What do you think?
Rate this book
Pro-Choice and Christian: Reconciling Faith, Politics, and Justice
Despite the claim by many Christian leaders that the pro-life/antiabortion position is the only faithful response to the debate about reproductive rights, many people of faith find themselves in a murky middle of this supposedly black-and-white issue. Christians who are pro-abortion rights are rarely pro-abortion. However, they view the decision to carry a pregnancy to term as one to be made by the woman, her medical team, her family, or personal counsel rather than by politicians.
Pro-Choice and Christian explores the biblical, theological, political, and medical aspects of the debate in order to provide a thoughtful Christian argument for a pro-choice position with regard to abortion issues. Kira Schlesinger considers relevant Scriptures, the politics of abortion in the United States, and the human realities making abortion a vital issue of justice and compassion. By examining choice from a Christian perspective, Schlesinger provides a common vocabulary for discussing faith and reproductive rights.
Pro-Choice and Christian explores the biblical, theological, political, and medical aspects of the debate in order to provide a thoughtful Christian argument for a pro-choice position with regard to abortion issues. Kira Schlesinger considers relevant Scriptures, the politics of abortion in the United States, and the human realities making abortion a vital issue of justice and compassion. By examining choice from a Christian perspective, Schlesinger provides a common vocabulary for discussing faith and reproductive rights.
144 pages, Paperback
Published October 10, 2017
31 people are currently reading
266 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
October 11, 2018
In my effort to see both sides of an issue and to better understand the other point of view. I am pro life. This point of view did not change my mind but it did confirm the hypocrisy of the pro-choice movement.
Some of the points is a better life. A better life for the poor, the oppressed and it is giving women a choice. Do you see the hypocrisy. If we do not value the youngest of life, how can we value of that mother that has to make that choice to abort her baby? I have discussed on social media which always solves the world problems (sarcasm) with a young man who is married as a young child who argued the point of pro choice. His reasoning. I do not know this baby, this baby is not a viable living being. His remarks struck me as they were made during the Sandy Hook shootings. A young man who killed students he did not know. If that is our reasoning for abortion, how can we say we value life.
Another point is what is not made in this book. The emotional health of women who choose to abort. This omission says more than anything that the book said.
The author was adamant that she did not believe abortion should be a form of birth control. Good luck with that and easing your own conscience.
There are no easy answers for this as our world is broken. The only answer I have is Jesus. Does it meet my needs, no but it does give me hope. A hope that there is more to life than bread to eat and clothes to wear. That people matter, starting with the most vulnerable.
A Special Thank you to Westminster John Knox Press and Netgalley for the ARC and the opportunity to post an honest review.
Some of the points is a better life. A better life for the poor, the oppressed and it is giving women a choice. Do you see the hypocrisy. If we do not value the youngest of life, how can we value of that mother that has to make that choice to abort her baby? I have discussed on social media which always solves the world problems (sarcasm) with a young man who is married as a young child who argued the point of pro choice. His reasoning. I do not know this baby, this baby is not a viable living being. His remarks struck me as they were made during the Sandy Hook shootings. A young man who killed students he did not know. If that is our reasoning for abortion, how can we say we value life.
Another point is what is not made in this book. The emotional health of women who choose to abort. This omission says more than anything that the book said.
The author was adamant that she did not believe abortion should be a form of birth control. Good luck with that and easing your own conscience.
There are no easy answers for this as our world is broken. The only answer I have is Jesus. Does it meet my needs, no but it does give me hope. A hope that there is more to life than bread to eat and clothes to wear. That people matter, starting with the most vulnerable.
A Special Thank you to Westminster John Knox Press and Netgalley for the ARC and the opportunity to post an honest review.
April 5, 2018
An interesting take on being pro-choice - from a perspective of faith.
The history of abortion is pretty complicated, though current opinions about women in many fundamentalist and evangelical churches seem to be handed down by the church fathers.
Augustine wrote in the 5th century, “I fail to see what use woman can be to man, if one excludes the function of bearing children.”
In the 2nd or 3rd Century, Tertullian wrote, “Woman is a temple built over a sewer,” and said that women are the gate to hell.
Good grief.
It’s obvious that we start from a perspective of misogyny.
But the author does a fantastic job of painting the diversity of opinions on the subject.
The author notes what most people fail to realize:
Christians who are in favor of legal access to safe abortions are rarely pro-abortion and do not consider the termination of a pregnancy a decision to be entered into lightly.
Actually, this is even true of most people who don’t identify as Christian, but are pro-choice.
I think this quote really shows some people’s hypocrisy:
Joan Chittister, a Catholic nun, has said, I do not believe that just because you’re opposed to abortion, that that makes you pro-life. In fact, I think in many cases, your morality is deeply lacking if all you want is a child born but not a child fed, not a child educated, not a child housed. And why would i think that you don’t? Because you don’t want any tax money to go there. That’s not pro-life. That’s pro-birth. We need a much broader conversation on what the morality of pro-life is.
But this author gives a very thoughtful faith-based argument for being pro-choice.
She doesn’t say it this way, but she gives a decent argument that blatantly anti-abortion stances are truly anti-woman and anti-family.
There were way too many quotes that I highlighted to put them all in here. Take a look at this book. Read it with an open mind and an open heart.
It’s an excellent resource and an excellent read.
Thanks to NetGalley and Westminster John Knox Press for a copy in return for an honest review.
The history of abortion is pretty complicated, though current opinions about women in many fundamentalist and evangelical churches seem to be handed down by the church fathers.
Augustine wrote in the 5th century, “I fail to see what use woman can be to man, if one excludes the function of bearing children.”
In the 2nd or 3rd Century, Tertullian wrote, “Woman is a temple built over a sewer,” and said that women are the gate to hell.
Good grief.
It’s obvious that we start from a perspective of misogyny.
But the author does a fantastic job of painting the diversity of opinions on the subject.
The author notes what most people fail to realize:
Christians who are in favor of legal access to safe abortions are rarely pro-abortion and do not consider the termination of a pregnancy a decision to be entered into lightly.
Actually, this is even true of most people who don’t identify as Christian, but are pro-choice.
I think this quote really shows some people’s hypocrisy:
Joan Chittister, a Catholic nun, has said, I do not believe that just because you’re opposed to abortion, that that makes you pro-life. In fact, I think in many cases, your morality is deeply lacking if all you want is a child born but not a child fed, not a child educated, not a child housed. And why would i think that you don’t? Because you don’t want any tax money to go there. That’s not pro-life. That’s pro-birth. We need a much broader conversation on what the morality of pro-life is.
But this author gives a very thoughtful faith-based argument for being pro-choice.
She doesn’t say it this way, but she gives a decent argument that blatantly anti-abortion stances are truly anti-woman and anti-family.
There were way too many quotes that I highlighted to put them all in here. Take a look at this book. Read it with an open mind and an open heart.
It’s an excellent resource and an excellent read.
Thanks to NetGalley and Westminster John Knox Press for a copy in return for an honest review.
September 19, 2017
When I became a Christian again in 2014, I was looking at things that I would possibly have to give up in order to join a church. Same-sex couples I’m friends with, for one. My pro-choice beliefs, for another thing. Luckily, I found a very progressive church with a gay pastor, and during our conversation prior to me joining the church, I candidly said to the pastor, “So I guess this means I can’t be in favour of abortions anymore, can I?” The response I got was, “Well, actually, most of our members are pro-choice.” Oh. That problem was solved.
Rather than going into detail as to why I’m pro-choice — but it has a lot to do with the fact that the pro-life segment are actually pro-birth and aren’t interested in helping to have a child raised in a positive way by society once the child is born via social supports — I’ll just say that I was very interested in reading Kira Schlesinger’s take on the matter. While Pro-Choice and Christian is geared towards women, and is a short read at 130 pages or so, there’s a lot jam packed into this volume. And I learned a lot from it.
Read the rest here: https://medium.com/@zachary_houle/a-r...
Rather than going into detail as to why I’m pro-choice — but it has a lot to do with the fact that the pro-life segment are actually pro-birth and aren’t interested in helping to have a child raised in a positive way by society once the child is born via social supports — I’ll just say that I was very interested in reading Kira Schlesinger’s take on the matter. While Pro-Choice and Christian is geared towards women, and is a short read at 130 pages or so, there’s a lot jam packed into this volume. And I learned a lot from it.
Read the rest here: https://medium.com/@zachary_houle/a-r...
September 20, 2017
In a perfect, ideal world, there would be no reason for a woman to have to choose abortion. But that’s not the world we have. We have a world in which women and girls are raped, where economic realities make raising a child difficult or impossible, where healthcare and health of the mother and/or baby raise difficult questions, and where politics that claim to be “pro-life” are anything but.
Kira Schlesinger argues that in a society that values both liberty and life, it must then value a woman’s right to reproductive health and choice. She argues that the most consistent Christian ethic to life is not to narrowly view biological life as the end, but to look at what “abundant life” means to the mother, the child, the family, and society as a whole. She argues that “pro-choice” is the most consistent with a holistic view of being “pro-life” that must live in the tension of imperfect conditions and less-than-ideal choices that must be made.
Schlesinger approaches the topic with a quick survey of the history of abortion and reproductive choice, from the pre-Christian era up to the present time. She offers how Christianity has looked at the topic and what the Bible offers on the subject. The Bible is consistently “pro-life” but what that means in application is far from clear for any specific case. Schlesinger criticizes the “pro-life” label by showing how it is actually “pro-birth” and “anti-abortion” but hardly ever “pro-life” in a meaningful way.
Schlesinger suggests that we stop using these labels, because they only serve to stereotype and divide. She writes that no one (except for a few on the fringe) are “pro-abortion” and that nearly all who oppose abortion do concede circumstances when that may be the most appropriate and ethical option. She suggests that groups find common ground in promoting life: not just biological life at birth, but the full continuum — motherhood, reproductive healthcare, contraception, raising children, family support, etc. She offers that by strengthening social policies and norms that support life across all phases, the need for abortion will naturally reduce. (She cites the ACA offering contraception services as one data point offering evidence for this reduction.)
This book is for those who want to find common ground and move toward a better and more consistent pro-life ethic. It is clearly written from a pro-choice (but not pro-abortion) perspective. I believe it offers good reasons why a person can and should be both pro-life and pro-choice.
(This review based on ARC supplied by the publisher through NetGalley.)
Kira Schlesinger argues that in a society that values both liberty and life, it must then value a woman’s right to reproductive health and choice. She argues that the most consistent Christian ethic to life is not to narrowly view biological life as the end, but to look at what “abundant life” means to the mother, the child, the family, and society as a whole. She argues that “pro-choice” is the most consistent with a holistic view of being “pro-life” that must live in the tension of imperfect conditions and less-than-ideal choices that must be made.
Schlesinger approaches the topic with a quick survey of the history of abortion and reproductive choice, from the pre-Christian era up to the present time. She offers how Christianity has looked at the topic and what the Bible offers on the subject. The Bible is consistently “pro-life” but what that means in application is far from clear for any specific case. Schlesinger criticizes the “pro-life” label by showing how it is actually “pro-birth” and “anti-abortion” but hardly ever “pro-life” in a meaningful way.
Schlesinger suggests that we stop using these labels, because they only serve to stereotype and divide. She writes that no one (except for a few on the fringe) are “pro-abortion” and that nearly all who oppose abortion do concede circumstances when that may be the most appropriate and ethical option. She suggests that groups find common ground in promoting life: not just biological life at birth, but the full continuum — motherhood, reproductive healthcare, contraception, raising children, family support, etc. She offers that by strengthening social policies and norms that support life across all phases, the need for abortion will naturally reduce. (She cites the ACA offering contraception services as one data point offering evidence for this reduction.)
This book is for those who want to find common ground and move toward a better and more consistent pro-life ethic. It is clearly written from a pro-choice (but not pro-abortion) perspective. I believe it offers good reasons why a person can and should be both pro-life and pro-choice.
(This review based on ARC supplied by the publisher through NetGalley.)
August 27, 2018
I received a copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thanks for the opportunity!
I read and review books like this all the time at Rachel's Reading. Come check it out!
I was so excited to receive this book. I devoured it quickly, and it was easy to read which I loved. It's short, but packed full of good information and did a dang good job of making me feel less alone but also more informed. Being a Pro-Choice Christian isn't something that really is talked about, nor is it a very popular opinion. Schlesinger does a fantastic job discussing how these two traits are not mutually exclusive, and I'm so glad that I was given this book to continually refer to. Schlesinger does a great job of making the information accessible, for people who are new to this idea, but also to people like me, who have always felt this way and finally feel understood.
I read and review books like this all the time at Rachel's Reading. Come check it out!
I was so excited to receive this book. I devoured it quickly, and it was easy to read which I loved. It's short, but packed full of good information and did a dang good job of making me feel less alone but also more informed. Being a Pro-Choice Christian isn't something that really is talked about, nor is it a very popular opinion. Schlesinger does a fantastic job discussing how these two traits are not mutually exclusive, and I'm so glad that I was given this book to continually refer to. Schlesinger does a great job of making the information accessible, for people who are new to this idea, but also to people like me, who have always felt this way and finally feel understood.
June 26, 2022
I have a lot of thoughts and feel a lot of things about what happened this past Friday, and will be the first to say that i don’t have all the right answers.
What I do know is that abortion is a topic that I want to be informed about and prepared to discuss with researched and biblical conviction as well as with grace, truth, and compassion. We as disciples of Jesus are supposed to elevate the oppressed and protect the vulnerable, and it’s a lot more complicated than outlawing abortion or not.
Regardless or your personal or political opinion on abortion, read this book! Schlesinger does a great job of presenting a typically immediately condemned viewpoint in the church with kindness, reason, and complexity that does not force a conviction, but beckons us to sit at the feet of God and put real time into determining what we believe to be right.
What I do know is that abortion is a topic that I want to be informed about and prepared to discuss with researched and biblical conviction as well as with grace, truth, and compassion. We as disciples of Jesus are supposed to elevate the oppressed and protect the vulnerable, and it’s a lot more complicated than outlawing abortion or not.
Regardless or your personal or political opinion on abortion, read this book! Schlesinger does a great job of presenting a typically immediately condemned viewpoint in the church with kindness, reason, and complexity that does not force a conviction, but beckons us to sit at the feet of God and put real time into determining what we believe to be right.
April 22, 2025
I read this (and a pro-life book) for a final assignment in my ministerial ethics class. Important to note I explored these from a strictly ethical viewpoint and recognize - more than ever after this assignment - the nuance of the abortion debate. That being said, here is an excerpt from my assignment that pretty much sums up my review of this book:
"First, a major weakness in Schlesinger’s argument is her failure to answer the fundamental question of when personhood begins. Throughout Pro-Choice and Christian, Schlesinger emphasizes the importance of moral agency and protecting a woman’s right to make decisions about her body. However, without a clear standard of when life begins, the discussion of personal choice is arbitrary because it then becomes difficult to determine whether abortion is a permissible moral choice or a violation of another person’s fundamental rights. While Schlesinger acknowledges the complexity of the issue, she leaves the definition of personhood up to personal conviction, which undermines the foundation of her argument. There can be no ethical justification for abortion based solely on the value of choice without establishing whether abortion ends an innocent life."
I welcome conversation around this and my other review :)
"First, a major weakness in Schlesinger’s argument is her failure to answer the fundamental question of when personhood begins. Throughout Pro-Choice and Christian, Schlesinger emphasizes the importance of moral agency and protecting a woman’s right to make decisions about her body. However, without a clear standard of when life begins, the discussion of personal choice is arbitrary because it then becomes difficult to determine whether abortion is a permissible moral choice or a violation of another person’s fundamental rights. While Schlesinger acknowledges the complexity of the issue, she leaves the definition of personhood up to personal conviction, which undermines the foundation of her argument. There can be no ethical justification for abortion based solely on the value of choice without establishing whether abortion ends an innocent life."
I welcome conversation around this and my other review :)
May 1, 2018
The Rev. Kira Schlesinger stands bravely and compassionately between the pro-life and pro-choice positions and examines common ground between the two camps. Even those who choose to have an abortion can experience it as tragic. Those who advocate against abortions would not want to see women at risk due to unsafe medical procedures. Both sides care about the vulnerable. One side focuses on the unborn and the other sympathizes with women making a difficult decision under oppressive circumstances. This book provides a under heard perspective on an issue that has divided many in the Christian Church. Thank you to the author for offering a much needed alternative to the harsh rhetoric normally heard in the mainstream and social media.
February 5, 2020
“You shall not slay the child by causing abortion, nor kill that which is begotten. For every thing that is shaped, and hath received a soul from God, if it be slain, shall be avenged, as being unjustly destroyed.” - Apostolic Constitutions, 380 A.D.
I don't even know where to begin.
I struggled to finish this uncritical, unscholarly, and ultimately unhelpful blend of progressive talking points, but I am glad that I ultimately finished it. Schlesinger's general thesis is that middle of the road Christians are drowned out by the voices on the right and on the left. These moderate Christians consider abortion something "tragic," but necessary at times, and they generally think that a woman should have the choice to do what she deems necessary when it comes to her pregnancy. For the Church, it is not enough to be "pro-life" by only being anti-abortion; other steps of mercy, charity, and service must take place in the midst of our communities in order to support life at every stage.
I can appreciate the author's urging the reader to consider single mothers, the environment, and children in poverty. As a Christian pastor who is involved in mission work and the pro-life cause in this nation, I wholeheartedly agree with her passion for "true religion," in the way that the brother of our Lord puts it (James 1:27).
Yet, I cannot possibly agree with her fundamental fallacy that, since certain pro-life Christians are not holistic enough in their attitudes toward life, therefore the pro-life cause is un-Christian and anti-woman. This point is an example of stacking fallacy upon fallacy, appeal to emotion upon appeal to emotion.
Here is a simple question that I'd like to ask this pro-choice "Christian" author: "Is your body your own?"
To help, I'll reference two passages of Scripture that Schlesinger ignored because they would have contradicted her position:
"Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; 20 you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies." - 1 Cor. 6:19-20
"The wife does not have authority over her own body but yields it to her husband. In the same way, the husband does not have authority over his own body but yields it to his wife." - 1 Cor. 7:4
So our bodies are not our own, according to Paul. Schlesinger has undoubtedly a way to dismiss these passages, and it probably hinges on the fact that Paul was a man and thus part of the "patriarchy." So, he knows nothing about a woman's body and has no right to say anything about babies and bodies (another bundle of fallacious arguments).
Wherever we turn to in Scripture (which we may do since this is a "Christian" book from a "Christian" publishing house - WJK), Schlesinger is equipped with the cutting edge feminist tools to prune and snip until what remains is something "non-literal" or "poetic" that may be dismissed because of incompatibility with our modern beliefs. So she runs through Psalm 139 and Jeremiah 1 and Amos 1 rendering each one harmless to the pro-choice, pro-abortion position. But, how can she snip 1 Corinthians 6 and 7? Simple, she ignores them, reiterating ad nauseam that a woman's personal decision to abort is something holy, just, and acceptable in light of the Scriptures because it is "her" body.
But the Scriptures and Church Fathers/Mothers are clear: the human body is a precious gift and God is a God of life and miracles. Humans are stewards of what is given to them, including a fast-forming human being inside of the womb. To abort this is to deny the purpose God has given to this separate being, and it is to distrust His ability to make us blessed and joyful beyond what we can imagine. "Blessed are the poor," is not something Schlesinger wants to hear, but rather, "Blessed are the middle class who can abort so they don't get poorer." Schlesinger's position is nothing less than barbarism. Her intentional avoidance of the question of when life begins is also an example of begging the question; she takes as a given that life doesn't begin at conception (otherwise, abortion would obviously be immoral and murderous). So, she chalks that up to mystery and goes on to quality how abortion is necessary but "tragic."
Throughout this book she has this focus on what she sees as a more holistic pro-life ethic, and she tries to weaken the position of those (mainly Roman Catholic and conservative Evangelical) Christians who participate in the "March for Life" and other anti-abortion activities. The attack fails because of the numerous fallacies she makes: especially her appeals to pity and emotion. The possibility of a difficult, sad, or depressing life after carrying a pregnancy to term does not render the abortion to be a moral action. The presence of "pro-life" persons in the nation who do not care, as they should, about widows, orphans, and immigrants also does not negate the morality of their initial position on abortion itself.
This book makes no original contribution to the debate within progressive "Christian" circles on the morality of abortion, the question of life's beginning, or the meaning of the "image of God." In fact, Schlesinger dodges these questions in each chapter in order to appeal to the reader's emotions. It's more of a distraction from where the real debate is happening than anything else.
If you are a believer and would like to know the Christian position on abortion, I recommend "Abortion in the Early Church" by Michael Gorman. I'll end with the historic Christian position again:
"To hinder a birth is merely a speedier man-killing; nor does it matter whether you take away a life that is born, or destroy one that is coming to the birth." - Tertullian
I don't even know where to begin.
I struggled to finish this uncritical, unscholarly, and ultimately unhelpful blend of progressive talking points, but I am glad that I ultimately finished it. Schlesinger's general thesis is that middle of the road Christians are drowned out by the voices on the right and on the left. These moderate Christians consider abortion something "tragic," but necessary at times, and they generally think that a woman should have the choice to do what she deems necessary when it comes to her pregnancy. For the Church, it is not enough to be "pro-life" by only being anti-abortion; other steps of mercy, charity, and service must take place in the midst of our communities in order to support life at every stage.
I can appreciate the author's urging the reader to consider single mothers, the environment, and children in poverty. As a Christian pastor who is involved in mission work and the pro-life cause in this nation, I wholeheartedly agree with her passion for "true religion," in the way that the brother of our Lord puts it (James 1:27).
Yet, I cannot possibly agree with her fundamental fallacy that, since certain pro-life Christians are not holistic enough in their attitudes toward life, therefore the pro-life cause is un-Christian and anti-woman. This point is an example of stacking fallacy upon fallacy, appeal to emotion upon appeal to emotion.
Here is a simple question that I'd like to ask this pro-choice "Christian" author: "Is your body your own?"
To help, I'll reference two passages of Scripture that Schlesinger ignored because they would have contradicted her position:
"Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; 20 you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies." - 1 Cor. 6:19-20
"The wife does not have authority over her own body but yields it to her husband. In the same way, the husband does not have authority over his own body but yields it to his wife." - 1 Cor. 7:4
So our bodies are not our own, according to Paul. Schlesinger has undoubtedly a way to dismiss these passages, and it probably hinges on the fact that Paul was a man and thus part of the "patriarchy." So, he knows nothing about a woman's body and has no right to say anything about babies and bodies (another bundle of fallacious arguments).
Wherever we turn to in Scripture (which we may do since this is a "Christian" book from a "Christian" publishing house - WJK), Schlesinger is equipped with the cutting edge feminist tools to prune and snip until what remains is something "non-literal" or "poetic" that may be dismissed because of incompatibility with our modern beliefs. So she runs through Psalm 139 and Jeremiah 1 and Amos 1 rendering each one harmless to the pro-choice, pro-abortion position. But, how can she snip 1 Corinthians 6 and 7? Simple, she ignores them, reiterating ad nauseam that a woman's personal decision to abort is something holy, just, and acceptable in light of the Scriptures because it is "her" body.
But the Scriptures and Church Fathers/Mothers are clear: the human body is a precious gift and God is a God of life and miracles. Humans are stewards of what is given to them, including a fast-forming human being inside of the womb. To abort this is to deny the purpose God has given to this separate being, and it is to distrust His ability to make us blessed and joyful beyond what we can imagine. "Blessed are the poor," is not something Schlesinger wants to hear, but rather, "Blessed are the middle class who can abort so they don't get poorer." Schlesinger's position is nothing less than barbarism. Her intentional avoidance of the question of when life begins is also an example of begging the question; she takes as a given that life doesn't begin at conception (otherwise, abortion would obviously be immoral and murderous). So, she chalks that up to mystery and goes on to quality how abortion is necessary but "tragic."
Throughout this book she has this focus on what she sees as a more holistic pro-life ethic, and she tries to weaken the position of those (mainly Roman Catholic and conservative Evangelical) Christians who participate in the "March for Life" and other anti-abortion activities. The attack fails because of the numerous fallacies she makes: especially her appeals to pity and emotion. The possibility of a difficult, sad, or depressing life after carrying a pregnancy to term does not render the abortion to be a moral action. The presence of "pro-life" persons in the nation who do not care, as they should, about widows, orphans, and immigrants also does not negate the morality of their initial position on abortion itself.
This book makes no original contribution to the debate within progressive "Christian" circles on the morality of abortion, the question of life's beginning, or the meaning of the "image of God." In fact, Schlesinger dodges these questions in each chapter in order to appeal to the reader's emotions. It's more of a distraction from where the real debate is happening than anything else.
If you are a believer and would like to know the Christian position on abortion, I recommend "Abortion in the Early Church" by Michael Gorman. I'll end with the historic Christian position again:
"To hinder a birth is merely a speedier man-killing; nor does it matter whether you take away a life that is born, or destroy one that is coming to the birth." - Tertullian
January 17, 2020
This book was precise, grace-filled and I appreciated the way the author gave everyone the benefit of the doubt in this area - something awfully rare in such hot-button discourse these days.
I appreciated the history, theology, and Biblical work done here, as well as the pragmatic steps to take for understanding across this chasm.
I appreciated the history, theology, and Biblical work done here, as well as the pragmatic steps to take for understanding across this chasm.
November 3, 2022
I’m a conservative, evangelical pastor, and so my starting framework was that the pro-choice position is not, and cannot be Christian. So the title caught my eye. I wanted to read with an open mind, realizing that the tribe of Christians is bigger than conservative evangelicals.
So, first, the positives: The author’s treatment of the history of abortion, “from pre-history to illegality” was interesting. Probably slanted toward reinforcing her argument, but that’s kind of what you do in a book like this, so I don’t fault her for that. It did at least make me aware of where our current argument fits in the broader historical context.
The most helpful aspect of the book was in challenging the absolutist labels. To call one side “pro-choice” means that the other side is “anti-choice.” And no one wants to be anti-choice. Even the most die hard conservative will probably say that a woman has a right to make birth control decisions with her husband, or, if unmarried, should have the right to make birth control decisions for herself. That’s a choice. A majority of people who opppse abortion still favor exceptions in the cases of rape, incest, or to save the life of a mother. All those are choices. Personally, one of my good friends is the product of rape. And while his story is inspiring and I have the deepest admiration for his mother, I have to admit that the story is inspiring and heroic precisely because she had a choice. Had she been forced to give birth to my friend, it would be a different story.
On the other hand, when we claim the title “pro-life,” that means the other side is “anti-life.” And no one is anti-life. Many people who are the most vocal supporters of abortion rights are also the most vocal advocates for health and education reform to improve the quality of life for the already born. Those are pro-life issues.
So all that was helpful and positive, and I was challenged by the idea of a “consistent pro-life” ethic that would make it easier for women to choose life.
Where I think the book fell short was in arguing from Scripture for anything other than a sanctity of life position. The author argues that Psalm 139, for example, is poetry and ought not be taken as “proof” that life begins at conception. But is there anything about poetry that makes it intrinsically less true? I don’t think so. She also argues that just because God knew and called Jeremiah while he was still in the womb that you can’t generalize that to be true for all people in all wombs throughout all of history. However, I don’t think she gives a good reason for why you can’t.
In summary, this is a helpful book for seeing the perspective of the other side. It has a worthy goal of seeking common ground and working on what we can all agree on. And I can concede that it is possible to be “pro-Choice and Christian” provided you re-define pro choice, just as it is possible to be personally against abortion while at the same time supporting a woman’s right to make a difficult choice for herself. However, I don’t think it will make anyone change their mind on the issue. I picked up the book as a supporter of the overturning of Roe v Wade, and I finished the book feeling the same way.
So, first, the positives: The author’s treatment of the history of abortion, “from pre-history to illegality” was interesting. Probably slanted toward reinforcing her argument, but that’s kind of what you do in a book like this, so I don’t fault her for that. It did at least make me aware of where our current argument fits in the broader historical context.
The most helpful aspect of the book was in challenging the absolutist labels. To call one side “pro-choice” means that the other side is “anti-choice.” And no one wants to be anti-choice. Even the most die hard conservative will probably say that a woman has a right to make birth control decisions with her husband, or, if unmarried, should have the right to make birth control decisions for herself. That’s a choice. A majority of people who opppse abortion still favor exceptions in the cases of rape, incest, or to save the life of a mother. All those are choices. Personally, one of my good friends is the product of rape. And while his story is inspiring and I have the deepest admiration for his mother, I have to admit that the story is inspiring and heroic precisely because she had a choice. Had she been forced to give birth to my friend, it would be a different story.
On the other hand, when we claim the title “pro-life,” that means the other side is “anti-life.” And no one is anti-life. Many people who are the most vocal supporters of abortion rights are also the most vocal advocates for health and education reform to improve the quality of life for the already born. Those are pro-life issues.
So all that was helpful and positive, and I was challenged by the idea of a “consistent pro-life” ethic that would make it easier for women to choose life.
Where I think the book fell short was in arguing from Scripture for anything other than a sanctity of life position. The author argues that Psalm 139, for example, is poetry and ought not be taken as “proof” that life begins at conception. But is there anything about poetry that makes it intrinsically less true? I don’t think so. She also argues that just because God knew and called Jeremiah while he was still in the womb that you can’t generalize that to be true for all people in all wombs throughout all of history. However, I don’t think she gives a good reason for why you can’t.
In summary, this is a helpful book for seeing the perspective of the other side. It has a worthy goal of seeking common ground and working on what we can all agree on. And I can concede that it is possible to be “pro-Choice and Christian” provided you re-define pro choice, just as it is possible to be personally against abortion while at the same time supporting a woman’s right to make a difficult choice for herself. However, I don’t think it will make anyone change their mind on the issue. I picked up the book as a supporter of the overturning of Roe v Wade, and I finished the book feeling the same way.
September 30, 2017
Like Life's Work: A Moral Argument for Choice by Dr. Willie Parker Ms. Schlesinger's book attempts to make a moral argument for an ethical decision. She gives a brief history of abortion, then delves into the conversations about Roe vs. Wade. I was disappointed in this portion because I felt it overlooked what Randall Balmer referred to in Thy Kingdom Come as the abortion myth, which is an explanation of why many in the hierarchy of Christianity changed their opinions on this issue (hint: it had nothing to do with abortion). Ms. Schlesinger then speaks very briefly about what the bible has to say about the issue without even taking a look at translation issues in Exodus 21:22. This is a pretty clear case of the difference between how God responds to a fetal death versus the death of the mother and bears more than a casual glance in a Christian look at abortion. I was very disappointed in how she addressed the difference between the needs of a Christian and secular woman in the sense that she did not do so at all. It seemed she felt that this was a one size fits all issue; it's right for all or none when that is simply not the case. For example, adultery is wrong per biblical standards but that doesn't mean I should shove anti-adultery laws down the throats of the rest of America. I as an individual and the church as a whole can hold a personal conviction that something is immoral without immediately moving to a legalistic stance that if we find it wrong for us it must be wrong for others as well. Practicing a faith can mean making personal sacrifices which should have no impact on the greater world except in serving as a witness of our commitment and beliefs. Finally, Ms. Schlesinger trots out the tired old arguments that if society would just provide women with birth control and provide them with a better standard of living over all we would have far fewer abortions. Well, sure, that's just common sense. How do we get there? Half our country seems to have more concern for the rights of a fetus than in treating the other half of the nation with justice and mercy as commanded by Jesus. How do we move them from point A to B (treating others with respect) to point C (changing our tax laws to provide contraceptive help to those who can't supply it for themselves?) The author doesn't really address this issue but seems to feel that talking about how women aren't treated fairly in this country will bring about change. She makes only token mentions of the fact that the rhetoric the right surrounds this issue with tends to be based on a series of fallacies which people often don't question. A lot more was needed here; the author didn't deliver anything useful to the argument that can be received in more detail elsewhere.
October 27, 2017
I was excited for this book! It was a book for me! I wasn't alone! There were other Christians like me!
There are parts of the book I really respected: especially the research on how churches and other religious groups view the abortion topic. There is some basic history, but it wasn't very deep and rather one sides. But at the same time I felt better knowing someone else was "pro-life" as I see it: life is more than just pro-birth. Kira Schlesinger perfectly voice that some of us may not choose abortion on a personal level but we support women's right not to have the government control her body and understand that her health is of utmost importance (no more women dying from shoddy or illegal abortions!).
In the end I was a little disappointed; the book didn't delve deep enough. While there is a chapter on what te Bible does and doesn't ya in regards to abortion, it doesn't look deeply enough into the commandment of though shall not murder and it's limitations nor did she use Bible passage to support her own idea of Jesus and how her views are supported. While I have the same ideals of Jesus, if you don't fight Bible verse with Bible verse, you will never give the quoters the material they need to see the other side. The book is also rather short leaving me starving for an actual conclusion to the ideas proposed with in the covers.
Schlesinger's book is a great start for the conversations of pro-choice Christians but it should not be consider the definitive work on the subject.
I received an ARC from NetGalley; all opinions are my own.
There are parts of the book I really respected: especially the research on how churches and other religious groups view the abortion topic. There is some basic history, but it wasn't very deep and rather one sides. But at the same time I felt better knowing someone else was "pro-life" as I see it: life is more than just pro-birth. Kira Schlesinger perfectly voice that some of us may not choose abortion on a personal level but we support women's right not to have the government control her body and understand that her health is of utmost importance (no more women dying from shoddy or illegal abortions!).
In the end I was a little disappointed; the book didn't delve deep enough. While there is a chapter on what te Bible does and doesn't ya in regards to abortion, it doesn't look deeply enough into the commandment of though shall not murder and it's limitations nor did she use Bible passage to support her own idea of Jesus and how her views are supported. While I have the same ideals of Jesus, if you don't fight Bible verse with Bible verse, you will never give the quoters the material they need to see the other side. The book is also rather short leaving me starving for an actual conclusion to the ideas proposed with in the covers.
Schlesinger's book is a great start for the conversations of pro-choice Christians but it should not be consider the definitive work on the subject.
I received an ARC from NetGalley; all opinions are my own.
November 22, 2019
“Polling tells us that the beliefs of the majority fall somewhere wanting to see Roe v. Wade overturned, abortion criminalized, and wanting what some politicians have called “unlimited abortion on demand,” at the other. Unfortunately, you wouldn’t know that the people in this majority exist, because the loudest, most extreme voices dominate the conversation in the media, with both sides vilifying one another and hurling heinous accusations”
This book shows that there is no black or white answer. This issue is far more complicated that we can imagine, and we have to study both sides of the problem. But I really liked this quote. It's not just about abortion issue, it's about a lot of issues that we don't know where we fall on the spectrum of agreeing or disagreeing.
“Pro-life also looks like advocating against the death penalty and supporting workers who demand safer working conditions. Pro-life means making society safe for woman by fighting sexual harassment, assault, and abuse. Pro-life means taking steps so that belief a healthy planet for the generations after us. Abroad and consistent pro life ethic means taking seriously gets action for life, which is ultimately demonstrated in the ministry, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ."
Kira Schlesinger gives different definition to pro-life rhetoric. I wish the author gave more Scripture-based arguments, but overall, I'm pleased with experience of reading her thoughts! She tried to present both sides and show falls in each one, keeping the awareness of what she believes in. I respect that.
This book shows that there is no black or white answer. This issue is far more complicated that we can imagine, and we have to study both sides of the problem. But I really liked this quote. It's not just about abortion issue, it's about a lot of issues that we don't know where we fall on the spectrum of agreeing or disagreeing.
“Pro-life also looks like advocating against the death penalty and supporting workers who demand safer working conditions. Pro-life means making society safe for woman by fighting sexual harassment, assault, and abuse. Pro-life means taking steps so that belief a healthy planet for the generations after us. Abroad and consistent pro life ethic means taking seriously gets action for life, which is ultimately demonstrated in the ministry, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ."
Kira Schlesinger gives different definition to pro-life rhetoric. I wish the author gave more Scripture-based arguments, but overall, I'm pleased with experience of reading her thoughts! She tried to present both sides and show falls in each one, keeping the awareness of what she believes in. I respect that.
June 24, 2023
Fitting that I finished this on the anniversary of the Dobbs decision. I am honestly really torn about this. I am a very progressive reproductive justice activist. I am also a lifelong Christian who just switched to a more liberal faith tradition after agonizing about it for a long time. I'm trying to rate this book for what it is, which is a discussion-provoking book club book for people who are moderate and are probably just being introduced to the intricacies of abortion politics and faith. But reading this book for me felt a little like I was a sixth-grader reading a book for second-graders. It did challenge me to spend more time than I usually do thinking about how anti-abortion people conceptualist abortion, so it was a good exercise. I will warn you that this book takes a very heterosexual view on this issue and refers to pregnant people solely as "women," and was also written before Dobbs, so it is dated in those ways. However, for a church book club (which is what this was for), this was what it promised to be. I might also be over-rating to counteract the anti-abortion people who are rating this book one star just because they're mad. 😌
September 30, 2017
I won a free copy of this book from Goodreads First Reads.
Very short, but covers a lot of ground. The author lays out things I have thought for years in a more articulate and better Bible verse quoting manner, but with the addition of a point I had not considered. The labels prolife and prochoice are divisive and a huge number of people actually identify as both. There is common ground when we try to find it. That is the way forward. She also drives home the point that has always most bothered me about the 'prolife' crowd - they aren't they are pro birth and until you include death penalty and social policies that support these unborn children and make it seem possible to provide for them you aren't really showing the fullness of life you claim to represent. Wonderful book with great reminders on how we can reframe this conversation to maybe actually get somewhere
Very short, but covers a lot of ground. The author lays out things I have thought for years in a more articulate and better Bible verse quoting manner, but with the addition of a point I had not considered. The labels prolife and prochoice are divisive and a huge number of people actually identify as both. There is common ground when we try to find it. That is the way forward. She also drives home the point that has always most bothered me about the 'prolife' crowd - they aren't they are pro birth and until you include death penalty and social policies that support these unborn children and make it seem possible to provide for them you aren't really showing the fullness of life you claim to represent. Wonderful book with great reminders on how we can reframe this conversation to maybe actually get somewhere
April 29, 2019
I won this book in a goodreads giveaway. This was very well done. The terms pro-choice and pro-life are extremes and most people fall in the middle. The author does a great job describing the way we should change our world to provide things (like birth control, sex ed that is not abstinence only, and support for single mothers) so that abortions will be much less necessary. A quote that stuck out to me was, "Ideally, the prevailing public witness of pro-life advocates would be offering to babysit for stressed parents or helping a single mother run errands rather than protesting at clinics with abortion services" (page 117). It also reminds me of this thread of a woman who went to a Planned Parenthood (https://twitter.com/canewv/status/110...).
February 15, 2018
I like many others struggle with our abortion dilemma in our country. This book provides a history of abortion. It gave me insight into the motives behind the pro-life and pro-choice movements. I discovered that I am neither pro-life or pro-choice but somewhere in the "muddled middle." This book is an honest discussion of the faith, politics, and justice encompassing or discussion or lack of discussion of abortion.
October 9, 2021
This book is great and I fully recommend. It gives a brief history of abortion in the US, the rise of the pro-life movement, dispels some myths about what is and isn’t in the Bible concerning abortion, and challenges the reader to build bridges and find common ground with their brothers and sisters in Christ. All in a short read (120 pages).
Really informative and formative.
Really informative and formative.
June 16, 2022
I would have liked to see a more in depth look at the scripture passages with the original languages, but as this book is aimed at lay people I imagine the editors weren't in favor of that. I think the conversation about the situations that lead to late term abortions could have been a bit more fleshed out as well, though that certainly wouldn't be easy reading. A good overview!
December 14, 2021
A Must-Read for Pro-Choice but Anti-Abortion Christians
This is a great, in-depth explanation of being prochoice and Christian; those "mainline" Christians who are somewhere in the middle of this abortion debate.
This is a great, in-depth explanation of being prochoice and Christian; those "mainline" Christians who are somewhere in the middle of this abortion debate.
October 11, 2017
A good study on a hard topic.
January 11, 2019
A thought-provoking perspective, although if you can't get past the juxtaposition of "pro-choice" and "Christian" in the title, you may not do any better with the book itself.
September 24, 2019
A very helpful, very clear book that explains both sides of the argument regarding the issue of abortion. Loved it!
Read
August 28, 2020Goed (vooral Amerikaanse context)
April 5, 2021
You can be both!
May 27, 2021
This book is terrifyingly relevant. Every person of faith should read this book.
September 2, 2024
Typical illogical reasoning, taking Scripture out of context, and leading seekers astray. A sad commentary on the state of mainstream Christianity today.
June 7, 2022
I believe this quote summarizes the author's heart behind this book:
"We assert that we can be faithful Christians and affirm a woman’s right to choose while longing and
working for a world in which fewer women find abortion to be the best option. We are
called to build bridges, even with those who disagree with us on abortion, and, with the
grace of God, to help heal a broken and hurting world. In doing so, may we ask God for
the grace and courage to be “pro-life”—all life, everywhere and at every stage" (p. 133).
She argues there is a difference between being pro-choice and pro-abortion. While I was certainly able to find plenty of middle ground with the author, many of her arguments seemed contradictory such as stating that abortion is tragic or a sin, but that it is "necessary", a right for women, and acceptable.
Although this is such a difficult topic to discuss, Schlesinger shows the complexity behind the abortion debate to where it is not so black and white but more grey. Abortion is tragic and ends precious life but how we respond to those in this situation is more complex, we need to lead with love, understanding, and forgiveness while supporting policies and systems that make abortions rare.
"We assert that we can be faithful Christians and affirm a woman’s right to choose while longing and
working for a world in which fewer women find abortion to be the best option. We are
called to build bridges, even with those who disagree with us on abortion, and, with the
grace of God, to help heal a broken and hurting world. In doing so, may we ask God for
the grace and courage to be “pro-life”—all life, everywhere and at every stage" (p. 133).
She argues there is a difference between being pro-choice and pro-abortion. While I was certainly able to find plenty of middle ground with the author, many of her arguments seemed contradictory such as stating that abortion is tragic or a sin, but that it is "necessary", a right for women, and acceptable.
Although this is such a difficult topic to discuss, Schlesinger shows the complexity behind the abortion debate to where it is not so black and white but more grey. Abortion is tragic and ends precious life but how we respond to those in this situation is more complex, we need to lead with love, understanding, and forgiveness while supporting policies and systems that make abortions rare.
November 30, 2021
This is a good book that all Christians should read. It disproves the argument that one must be pro-life in order to be a Christian. She argues that you can still be pro-choice and still be a Christian no matter what the conservative Christians say. She uses verses from the Bible to prove her viewpoint and also points out that most of the so called pro-life supporters are in reality actually pro-birth since they do not support any of the social program that parents can use to help raise their children especially if they have more children than they can afford. She reassures those who may want to keep abortion legal that they could still call themselves a Christian. I would recommend this book for those who have different viewpoints on the abortion issue and who are Christians. I received a copy of this book in exchange for a review from Netgalley.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews