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Smashmouth Incrementalism: Fighting the Long War against Human Abortion
Ultimately Abolitionist.
Strategically Incrementalist.
Human abortion is a great cultural sin. On that we agree. But how can we best go about bringing an end to America’s blood sacrament? Abolition absolutists will accept nothing short of an immediate and total ban. Inconsistent pro-lifers are willing to settle for various exceptions. But smashmouth incrementalists propose that the most effective way to win the long war against abortion is through uncompromising fighting of strategic battles.
In Smashmouth Incrementalism, Douglas Wilson establishes the biblical case for protecting life, examines the biblical necessity and cultural effectiveness of gradual change, argues for a relentless incrementalism in the war against abortion, and gives thanks for the victories we have already won. And he points to the only ultimate solution—not politics, but repentance, reformation, and revival sought through faithful preaching and fervent prayer.
Strategically Incrementalist.
Human abortion is a great cultural sin. On that we agree. But how can we best go about bringing an end to America’s blood sacrament? Abolition absolutists will accept nothing short of an immediate and total ban. Inconsistent pro-lifers are willing to settle for various exceptions. But smashmouth incrementalists propose that the most effective way to win the long war against abortion is through uncompromising fighting of strategic battles.
In Smashmouth Incrementalism, Douglas Wilson establishes the biblical case for protecting life, examines the biblical necessity and cultural effectiveness of gradual change, argues for a relentless incrementalism in the war against abortion, and gives thanks for the victories we have already won. And he points to the only ultimate solution—not politics, but repentance, reformation, and revival sought through faithful preaching and fervent prayer.
133 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 13, 2026
2 people are currently reading
4 people want to read
About the author
Douglas Wilson
296 books4,580 followersI write in order to make the little voices in my head go away. Thus far it hasn't worked.
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Displaying 1 of 1 review
January 14, 2026
On Christmas Eve, a friend and I had a brief exchange about the games we're worst at. Him: Scrabble. Me: Chess. Happily, I am in the word business, and he is in the business business...both of us using our strengths and aware of our weaknesses. So for me to copyedit a book about strategy was a tough task, and for me to review it is perhaps of no value, but here goes, anyway.
Doug Wilson's pro-life bona fides are irreproachable. He's not one of those wishy-washy exceptionmongers who wear the label but sway with whatever political wind is blowing in whatever direction. He wants the number of abortions to be zero, zip, nada, and has written and worked to that end for decades. That strong ethos establishes the grounds for his logos on strategy to be heard with respectful consideration. The book is dedicated to James White and Jeff Durbin. Doug recently debated Jeff on the abolition/incrementalism issue, and I am grateful for the way those men on either side have managed to honor each other despite their differences. A red flag for anybody claiming to be anti-murder is if he disregards Jesus's words about nastiness toward one's brother being tantamount to murder. Whichever side of this debate you come down on, don't pay attention to the people who claim to be on your side but do not love the faithful men on the other side. They know not what spirit they are of.
I find Doug's arguments for incrementalism persuasive. And I find the smashmouth demeanor of his incrementalism appealing. I rejoice with the incremental victories we have won, and I pray for the ultimate victory of legal protection for all humans in the womb.
Doug Wilson's pro-life bona fides are irreproachable. He's not one of those wishy-washy exceptionmongers who wear the label but sway with whatever political wind is blowing in whatever direction. He wants the number of abortions to be zero, zip, nada, and has written and worked to that end for decades. That strong ethos establishes the grounds for his logos on strategy to be heard with respectful consideration. The book is dedicated to James White and Jeff Durbin. Doug recently debated Jeff on the abolition/incrementalism issue, and I am grateful for the way those men on either side have managed to honor each other despite their differences. A red flag for anybody claiming to be anti-murder is if he disregards Jesus's words about nastiness toward one's brother being tantamount to murder. Whichever side of this debate you come down on, don't pay attention to the people who claim to be on your side but do not love the faithful men on the other side. They know not what spirit they are of.
I find Doug's arguments for incrementalism persuasive. And I find the smashmouth demeanor of his incrementalism appealing. I rejoice with the incremental victories we have won, and I pray for the ultimate victory of legal protection for all humans in the womb.
Displaying 1 of 1 review