Q&A
We pray you’ll find the answers below to the difficult life and family questions from our readers helpful.
Please use the button on the right to submit any questions that you need answered. We do our best to respond to all inquiries within 24-48 hours of submission. We reply directly to the provided email. We then remove all identifying elements and post the answers here to help fellow Christians.
Beginning of Life
Q&A on IVF and Sin
QUESTION: Is it a sin for a single woman to have a child through in vitro fertilization simply because she wants to be a mother? ANSWER: The simple answer is “no,” but as you might have already guessed, it is a bit more complicated than that. Results and Methods...
Q&A on Unborn Baby with a Severe Brain Condition
QUESTION: I need a prayer for my 19-week gestation baby - doctors are telling me it has a severe brain condition and I may have to terminate, get an amnio test that has a risk for miscarriage, and that the baby will have very poor health outcomes. Please join me in...
Q&A on Trisomy 18 Spiritual Encouragement
Question: I have dear friends who have just found out that their unborn son very likely has a severe case of Trisomy 18. They have many questions and concerns about the future. They are also receiving a great deal of negative feedback and vibes from the medical...
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 an egg, after fertilization, fails to make it to the...
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 resource that accepts egg donations? Is it wasteful or...
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). Most often that would be...
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 or have resources to share? Am I correct that from...
Q&A on Genetic Testing of Preborn Children
QUESTION: Is genetic testing of preborn children acceptable for Christians? ANSWER: The answer to your question requires some clarification, because there are many variables that come into consideration. Some parents are concerned about a genetic disease that could be...
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 the United States does not confer any...
Family Topics
Q&A on Childless by Choice
QUESTION: I have two questions on your podcast episode Childless by Choice. Is it an actual sin not to have children if the couple is married and physically capable? It was not brought up in the podcast. In the Podcast, you also mentioned different situations when...
Q&A on Sudden Loss and Grief
QUESTION: My little girl was killed by a drunk driver a few months ago. I have continued suffering in the agony of the loss and can't understand this whole situation. Why did a loving God allow my innocent little girl to die? ANSWER: The question that haunts many...
Q&A on Miscarriage and the Childless Couple
QUESTION: Friends of ours have been married for a number of years and continue having miscarriages. Why doesn't God bless them with children? I'm sure they would be excellent parents, and they are strong and faithful Christians. ANSWER: Let's handle the second part of...
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 I just don’t see any alternatives. ANSWER: You are...
Q&A on Divorce and Remarriage
Rev. John F. Brug QUESTION: When may a divorced person remarry in the church? ANSWER: Scripture does not treat in detail the moral propriety of remarriage after a divorce. Clearly, persons who have suffered wrongful divorces, inflicted by their spouses, are free to...
Q&A on Pornography and Divorce
QUESTION: I have been married nearly 30 years. Over those years I have caught my husband buying porn magazines. I told him I don't like it. I pay the bills and this past week I found a charge on our credit card for $81.46 for RachelleXXX through Paypal. I think it's...
Q&A on Questionable Clothing
QUESTION: Many of my daughter’s friends are wearing outfits that I feel are inappropriate. I am very disappointed that my daughter is now wearing some of the same styles. How can I address this with her so she understands the seriousness of her decisions? ANSWER: You...
Q&A on Aging Parents and Resistance to Living with Their Children
Q: My husband and I have talked about caring for our parents when they are unable to care for themselves. We have offered that they stay with us in our home rather than move to an assisted living facility, but they seem unwilling. In fact, they don’t even want to talk...
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 not the solution. Abstinence is still...
Medical Concerns
Q&A on Caregiving and Diminished Quality of Life
QUESTION: My dad was recently diagnosed with ALS. We are all pretty devastated. He knows that his quality of life will diminish, and he will become totally reliant on us kids. The other night he asked, “Why is God doing this to me?” I didn’t know how to answer him. I...
Q&A on DNR and Feeding Tube
QUESTION: My husband has had Parkinson's for 25 years, severe Alzheimer's, and other issues. He has taken a severe setback with a recent hospitalization. He is presently very weak, minimally mobile, with very low function cognition. He is now in rehab, but hoping to...
Q&A on Suffering
QUESTION: My mother has multiple sclerosis and has been given only a few years to live. Our family is concerned about Mom spending the last few years of her life suffering. What can we do? ANSWER: The fear of pain affects many decisions in life. As a loving...
Q&A on Spiritual Concerns of Loved One With Alzheimer’s Disease
QUESTION: My dad was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease a number of years ago and is now inactive. He always said he was ready to die and go to heaven, but I wonder if I am prolonging his life and keeping him from his goal. ANSWER: As Christians, all of us desire the...
Q&A on Cutting
QUESTION: A number of students at my high school are “cutters.” Why do they do that? ANSWER: “Cutting” has become a popular behavior among some of today’s youth, but few adults know much about it or understand it. “Cutting” is just one method of self-injury that is...
Q&A on Non-Controversial Stem Cell Research That Does Not Harm Embryos
QUESTION: I’ve heard a lot of news stories about embryonic stem cells and how we don’t need them anymore. Is that really true? How should Christians respond to this news? ANSWER: You are right that many stories have been published on this topic. Very simply, the...
Q&A on Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer (SCNT) Cloning
QUESTION: I’ve heard people say they are opposed to human cloning, but they support somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT). What is the difference? ANSWER: In simple terms, there is no difference. Somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) is the process used to produce a...
Q&A on Potential Success of Research Involving Adult Stem Cells and Embryonic Stem Cells
QUESTION: I know there have been recent successes with adult stem cell research but why do you say we should eliminate all embryonic stem cell research just because it hasn’t been as effective? I’m reading articles that say embryonic stem cells hold more potential...
Q&A on Human Cloning and Embryonic Stem Cell Research
QUESTION: I’m opposed to human cloning, but I feel that embryonic stem cell research has great potential. Why are so many states trying to legalize both? ANSWER: There is a great deal of confusion on these points. Here are some facts that might clarify this issue:...
Ethical & Social Issues
Q&A on Medical Personnel Transitioning Patients
QUESTION: As a Christian and a medical professional, what am I to do when seeing patients who are going through methods to transition genders? My work in endocrinology has included procedures that aid transitioning. I may also need to train the patients how to inject...
Q&A on Gay Pride Activism
QUESTION: As Christians, should we be protesting gay pride festivities as either individuals or churches – or both? ANSWER: Everything about Christianity centers on Christ. Specifically, that means witnessing to who he is, what he did, and what it means for us (Psalm...
Q&A on Witnessing
QUESTION: I have a friend who is a member of a WELS church, but is pretty liberal on the subject of transgender and other subjects. I would like to speak to her but I don't want to start an argument. I would appreciate a simple explanation and would like to know the...
Q&A on Euthanasia
QUESTION: What's the difference between voluntary euthanasia and non-voluntary euthanasia? ANSWER: Voluntary euthanasia involves a competent and stated desire for someone to have his or her life terminated. Non-voluntary euthanasia pertains to the termination of...
Q&A on Suffering
QUESTION: My mother has multiple sclerosis and has been given only a few years to live. Our family is concerned about Mom spending the last few years of her life suffering. What can we do? ANSWER: The fear of pain affects many decisions in life. As a loving...
Q&A on Pro-Life Activism
QUESTION: For years I’ve been rather quietly pro-life, but now I am more concerned about the abuse of human life. What can I do to help make a difference? ANSWER: You are not alone in your feelings. Here are some suggestions to consider: Volunteer at a local pregnancy...
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 the United States does not confer any...
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 very wrong they are, for...
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 elements of our society. Yet we also care...
