What are a few things Christians might avoid saying in conversations with those who hold differing views on abortion?

First, as I’ve watched Christians comment on social media, they have expressed surprise that pro-choice advocates are upset that abortion has become less efficient. Surprise seems to me to be the wrong word because it suggests that Christians are unaware of the extent to which the world is broken. While I can appreciate the sentiment being expressed, I’m not sure it is surprising that people who do not know God in Christ take a more pragmatic stance on matters such as abortion than those who have experienced the benevolence and provision of God. Whatever we do, we need to ensure we are expressing our beliefs about God, humanity, and creation as a whole in a way that is faithful to the scriptures. Our speech matters.

Second, Christians need to avoid name-calling. I believe that abortion ends a life; however, I do not believe it to be appropriate to frame pro-choice advocates as “baby killers” or use derogatory words to describe them. It would seem that the better course would be to avoid using such terminology so that we can build bridges with women and men who advocate for pro-choice policies and who need to hear the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Finally, Christians may want to avoid the normal arguments. A great deal of the angst surrounding abortion is amplified by the relative lack of emphasis on the positive, proactive activities that demonstrate our ongoing care for children after birth. Continuing to be drawn into the same discussions and debates is unlikely to yield new conversations.