The Case for Life: Equipping Christians to Engage the Culture

Second Edition

By Scott Klusendorf, Foreword by Lila Rose

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The Case for Life: Equipping Christians to Engage the Culture

Second Edition

By Scott Klusendorf, Foreword by Lila Rose

... Show All

Pro-life Advocate Scott Klusendorf Explains the Pro-life Argument and Why It Matters

Pro-life Christians, take heart: the pro-life message can compete in the marketplace of ideas if Christians properly understand and articulate that message. In light of the 50th anniversary of Roe v. Wade, too many Christians do not understand the essential truths of the pro-life position, making it difficult for them to articulate a biblical worldview on issues like abortion, cloning, and embryo research.

This second edition of The Case for Life, now with a substantial amount of additional and updated content, provides intellectual grounding for the pro-life convictions that most evangelicals hold. The debate turns on one key question: What is the unborn? In this timely book, author Scott Klusendorf teaches readers what the role of the pro-life Christian should be and how to lovingly and winsomely engage in questions and objections.

  • Timely: Covers current hot-button topics related to abortion, cloning, and embryo research
  • Ideal for Christians or Anyone Curious about the Pro-Life Movement: Written for those looking to learn more about the pro-life argument and why it matters 
  • Logically Grounded: Klusendorf explains the core of the argument and how to engage in a thoughtful and loving way
  • Features New Content: Includes 8 new chapters and a new section titled “Pro-Life Christians Survey the Major Thinkers”

Read Chapter 1


Author:

Scott Klusendorf

Scott Klusendorf (MA, Biola University) is the president of Life Training Institute, where he trains pro-life advocates to persuasively defend their views. A passionate and engaging platform speaker, Scott's pro-life presentations have been featured by Focus on the Family, Truths That Transform, and American Family Radio.

Product Details

Category: Culture & Social Issues
Format: Paperback
Page Count: 416
Size: 6.0 in x 9.0 in
Weight: 19.93 ounces
ISBN-10: 1-4335-8067-5
ISBN-13: 978-1-4335-8067-3
ISBN-UPC: 9781433580673
Case Quantity: 20
Published: November 14, 2023

Table of Contents

Foreword by Lila Rose 
Preface
Introduction 

Part 1: Pro-life Christians Clarify the Debate
Chapter 1: What Is the Pro-Life Argument?
Chapter 2: What’s the Issue?
Chapter 3: What Does It Mean to Be Pro-Life?
Chapter 4: What Is the Unborn?
Chapter 5: What Makes Humans Valuable?
Chapter 6: What Are the Big Questions? 
Chapter 7: What about Embryonic Stem Cell Research?

Part 2: Pro-life Christians Address Worldview Questions
Chapter 8: Which Worldviews Inform the Abortion Debate?
Chapter 9: Are Right and Wrong Real and Knowable?
Chapter 10: Is Moral Neutrality Possible?
Chapter 11: Does God Matter (Or Am I Just Matter?)
Chapter 12: Is the Bible Pro-Life?

Part 3: Pro-life Christians Survey the Major Thinkers
Chapter 13: When Did I Come to Be? 
Chapter 14: When Did I Get a Right to Life?
Chapter 15: Is Abortion Justified Even If the Unborn are Human?

Part 4: Pro-life Christians Answer Objections Persuasively
Chapter 16: From Debate to Dialogue: Asking the Right Questions
Chapter 17: The Coat Hanger Objection: “Women Will Die from Illegal Abortions”
Chapter 18: The Tolerance Objection: “Don’t Force Your Views on Others” 
Chapter 19: The Hard Cases Objection: Rape, and the Mother’s Life at Stake
Chapter 20: When the Attacks Get Personal

Part 5: Pro-life Christians Teach and Equip
Chapter 21: Equip to Engage: The Pro-Life Pastor in Post-Roe America
Chapter 22: Healed and Equipped: Hope for Post-Abortion Women and Men 
Chapter 23: Here We Stand: Cobelligerence without Theological Compromise 
Chapter 24: Are Pro-Lifers Guilty of Moral Compromise?
Chapter 25: Preparing for a Pro-Life Talk 
Chapter 26: Can We Win? 

Appendix: Training Resources
General Index 
Scripture Index 

Endorsements

“With the United States Supreme Court’s Dobbs ruling, we need Scott Klusendorf’s resource more than ever. He answers the question, Who are the unborn? with clear-minded thinking and carefully crafted arguments. Pro-life laypeople and lawmakers alike must come to the street corner or statehouse equipped to speak in defense of their unborn brothers and sisters. Klusendorf keeps the reader’s eye and heart fixed on the center of the pro-life position: the child in the womb.”
Todd Wilken, Host, Issues, Etc.

“Way too many people today are silent on abortion—not because they don’t care, but because they do not know how to make the case for life that they hold dear in their hearts. Scott Klusendorf does an amazing job equipping us to engage a culture of death toward a culture of life. The days of being silent about the truth that we know biblically and scientifically should not cause us to take a back seat anymore. We cannot use the excuse that we did not know.”
Valerie Millsapps, CEO, Pregnancy Resource Center

“For years I’ve trusted Scott Klusendorf and his team to teach the pro-life argument to every single student who attends a Summit Ministries course. The reason is simply stated in the logical syllogism Klusendorf shares: ‘It is always wrong to intentionally kill an innocent human being. Abortion intentionally kills an innocent human being. Therefore, abortion is morally wrong.’ Every human being has value. Clear thinking about this opens the way to clear thinking about everything else. The Case for Life encapsulates decades of wisdom from Klusendorf’s frontline defense of the pro-life cause. It is at the same time encyclopedic and fascinating, bringing the science, philosophy, and theology within reach through powerful illustrations and practical ‘how-to’ ideas for sharing the truth even with die-hard skeptics. This will be my go-to pro-life book from this point forward.”
Jeff Myers, President, Summit Ministries

“No one has had a greater impact teaching me the skills of defending the precious lives of unborn children than Scott Klusendorf. He is simply a master of his craft. If you want a single tutorial giving you everything you need to help make a mother’s womb the safest place for a child to be instead of the most dangerous place, read The Case for Life.”
Gregory Koukl, President, Stand to Reason; author, Tactics and The Story of Reality

“The first edition of The Case for Life is the single greatest pro-life apologetics book available from an evangelical author. I use it in my classes and strongly endorse it. It’s accessible in how it reads, comprehensive in its argument, and intellectually satisfying in making a definitive case for protecting human life at all stages. Klusendorf is to be commended for making high-level bioethical issues simple and grounding his argument in the complementary sources of Scripture and natural law. With Roe now in the ash heap of history, it was time for The Case for Life to be expanded and updated. Here it is.”
Andrew T. Walker, Associate Professor of Christian Ethics, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary; Fellow, The Ethics and Public Policy Center

The Case for Life was the best pro-life apologetics resource on my shelf, and Scott Klusendorf has achieved something I didn’t think was possible—he’s made it better! His voluminous understanding of the abortion issue, coupled with his clear thinking and apologetical acumen, will equip you to answer every pro-abortion argument that the other side offers. This is an essential resource for anyone who engages others on the life issue. Whether you’re new to pro-life apologetics or a seasoned veteran in the field, you will benefit from this book.”
Jim Osman, Pastor, Kootenai Community Church, Kootenai, Idaho

“The recent Supreme Court decision to overturn Roe v. Wade has created an unparalleled moment and a critical juncture in the battle for life. A growing army of pro-life apologists needs clear and honest resources to help them engage in wise, sensitive, and reasoned conversations with their friends, family, coworkers, and classmates. For decades Scott Klusendorf’s tireless efforts, and the resources he has developed, have been the gold standard for educating and equipping people to better understand and communicate the reasonableness of the pro-life position. As a pastor, I’ve recommended The Case for Life to countless people because this book really has made the pro-life argument accessible, compelling, and shareable! In my humble opinion, there is no better book on the pro-life cause than The Case for Life.”
Michael Servello Jr., Pastor, Redeemer Church, Utica, New York

The Case for Life is the handbook every Christian needs for getting equipped with a robust understanding of the pro-life position. It’s clear, accessible, nuanced, and thorough. It’s also desperately needed; Christians can’t afford to not know the case for life in this increasingly confused and hostile culture. I highly recommend it to every Christian who cares about the sanctity of life—which should be every Christian.”
Natasha Crain, speaker; podcaster; author, Faithfully Different

“Years from now, if God is gracious, the world will look back with horror on abortion, and folks will discuss the movement that helped make it unthinkable. Part of that discussion will be how people, especially young people, were recruited and equipped to defend the preborn. A name that will continually pop up in those discussions will be Scott Klusendorf, how he compelled people not only to care but also to speak up. He has made the case for life, in part and in whole, to thousands and thousands. It is the definitive source for what it means to be pro-life, and now in this edition is expanded and improved.”
John Stonestreet, President, Colson Center; Host, BreakPoint

“Scott Klusendorf has produced a marvelous resource that will equip pro-lifers to communicate more creatively and effectively as they engage our culture. The Case for Life is well-researched, well-written, logical, and clear, containing many pithy and memorable statements. Those already pro-life will be equipped; those on the fence will likely be persuaded. Readers looking to speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves will find much here to say. I highly recommend this book.”
Randy Alcorn, author, Heaven; If God Is Good; and The Treasure Principle

The Case for Life is a veritable feast of helpful information about pro-life issues—the finest resource about these matters I have seen. It is accessible to the layperson, and it lays out a strategy for impacting the world for a culture of life.”
J. P. Moreland, Distinguished Professor of Philosophy, Talbot School of Theology, Biola University; author, The God Question

“Scott Klusendorf’s accessible, winsomely written book presents a well-reasoned, comprehensive case for intrinsic human dignity and worth. Klusendorf not only equips the reader with incisive, insightful responses to pro-abortion arguments; he also presents a full defense of the biblical worldview.”
Paul Copan, Pledger Family Chair of Philosophy and Ethics, Palm Beach Atlantic University; coauthor, An Introduction to Biblical Ethics

“This book will equip readers to articulate both a philosophical and a biblical case for life and to answer intelligently and persuasively the main objections to the pro-life position. It is easy to follow and hard to put down.”
Patrick Lee, McAleer Professor of Bioethics, Director, Institute of Bioethics, Franciscan University of Steubenville

"Scott Klusendorf does an amazing job equipping us to engage a culture of death toward a culture of life.”

Valerie Millsapps

CEO, Pregnancy Resource Center