He says they are holding people back from healing.
Churches should play a more prominent role in the pro-life movement, particularly in articulating the reasons against abortion, according to activist and author Scott Klusendorf. In an interview with Focus on the Family President Jim Daly, Klusendorf, who leads The Life Training Institute and authored “The Case For Life,” emphasized this point.
Klusendorf remarked that many churches mistakenly believe that remaining silent on abortion spares post-abortion men and women from guilt. However, he argues that this silence denies them the opportunity for healing, as unconfessed sin prevents full fellowship with Christ. He stressed the importance of telling the truth about abortion while compassionately guiding individuals towards the Savior who offers healing.
Klusendorf urged Christian pro-lifers to present the argument against abortion graciously and lovingly, with the goal of changing hearts rather than simply winning arguments. He described abortion as a significant moral crisis due to the shedding of innocent blood, which the Bible views as particularly grievous. This, he noted, necessitates forgiveness through Jesus Christ, prompting a necessary response from Christians.
Many Christian leaders fear that addressing abortion truthfully will alienate people, but Klusendorf believes the opposite is true. He suggested that people are seeking relevant and courageous responses from churches on this critical moral issue. Demonstrating strong arguments can draw people in rather than push them away.
He also encouraged parents to provide their children with pro-life apologetics training, highlighting the importance of equipping young people to defend the pro-life stance with biblical and moral reasoning. Klusendorf warned that without this training, young adults might be vulnerable to losing their faith when confronted with opposing views in college.
In response to lawmakers who claim they personally oppose abortion but hesitate to legislate against it, Klusendorf clarified that pro-lifers make an objective truth claim about the wrongness of abortion because it kills an innocent human being. He stressed that morality is about right and wrong, independent of personal preferences, and criticized the reduction of the pro-life argument to a mere preference akin to liking or disliking ice cream flavors.
Klusendorf also mentioned his work with Summit Ministries, where he educates youth on arguing the pro-life case. He observed that many young people, even from prominent churches, have never heard the pro-life argument. Thus, he emphasized the need for comprehensive training, using science and philosophy to defend the pro-life position and equip young people to engage others effectively.