by Pastor Michael Salemink
We rejoice to receive every life as a gift and a privilege. This includes those confused about the sanctity of life. Their ideas and positions contradict the Word of the Lord and His will. To be sure, “We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:5). However, “we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against…spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places” (Ephesians 6:12). So no matter how offensive we find a neighbor, we do not regard her or him as enemy, adversary, or opponent. God has created, redeemed, and called each one as His own precious treasure, the same as us. We want to rejoice with them as brothers and sisters unto eternity in all the blessings our Savior Jesus has obtained for us.
We do not need to prove them wrong or shut them up. The Eighth Commandment (“You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor”) invites us to presume the best of them. It means we expect they do not know about the sanctity of every human life rather than that they do not care. If they come across defensive or aggressive, we interpret it as woundedness and not cruelty. We remain humbly aware of our own sinfulness and limitations. Our witness to them proceeds “with gentleness and respect,” offering “an explanation of the reason for the hope that is in you” (2 Peter 3:15). Our For-Life conversations and interactions avoid snark and sarcasm. Why beat into submission when we may winsomely persuade? We patiently cultivate relationship with dialogue rather than dispute, and we honor the sacred space they’ve shared with us through genuine questions and considerate listening.
Jesus ministered God’s grace by meeting people on their own terrain. He incarnated Himself in our flesh and our world and our concerns and our words. He explored the familiar Law and Prophets, and His parables applied to everyday experience. St. Paul the Apostle copied this posture in engaging the idolatrous Athenians (Acts 17:22-23). So as Gospel-motivated voices, we recognize that even disagreements offer a common ground and a way forward. The Lord Himself only ever says “No” because He says “Yes!” to something better (2 Corinthians 1:19-20). A few examples will undoubtedly inspire your creativity:
Objection: “The Bible doesn’t address abortion or physician-assisted suicide.”
Common Ground: “I totally agree with you that misinterpreting the Scriptures brings great harm.”
Way Forward: “What do you believe the Bible does say about the worth of a person? May we investigate together?”
Objection: “Embryos only amount to something subhuman like tissue, tumors, or parasites.”
Common Ground: “You’ve insightfully identified the most important matter about abortion—whether we classify the embryo as a living human being.”
Way Forward: “Perhaps scientific observations can give us some objective information about this.”
Objection: “Abortion poses less threat to a woman’s life than childbirth.”
Common Ground: “Thank you for your sincere concern about women’s welfare in our community.”
Way Forward: “Can we look together into the studies and statistics about the risks to women?”
Objection: “My body, my choice.”
Common Ground: “I share your support for respecting the human body as precious.”
Way Forward: “Can we consider the ways in which abortion might hurt human bodies and minds?”
Objection: “Abortions ensure equality, protect from poverty, and combat abandonment and abuse.”
Common Ground: “And we absolutely must work toward safe and fair communities for everyone.”
Way Forward: “Are we perhaps capable of better remedies for these problems?”
Objection: “Sexual assault survivors shouldn’t have to carry the rapist’s baby.”
Common Ground: “We definitely have to discourage and discipline sexual assault vigorously.”
Way Forward: “What do the survivors say they need for healing? How can we best allocate resources to serve them?”
Objection: “Better an abortion or assisted suicide than lifelong disability or relentless suffering.”
Common Ground: “You’re right that chronic disabilities and terminal diagnoses often come with great difficulties.”
Way Forward: “Do you think persons with disabilities ever enjoy their lives? Do we have any less extreme or more effective measures than death for alleviating pain?”
Objection: “Pro-life people only care about babies before birth and ignore others in need.”
Common Ground: “It’s true that every human life deserves our attention and protection.”
Way Forward: “Would you like to hear about ways the sanctity of life is motivating churches and charities to show even more compassion than state welfare programs?”
Objection: “In vitro fertilization and surrogacy give the gift of children to those suffering infertility.”
Common Ground: “Infertility can cause intense distress, and every child comes as a tremendous gift and privilege.”
Way Forward: “Do you think we’re at all overlooking the sufferings that in vitro fertilization and surrogacy might be inflicting on the children themselves?
Objection: “Opposing homosexuality and gender fluidity supports bigotry and bullying.”
Common Ground: “No one should have to endure bigotry or bullying of any kind from anyone for any reason.”
Way Forward: “Is it possible that someone might actually experience or express discomfort with these lifestyles because they result in or result from mistreatment?”