How to Be a Christian in a Brave New World [Paperback]

Joni Eareckson Tada (Author), Nigel M. de S. Cameron (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 2, 2006

Stem-cell research. Cloning. Genetic engineering. Today, discoveries in biotechnology are occurring so rapidly that we can barely begin to address one ethical debate before another looms overhead. This brave new world we've entered is a daunting one as well, with disturbing implications for the sanctity of life and for human nature itself. How should we respond as Christians? Drawing on an abundance of cutting-edge information and life experience, Joni Eareckson Tada and Nigel M. de S. Cameron help you think through issues no Christian can afford to ignore. As a quadriplegic who has spent three decades advocating for the disability community out of a wheelchair, Joni offers the insights of a woman intimately acquainted with suffering and struggle. Dr. Cameron shares from his vast knowledge as one of today's foremost bioethics. Together, they offer deeply informed perspectives on such pressing issues as Human cloning Designer babies Redefining human nature Human harvesting Here is thoughtful, passionate, and gripping reading about the world that is coming---that, indeed, is already here---and how to live out your faith with conviction in its midst.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Tada, known among evangelical Christians for living courageously with a spinal cord injury, joins bioethicist Cameron in an engaging, if sometimes strident, critique of biotechnology. While both authors come from the Christian Right and lionize President George W. Bush, they make adept connections across the ideological spectrum—from disability advocacy groups to feminist critics of cloning—with those concerned about the fate of vulnerable individuals in a society that expects biological perfection. At the root of biotech temptations, the authors see a culture that is terrified of suffering. Based on the observation that "all pursuit of medical advancements reflects somebody's morals," they argue that debates over human cloning, embryo research and assisted reproduction are not only necessary but overdue. They fear that already, "millions of Christians have learned the wrong lesson at the outset of the biotech century" because "the evangelical church has consistently avoided facing the question and inquiring and advising appropriately." Readers should warm to the book's combination of personal anecdote, biblical interpretation, humor ("this is not a slide down the slippery slope—this is downhill skiing") and pointed rhetoric that usually leaves little doubt as to where the authors personally stand. (May)
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Review

'This book tackles some of the most profound ethical questions facing Christians today, including stem-cell research, cloning, and genetic engineering. It draws on both cutting-edge information and life experience to help believers think through issues they can no longer ignore. This book will not only teach you about these important issues, but it will help you think through them from a biblical perspective.' -- Rick Warren's Ministry Toolbox <br><br> (Rick Warren's Ministry Toolbox )

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 18 and up
  
• Paperback: 222 pages
• Publisher: Zondervan (May 2, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0310259398
• ISBN-13: 978-0310259398
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 5.9 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #584,342 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars How do we proceed in the brave new world?, August 8, 2006

By 

William Muehlenberg (Melbourne Australia) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: How to Be a Christian in a Brave New World (Paperback)

The brave new world the authors refer to is the scary new world of biomedical technologies and breakthroughs. While the new biotech offers much promise, it also raises many ethical and social concerns. In this volume two Christian authors advise readers on how to think biblically and morally about the new technologies.

Thus issues such as human cloning, stem cell research, genetic engineering, eugenics, designer babies, and cybernetics are closely examined.

The pair are well placed to discuss these topics. Joni is well known as a speaker and writer who has learned to cope with her quadriplegia. Nearly 40 years ago she was confined to a wheel chair after a diving accident. She could easily be tempted to grasp at the hype and hoopla promised by such things as embryonic stem cell research, but is aware that any potential cures must be ethically achieved.

And Nigel Cameron is a long standing expert on bioethics issues, and author of the important 1991 book, The New Medicine. Together they help us think ethically about where the new biomedicine and technologies are taking us.

As mentioned, there are a lot of promises being made about how cures derived from embryonic stem cells (ESCs) may soon help people like Joni walk again, and help many other people with various diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. While Joni would of course love to be able to walk again, she realizes that ESCs are not the way to go. This is because ethical medicine must take priority in such cases. Killing a embryo to obtain its stem cells is not how we show respect and dignity to members of the human race.

Killing some to possibly save others is not good medicine, and it is not morally acceptable. Plus, as the authors show, adult stem cell research is already resulting in numerous human cures, while ESCs have not yet led to even one.

This book does not simply give an academic case against some of the destructive new technologies, but features case studies and personal stories of many people suffering various infirmities and diseases. Joni herself of course provides a human face as to how ethical medicine can be pursued.

While the media is wont to focus on emotive stories of people suffering, such as the late Christopher Reeve, and call for such ethically dubious science as ESC research, they seldom feature others who equally are suffering, but refuse to go down the path of technologies that do not respect human dignity and personhood.

Thus this book shows how we can not only think rightly about the new biotech world, but how we can act rightly as well. A very helpful resource for those wanting an introduction to this brave new world.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent intro to an under-discussed topic!, January 5, 2007

By 

M. Jonathan Hanger (Aiken, SC United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: How to Be a Christian in a Brave New World (Paperback)

This book made me think about ethical choices and the consequences of what are becoming routine procedures. I appreciate the authors deep respect for life, willingness to acknowledge common interests with those who share a different worldview, and their willingness to challenge us by clearly stating what they think is right. It is hard to be neutral after hearing their story.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Ethical debate needed, October 20, 2007

By 

G. J. Weeks (London) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: How to Be a Christian in a Brave New World (Paperback)

Joni Eareckson Tada, a quadriplegic co-authors this book with ethicist Cameron. It is written to awaken ordinary Christians to the ethical questions raised by IVF, cloning and other bio tech developments. The authors seek to base their ethics in Scripture but not all who share their views on the authority of the Bible will share all their conclusions, but they do raise the contemporary questions and encourage Christians to be involved in the contemporary debates. Their history of early last century eugenics programmes nm the USA is horrifying as it was the precursor to what was done in Nazi Germany. It is a stern waring against human cloning and the manipulation of life from the embryo.