"The Case for Life" features Scott Klusendorf, Founder and President of a pro-life organization. They discuss engaging the abortion discussion, training individuals, addressing challenges in Christian schools and churches, examining the philosophical issue of abortion, commemorating Roe v. Wade, and finding hope in the debate.
The ongoing importance of making the case for life even after the reversal of Roe v. Wade, emphasizing the need for better training and clarifying the abortion debate.
The significance of understanding different worldviews, surveying influential thinkers, and providing real-world examples to effectively communicate pro-life ideas in various settings such as churches and public presentations.
Deep dives
Importance of Making the Case for Life
In this podcast episode, Scott Clusendorf discusses the ongoing importance of making the case for life, even after the reversal of Roe v. Wade. He emphasizes the need for better training and clarifying the abortion debate, as well as understanding the worldviews that people bring to the discussion. Clusendorf explores the ideas of influential thinkers in the abortion debate and highlights the significance of understanding the street-level conversations and post-Roe world dynamics. He also stresses the importance of teaching and equipping individuals to engage in the pro-life movement.
The Need for a Second Edition
In this second edition of his book, 'The Case for Life,' Clusendorf provides additional insights and reiterates the importance of training and equipping pro-lifers. The book is expanded to address key elements such as better articulating arguments, understanding different worldviews, surveying influential thinkers, and providing real-world examples. Clusendorf aims to bridge the gap between good pro-life thinking and effectively communicating those ideas in various settings, including churches and public presentations.
The Challenges of Engaging the Culture
Clusendorf addresses the challenges faced in engaging the culture on the topic of abortion. He discusses the reluctance of some churches and Christian schools to address the issue, which stems from fear of pushback and concern over students' ability to handle the discussion. He highlights the need for pro-life presentations in educational institutions, emphasizing the importance of exposing students to the pro-life argument. Furthermore, Clusendorf reflects on the belief that reversing Roe v. Wade alone is not enough, as the abortion debate goes beyond legal hurdles and hinges on philosophical anthropology.
Key Arguments and Ground Rules in the Abortion Debate
Clusendorf outlines the pro-life syllogism as a key argument, stating that it is crucial to keep the debate focused on the direct issue of abortion. He addresses counterarguments, including the violinist analogy used by Judith Jarvis-Thompson, and explains how such arguments fail to justify abortion. Clusendorf also discusses the relativistic stance of being personally opposed to abortion but supporting its legality. He highlights the inconsistency of separating personal opposition to abortion from recognizing it as a moral issue. Additionally, he explores the arguments of pro-choice advocates who extend their position to include infanticide, citing philosophical beliefs that detach personhood from the physical body.
Even in the aftermath of the reversal of Roe v. Wade, making the case for life is just as important as before. How do we make the case for life in the current cultural moment we’re in? We’ll take up this critical question with our guest, Scott Klusendorf, around his new book, The Case for Life, the best single resource out there for engaging the abortion discussion. We hope you enjoy this timely episode, since Sanctity of Life Sunday was just this week.
Scott Klusendorf is Founder and President of Life Training Institute, which equips people to make the case for life. He has debated representatives of the ACLU and Planned Parenthood and spoken at dozens of campuses, including Stanford, USC, UCLA, Johns Hopkins, MIt, UC Berkeley and the University of North Carolina. He is the author of several best selling books on making the case for life. He is a graduate of Talbot's MA in Christian Apologetics.
Think Biblically: Conversations on Faith and Culture is a podcast from Talbot School of Theology at Biola University, which offers degrees both online and on campus in Southern California.
To submit comments, ask questions, or make suggestions on issues you'd like us to cover or guests you'd like us to have on the podcast, email us at thinkbiblically@biola.edu.
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