Abortion: A Rational Look at An Emotional Issue

by R.C. Sproul (Contributor)

In this book, Dr. R.C. Sproul employs his unique perspective as a highly experienced pastor-theologian and a trained philosopher to provide well-considered and compassionate answers to the difficult questions that attend termination of pregnancy. Dr. Sproul strives for a factual, well-reasoned approach informed by careful biblical scholarship. He considers both sides of this issue in terms of biblical teaching, civil law, and natural law. This edition includes a new foreword by Dr. George Grant and has been updated to reflect developments in the issue of abortion. Appendixes provide further background on the issue of when life begins and list sources for pro-life resources.

Genres: Christian, Theology, Nonfiction, Christianity, Politics, Cultural, Philosophy

Unknown Binding

First published May 1, 1990

About the author

Dr. R.C. Sproul (1939–2017) was founder of Ligonier Ministries, an international Christian discipleship organization located near Orlando, Fla. He was founding pastor of Saint Andrew’s Chapel in Sanford, Fla., first president of Reformation Bible College, and executive editor of Tabletalk magazine.

Ligonier Ministries began in 1971 as the Ligonier Valley Study Center in Ligonier, Pa. In an effort to respond more effectively to the growing demand for Dr. Sproul’s teachings and the ministry’s other educational resources, the general offices were moved to Orlando in 1984, and the ministry was renamed.

Dr. Sproul’s radio program, Renewing Your Mind, is still broadcast daily on hundreds of radio stations around the world and can also be heard online. Dr. Sproul produced hundreds of lecture series and recorded numerous video series on subjects such as the history of philosophy, theology, Bible study, apologetics, and Christian living.

He contributed dozens of articles to national evangelical publications, spoke at conferences, churches, and academic institutions around the world, and wrote more than one hundred books, including The Holiness of God, Chosen by God, and Everyone’s a Theologian. He signed the 1978 Chicago Statement on Biblical Inerrancy and wrote a commentary on that document. He also served as general editor of the Reformation Study Bible, previously known as the New Geneva Study Bible.

Dr. Sproul had a distinguished academic teaching career at various colleges and seminaries, including Reformed Theological Seminary in Orlando and Jackson, Miss. He was ordained as a teaching elder in the Presbyterian Church in America.

Reviews

[Joy · Rating 1 out of 5]

I'm a lifelong evangelical Christian, and I'm still looking for a Christian-based pro-life argument that shows at least passing understanding of women's history, the sexual mores at play in the abortion debate, and the real arguments being put forth by the choice community. This wasn't it. Sproul's statement that an unborn baby is "in the same location" as the woman's body, but not "part" of it was particularly dense (not to mention biologically incorrect). I've given birth to a beautiful son, whom I talked to throughout my pregnancy as a separate person. But pregnancy and childbirth were not independent events happening "in the same location as my body." They were the most physically demanding things to ever happen to my body. You can argue that a zygote/embryo/fetus/unborn baby is an independent being, but you must also acknowledge that it is an integrated part of a woman's body, affecting her own life and health. To essentially say that bodily autonomy doesn't even have a place in the discussion about abortion is in keeping with the misogynistic rhetoric that I continue to hear come out of my community of faith on this topic. I've yet to hear a pro-life advocate say that all people should be required to be organ donors since organ donation saves real, separate, human lives (that are fully formed, fully self-aware, and express a desire to live). More and more, I suspect the difference is that organ donation is an egalitarian issue (of course men should have control of their bodies, even if it means the unnecessary death of a separate human being). Pregnancy, on the other hand, is specifically female.

Two stars because it gave me more to think about, even if it did just raise more questions for me.

[Regular Joe · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second book I have read recently that hasn't been reviewed yet on Amazon.com. Knowing how popular R.C. Sproul is this came as a great surprise. An even greater surprise was the subject matter in his book entitled "ABORTION (A Rational Look at an Emotional Issue)." Since most of R.C. Sproul's books are on Theology, Church history and Logic, it seemed unusual for him to write a book on abortion. I'm very happy that he did.

The book is divided into three parts:

Part I: Abortion: The Ethical Dilemma of Our Time.

Part II: An Analysis of Pro-Abortion and Pro-Choice Arguments.

Part III: A Compassionate Response and Strategy

In Part I, Sproul points out how emotionally divided America is over the abortion issue, with the potential of ripping apart the social fabric of one of history's most successful nations. In doing this, he covers some of the core issues like "Is a fetus a living human person?" "When does life begin?" the sanctity of life from a biblical viewpoint, the sanctity of life in Natural Law and how abortion violates that sanctity. Sproul summarizes this as follows:

"A negative prohibition again actual and potential murder implicitly involves a positive mandate to work for the protection, sustenance, and respect for the sanctity of life. To oppose murder is to promote life. Whatever else abortion does, it does not promote the life of the unborn child. Although some people will argue that abortion promotes the quality of life of those who do not desire offspring, it does not promote the life of the subject in question, the developing unborn child."

I found Sproul's section on how abortion can be shown to violate Natural Law very interesting and which a brief history of abortion in both America and world history. He states that "Abortion--whatever else it may be--is an act against nature." This is great information for those who do not recognize or honor the scriptures. Sproul really begins to get to the crux of the matter when he addresses the central point of "When does life begin?", a question he covers from the biblical, medical and legal viewpoints. Being ever so thorough, Sproul even focuses a chapter on the role of Government in abortion. I haven't heard the issue of abortion presented from this vantage point before.

In Part II, Sproul provides an analysis of the Pro-Abortion and Pro-Choice (there is a difference) arguments. This part is where Sproul is at his finest, sifting through the often-heard clichés from these groups like "a woman alone has the moral right to her own body," "women have a legal right to privacy on abortion" and "men have no right to address abortion because it is a women's issue." He carefully peals back the arguments, revealing the underlying paper-thin arguments that cannot be honestly defended.

To the Pro-Choice chapter is such a revealing study and asks questions every citizen in America needs to ask themselves and honestly answer. According to Sproul, there are relatively few in America who are Pro-Abortion and many more individuals who are Pro-Choice, or at least they think they are. Again, Sproul reveals just what is meant when we claim we are Pro-Choice. He wraps up Part II with a chapter on The Problem of Unwanted Pregnancies.

Part III covers the Pro-Life position and strategy. Sproul ends his book with a fascinating 33-page Appendix which includes a transcript of testimony provided by Jerome Lejeune, M.D., Ph.D, a Professor of Fundamental Genetics, during a court proceeding in August, 1989.

I was impressed with the way Dr. Sproul handled this sensitive and emotionally-charged subject. The only drawback I found was the book is 20 years old and, though the arguments are timeless, some of the data is in need of a updating. It is a fast read, yet at the same time very thought-provoking, just like most of his books.

[Jeanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

What you think about abortion reflects what you think about God. Does that sound harsh? I don't mean for it to or to be judgmental, however, that is what theology is about. The gospel addresses abortion and the gospel is about forgiveness. RC Sproul is very clear in his teaching on this issue and you will gleam new insights. The book is more written towards those that have the position of, I don't believe in abortion, but however, I do not want to take that right from another. RC Sproul goes into depth on the lie that is in that statement.

Whenever a society or an individual puts itself on a slippery slope, it will crash. Abortion is really about the gospel to both women and the babies. For women that have had abortions, the church is not a place of judgement but a place of redemption with repentance. Abortion opposes the gospel because it is subverts God, it redefines sin, abortion ignores the cross and takes away faith in who God is. Abortion takes it out of God's hand and puts in ours.

As I was reading this, you see the lies that the media and our government have told the American people on this issue. The right to life is taken away by the personal right of one individual. When the rights of life is compromised, then all of our rights are. The study goes into the clarification of when life begins and how our own laws are not in sync. Example when a pregnant woman is murdered, the murder charge is for two not one. Another example is the fight for frozen eggs. I think we will see more of this as the acceptance of gay marriage comes into fruition. Towards the end of the book, he addresses the science of life. Something whether you live under the authority of God or not is pretty amazing. Abortion is really about what a society thinks about life. Abortion is violent against women. Abortion only increases poverty in neglect in children, the numbers show this to be true. Abortion is a lie.

[Randy Alcorn]

When I read R. C. Sproul’s book on abortion twenty years ago I was still a pastor. I recall how grateful I was that a respected theologian had spoken out so clearly on the critical issue of abortion. At the time, such voices were few and far between, with many evangelical theologians seemingly silent about the plight of unborn children. Sproul’s logic is sharp and penetrating, and his reliance on biblical authority is refreshing. The appendix, in which Dr. Jerome Lejeune offers courtroom testimony, is a great bonus. I’m happy to recommend the re-release of Dr. Sproul’s book on this vital subject, and I pray God will use it to enlighten many new readers.

[Lady Makaveli · Rating 1 out of 5]

Nothing but anti-choice, religious lies created and formulated to make women feel bad about having an abortion. It is his opinion is not what I had hoped it would be when I read this; I am spiritual person but not a Christian nor am I any religion. However, from what I understand in the Bible Jesus was compassionate- it's amazing how may of these xtians don't practice what their book says. Additionally, who is he or you or anyone else to look down and judge another woman? Shameful. Humanity sometimes seems to have no hope.

[Victoria (hotcocoaandbooks) · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was glad to see this book available for free on kindle, so I decided to read it. I am both anti-abortion and anti-capital punishment/death penalties, and I get upset when I read pro-life books that seem to be for one and against another. This wasn't a bad book, but I felt it was more opinionated rather than filled with great proofs, though there were some of that too. I liked the short chapter about having mercy on women who have had abortions and suffer the guilt of the decision they had once made. I think the book ended pretty abruptly after a lengthy chapter that was a court conversation with an embriotic specialist doctor of sorts. It was pretty much the most interesting part of the whole book. I did like a few things that Sproul said, but for the most part, I lacked interest in the book. It was a very fast read though. There were summaries to close out each chapter (other than the last). I give it more of a 2.75 star rating.

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent presentation of the pro-life argument against abortion on demand. The book carefully covers every aspect of this debate and presents an abundance of evidence and logic to conclude that abortion is indeed the taking of a human life. Appendix A is a very helpful discussion of the development and viability of the fetus, arguing, through the use of court testimony, that even a zygote can be regarded as nothing less than an "early human being." A timely read as we come to Sanctity of Human Life Sunday this week.

[Luke Seelenbinder · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sproul writes an excellent overview of the issues pertaining to abortion. He approaches it in a manner that is both logical and heart-felt. His conclusions are weighed and balanced and judgements frank, honest, and humble. He adds an appendix containing testimony by a French geneticist concerning the formation of life from fertilization until fetus. The appendix is worth its weight in gold. I am not overstating it, at all.

If you need a holistic understanding of the debate that is raging in society at large, pick this up and read it. It is well worth the time.

[Connor Davey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Probably not the best book for a joke review, so this one’s serious.

This was a good read. Lots and lots of evidence for calling life what it is at a very early stage of pregnancy. Biblically, scientifically, logically - abortion is the killing of human life. There’s just no way around it. I’m thankful to live in a state where abortion is illegal in almost every case.

What this book lacks, in my opinion, is a bit more compassion for some women who feel like abortion is their only option. I want to be really sensitive in talking about this issue with these women, and I want to express serious compassion for them.

Compassion doesn’t mean that abortion should be legal. But it does mean that making abortion illegal is really just the first step. We now need to fight to make it unthinkable. We need to adopt these babies and make adoption easy. We need to support these women sacrificially, both financially and emotionally. They need an abundance of resources and I’m honestly happy to pay more in taxes if I knew it was going to resources for these mothers.

What a difficult subject with such insanely different viewpoints! Opposite sides really don’t see eye-to-eye on this, and really can’t. It’s like we’re speaking two different languages.

To my pro-choice friends, I would love to converse about this with you in person and hear your perspective. Just because I fundamentally disagree with you doesn’t mean I don’t like you or want to hear your opinion.

Would recommend this book to anyone looking to learn more on the subject!

[AlegnaB † · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book may be helpful to those who consider themselves pro-choice. It will give them some information that they perhaps don't know and will prompt them to think logically and consistently about various things relating to abortion.

I found the scientific info from the transcript of the testimony in court of the French professor of genetics (who won a prize "for being first to discover a disease caused by chromosomal abnormality -- Down's syndrome") to be quite fascinating.

[Mark A Powell · Rating 3 out of 5]

Abortion is one of the most polarizing issues in our day, in part due to the passionate responses associated with either side of the discussion. Attempting to strip away the emotional veneer and deal primarily with the rational presuppositions of abortion, Sproul has re-released this classic work. While overtly Christian, Sproul’s arguments are not limited to that sphere. Updated with relevant data from the last twenty years, this remains a beneficial examination of a hotly-contested issue.

[Julie Biles · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Never will I sit motionless while directly or indirectly apology is made for the murder of the helpless. In securing any kind of peace, the first essential is to guarantee to every man the most elementary of rights: the right to his own life. Murder is not debatable."
-Theodore Roosevelt

“A fundamental concern of law is the protection of the weak against the strong and powerful. Such weakness is vividly seen in the utter helplessness of the unborn baby. The unborn have no voting rights and no physical power to avert their destruction. ”
-R.C. Sproul

Dr. Sproul purposes to cause his readers to look at not only the morality of protecting life but at the science, what any objective physician or anyone participating in the act, must do when considering the issue of abortion.

“The fetus, although sharing geographical space within a woman’s body and connected to her, has a distinct genetic imprint and in essence is a separate entity, not a part of the woman’s body.”
-R.C. Sproul

The author addresses that, “More women have died from abortions in the United States since abortion was legalized than in the preceding times of illegal abortion.”
-R.C. Sproul

Though this book was first published over a decade ago, the truth and realities of the horror of abortion has not changed. The scientific support of human life beginning at conception is only growing exponentially.

The low view of human life we hear and read detailed by the abortion industry has resulted in the harsh statistical fact that the human womb is the most dangerous location in which anyone could be. Baby sea turtles eggs are more protected on our nation's beaches than are human beings in what should be a place of refuge and safety, the mother's womb.

Many Americans have come to believe that some humans are more valuable to our society than others and some have no value at all, “Once a man ceases to recognize the infinite value of the human soul... then all he can recognize is that man is something to be used. But then he will also have to go further and recognize that some men can no longer be utilized and he arrives at the concept that there are some lives that have no value at all."
-Helmut Thielicke

In considering the statistically high incidence of maternal death combined with the millions who are traumatized by the this barbaric procedure, I am struck by the question, “How can we call the murder of another human being, women's health?” A mother and father, if he knows and allows himself to think about what has happened to his child, will carry this procedure and be emotionally, mentally and often times physically scarred their entire lives.

This is an excellent place to begin if one is allowing himself/herself to honestly ponder the realities of abortion. For the one who is pro-choice but not convinced that abortion should be illegal, this book will guide you, gently and wisely, through your journey. This would be a perfect book study for a group of critical thinkers. The only requirement is a willingness to honestly consider scientific reality.

[Sara Fukuda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Logical, well rounded and kind. At the end there was an extensive section from a court case where a couple was separating and arguing over some IVF embryos. The specialist they had to come in and testify was brilliant and interesting.

[Matt · Rating 1 out of 5]

***To note, my views fall in line with pro-life beliefs.

On the back cover RC Sproul states that the purpose of his book is "a balanced consideration of the arguments in the abortion debate" and to provide "well-considered and compassionate answers to the difficult questions that attend to the termination of a pregnancy." He fails to deliver on either of theses goals.

First, the structure of the book is exceptionally poor. Instead of beginning the book by closely examining the history and significance of abortion, he immediately opens up with an inflammatory foreword and introduction, proclaiming that "I will try to show that abortion is against the law of God, against the laws of nature, and against reason" (p. xxi). How is this thesis balanced or well-considered? A balanced thesis would instead state a proclamation to examine both sides of the issue and empathize with them, while drawing conclusions in chapters separate from the summary of the arguments.

In later chapters he goes on to use divisive rhetoric to demonize any opposition to any of his arguments. He calls them "militant pro-abortion groups" and evokes war terminology to describe pro-choice advocates. He compares them to Nazis by equating pro-choice doctors to the Third Reich's leading experimental physician Joseph Mengele (p. 150). He attacks women who choose to have abortions as practitioners of hedonism by "grabbing all the gusto while having as few aches and pains as possible" (p. 122). He minimizes rape victims and women in life-or-death scenarios by saying that women who suffer through such traumatic experiences should not obscure the central debate. He even admits that "if it were decided in extreme cases that abortion is an ethical option, the extreme cases should not dictate law" (p. 130).

To expand off of the last example, why doesn't he use the powerful testimonies of rape survivors who gave birth to and raised their children? Why not include the proclamation of adults who were brought into this world as products of rape? Wouldn't that strengthen his argument? Sproul fails to emphasize important parts of various arguments, and actively dismisses or condemns potential wellsprings of valuable insights into the abortion debate with his narrow, black-and-white view.

Additionally, he does not give the pro-choice arguments any legitimacy or sympathy. He even opens up the chapter on pro-choice with a quote actively condemning pro-choice (p. 111). In chapter eight he presents the three most fallacious arguments he could find and discredits them without any regard to any of the other arguments pro-choice advocates bring up. Even if the reader agrees with him, one must ask why he doesn't bring up frequent arguments such as a woman's proposed right to health and well-being by avoiding pregnancy (from a pro-choice perspective)? The weakness of the arguments Sproul presents undermine his own arguments by making it seem like he is dodging around core issues. If he truly wanted to present a rational examination of abortion, why wouldn't he choose the most robust arguments from both sides and thoroughly examine them? Yet again he fails to provide any valuable insight.

Overall, this book fails at making any meaningful arguments. There is a severe lack of quotation for statistics, misrepresentation of the abortion debate, and hateful condemnation of others through inflammatory rhetoric. Do not read this book if you are looking for good discussion. Only fallacies and false teaching lay here.

[Christina · Rating 2 out of 5]

I am a pro-life Christian and was wanting to gain an additional perspective on the abortion debate that was less biased and more balanced/rational. I believe this insight is helpful in properly addressing such an emotional issue both within the Christian community and outside of it, with both respect and sound reason. I was hoping to gain this insight from R.C. Sproul, but I was sorely disappointed. Not only does R.C. Spiral claim to offer a balanced and objective look at the issue and fail to do so, but I actually think he does more harm than good in addressing such a nuanced issue with such sloppiness.

Sproul’s entire book has serious scope issues, specifically as it relates to his targeted audience. If he wanted to write a book that would perfectly resonate with biased evangelical Christians who don’t properly look at both sides, then he succeeded. However, he clearly states within his book that “This book is addressed primarily to those who are not sure about the ethics of abortion” (pg. 72). If this is his primary audience, then I will boldly state that he did a terrible job addressing his primary audience. Instead of offering a compassionate and empathetic view into the pro-choice side, he puts down and condemns those who are not pro-life. This is not only an unloving approach as a Christian, but it is a terrible way to win people over to your view.

I’m convinced that although there is validity to RC Sproul’s conclusion and arguments, his arguments were written in such a haphazardly organized and sloppy way, that they are not convincing to someone who doesn’t already hold the pro-life position. Many of his chapters were too short and not an efficient conciseness. Instead of spending adequate time on the nuances and depth of arguments, he skimmed over the arguments he should have spent more time on and then went into detail on sub-points that could have either been omitted or condensed. For example, Sproul spent a mere 14 pages of the book addressing “common” arguments in the debate and analyzing the pro-choice side. This is far too little to spend on such a nuanced issue. For the three arguments he did choose to address (which I don’t see as the core arguments), he skimmed over and immediately discredited them, instead of giving full weight to the issue in explanation, interpretation, analysis, counter-arguments, and conclusions. If this was an abortion paper or thesis/dissertation in a philosophy class and I were the professor, I would not pass the paper. He oversimplified most arguments and didn’t provide substantial care or time to address things properly.

Clearly Sproul is passionate about pro-life and the value of human life, but it was disappointing that he was not able to carefully argue his case to both pro-life and pro-choice audiences. This book felt less like a philosophical and ethical rhetoric book (which is what he claimed it was) and more like an over-simplified pamphlet from an evangelical church at a pro-life rally. He was pushy in his agenda, but not persuasive or thorough in his arguments.

[Steve Hemmeke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sproul calmly and persuasively argues for the pro-life position.

The strength of this book is that he does not preach to the choir, but assumes his audience is either on the fence or pro-choice. Sproul first sets forth his position, delving into issues of law, when life begins. He then answers the pro-choice arguments: a woman's right to her body, dangerous black-market abortions, inconsistency with capital punishment.

The take I appreciated most was the critique of the middle-ground position, that if I'm not sure abortion is morally right or wrong, then I default to let a woman choose. The change to this position from the default of life was made in the 1970s, both before and after Roe v. Wade. Sproul answers this ably, and calls on us to speak with those we know on the fence.

One of the failings of the church has been to only preach to the choir. We just get angry at people who are really unsure about this issue. We have little patience with them. So how can we possibly persuade them?

But Sproul gives us Biblical, sound and useful arguments to bring to friends, congressmen, etc.

He also includes a chapter gracefully asserting that abortion is not the unforgivable sin. Guilt is real and can be an overwhelming feeling, but it can be removed in God's sight.

There is a long and interesting appendix about whether frozen embryos are alive, or should be treated as persons.


This is must reading for pastors and pregnancy center volunteers, and anyone who finds they have pro-choice friends open to talking about it.

[Lillie · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author demonstrates that the Bible condemns abortion, and then shows that advances in science now prove that unborn babies are human beings. He points out that the people to target in trying to bring pro-choice advocates to the pro-life position are those who say they are personally against abortion but don't want to force their views on women who have the right to choose. That's like saying you are personally opposed to murder but don't want to take away others' right to choose. Some things are not a matter of choice.

One of the most interesting things in this book to me was an appendix. The French geneticist who discovered the chromosome for Down syndrome testified in a case in which a divorcing couple were in a custody battle over frozen embryos remaining after they tried in vitro fertilization, and the transcript of his testimony was in the appendix. The geneticist spoke in English as a second language, but his description of the development of a baby from conception was absolutely lyrical. He never wavered; no matter how many ways the lawyers tried to get him to say that the embryos should be destroyed, he insisted they should not be destroyed as they were living human beings.

[Peter Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent book on the abortion issue. Sproul is calm and careful, but not afraid to speak the truth. What sets this book apart is how Sproul appeals to those who are on the fence. He is not preaching to the choir. Nor is he trying to convince hard-core pro-abortion folks. He is talking to those who would not have abortions, but think women should be able to choose. Or the group that says it is legal so it must be okay. He addresses many of the objections to the pro-life movement. A very good work that fills a gap in abortion discussion.

There is one weakness: It was written twenty years ago. This is not an automatic strike against it. But the impact of relativism is not adequately addressed in the book. Many people today do not think rational. As Ravi Zacharias says, "They feel with their eyes and think with their feelings." It would have been nice if an additional chapter was added that addressed the post-modern way of thinking about abortion.

[Frank Peters · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is, I believe an excellent book. However, from my perspective it has also misrepresented itself. The book is really only designed for those who are at least nominally pro-life. For this audience, the book is outstanding. The arguments are well put together and provide good talking points should a conversation come up. But, I really cannot see anyone, who was not pro-life managing to get through the book without being irritated. Now that I have read the book, I think I will read the Amazon reviews and find comments from those who would disagree with the author.

[Katja Labonté]

Free on Amazon!

[Austin Cox · Rating 3 out of 5]

There’s a lot to commend about this book. But, there were few oddities which I didn’t expect. Sproul has a much more optimistic view of human nature it seems, as he insists that pro-choice people are simply unaware that the infant in a woman’s womb is really a human life. If we could just prove that they are human, people would start giving up on abortion. That sentiment persists throughout the book—that abortion is more of an intellectual problem than a moral one.

A couple other oddities, like Sproul apologizing if he offends anyone for using the generic “mankind” throughout the book instead of “men and women,” etc.

That being said, Sproul proves his case well enough—the fetus is a living human being in the fetal stage of development.

Sproul is strongest when the begins his pastoral exhortations at the end of the book with those who have had abortions and Christians who don’t know what to do about this mess. That was all quite encouraging.

Not bad

[Sam Clapp · Rating 4 out of 5]

A gentle and gospel centered approach to a sensitive issue. Written to an audience of those who are not convinced abortion is wrong. I recommend!

[Kevin Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yesterday students across the nation took part in the National Pro Life Day of Silent Solidarity which got me thinking about this book by R.C. Sproul. This was updated and released just in time for 37th anniversary for the Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision. The goal was to get this book in the hands of every congressman and senator in Washington. If they read the book, it would not doubt have an impact.

This book is well worth the read, and I would encourage everyone objectively thinking about this issue to go out a buy a copy. One by one, Sproul tackles the objections of the pro-choice crowd and systematically and intelligently dismantles each of them. There is much discussion on issues such as the role of government, imposing morality, when life actually begins and the nature of sin in general. But, wait, there’s more…

It seems as though most pro-life material out there seeks to either pull at the heart strings or outrage the civilized, clear thinking conscience. However, this book provides a well-thought out philosophical worldview that not only is not only useful in attacking pro-choice arguments, but grounds the Christian in a thoroughly Biblical foundation that promotes the sanctity of life in the image of God.

Here’s just one example of what you will find in the book:

“In so far as we are still human, we retain the image of God in the wider sense. We are still valuable creatures. We may no longer be worthy, but we still have worth. This is the resounding biblical message of redemption. The creatures God created are the same creatures He is moved to redeem. Because Christians speak so tirelessly about human sin, do they have a low view of humanity? Indeed, they have a love view of human virtue, but not a corresponding love view of human worth or importance. It is precisely because the Bible has such a high view of human dignity that Christian take human sin so seriously. If one rat steals another rat’s food, we don’t get morally outraged. But, it one human steals another human’s food, we rightly become concerned.” (pages 22-23)

Clearly, R.C. Sproul’s gift is his ability to explain difficult concepts in an easy-to-understand manner. I taught through much of this material with my high school students and found it a huge help. The summary and discussion questions at the end of each chapter also help in taking in all this material.

I don’t normally say this, but this is a “must-read.” If you have any commitment to the life issue, buy this book! If you wonder why so many are committed to the life issue, buy this book! You will not regret it.

Disclaimer: This book was provided by the publisher for review. I was under no obligation to offer a favorable review.

[Lois · Rating 5 out of 5]

The title says it all. I've long appreciated R.C. Sproul's thoughtful and thorough reasoning in his sermons and writings. This book is no different. Whereas abortion is a hot button topic in the social arena, I do think it is necessary and possible to discuss rationally the moral implications of Roe vs. Wade.

"If we regard the embryo or fetus as a living human person, then the moral implications of destroying that person prior to birth are enormous. As long as we can convince ourselves that a fetus is not human until birth, we are relieved of those difficulties." [from chapter four, When Does Life Begin?] He points out that the whole abortion debate cannot even begin until there is an agreement on when life begins. Science shows that once an egg and a sperm fertilize, there is life, whether in a test tube or in the womb. He shares the experience his daughter had of delivering a stillborn baby. The doctor told her, "I'm sorry, your baby has died." Even in the case of a spontaneous abortion [miscarriage], the embryo or fetus is merely in an earlier stage of development.

The book is in three parts: Part I is titled, Abortion: The Ethical Dilemma of Our Time. Part II is, An Analysis of Pro-Abortion and Pro-Choice Arguments. Part III is, A Compassionate Response and Strategy. Appendix A contained a court transcript from a geneticist who was questioned on the beginning of human life. That was fascinating to me, as it should be for anyone who desires the scientific approach to when life begins.

The book is logically laid out, common positions and assertions are addressed, and it is easy for a lay person to understand, but it is not overly-simplistic.

Only one error glared, and I'm surprised it got past an editor. In chapter ten Sproul made reference to Beethoven's contribution to human culture even after he went blind. Beethoven went DEAF, not blind; that disability was more devastating to a musician. But the point remains that "unwanted" babies, or those with "debilitating conditions" are still deserving of life.

I recommend this book for everyone with an open mind. It was merely coincidental [or perhaps providential is a better word choice] that I finished reading this on the 40th anniversary of Roe v. Wade.

[Jimmy]

I appreciated Sproul weighing in on this topic. Those who have read other works on pro-life works (see my review of Scott Klusendorf's work) will not find anything dramatically new here. Yet it's good to read and review the pro-life's argument. One thing that stood out as unique in this book was actually George Grant's preface. Grant summarized the current landscape in our society, political sphere and culture as the result of the abortion debate since Roe vs. Wade. This fascinating essay filled with footnotes by Grant puts into perspective for the Christian the extent of how much the abortion controversy has seeped into so many spheres of our lives today. The book is worth reading for the preface alone. Getting into Sproul's actual work I do appreciate how the author does deal with various objections given against the prolife position. I was reminded that more women have been known to have been killed by abortion after Roe vs. Wade than before it which makes the back alley abortion argument for legalizing abortion kind of ironic. Concerning the argument that the fetus is part of the woman's body, Sproul bring modern study of cells to bear, noting that babies have a different genetic fingerprint than the mother. The more interesting part of the book is the appendix that ended up being a rather lengthy testimony of a medical expert on the status of the embryo. Perhaps a little too lengthy. Sproul could have had his arguments tighter and I say this because I've seen other works that have made it air tight in their presentation. For those who might want to read an introductory work or to remind and refresh their prolife apologetics I can recommend this work.

[Sheila Myers · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book that should be read by every Christian, especially those who consider themselves pro-choice when it comes to abortion.

[Evan Minton · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book on abortion, written by the late R.C Sproul, is a wonderful resource. Sproul puts forth both biblical arguments and non-biblical arguments against abortion. This is a good tactic as there are unfortunately pro-choicers within the Christian community, and while non-Christian pro-choice advocates won't be moved by or even care about the scriptural arguments, for those who take The Bible as their highest authority on matters of faith and practice, these arguments will have some real oomph. Of course, Sproul also gives an argument against abortion that relies on (1) scientific evidence for the fetus' status and alive and(2) human coupled with our universal recognition that human life is sacred. These two facts, taken together, logically entail that abortion is morally wrong, as abortion is the termination of a human life.

Aside from making the case against abortion, Sproul also examines arguments pro-choicers give in favor of it, demonstrating that the major argument suffers from various flaws.

This is a good book to make the case for life.

[Dave Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got this as an Amazon freebie on the anniversary of Roe v. Wade (Jan 22).

Much of this is nothing new. Rev. Sproul reviews and responds to the major arguments for/against legalized abortion. A good primer. However, at times his rationale is profound. I especially enjoyed his take on the role of government from a Divine perspective.

Appendix A featured testimony in a court case involving the disposition of frozen embryos in a divorce case. This transcript is of Dr. Jerome Lejeune. He was (he passed away in 1994) a world-renowned geneticist who discovered the chromosomal abnormality causing Down's syndrome. This is a fascinating description of pre-natal development and an excellent treatise on the beginning of life.

Appendix B features resources that direct the reader to related websites. I would've liked a brief description of each site.

The book has endnotes and a bibliography. The forward by Dr. George Grant is well done too.

[Marguerite Harrell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great interesting book to read. There is one major error concerning about Beethoven. He didn't become blind, but he did become deaf later in his life. I really enjoy learning a lot of things that I didn't know before about how pro-choice got its name. Yet, pro-choice hurt the pro-life position, but pro-choice (being in the middle) supporting pro-abortion group even they might not agree with abortion case.

I did find the Appendix A very interesting about the guy from France to witness in court in Tennessee about the embryo or fetus study. Whoa! That is very interesting to learn. I am an "idiot" about science or biology. I did wish that I did pay attention to that in High School but didn't. I do have a lot to learn.

I would read them again if needed since I do volunteer at Crisis Pregnancy Center.

[Jeff Ross · Rating 5 out of 5]

I appreciate anyone who can deal with a potentially explosive emotional issue in a calm, logical, rational way. That's what Sproul does in this book. While he is definitely on the pro-life side of the debate, he is very fair at trying to present and understand all sides - pro-abortion, pro-choice, and pro-life, while presenting a pro-life argument from the standpoint of natural law, biblical theology, the role of government and more.

For anyone interested, I wrote a full review on my blog at http://jeffrossblog.com/2013/02/03/bo.... I also included there a 23-minute video of Sproul being interviewed on the subject.

The book is extremely worthwhile for all who want a logical, rational discussion of the subject, regardless of the current position they hold. I recommend it to you.