Many of our day's controversial issues (abortion, fertility treatment, stem cell research, torture, euthanasia) are grounded in the same two questions: (1) What constitutes personhood? and (2) What rights does a person have? Though life issues are fascinating to Christians, we rarely put them in the greater context of what it means to be human. When a new controversy arises, like stem-cell research, our response tends to be based either on emotion or some sort of cost-benefit analysis, as opposed to grounding it on a firm philosophical and theological foundation. This book is meant to provide that popular-level foundation for evangelicals.Author Bob Smietana explores life issues in an irenic way throughout "The Breath of Life," honestly engaging the "other side" in the debate. But he isn't merely fair and measured; he also takes a stance. Through careful research and interviews with experts, Smietana offers a distinctly Christian definition of personhood and goes on to apply that definition to all of today's controversial life issues.Bracing and thoughtful, "The Breath of Life" will provide Christians with a better understanding of what's at stake in life-issue debates -- and with the tools to defend personhood wisely and faithfully.

Author Biography

BOB SMIETANA is the religion editor for "The Tennessean" and a correspondent for "Religion News Service." His stories have appeared in national and regional US newspapers, including the "Washington Post, the LA Times," and the "Chicago Tribune," as well as national religious magazines such as "Christianity Today, Christian Century, Sojourners," and "US Catholic." He was one of the first American journalists to interview Graham Taylor and has written about Taylor for "RNS" and "Christianity Today." Bob is the author of "Life: Defining Personhood Under God," and co-author of "Good Intentions." He lives outside of Chicago with his wife, Kathy, and their three children.