The Case for Life -- Review

In The Case for Life Scott Klusendorf has written a very readable guide to what is truly at stake in the debate regarding the lives of the unborn. The subtitle is Equipping Christians to Engage the Culture. This should be required reading for all church leaders. It should be on the recommended list in church libraries and every believer should be familiar with the approach to the abortion debate that is recommended.

His book is divided into four parts that address different needs for Christians: clarifying the debate, establishing a foundation for the debate, answering questions persuasively, and teaching and equipping.

In his preface and throughout the book Klusendorf strongly advocates graciousness in any debate regarding life issues. When pro-life people answer questions regarding abortion policies they should do it in a “winsome and attractive matter.” We must remember that as Christians we are ambassadors for Christ, we are his representatives in this world. That lays a deep responsibility on us to be gracious and polite even as we refute deadly arguments.

In part one, Klusendorf urges pro-lifers to clarify what is being debated. While often the popular debate centers on choice or privacy issues, Klusendorf persuasively makes the point that the rhetoric needs be stripped away and the debate focused on the issue of whether a human being is killed or not. He marshals the scientific and medical communities testimonies concerning the fact that at conception a human embryo is distinctly a human being. Once that is established he advocates some strategies to demonstrate what is truly at stake in the abortion discussion.

He suggests a very simple yet powerful strategy that he calls “trot out the toddler.” That is substitute a toddler for the unborn in any argument that advocates abortion. This puts the debate on the different plane than most abortion advocates want to be. Throughout the book Klusendorf gives examples of using these strategies in a gracious, kind, yet determined way.

The second part is devoted to deciphering what is truly being said in the debate, cutting through obscuring language. He deals with many relativistic presuppositions, subjecting them to logical analysis to see haw valid they truly are.

In part three he answers many of the objections that are raised about involvement in the Pro-life movement. Most of the answers go right back to the clarified debate, the issue is the taking of a human life. When that is clearly seen as the issue at stake it keeps the debate on moral grounds.

The final part of the book deals with broader strategies to equip churches and believers to deal wisely and persuasively with abortion advocates. He urges a strong biblical foundation on how life is viewed. He also advocates compassionate care for those that have had abortions.

I highly recommend this book for all Christians to read and evaluate so that they can understand and engage the culture