This timely, tough-minded work examines the implications of the church's distinctive characteristics in relation to the most heated moral crisis of our age. Writing from an ecumenical perspective,
This timely, tough-minded work examines the implications of the church's distinctive characteristics in relation to the most heated moral crisis of our age. Writing from an ecumenical perspective, the authors explore the traditional "marks" of the church — the Word and the sacraments — and ask what difference the church can and should make in the lives of human beings affected by abortion. No other book has approached the issue of abortion from this perspective; no other book offers such sound practical help.
William H. Willimon
—Duke University Chapel
"Schlossberg and Achtemeier speak a word that is not often heard in today's mainline Protestant church. Taking the distinctiveness of the church seriously and building upon the classical theological stance that has characterized the Reformed tradition at its best, they help us to think through abortion in a bold, provocative way. Anyone attempting to think through the abortion issue in a faithful way must read this book."
John Cardinal O'Connor
—Archbishop of New York
"An excellent Christian presentation of the church's role in the abortion issue. The authors skillfully place the tragedy of abortion in an area transcending the political. The arguments set forth follow a clear method. They are balanced, properly researched, and well written. The conclusion correctly looks to grace, compassion, and truth. An excellent resource work that is readily applicable to the wealth of material available in the Catholic tradition on this crucial issue."
Maria McFadden
—executive editor, Human Life Review
"A clear, reasonable, and extremely readable analysis of the total lack of justification for the church to be liberal on abortion. . . . This book is a thorough and unfaltering answer to those in the church who have fallen prey to the current culture's moral relativism and dangerous individualism, reminding us that a church which neglects to follow Christ's teachings on the sacredness of every life cannot call itself Christian."
Robert W. Jenson
—St. Olaf College
"Discussion of abortion in America has been conducted mostly in terms of natural law, and such discussion must continue. But Schlossberg and Achtemeier do a great service by reminding us of what, for believers, must be the starting point of reflection — that the church from its founding has condemned abortion as utterly incompatible with its life."
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Terry Schlossberg is executive director, Presbyterians Pro-Life, Research, Education, and Care, Inc., in Burke, Virginia.
Elizabeth Achtemeier (1926-2002) was adjunct professor of Bible and homiletics at Union Theological Seminary in Virginia.
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