The Conscience Side of Life
Rev. Robert Fleischmann, National Director, Christian Life Resources Simply speaking, Christian Life Resources divides its work into two areas – service and conscience. The service area involves the work we do in our care centers, the presentations we give, and…
Faith and Planned Parenthood
By Robert Fleischmann, National Director of Christian Life Resources In 2015 The Center for Medical Progress secretly video recorded conversations with executives from Planned Parenthood. The topic was the gruesome practice of selling fetal body parts to researchers. The expose made national…
Looking Down the Road
In the Old Testament, Adam and Eve demonstrated shortsightedness when they ate the forbidden tree in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3). When Cain killed Abel (Genesis 4), he failed to consider the consequence of his action. Lot never considered…
Abortion: An Update
On January 22, 1973, the United States Supreme Court legalized abortion in all 50 states, Washington, D.C., and U.S. territories by permitting a mother to take the life of her unborn child at any time during the pregnancy. This “right”…
The Journey of Forgiveness – A Look at the Abortion Decision
Roe v. Wade seemed like a timely solution to a very big problem in young women’s lives, namely an unwanted pregnancy. What would one “do” with an unplanned baby? In my case, I was unwed and pregnant. At the time,…
Pro-Life Bible References
God is the creator of life Genesis 1:27 – “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him, male and female he created them.” Job 33:4 – “The Spirit of God has made me;…
January 22: A Sad Milestone
On this date in 1666 Emperor Shah Jahan, a descendant of Genghis Khan died. Not a big deal for most of us except Jahan built the Taj Mahal as a mausoleum for his third wife, Arjumand Banu Begum. Despite having…
CLR Resolution on Abortion Adopted by the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (WELS)
CLR Resolution on Abortion (Memorial 2011-01U) Adopted by the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod – July 28, 2011 WHEREAS 1) the Holy Scriptures clearly testify to a reverence for the life of the mother and the life of her unborn child…
It Depends How You Say It
Rev. Robert Fleischmann, National Director, Christian Life Resources When the United States legalized abortion on January 22, 1973, the language changed. No longer was a little one growing and kicking in the womb referred to as a “baby.” Rather, the…
A Tiny Step – A Look at Quality of Life Arguments
Rev. Robert Fleischmann, Christian Life Resources National Director C. Everett Koop served as the U.S. Surgeon general from 1982-1989. He also served as a main speaker at an early Christian Life Resources convention. It was a tumultuous time in the…
A Child Dies – A Look at the Dehumanization of Life in Abortion
Rev. Robert Fleischmann, Christian Life Resources National Director In the late 1960s and early 1970s, the movement to legalize abortion focused on two primary arguments: 1. No agreement could be reached on when life begins; 2. Women should have “control”…
My Son, Maxwell
My son, Maxwell, was born on April 6, 2011. He was diagnosed with Down syndrome (DS) when he was two days old. I have since learned that Down syndrome, also known as trisomy 21, is a chromosomal condition involving all…
U.S. Abortion Statistics By Year (1973-Current)
National Right to Life Committee, 2023 THE CONSEQUENCES OF ROE V. WADE TOTAL ABORTIONS SINCE 1973: 64,443,118 Based on numbers reported by the Guttmacher Institute 1973-2020, with 3 percent added for GI estimated possible 3-5 percent undercount for 1973-2014. Another…
Tragedies, Statistics, and Making a Difference
Rev. Mark Braun In a conversation with U.S. ambassador Averill Harriman, Soviet leader Joseph Stalin allegedly said, “The death of one person is a tragedy; the death of millions is a statistic.” Stalin would seem to be an expert on…
Abortion Affects All
Stefanie Cox Abortion affects everyone. This includes not only the aborted child and the mother, her family, and her friends, but also the entire country and world. Imagine if the mothers of people such as Thomas Edison, Abraham Lincoln, and…
My Body, My Choice – Really?
Rev. Robert Fleischmann, CLR National Director The idol of “my rights” continues to wreak havoc on our lives, our families, and our society. The sexual revolution of the sixties decimated social sanctions that rightly reflected the place of sexual relations…
Q&A on Friend Considering Abortion
QUESTION: A friend of mine is unmarried and pregnant. She confided in me that she is considering an abortion. She gave me a long list of reasons why, but I didn’t know how to answer her. Do you have any…
It Does Not Matter – A Look at Post-Abortion Syndrome
Lynn Klammer Over the past years, I’ve seen the professional community grapple with the question of whether or not post-abortion trauma really exists. Scientific evidence seems to indicate that abortion does not increase the risk of psychological problems any more…
Position Statement of the Evangelical Lutheran Synod on Abortion
WHEREAS, All people are commanded by God to love their neighbor as they love themselves, and WHEREAS, The Scriptures teach that human life begins at conception (Matthew 1:20, Psalm 51:5, Psalm 139:13-15), and WHEREAS, Each Christian must recognize that abortion…
Abortion Can Hurt Women – One Woman’s Account
Jane Frantz, Freelance Write and Community Columnist for The Post-Crescent, Appleton, Wisconsin As we reflect on the anniversary of Roe v. Wade, I’d like to share a true story. I only tell it to help people understand that abortion can…
A Primer on Partial-Birth Abortion
Description: An abortion technique used to kill second- and third-trimester unborn babies by removing the baby’s entire body, except for the head, and then sucking out his or her brains. Click here to view medical illustrations describing the abortion technique….
Q&A on Abortion and Its Long-Term Effects
QUESTION: A friend of mine had an abortion a few years ago and never seemed bothered by it. Now she is concerned because she may be getting married but is hesitant to tell her boyfriend about her past. Why is…
Talking About Abortion and God
Rev. Robert Fleischmann, National Director, Christian Life Resources Some people are more concerned about their horizontal relationships (with others and with themselves) than they are about their vertical relationships (with God). To change hearts we must migrate people from a…
Abortion Limitations Definitions
Definitions of the major types of abortion restrictions, listed from most common to least common: Gestational Limits: Pertains to the abortion ban after a certain point in woman’s pregnancy, usually at fetal viability. Parental Involvement: Includes terminology involving parental notification…
Counseling the Grief-Stricken
Catherine Lammert Grief is a strong and complex emotion. Here are some practical suggestions on how we may help others cope with a loss in their life. Supporting a Grieving Family HOW TO HELP: Be supportive — visit or call…
A Trimester of Prayer // Pro-Life Prayer Suggestions
You can make a meaningful difference by including these thoughts in your daily devotion and prayer time. Week 1 – This week, pray for the unborn and their mothers. With the dawning of this day, thousands of women in America…
Q&A on Post-Abortion Syndrome
QUESTION: Does CLR counsel women who are in despair because they’ve had abortions in the past, or do you just work with women who are considering an abortion? ANSWER: Your question deals with a special issue called Post-Abortion Syndrome (PAS)…
Q&A on Abortion, Euthanasia Position Terminology
QUESTION: I’ve heard many different terms describing the positions of those who either oppose or favor abortion and euthanasia (pro-life, pro-choice, anti-abortion, death with dignity, etc.). What is CLR’s position on all of these terms? ANSWER: The position of CLR…
Gianna Jessen: I Was an Abortion Victim at Seven and a Half Months
Gianna Jessen My biological mother was seven-and-a-half months pregnant when she decided to abort me. I don’t know why she made that decision. It was 1977. She and my biological father were 17 at the time and weren’t married. She…
The Logic is Painfully Clear – A Look at Fetal Pain
Rev. Robert Fleischmann, CLR National Director In the August 24, 2005 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association researchers concluded that an unborn child’s pain is not realized until 29 or 30 weeks into the pregnancy. Therefore, pain…
Q&A on Church-Attending Abortion Advocate
QUESTION: I know a WELS member who is actively supportive of abortion rights and am greatly concerned. What should I do? ANSWER: You have reasons to be concerned and should address this issue with an attitude of Christian love and…
G. U. L. A. G. – A Look at Ethnic Cleansing and Abortion
Rev. Fred Toppe Do you know these initials? They stand for Glavnoe upravlenie ispravitel’no-trudovykh lagerei, the Russian words for Chief Administration of Corrective Labor Camps. The GULAG was in operation in the former Soviet Union from the early 1920s until…
The 39 Major Pro-Choice Arguments and Their Refutations
Randy Alcorn, Eternal Perspective Ministries CLR Note: This is an excellent article in understanding the debate rhetoric of the abortion issue. The only difference Christian Life Resources has with what is referenced here is that CLR talks about life existing…
Shall We Call It ‘Doublespeak?’
Rev. Robert Fleischmann, National Director, Christian Life Resources I don’t really know if there is a word for it. There is a secondary definition for “double talk”: Deliberately ambiguous or evasive language. Also called doublespeak. While some use this type…
Q&A on Support for Women Following Abortion
QUESTION: Do you provide any help or support for women who have had abortions? ANSWER: Proverbs 31:8 tells us, “Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves” so we defend the lives of the pre-born who are targeted by…
A Chronology of Life in the Womb [Fetal Development]
Human Life Alliance Day 1 Fertilization The sperm joins with the ovum to form one cell. This one cell contains the complex genetic makeup for every detail of a new human life – the child’s sex, hair and eye color,…
The Abortion Pill and the Morning-After Pill: Are They the Same?
There is much confusion about the two drugs which are often called “The Abortion Pill” and “The Morning-After Pill.” Surveys have shown that a majority of respondents are either misinformed or unaware of the differences between these two drugs.1 The…
Abortion Must Be Labeled Murder
QUESTION: Can we call abortion murder? ANSWER: We answer YES for the following reasons: 1) The Scripture calls it murder. 2) It fits the definition of the word murder. Let us look at the second point first. MURDER is defined…
Is There Any Hope of Salvation for a Child Who Has Been Killed Through Abortion?
John F. Brug Scripture does not answer this question directly. The same is true of the closely related question, “Can an unbaptized baby be saved?” Our answer must be limited to pondering four points that Scripture does make. All children…
Bible Passages Relating to Abortion
Genesis 9:3,5 Everything that lives and moves will be food for you. Just as I gave you the green plants, I now give you everything. And for your lifeblood I will surely demand an accounting. I will demand an accounting…
It Sounds Like an Argument — I Don’t Think So!
Pastor Robert Fleischmann, National Director, Christian Life Resources Stanford University’s John Donohue and University of Chicago’s Steven Levitt used economic modeling to assert in a study that part of the decreased crime rate we have enjoyed these past years can,…
Remembering a Child Who Never Was
About five years ago, a young woman graduating from high school had a rather traumatic encounter. As she was in the hallway, lining up for the processional, a woman came up to her and tied a white ribbon around her…
Post Abortion Syndrome // Bible Study
Introduction “I guess I was playing games with myself about God. Deep down inside I knew I had taken another human being’s life. Worse: the life of my own child. But I put that out of my mind–as far as…
Planned Parenthood: An Abortion Network
History of Planned Parenthood Margaret Sanger Born in 1879 6th of 11 children Father Fought in Sherman’s Army (March to the Sea) Never provided for his family properly Family Mother was a strict Catholic Father had no use for religion…
Post-Abortion Syndrome – Direction From Scripture
Rev. Robert Fleischmann, National Director, Christian Life Resources Hidden Shame — Nagging Guilt — Spectacular Deliverance Opening Prayer Describe 3 components of sin: 1. 2. 3. Describe 2 blessings of forgiveness: 1. 2. Describe 2 realities about sin and forgiveness:…
Partial-Birth Abortion – An Accurate Description
Dr. J.C. Willke We are all aware of the semantic gymnastics used by the liberal press when describing Partial-Birth Abortion. They bend over backward obscuring what actually happens. We cannot control much of that. What we can control is our…
Psalm 139 Says What Needs Saying
Pastor Joel C. Gerlach A noted Scottish churchman, Erskine of Linlathen, once said that Psalm 139 was one bit of writing he would choose to have on hand on his deathbed. Perhaps not your choice, nor mine either for that…
Abortion Timeline: A Chronology of Endangered Unborn Life
ca. 2000 B.C. Hittites (The Hittite Laws ss.17) “If anyone caused a free woman to miscarry if (it is) the 10th month, he shall give 10 shekels of silver, if (it is) the 5th, he shall give 5 shekels and…
The Pro-Abortion Policies of the March of Dimes
The March of Dimes (MOD) is an organization that enjoys a positive public image. And while MOD has done much to eliminate birth defects, their methods of accomplishing that admirable goal and their vision of a brave new world run…
Who Needs the Counseling Here?
Sometimes It Is Not Just the Pregnant Woman Many of the women who come to the Pregnancy Care Center need a lot of sound Christian help. But sometimes they bring with them someone who is in much greater need of…
Abortion Slogans // Bible Study
Lutherans for Life This study lists five statements often used to justify abortion and examines them in the light of God’s Word. I. “A fetus is not a person Isaiah 49:1 Listen to me, you islands; hear this, you distant…
The Father and Issues of Life and Death
When abortion is marketed to the general public its advocates emphasize the autonomous right of the woman to make this decision. Society has so bought into that notion that in 1976 the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the father of…
Biblical References Regarding Abortion Legislation
Psalm 1:1 Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. Psalm 64:2-6 Hide me from the conspiracy of the wicked,…
Wisconsin Ev. Lutheran Synod’s Resolution on Abortion
NOTE: At the July 1979 convention of the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (WELS) meeting in Watertown, Wisconsin, the church body adopted this position against the killing of babies in the womb. This 1979 position on abortion is found below. On…
Abortion – Men Hurt in Silence
Karen Fifer, Pregnancy Crisis Center of Wichita, Inc. “I’m pregnant.” These are powerful words that can evoke fear, anxiety, joy, and confusion in men. An unplanned pregnancy puts men in a peculiar place; on one side he is supposed to…
Is It Time for Tolerance in the Pro-Life Movement?
Rev. Robert Fleischmann, National Director, Christian Life Resources A strategy often used to win the public opinion for inauspicious moral positions is to refrain from arguing the position. Instead, the strategy is to argue for tolerance. In other words, you…
Q&A on Abortion on Demand and Child Abuse
QUESTION: What do you say to the person who says that abortion on demand reduces child abuse? ANSWER: In response to pro-choice advocates, we can with Biblical conviction say to those who feel abortion on demand reduces child abuse: How…
The Cost of Abortion — Higher Than You Might Think
I recently received a letter from an attorney in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The contents were chilling. The lawyer is representing a 28-year-old man who has been charged with criminal homicide of his fiance. Here’s what happened. A young couple met in…
One Couple’s Struggle with Abortion
Fred Minnick, Daily O’Collegian (Oklahoma State University) In December 1977, an 18-year-old woman was faced with the choice of life or death. It began when she met a boy at a hometown IGA grocery store. He was a sacker and…
What to Do With Baby?
Rev. Wayne Mueller Competent and sympathetic counselors understand that guiding an expectant mother to a God-pleasing decision is a complex job. There is always more to deal with in the heart of the soon-to-be mother than the basic ethical-moral question…
‘I Knew You’ [God as the Author of Life] // Bible Study
The year was 628 B.C. The great Assyrian empire which had carried the northern kingdom of Israel into captivity was soon to be replaced by the Babylonian empire. Meanwhile, the days were fast approaching in which the Lord would send…
I Had an Abortion This Morning
It is January 22, the anniversary date of the Roe v. Wade decision, which legalized abortion in the United States. Every year this date brings with it a mixed bag of emotions for me. I feel a need to recognize…
Q&A on the Overturn of ‘Roe v. Wade’
Question: What’s next now that Roe v. Wade is overturned? Answer: Roe v. Wade was the 1973 U.S. Supreme Court ruling which legalized abortion across the nation. On June 24, 2022 the U.S. Supreme Court held that the Constitution of…
Court Decisions on U.S. Abortion
Prior to 1967, abortion was prohibited in all 50 states except when the mother’s life was in danger. Between 1967 and 1973, 18 states added further exceptions, mostly to allow abortion in the case of rape or incest, or for…
Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (WELS) Position on Abortion
NOTE: At the July 1979 convention of the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (WELS) meeting in Watertown, Wisconsin, the church body adopted this position against the killing of babies in the womb. This 1979 position on abortion is found below. On…
Fetal Pain: OK, What’s the Point?
Pastor Robert Fleischmann, CLR National Director Researchers claim they found a dramatic rise in fetal stress hormones when they inserted a needle into fetuses for blood transfusions. Already I hear some of my peers exclaiming, “I told you so!” The…
Abortion Excuses
Rev. Wayne Mueller 1. The fetus is not life. “Why do you kill it if it is not life?” 2. The woman has a right to do what she wants with her own body. “Who cares what the father thinks?…
Inconvenient People and the Quality of Life
Rev. Thomas Trapp An interview with Kenneth Schleef, a Christian with cerebral palsy. Q: Your appearance at a Life Chain told me you’re concerned about life issues. I also know you have cerebral palsy. Tell me about your cerebral palsy…
Playing God — A Most Deadly Game
Pastor Glen Schaumberg “If men who are fighting hit a pregnant woman so that she delivers her child prematurely, but there is no harm to either the mother or child, the man should pay the fine her husband put on…
The Book of Jonah and Our Mission to an Ungodly Nation // Bible Study
Introduction Nineveh, the capital city of Assyria, was rampant with wickedness. Although we do not have all the details of what went on in the city, it is enough to know that God’s patience toward the city began to…
How About the Quality of Life?
Richard D. Balge Didn’t anyone tell Elizabeth that it was dangerous for a woman of her age to have a child? Didn’t anyone remind her that a child born to her after the normal child-bearing years was a poor statistical…
‘Why the Tears? Why Not!’ – A Look at Partial-Birth Abortion
Rev. Robert Fleischmann, National Director, Christian Life Resources (Matthew 2:18 NIV) “A voice is heard in Ramah, weeping and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children and refusing to be comforted, because they are no more.” It comes every year…
Unborn Child’s Soul from Abortion or Miscarriage
Rev. Robert Fleischmann, National Director, Christian Life Resources Question: What has become of the souls of the millions of babies that have died through miscarriage and abortion? Answer: The fact of an unborn child’s soul is always in question. The…
How Would God Feel About an Abortion in the Case of Rape?
Professor John F Brug, Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary QUESTION: How would God feel about abortion in the case of rape? Personally, I am strongly against abortion, yet I feel that it would be acceptable in this instance. I want to know…
A Wrong Diagnosis Could Have Cost Me My Life
Shauna Bauer Abortion is a very controversial issue. It always has been and probably always will be. These days, the battle between pro-life and pro-abortion activists seems to be very intense. There is a great need for support of the…
Symptoms of Post-Abortion Syndrome
Teri Reisser, M.S. 1. GUILT: Guilt is what the woman feels because she has violated her moral code. For the woman who has come to believe, at some point after the abortion, that she consented to the killing of her…
Spiritual Therapy for Abortion?
Rev. Robert Fleischmann, National Director, Christian Life Resources NOTE: Despite the age of this article, the information is included as a resource on this website. “Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage…
I Am Personally Opposed, But…
Rev. Robert Fleischmann, National Director, Christian Life Resources I am sure you have heard it too. “I am personally opposed to abortion, but I don’t think I can or should force my convictions on others.” Get real! It’s time we…
What Is Post-Abortion Syndrome?
Mrs. Ann Warner Tolly Post-abortion syndrome (PAS) is the psychological aftermath of abortion. The victims are both women and men and the circle grows to include the siblings of the aborted child, the grandparents, friends, and other family members. PAS…
Is Abortion Just an Election Issue for Christians?
Dr. James I. Lamb, Executive Director, Lutherans for Life “I could never vote for anyone who favors the destruction of innocent life in the womb,” Sam stated bluntly. Fred replied, “I’m opposed to abortion as much as you are, Sam,…
What Does God Say About the Beginning of Life? // Bible Study
What Does God Say About the Beginning of Life? // Bible Study (Student’s Guide) READ THE FOLLOWING PASSAGES: A. Life Comes from God Genesis 2:7 The LORD God formed the man from the dust of the ground and breathed into…
Abortion and the Conscience of the Nation
Ronald Reagan [NOTE: Ronald Reagan published the following essay in 1983 when he served as 40th President of the United States. It was written on the 10th anniversary of the Roe v. Wade decision. His words articulated his strong pro-life…
Born to Live, Left to Die – A Look at Baby Abandonment Laws
Frederica Mathewes-Green, Author and Columnist for Christianity Today and Beliefnet.com Call it Sudden Infant Dumping Syndrome — newborns found in parking lots, supermarkets and trash cans. Can new “baby abandonment” laws reverse the trend? She wrapped her baby boy in…
Death in the Nursery
Former U.S. Surgeon General C. Everett Koop once said, “Although infanticide (the killing of newborn infants) is being practiced in this country widely today, it is seldom given that appellation and unless you are privy to what goes on in…
Adopting a Snowflake
What should be done with 400,000 frozen embryos that are cryo-preserve after in vitro fertilization (IVF) procedures? In some cases, those embryos are waiting to be thawed and transferred to their biological mothers with the hope they will implant…
Birth Control Series [Part 3]: Controlling Birth and Christian Life
Rev. Robert Fleischmann, National Director, Christian Life Resources This is the third installment of the Clearly Caring series addressing the Christian viewpoint of birth control and contraception. In 1998, I first tackled the subject of birth control in the pages…
Birth Control Series [Part 2]: Marriage and Children
Rev. Robert Fleischmann, National Director, Christian Life Resources This is the second installment of the CLR series addressing the Christian viewpoint of birth control and contraception. Married couples have at their disposal the ability to control childbearing. To some degree…
Birth Control Series [Part 1]: The Paramount Value of Human Life
Rev. Robert Fleischmann, National Director, Christian Life Resources The following is the first in a series of articles exploring the topic of birth control and contraception from the Christian perspective. Christian Life Resources ran a similar series in 1998-1999 which…
The Hidden Dangers of In Vitro Fertilization
Bradley Mattes, MBS, Life Issues Institute In vitro fertilization (IVF) is viewed as controversial technology within the pro-life community. Many have an ethical problem with how human life is created. The primary reason though is that most doctors who perform…
A Scriptural Approach to Family Planning
Family planning decisions should be in harmony with God’s revealed will concerning marriage and children. God desires to bless those who enter marriage in three ways (not prioritized): Companionship: Genesis 2:18 – “The LORD God said, It is not good for the…
Bible Study: Surrogate Parenting
Rev. Robert Fleischmann, National Director, Christian Life Resources Correct decision-making is determined by Scriptural principles. Some decisions are easy because some principles explicitly address a particular application. For example, it is easy to decide that not stealing is a proper…
As God Wills: Understanding God’s Plan for Childless Couples
Mrs. Mary Schmal, Author, Christ-Light Curriculum Somewhere a young man longs to play for a professional football team. Another just hopes to see a live NFL game. Somewhere a young woman longs to be a star in the theaters of…
Family Planning
Rev. Wayne D. Mueller Children seem to be an impediment to happiness these days. They are often the pawns of occupational pursuits. When children don’t fit in, they are aborted, abandoned, or divided by divorce. Parents try to prevent their…
I Will Never Forget You: Finding Hope and Healing Following Miscarriage or Stillbirth
I will never forget you, my precious child. Just weeks ago, you were living inside me. I was more than a mere woman; I had tasted the sweet joy of motherhood. I had held the miracle of life in my…
Motive // The Christian and Birth Control
This is an overview of the information in The Christian and Birth Control book, published by Christian Life Resources. To purchase the book click on the link at the bottom of this page. For years the national office of Christian…
Is There a Place Within Christian Marriage to Use Birth Control?
Rev. Robert Fleischmann, National Director, Christian Life Resources Yes, but an explanation is in order. God is the author of human life (Deuteronomy 32:39), and man is a steward, caretaker, and guardian of human life (Genesis 9:5). A Christian may…
Q&A on Abstinence/Teaching Teens about Birth Control
QUESTION: I’ve heard that teen pregnancy rates have increased. Is it time to teach our kids about birth control? ANSWER: The teen birth rate has been on a steep decline since the early 1990s. Yet, teaching about birth control is…
Is An Objection on Religious Grounds Enough?
Rev. Robert Fleischmann, National Director of Christian Life Resources “The path of least resistance is the path of the loser.” [attributed to H.G. Wells, 1866-1946] We have done it before, and it appears we are poised to do it again….
Q&A on the Beginning of Life
QUESTION: When does life begin? I know that life begins at the time of conception. I say with the Psalmist, “Truly I was sinful from birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived.” But when does conception take place? Is…
Q&A on the Morning-After Pill
QUESTION: I’ve heard conflicting stories about the morning-after pill possibly causing abortions. Can you please clarify? ANSWER: The morning-after pill, also marketed as Plan B, is similar to typical birth control pills but contains a higher level of synthetic hormones….
The Pill
This is an overview of the information in The Christian and Birth Control book, published by Christian Life Resources. To purchase the book click on the link at the bottom of this page. It is more than coincidental that this…
Q&A on Birth Control Pills
QUESTION: I have heard that birth control pills do not prevent conception but really cause early abortions? Is this true? ANSWER: The history of the birth control pill has been controversial for several reasons. One point of debate has been…
Barrier Methods and Spermicides
This is an overview of the information in The Christian and Birth Control book, published by Christian Life Resources. To purchase the book click on the link at the bottom of this page. Don’t read this chapter! If you haven’t…
Mifeprex, Methotrexate, Misoprostol
This is an overview of the information in The Christian and Birth Control book, published by Christian Life Resources. To purchase the book click on the link at the bottom of this page. There is a certain arbitrariness in our…
Emergency Contraception and the IUD
This is an overview of the information in The Christian and Birth Control book, published by Christian Life Resources. To purchase the book click on the link at the bottom of this page. This chapter brings us to the halfway…
Depo-Provera, Cyclo-Provera, Norplant
This is an overview of the information in The Christian and Birth Control book, published by Christian Life Resources. To purchase the book click on the link at the bottom of this page. Until now, this book dealt with what…
Natural Family Planning and Sterilization
This is an overview of the information in The Christian and Birth Control book, published by Christian Life Resources. To purchase the book, click on the link at the bottom of this page. The “ends-justify-the-means” mentality permeates the world and…
Vaccines, Quinacrine, Other Birth Control Methods
This is an overview of the information in The Christian and Birth Control book, published by Christian Life Resources. To purchase the book click on the link at the bottom of this page. When the Christian considers the possible use…
Adopted by My Parents… and God
Rev. Paul Prange Before a couple adopts a child, they may wonder how to tell the child that he or she is adopted. Do you wait until you think the child can understand the concept? What words do you use…
A Model Family – Lessons Learned about an Adoptees Reunion with Her Birth Parents
Larissa Fasthorse I was brought to my parents’ home when I was 11 months old. My birth father delivered me to the house, and my birth mother was already long gone. After he left, my parents say they sat and…
Blood Is Thicker Than Water – A Look at Arguments Against Adoption
Mr. Tim Snyder, Media Services Coordinator for Wisconsin Lutheran College, Milwaukee, WI No doubt you have heard this old saying before – and maybe you’ve even used it yourself. It’s a way of conveying that the ties that bind us…
The Discovery – A Look at Unexpected Pregnancy and Adoption
Rev. Robert Fleischmann, National Director, Christian Life Resources The discovery of Ashley’s pregnancy came more as a disappointment than a shock. Despite all of the warnings to the contrary, Ashley’s relationship with her boyfriend became increasingly intimate so when the…
Children Need You – A Look at Caring for Youngsters in Less Fortunate Circumstances
Rev. Robert Fleischmann, National Director, Christian Life Resources Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world (James…
Q&A on Adoption Options
QUESTION: My 16-year old niece announced recently that she is pregnant. Her boyfriend and parents are unwilling to step in to help. She has come to me for advice. I don’t want to encourage her to abort the baby, but…
Adopted Into God’s Family
Rev. Paul Prange When I was born, my parents could not take care of my spiritual needs. They certainly had faith of their own. But they knew that they could not pass salvation on to me by being my physical…
An Adopted Child’s Perspective
Rev. Paul Prange, Michigan Lutheran Seminary President I was born to a single mother at an age when she was either a senior in high school or a freshman in college. She placed me with a Christian adoption agency, which…
God Sets the Lonely in Families – A Look at Spiritual Adoption
Adopt: to take by choice into a relationship; especially: to take voluntarily (a child of other parents) as one’s own child (The Merriam-Webster Dictionary) The thought of voluntarily taking the child of other parents as their own can be pretty…
Q&A on Pregnancy Options
QUESTION: A friend of mine faced an unwanted pregnancy but didn’t want to abort her baby. She didn’t know all of her options, and I’m not sure she made the right decision. Does CLR help with available options for these…
Well, At Least I Wasn’t Adopted
Diane E. Schroeder, President, National Lutherans For Life This column is dedicated to the birth parents of my children and all the millions more who sacrificed to give life and love to their children through adoption. “Well, at least I’m…
Open Adoption
Gloria Hochman and Anna Huston, National Adoption Center What is Open Adoption? The Origins of Open Adoption Experiences with Open Adoption Conclusion What is Open Adoption? Open adoption means that birthparents and adoptive parents have some knowledge about one another….
Adopted from China
Krista Preston The government of China wanted my baby dead. Was it because she was second born or because she was a girl? Because a political directive in China allows only one child per family, she could have been aborted…
I’m Your Child
The following was written by Justin, a ten-year-old born in 1986 in Korea, who was adopted by Roger and Lynne Tews of Cedarburg, Wisconsin, when he was seven-months-old. To My Birth Mom and Dad, I hope you remember me. I’m…
Lord, Why Have You Been So Good to Us? – The Gift of Adoption
FATHER: Two questions point to my major feelings about the adoption. Before the adoption, the big question was, ‘Will I love an adopted child as I love my primary school age child?’ After the adoption the big question has been,…
Tell the Truth
By Rev. Robert Fleischmann, National Director of Christian Life Resources Why Are We Here? Christian Life Resources (CLR) was never a ministry about convincing pro-life people to be pro-life. Though we serve all people, we are doctrinally aligned with the…
How Small Is Too Small? – Issues Surrounding the Low-Birth-Weight Infant
Linda L. Bellig, RN, BSN My first job as a new RN in 1969 was in the special care nursery at Babies Hospital in New York City. The environment was cutting-edge. We rigged adult ventilators for babies, grappled with the…
How to Navigate the Abortion Issue
Rev. Robert Fleischmann, National Director, Christian Life Resources The response to the Supreme Court’s overturning of its 1973 Roe v. Wade abortion decision in June 2022 has been fierce. There were acts of violence, protests, and blatant efforts to challenge…
One Little Thing // Bible Study
Rev. Jeffrey L. Samelson “It’s just one little thing. What are you getting so upset about? Why should we care?” That’s the way a lot of people – even many Christians – have talked about one of the hottest of…
Time to Act
Rev. Robert Fleischmann, National Director, Christian Life Resources On June 24, 2022, the U.S. Supreme Court handed down Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, overturning the infamous January 22, 1973, Roe v. Wade decision that legalized abortion nationwide. Dobbs returned…
Postpartum Reflections of a Struggling, Surviving, and Saved Mother
Julie Straseske, LCSW Nestled among the many comforting promises in scripture is one of my favorites: “In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit…
Take a Deep Breath
Rev. Robert Fleischmann, National Director, Christian Life Resources Sometimes a person just needs to take a deep breath, exhale slowly, and calm down. Let’s start there. On June 24, 2022, the U.S. Supreme Court issued the Dobbs ruling overturning the…
STATEMENT ON OVERTURNING ROE V. WADE
Rev. Robert Fleischmann, National Director, Christian Life Resources The formal release of the Dobbs v. Jackson Women‘s Health decision today (June 24, 2022) overturning Roe v. Wade marks a new chapter of challenges and opportunities for Christians long concerned about…
Churches on Abortion: Why We Differ
Rev. Robert Fleischmann, National Director, Christian Life Resources In early May 2022, a working draft of a majority opinion in the U.S. Supreme Court case of Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health was leaked. In it, the Court looked ready to severely…
STATEMENT on Leaked Draft Opinion by SCOTUS
Rev. Robert Fleischmann, National Director, Christian Life Resources The leaked draft of the majority ruling on the abortion case before the Supreme Court has drawn the expected attention. The conclusion arrived by the Court majority is no surprise. Anyone who…
The Big Picture
Rev. Robert Fleischmann, National Director, Christian Life Resources The complicated issues of our time can often be characterized as “matters of life and death.” The terminology we employ suggests we are in a crisis, and we must act – or…
Q&A on Ectopic Pregnancy
QUESTION: The doctor said I may have a tubal pregnancy. Is that human life? Is it possible to move it to the uterus? Or do they just have to kill off the egg in the tube? ANSWER: An “ectopic pregnancy” is when…
What If the Princes Are Right?
Rev. Robert Fleischmann, National Director, Christian Life Resources Do not put your trust in princes, in human beings, who cannot save. (Psalm 146:3) Eight children have matured under my parental eye. Particularly memorable are the adorable early years of life;…
Returning Home
Written by Rachel The Parable of the Lost Son 11 Jesus continued: “There was a man who had two sons. 12 The younger one said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of the estate.’ So he divided his property between them. 13 “Not long after…
Talk About Abortion? Absolutely!
By Pastor Jeff Samelson, Director of Ministry Advancement, Christian Life Resources “Oh, no, I’m not really into politics, so I don’t get into or talk much about abortion. In fact, I feel it’s kind of inappropriate for Christians and churches…
A Peace the World Cannot Give
By Rev. Robert Fleischmann, National Director, Christian Life Resources Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be…
The Right Time – The Right Place
By Rev. Robert Fleischmann, National Director, Christian Life Resources “For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but…
As We Consider the 48th Anniversary of Legalized Abortion
By Rev. Robert Fleischmann, National Director, Christian Life Resources But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry. (2 Timothy 4:5) On January 22, 1973, the…
An Insidious Reality
By Rev. Robert Fleischmann, National Director, Christian Life Resources Don’t you hate it when people use unfamiliar words? Hear me out on this one – it will make sense to you in a moment. Dictionaries define “insidious” to mean something…
Everybody But Me
By Rev. Robert Fleischmann, National Director, Christian Life Resources We have a level of confidence in ourselves which blinds us to our own foibles. Jesus warned, “Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold” (Matthew…
Not So Fast!
By Rev. Robert Fleischmann, National Director, Christian Life Resources In 1993, a Wisconsin state senator introduced assisted suicide legislation, designed to give terminally-ill patients the right to ask a doctor’s assistance in ending their own life. It was a new…
Let Us Not Love With Words or Speech but with Actions and in Truth
By Pastor James Hein, Lead Pastor at St. Marcus Lutheran Church, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 1 John 3:11-18 11 For this is the message you heard from the beginning: We should love one another. 12 Do not be like Cain, who belonged to the evil one and murdered…
What Should I Do?
By Rev. Robert Fleischmann, National Director, Christian Life Resources As life and family issues continue to expand, it’s often difficult to sort them out. Even church bodies differ on a particular issue though they claim to have the same Bible….
Q&A on Donating Eggs
QUESTION: I’m interested in donating my eggs and I’m wondering if there is any way to ensure that they will not be discarded or used for science in a way that would not be God-pleasing. Do we have a Christian…
Middle Ground
By Rev. Robert Fleischmann, National Director, Christian Life Resources Before I had children I was an expert on raising kids. After all, I had taken numerous college courses in human psychology. I understood the concepts of influence, incentive, and insistence….
Q&A on Abortion to Save a Mother’s Life
QUESTION: Is there ever a medical situation where it is necessary to cause an abortion in order to save the mother’s life? ANSWER: The most obvious, though relatively rare, example is any pregnancy that occurs outside of the uterus (ectopic)….
And So It Goes
By Rev. Robert Fleischmann, National Director, Christian Life Resources Pro-life Christians were appalled when Governor Cuomo signed New York’s liberal abortion law on January 22, 2019, the 46th anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court’s Roe v. Wade abortion ruling….
46 Years of Legalized Abortion in America
By Rev. Robert Fleischmann, National Director of Christian Life Resources It has been 46 years since the U.S. Supreme Court ruled by a 7-2 majority that a woman should have the right to end the life of her unborn child….
Don’t Just Sit There!
By Rev. Robert Fleischmann, National Director, Christian Life Resources The legalized killing of unborn children through abortion has been a part of the American landscape since January 22, 1973. The death toll has surpassed 62 million babies. Now you know….
Q&A on Egg Donation
QUESTION: One of my friends is considering using an egg donor, so she and her husband can have a baby. (She has no eggs due to pre-menopause). Do you have suggestions for how I can help them understand more about this…
Embryo Adoption
What is Embryo Adoption? When couples use in vitro fertilization to achieve pregnancy, they will often have embryos remaining after they complete their family. One option available to them is to donate those embryos to another couple. Embryo adoption allows…
Transformed
By Rev. Robert Fleischmann, National Director, Christian Life Resources “I sure miss kindergarten.” I know you have heard or read these words from me before. The older I get the more I miss the simplicity of life that I enjoyed…
A Pro-Life Future?
By Rev. Robert Fleischmann, National Director, Christian Life Resources Justice Anthony Kennedy announced his retirement from the U.S. Supreme Court at the end of July 2018. Kennedy was appointed to the Court by President Ronald Reagan and began serving in…
God’s Life-Giving Love Is Active at Conception
Prof. Ryan MacPherson, Bioethics Professor at Bethany Lutheran College, Mankato, MN When does human life begin? This question has perplexed our generation and divided our nation. The stakes are quite high. If a human embryo is a person, then abortion…
Meet The First Snowflake! (Embryo Adoption)
Marlene Strege, First Adoptive Mother of a Snowflake Baby “A person’s a person, no matter how small.” — Dr. Seuss Horton Hears A Who is among our daughter Hannah’s favorite books, and she revels in reciting its recurring theme, that…
The Value of Human Life
Rev. Robert R. Fleischmann, National Director, Christian Life Resources It is becoming more difficult to know what to do in life and death situations. Advancements in medicine, challenges in the court, and changing opinions have raised questions about when life…
God’s Word on Life
The Bible teaches that life is a gift from God, our Creator. For example, Job says to God, “Your hands shaped me and made me…Remember that you molded me…Did you not…clothe me with skin and flesh and knit me together…
He’s Always There
Pastor Mark Cordes He’s Always There – or – Thou, God, Seest Me In the name of Christ our Life, my dear Christian friends: I once received a postcard which read, Dear Clergy, Mother’s Day and Father’s Day present a…
Christian Life Resources Abortion Position Statement
Preamble Abstract Background Terminology The Issues Section 1: What the Scriptures Say About Human Life Human Beings are Unique and Prized in All God’s Creation Human Beings Consist of Body and Soul Human Beings Exist in the Womb Protecting the…
Well, At Least I Wasn’t Adopted
Diane E. Schroeder, President, National Lutherans For Life This column is dedicated to the birth parents of my children and all the millions more who sacrificed to give life and love to their children through adoption. “Well, at least I’m…
You Can Change the World! – A Look at Ways to Show Christian Concern for Others
Rev. Robert Fleischmann, National Director, Christian Life Resources When I turned 40, a friend of mine told me that a person reaches middle age when realizing he or she can no longer change the world. If that were true I…
Scripture on Life
GOD IS THE CREATOR OF LIFE “So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.” ~ Genesis 1:27 “For you created my inmost being; you knit me…
Sarah’s Story – A Look at a New Beginning After a Crisis Pregnancy
It was the day of my 18th birthday that I found out I was pregnant. At a time when I should have been young and hopeful and happy and free, I was terrified and lonely and angry and sad. And…
Samuel’s Hand Continues to Reach Out to People Around the World
Liz Townsend While partial-birth abortion is being debated in the Supreme Court, Congress, and state legislatures, the tiny fist of a baby the same age as many of those killed in the gruesome procedure continues to grab the consciences of…
‘On Eagles’ Wings’ – A Look at Support During A Difficult Pregnancy
It all began innocuously enough. A phone call, a cry for help. That’s what this ministry is all about. Help, love, support. Usually the call is from a distant place. The faces remain anonymous, the problems obscured by distance. But…
Just Hold My Hand: Offering Support to a Loved One Who is Going Through Miscarriage or Stillbirth
Mrs. Amy Schultz When I was going through my first miscarriage some close friends sent me a beautiful bouquet of flowers. For a while, they lit up my kitchen table while I wandered around the house in a saddened daze….
Should I Baptize My Baby?
Christian Life Resources Why Baptize Babies? The Bible doesn’t tell us anywhere how old a person must be at the time of baptism. Jesus commanded us to baptize “all nations” (Matthew 28:19) and doesn’t make any mention of an individual’s…
Prenatal Testing
1. Reasons for Testing (Motive) Enhance life to provide life-saving information and treatment Enhance death to eliminate children affected by physical deformity, wrong sex, or maternal preference 2. The Truth about Prenatal Testing (the search for the perfect baby) It cannot prevent birth defects…
In Utero Tour
Month-by-Month Fetal Development In Utero Tour: Presented by StandUpGirl.com. Gives concise, useful fetal development and pregnancy information along with quick facts. Check it out!
Take the Child to Your Home (A Christmas Message)
Rev. Wayne Mueller Children have become increasingly offensive to the ego-driven American who is in hot pursuit of personal happiness. Frankly, children just cost money and get in the way. Like pets and loud noise, children are categorically banned from…
Q&A on Miscarriage
QUESTION: A friend of mine just had a miscarriage. She seems okay on the outside, but I know she is hurting. What can I do to help her? ANSWER: Miscarriage is often overlooked as a painful event. You are very…
Rose’s Story (A Pro-Life Story of Hope Against the Odds)
Jean Cross In January of 2004, a woman named Rose called the Alameda Pregnancy Counseling Center in San Jose, CA, and asked if she could share her life’s story to help the pro-life cause. I had the opportunity to meet…
Comfort for Parents Grieving a Miscarriage or Stillbirth [A Pastoral Theology Brief]
John D. Schuetze, Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary, Mequon, WI In his care of souls, the pastor faces many difficult situations, which like a sword can often pierce his own soul also. Few are as heart-wrenching as ministering to the mother or…
The Value of Ultrasound
Dr. Peggy Hartshorn How is ultrasound done? Sound waves are bounced off the developing child using a hand-held device (trasducer) rubbed across the mother’s belly. Echoes from the waves are converted to an image (sonogram) on a TV monitor. For…
The Youngest Surviving Preemie
J.C. Willke, MD Recently there has been considerable worldwide publicity announcing the birth of “the world’s most premature baby.” Little Amillia Taylor, of Miami, Florida, was born in October, 21 weeks and 6 days after conception. In multiple press reports,…
Abortion and the Law
Former Milwaukee County Circuit Court Judge Victor Manian On January 22, 1973, the United States Supreme Court, in a decision by seven of the nine justices, held that state statutes prohibiting abortion were unconstitutional. The decision has divided the nation,…
The Scriptural View on When Human Life Begins // Bible Study
A Brief Study on Psalm 51:5 The Background of the Verse The title: A psalm of David. When the prophet Nathan came to him after David had committed adultery with Bathsheba. (This incident is recorded in 2 Samuel 12:1-14.) A penitential psalm,…
Sarah Palin and the Lessons She Has Taught Her Children
Rev. Robert Fleischmann, National Director, Christian Life Resources By the time you read this commentary, Sarah Palin may or may not have been elected Vice President of the United States. There is and will be a great deal written about…
Witnessing a Miracle – A Look at Pregnancy and Life in the Womb
For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. (Psalm 139:13,14) This is a familiar passage in pro-life…
The Preborn Child and Faith
Rev. Robert Fleischmann, National Director, Christian Life Resources Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. (Hebrews 11:1) The biological argument for protecting preborn human life should be compelling enough….
Money vs. Life in Light of Life Issues
Rev. Robert Fleischmann, National Director, Christian Life Resources There is often a correlation between prosperity and immorality. That does not mean all who are prosperous are immoral or that all who are impoverished are moral. Rather, it appears that prosperity…
The Preborn Child and Biology
Rev. Robert Fleischmann, National Director, Christian Life Resources For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full…
Waiting for Baby Taeh – A Look at the Providence of God During a Premature Pregnancy
Mrs. Ellen Kuber, Volunteer at Christian Life Resources When my daughter, Johanna, suspected that she was pregnant, she went to a newly-degreed medical doctor. The doctor performed an ultrasound to determine how far along she was in the pregnancy. After…
Our Baby’s Life Begins (Fetal Development)
Day 1: Today your life began. The egg from your mother was fertilized by the father’s sperm within one of your mother’s two fallopian tubes. You received 23 chromosomes from each parent. You are unique and individual. Days 5-9: From…
What Does the Bible Say About the Beginning of Life?
Rev. Robert Fleischmann, CLR National Director Whether one talks about pregnancy, abortion, embryonic stem cell research, in vitro fertilization or miscarriage, one question becomes pivotal, “When does life begin?” Because the question regarding the beginning of life is generally rooted…
Lily-Beth’s Miracle // A Look at Pregnancy Complications and God’s Love
Trey and I wanted to take the time to try to inspire others the way the Lord has inspired us. We are writing this to give credit where credit is due, show thanks to God, and to help others realize…
He Came to Share Our Vulnerability – A Look at the Humanity of Jesus Christ
Rev. Mark Braun For centuries Christians have celebrated the miracle of the Virgin birth of Jesus in late December or early January—and it is good and right for us so to do. Yet the real miracle occurred not on the…
Precious Life
Rev. Robert Fleischmann, National Director of Christian Life Resources In a Salon website article dated Jan. 23, 2014, Mary Elizabeth Williams made a shocking acknowledgment: “Here’s the complicated reality in which we live: All life is not equal.” With those…
Fearfully and Wonderfully Made – The Stages of Life in the Womb
The miracle of life – more amazing and awe-inspiring than any other part of God’s creation. What we have been able to discern from research in chronicling precious life in the womb is remarkable. The pictures of babies still…
You Can Speak Up on Abortion
1. Some Basics of Good Communication in General The information you present is extremely important. You may talk and talk and speak up about the issues of abortion all your life and never do any good on anybody that you…
A Fringe Family
“The anti-choice fringe is attacking Planned Parenthood like never before.” (www.plannedparenthood.org) Are you a part of the “anti-choice fringe”? Could your Christ-centered home also be called a “fringe family”? Among the definitions for “fringe” that the online Merriam-Webster Dictionary gives…