“A Love for Life”
Editor’s Note: This book review was originally published in the September 2008 issue of National Right to Life News and is currently being featured in our year-long series commemorating the 40th anniversary of the landmark Supreme Court decision in Roe v. Wade. As we approach Christmas, it is difficult to imagine a more enduring example of NRL News stories than this overview of the Christian Church’s witness against abortion.
While perusing Dennis DiMauro’s book, A Love for Life, I found myself repeatedly reflecting on the value of such insights during my tenure as Director of Media Relations for National Right to Life.
Mr. DiMauro’s book on Christianity and abortion would have been a valuable addition to the resources available to my department. We frequently received inquiries from individuals and reporters seeking to understand the perspectives of various religious denominations on the topic of abortion. While we did have access to denominational statements from National Right to Life and the National Pro-Life Religious Council, Mr. DiMauro’s book offers a clear and concise analysis that would have been invaluable.
Dennis DiMauro is well-versed in the subject of abortion and the stances of various religious denominations. He is the secretary of the National Pro-Life Religious Council and president of Northern Virginia Lutherans for Life. Additionally, he is pursuing a doctoral degree in church history at the Catholic University of America. He is well versed in the historical and theological perspectives of various denominations on the abortion issue, and his book serves as an invaluable resource for anyone interested in the intersection of religion and abortion.
Experts in the field have lauded the merits of “A Love for Life.” No higher source of praise for a book of this nature can be found than that of Michael J. Gorman, author of the brilliant examination of “Abortion and the Early Church.”
In this concise yet comprehensive and meticulously researched book, Dennis DiMauro traces the history of the Christian church’s pro-life position, which originated from its scriptural teachings and remained consistent theologically until the latter part of the 20th century. Furthermore, DiMauro illustrates that the pro-life position represents the majority of the Christian world, even as he identifies influential pro-life voices within Christian traditions that currently espouse a pro-choice stance. Those engaged in the abortion debate within the Christian community must acknowledge the veracity of these assertions and engage with them in a serious manner. The first step in this process is to read this book.
Fr. Frank Pavone, national director of Priests for Life, states, “Until now, one might have presumed to be aware of the exemplary Christian tradition in defense of children in the womb.” However, this understanding was previously limited to the information presented in this book.
Mr. DiMauro begins by providing a concise overview of the historical development of the issue within the context of Christian theology, including the perspectives of prominent theologians from the Reformation era onwards. He then proceeds to examine the distorted interpretations of religious groups that espouse a pseudo-religious agenda, such as the Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice. Mr. DiMauro then proceeds to examine the historical and contemporary contexts of the abortion debate within the major Christian denominations in the United States. Furthermore, he provides the reader with the official statements of each denomination in the appendices, which is a helpful addition.
Mr. DiMauro examines the positions held by modern denominations in the United States, beginning in the 1960s, the years immediately preceding Roe v. Wade, and following through to the present. The text is further enriched by a series of quotations from a diverse range of sources, including individuals who are well-known within their respective denominations and religious affiliations.
Mr. DiMauro concludes with an appeal to those who identify as “pro-choice” and are Christians, encouraging them to read his book. He cites the Methodist theologian Stanley Hauerwas, who previously stated, “Abortion is not about the law, but about the kind of people we are to be as the Church and as Christians.”
It is recommended that you purchase A Love for Life. The book can be purchased from a number of bookstores, as well as from Amazon.com and the publisher.
Daniel Miller is responsible for nearly all of National Right to Life News' political writing.
With the election of Donald Trump to the U.S. presidency, Daniel Miller developed a deep obsession with U.S. politics that has never let go of the political scientist. Whether it's the election of Joe Biden, the midterm elections in Congress, the abortion rights debate in the Supreme Court or the mudslinging in the primaries - Daniel Miller is happy to stay up late for you.
Daniel was born and raised in New York. After living in China, working for a news agency and another stint at a major news network, he now lives in Arizona with his two daughters.
