Necessary and timely book that focuses on the value of human life. If humanity cannot care for its most vulnerable beings, how can we be expected to care for any others? Helpful book for our society.

This was a very sobering book to read. It is a much needed reminder, especially in the times we are living in, that all life is important.

I graciously received an advance e-copy from
Netgalley for review. All opinions are my own.

"The wide-open door of abortion-on-demand leads naturally to infanticide which leads naturally to euthanasia," said Francis A. Schaeffer with C. Everett Koop MD.
A person's worldview will dictate the answer to vital questions on these moral/ethical issues posed in this volatile book. What of abortion? What of infanticide? What of euthanasia? Such questions reach back even before Hitler's extermination drive of the "unwanteds".

Humanism vs Christianity...Holocaust & Death Pills vs Hippocratic Oaths. Western and Eastern philosophies vs God's view and Word. What are the consequences when subscribing to one or the other? Philosophers and Scientists do not have all the answers, that's why the "God-view" is necessary. Learn more by reading this book.

BE INFORMED. Know your answer BEFORE you need to know it; before the unthinkable becomes the thinkable, urge the authors. Make your view be not the generally accepted worldview, but God's view of human beings being made in the image of God. This equals VALUE. Subsequently, your solutions to "what to do with" the unwed expectant mother, the parents of a baby born with some severe physical defect or the aged parent in an Alzheimer befuddlement, will stem from that.

Shaeffer and Koop are very informative on these moral/ethical issues. I highly recommend this book as an absolute must, for all followers of Jesus Christ. The authors stress, this is NOT a Roman Catholic issue; it is an all-encompassing Christian issue, which gets no one off the hook.

Acknowledgements, notes, a bibliography of more of Schaeffer's books and a Scripture Index will be found at the end of the book. There is mention of a film series on this topic as well (already on YouTube, by Schaeffer, Vision Video).

~Eunice C., Reviewer/Blogger~

August 2021

Disclaimer: This is my honest opinion based on the Advanced Reader Copy given by the publisher.

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Whatever Happened to the Human Race? was an enlightening read. Despite being initially written approximately 40 years ago, it is relevant today.

After the culture shift of the sexual revolution and the drive for abortion rights, Francis Schaeffer and Dr. Everett Koop make such a compelling argument on the value of human life. They differentiate the Christian worldview and position from the prevailing Western worldview found in the materialism of secular humanists today. The authors argue that there needs to be a basis or a foundation for the value of human life so as to make wise, moral, and ethical decisions in all areas of life. What they are combatting are the competing dogmas of medical professionals in the field. These professionals are arguing for the right to terminate life. Termination in the form of abortion to euthanasia is valid because of a lack of quality of life or perceived value. Schaeffer and Koop remain steadfast: if the human race allows for the disposal of beings who are perceived to have little value, who gets to deem a person's worth?

As believers in God's word and the work of Jesus Christ, we are not to be anti-abortion or anti-euthanasia, but instead pro-people. We are to value a person no matter how small, how unproductive, or how seemingly insignificant because God determines that each human being is worthy of honor. We are each bearer of his divine image. Schaeffer and Koop argue that if God's word is not the foundation of our value of human significance, then who gets to determine a person's worth? And how slippery is that slope?

I appreciated reading this book so much. It was a lot to read and reflect on. It is also fairly academic in tone and voice as it is less story-focused and more information-focused. However, I believe if a Christian wants to know how to argue for a common metric for measuring human value, they would find Whatever Happened to the Human Race? an invaluable resource.

This book addresses hot topics at the time but notably at this age. It details and documents each subject (abortion, infanticide, euthanasia) between historical, scientifical and biblical lenses.
The author leaves his print throughout the pages of the book. It makes you wonder how these words were written decades earlier and they apply in our times even more.
The highlight of the book is the last chapter, the practical one (“our personal response and social action”): accepting lordship of Christ in all our life, taking action in society on behalf of every human and loving care in our social life.
This book is an heritage to every christian generation.

Unlike many well-intentioned books on the same subject, this is well-written and carefully backs up its arguments with logic and reputable sources. Consequently, it's aged pretty well and still gives readers lots to think about.