foster care agency… Read more »
What we need to do is tax heavily all those who support or benefit from murdering unborn children I support putting the responsibilities on those who have caused this horrendous situation!!
Herod killed the Holy Innocents. Our culture wants to play God and decide who lives and who dies, unless it’s an endangered species or someone on death row. Child in the womb are prisioners too awaiting the judgment of their mother or father on whether they should live. The supports… Read more »
Thank you for your dedication and commitment to the unborn and for Life. In 1988, God had given me Proverbs 24:11 and started a Pro-life group when the Canadian government struck down any protection for the unborn as being unconstitutional. May God continue to bless you and anoint you as… Read more »
It seems to me that so many of the people who are for gun control are also pro-abortion. The NRA is the left’s equivalent to Planned Parenthood. So many of our “Catholic” pro-abortion politicians say they are against abortion but can’t force their moral values on others. Someone on the… Read more »
Excellent blog. Thank you! Yes, I believe all Christian churches should continue to spread the message of valuing life. They can never stop. Sadly, it often falls on deaf ears because people are so concerned about losing their rights to abortion that they are not willing to look at any… Read more »
The Church (all denominations) should be the leading voice to end abortion. Sadly it’s not & it is a reflection of the growing apostasy in the Church… part of the great “Falling AwaY” prior to the Last Day/Judgement Day. The USA will never heal or rid itself of corruption without… Read more »
Have you noticed how it is the denominations with women pastors that are tolerant of the sexual sins of fornication, abortion and homosexuality? These denominations slide towards Unitarian-Universalism, with the views of John Shelby Spong. This raises the question of why the New Testament teaches that being a pastor is… Read more »
Well said my God fearing friend.
Thank you for what you do.
The Church should start at the foundation of communication now that the Evil of Political Correctness and outright Deceit has become a tool of the wicked to confuse the meaning and definition of language to falsely represent bad things as good and define good Faith as bad! As is happening… Read more »
The Catholic Church is a contributor to the death of infants! The church does not recognize the fertilized embryo! There should be a Conception Blessing! If a women has a miscarriage that soul is Blessed! There should be a pregnancy blessing! If a woman has a still birth, that soul… Read more »
You are mistaken about the Catholic Church. The Church is totally committed to, and voices that life begins at conception. To say they are not because there is not a sacrament to celebrate, is simply not understanding.
You are mistaken about the Catholic Church; they are completely committed to, and voiced, that life begins at conception. The sacraments of the Church were those created by God. There are many events that do not have a sacrament, but that does not mean it is not holy in the… Read more »
No my friend you thought is wrong on that the Catholic church is a contributor. It is the men that are supposed to be the good shepherds who are going this. The church founded by Christ is not in error. But as it is God has given men and women… Read more »
Sunny, you’re a little off track with this comment. The Catholic Church does recognise human life from the moment of conception. It’s true that many within the Church violate its teaching by using contraception, and even by aborting, but the teaching on the sanctity of life remains, nevertheless. I really… Read more »
Great writing I teach a Confirmation class and I will use it.
Awesome, thanks Charlie.
I feel the Church spends too much time on trying to change the laws to make abortion illegal instead of reaching out to those considering abortion and offering them the help and the hope they need not go through with it. At least this has been my experience. Holding signs… Read more »
Unfortunately, the US Supreme Court does not allow husbands the right to veto the abortion of their children even though they fathered these fetuses within wedlock. How can this be in conformance with the equal protection clause of the 14th Amendment? Also, if an abortion is none of the husband’s… Read more »
There are many church organizations that encourage and council women to keep their baby and help them post term so your misinformed if you don’t believe the church taking an active role in that regard.. When you speak of the church you are criticizing yourself because we as believers are… Read more »
Christ made it very clear in his discussions with his followers that if you cannot resist messing with his little ones, it would be better for you to end it all and do away with your physical self. Otherwise, when you face Christ and have to account for it, something… Read more »
Murder is what abortion is truely. A heartbeat exsists before a woman even knows shes preganant. The “fetal tissues” quickly form into a person, growing and moving and kicking, being fed from inside mommy. Moms own body is changing to help this person to grow, and for when this little… Read more »
Thank you for supporting and literally, taking back the moral high ground that the Christian faith stands for. To many of our religious leaders seem incapable of speaking up about the horrors of abortion, let alone trying to intervene in any meaningful way. It is up to the laity to… Read more »
As Jesus said, “You will know them by their ‘fruits’ it doesn’t really matter that the word ‘abortion’ doesn’t appear in the Bible. The fact that the ‘fruit’ of an ‘abortion’ is a DEAD HUMAN BODY shows that it violates GOD’s commandment DO NOT KILL. I did notice one apparent… Read more »
David – thanks for the comments. I would only suggest that God puts governments in place to promote good and punish evil. While we most certainly need to be forgiving people, we also must promote laws that bring about justice.
Well said.
Abortion is wrong! Someone will adopt these precious babies and love them
The churches (therefore the people of God) and especially the leaders of churches (turning a blind eye) are very culpable in this great sin across our land. We have let it go on far to long, without raising much of any protest! Time for the Church of Jesus Christ to… Read more »
THE BIBLE IS FOR LIFE . MURDER IS MURDER NO MATTER AT WHAT AGE THE KILLED ONE IS . PEOPLE ARE PEOPLE EVEN BEFORE BIRTH. CAN’T SEE THE INFO AT THOSE LINES !
Your statement – “The challenge is helping Christians understand the moral weight of killing children in the womb compared to other ‘issues.'” – is essentially what motivated me to come up with three large signs that I use during peaceful, prayerful vigils in front of the local Planned Parenthood facility… Read more »
Wow, very powerful Chris. What sort of response are you getting to your signs?
Dear Brian, you are right 100% Abortion is the silent Holocaust of our time… Yet if you don’t know God correctly through His Son Jesus Christ given to us by the Holy Spirit we are always going to struggle… THEREFORE GOD NEVER LEAVES US ALONE !!! He has given us… Read more »
I think the church in general does not wholeheartedly believe that children are a gift, blessing and a reward from God, according to the scriptures. For almost every reason a couple or person says they must have an abortion, the christians will desire not to have children for the same… Read more »
This kind of training is appealing. If you offer a course please let me know. Last election in Texas was revealing. A proposition on the ballot to End ABORTION in Texas only drew 68% yes votes while secrecy to vote for the House Speaker was at 85%. Republican values are… Read more »
Deborah – we actually are finishing up a Pro-life training course- keep watching your email for its release.
Kita Baldwin has it exactly right IMNSHO
I was in an elevator years ago when I worked in the University of Virginia Medical Center as an R.N. when the local abortionist boarded the elevator. I had been on television numerous times as a pro-life activist. He looked at me and said, “The Bible doesn’t say anything about… Read more »
And – “Do unto others…”
Awesome Kathleen. He was convicted on an elevator, moving forward would be pure evil.
Thank you for your love for God and those made in His image. I see abortion as a humanist form of child sacrifice. It is a contemporary form of hedonism in a culture that professional religionists have abandoned. I pray for God’s blessings on your labor of love.
Michael-jay
The Catholic Church ever faithful for 2000 years in its teaching to Jesus Christ and His Gospel upholds all human life as sacred and to be respected from conception to natural death. While sadly not every single Catholic individual subscribes to this consistent life ethic, in season and out it… Read more »
The only path to ending abortion is to take a case before the US Supreme Court (and winning it) that will reverse Roe v. Wade ruling. It is wrong, that our Country, under God, (no matter what your religion) has made it legal, and a law in our land, to… Read more »
Jean – I think overturning Roe v Wade is an excellent and worthy goal. However, that would simply give abortion rights back to the states, and there are numerous states which would still legalize abortion. I think it would very much help our cause, though I also think we need… Read more »
Hi Brian. First, let me say I am pro-choice but I support your mission. However, I think your separation of abortion from an all-encompassing pro life position kinda of defeats your attempt to change the culture. Your organization fights abortion by addressing the issues most people cite as their reason… Read more »
Hey there Whitney, thanks for the comments. You raise some good points, and I’ll address them in short here. 1. Human Coalition actually does address the holistic need. The pro-life clinics we own have a Continuum of Care program. We employ social workers who work with women and build customized… Read more »
It’s a great letter. Thank you. Since this was on my email I put it to myself to answer back because I took the time to read this letter. Hard preaching from the pulpit is where the change starts. So many of the pastors in America don’t touch on this… Read more »
I’ve never understood how abortion can be considered to be a “women health” issue, when 50% of the babies who are aborted are women. How about their right to express themselves? It seems so sad to me for babies to be aborted so their their father and mother can “move… Read more »
How do we help in our local areas in addition to donating money for this extremely important cause? How do we do more?
This is only my opinion, Karyn, but I do think that education is crucial – and that education should start in our churches. Most people just don’t know about the horror of abortion and the 60 million dead Americans at the hands of abortion doctors and pills. Starting a small… Read more »