Beyond the Binaries: The Complexity of Abortion and What to Do About It

by Thomas Horrocks

Very few issues seem more polarizing in American political discourse than abortion. One of the things that makes the abortion debate so complex is the way that it intersects with and is informed by so many different areas of religion, science, medicine, law, women’s rights, and public opinion. This book is an attempt to illustrate how, even in each of these individual categories, abortion is a complicated issue and how that complexity compounds in the big picture, creating the need for us to move beyond the polarizing binaries if we hope to find constructive way forward that both respects women and reduces abortion.

Genres: Nonfiction, Theology

102 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 24, 2020

Reviews

[Sarahbeth Caplin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Don’t be fooled by the brevity of this book- there’s a great deal of history and theology packed into these pages. I love how Thomas acknowledges the nuance and complexity of this topic, from the pro-life and pro-choice sides alike. For those who consider abortion an important issue that factors into who they decide to vote for, and for those who want to see abortion rates decrease but are frustrated with the tactics used by both sides, I highly recommend this book.

[Amber Spencer · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best things I’ve read about abortion and what to do about it. So good! I have a copy if you are interested in reading this book.

[Jeremy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Definitely a contribution to the conversation that advances things forward beyond the vitriol of left and right. Though Horrocks ends up probably being a bit more critical of the "pro-life" camp, he is trying to help us recognize the real complexities of this issue cannot be dishonestly made simplistic. His historical, theological, legal, practical considerations help us think through all of this within the Christian church with nuance. I hope to see this spark productive conversation moving forward

[Michele Winger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Powerful work on a difficult subject. Please, no matter which side of the issue you are on, do yourself a favor and read this.

[Derek Kreider · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great, honest, well-rounded look at the abortion issue.

1. Bible isn't clear, and in fact has some pieces which seem to indicate value begins at birth, or later in pregnancy.

2. While most of the antenicene church opposed abortion, the Jews either didn't opposed it or they also opposed contraception (as did the Anenicenes). And protestants and evangelicals have been divided on it. It was never this clear cut issue republicans make it out to be.

3. Most legislation, especially criminalization, miss the mark on doing justice to women. Conservatives who claim to want justice have failed to stop abortion when they had the power, and refuse to limit abortion by what we know are best practices for reducing it (education, access to health care, etc). Criminalizing abortion is not justice. Justice must include positive justice.

4. Overturning Roe doesn't make abortion illegal. It just makes it a state right to choose.

Good stuff.

[Scott Rees · Rating 4 out of 5]

My review in two words: It's complicated.

The scriptures used for arguments, the history surrounding the positions from the more prolific Christian and Jewish thinkers, the legal debates and the politics... it's all full of complexities that many of us are not aware of, or perhaps willingly ignore. Horrocks does an effective job of breaking it down, all culminating in a "third way," which requires bridge building.

It's a short read, which may work in its favor as most of these debates are operating in the finite world of Twitter.

[Kelsey Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a particularly good read for the Christian who struggles to marry Christian ideology with modern evangelical Christian political alignment. The myths and extremism surrounding abortion are calmly presented and debunked. Both a Christian and non-theistic viewpoint are offered to support a “third way” of approaching abortion that refrains, quite clearly and in as much words, from criminalizing and illegalizing abortion. Would recommend for a Christian book club!

[Molly W. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I highly recommend reading this in your research and ongoing education on this topic. Regardless of political stance, I appreciated the facts and statistics the author uses to paint the picture: we all want what is best for society and culture, but we all have different ideas of how to achieve what is "best." Maybe there is some middle ground, maybe we can all work together...

[Mark Allison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Highly recommended: a short, accessible analysis of the forces that have shaped the abortion debate. Beyond the Binaries surveys views on abortion in Rabbinic Judaism, the early Church, and medicine, and traces how 20th-century political movements made abortion a defining issue of conservative politics.

[Adam S. Rust · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a book I would definitely ask an evangelical friend to consider as we enter a post Roe world.