A fresh, engaging, and thoroughly biblical account of Christian ethics for the twenty-first century. Studying Christian ethics tends to involve talking about what we should or, more often, shouldn’t do. The aim of this book, however, is to explore Christian ethics within a wider, more positive framework—one that encourages a joyful way of living that flows naturally out of the abundant goodness of God’s life and character, as revealed in Christ.
Adopting a unique appraoch among inroductions to Christian ethics, Kyle Fedler's Exploring Christian Ethics guides students through the moral decision-making process by providing foundational material in both ethical theory and biblical ethics. First, Fedler introduces the reader to the discipline of ethics, then he explores the ways Scripture can be used responsibly in Christian ethics, and finally, he presents and analyzes the sections of Scripture that have been most influential in Christian morality and ethics.
All Christians read the Bible differently, pray differently, value their traditions differently, and give different weight to individual and corporate judgment. These differences are the basis of conflict. The question Christian ethics must answer, then, is, "What does the good life look like in the context of conflict?" In this new introductory text, Ellen Ott Marshall uses the inevitable reality of difference to center and organize her exploration of the system of Christian morality. What can we learn from Jesus' creative use of conflict in situations that were especially attuned to questions of power? What does the image of God look like when we are trying to recognize the divine image within those with whom we are in conflict? How can we better explore and understand the complicated work of reconciliation and justice? This innovative approach to Christian ethics will benefit a new generation of students who wish to engage the perennial questions of what constitutes a faithful Christian life and a just society.
Introducing Christian Ethics 2e, now thoroughly revised and updated, offers an unparalleled introduction to the study of Christian Ethics, mapping and exploring all the major ethical approaches, and offering thoughtful insights into the complex moral challenges facing people today. This highly successful text has been thoughtfully updated, based on considerable feedback, to include increased material on Catholic perspectives, further case studies and the augmented use of introductions and summaries Uniquely redefines the field of Christian ethics along three strands: universal (ethics for anyone), subversive (ethics for the excluded), and ecclesial (ethics for the church) Encompasses Christian ethics in its entirety, offering students a substantial overview by re-mapping the field and exploring the differences in various ethical approaches Provides a successful balance between description, analysis, and critique Structured so that it can be used alongside a companion volume, Christian Ethics: An Introductory Reader, which further illustrates and amplifies the diversity of material and arguments explored here
"A Sheed & Ward book." Includes bibliographical references and index. Finding a path for life : the quest for goodness and happiness -- Not going it alone : friendship and community in the Christian moral life -- Facing shipwreck and bandits : virtues and the quest for happiness -- Every person's truth : made in the image of God, called to do the work of God -- Freedom : exploring a dangerous topic -- False steps on the path to happiness : losing our way and finding it back -- Finding a story worth handing on : narrative and the moral life -- Doing what the good requires : conscience and prudence in the moral life -- The gift that makes all gifts possible : learning the language of love -- Reimagining the world : why the happiness of one demands justice for all.
This enlightening book steers readers through the challenges and moral issues, providing a clear and decisive history of the main figures and texts in Christian ethics. A short and lively history of Christian ethics, exploring how Christianity has always had to grapple with complex moral problems - from questions about the status of early Christians who renounced their religion under Roman torture, through to current debates about euthanasia Engages with the main texts and figures in Christian ethics, including Augustine, Benedict, Aquinas, Luther and Barth Considers questions such as human will, the proper form of Christian life, natural law, and whether human nature is at odds with Christian ethics Concludes with a thought-provoking chapter considering the role that Christian ethics can play in contemporary moral debates and ethical dilemmas
The aim of the "Church Times Study Guides" is to inform Christians about aspects of belief and practice in a systematic way so they may think, act and respond to the intellectual challenges of the day with greater confidence. Each short booklet includes a brief historical survey of its subject to show how understanding has developed over 20 Christian centuries and gives a range of theological viewpoints. Questions for reflection and exercises encourage groups to think around the issues presented and reach their own conclusions. Little is exercising the public mind and the Church more at the moment than ethical issues. Is the war in Iraq just? What is the right response to homosexuality? In order to weigh up these and other big questions, "Difficult Decisions" introduces the concept of Christian ethics and the use of the Bible in ethical debate.
From the inception of the Reformed tradition, Reformed Christians have followed God's call to engage and change the world. Yet little work has been done to bring the tools of practical theology and ethics to bear on the task of understanding the Reformed tradition. This comprehensive volume addresses that problem. It gathers some of the most respected voices from within the study of Christian ethics and practical theology to ask how the Reformed tradition understands its calling into the world. What does being Reformed mean for how one engages the ills of racism, white supremacy, and homophobia? What does it mean for an environmental ethic? How does Reformed preaching and liturgy respond to sexual violence? These are among the many important issues this book seeks to address. Readers will come away with a firmer grasp of how the Reformed tradition informs and animates Christian engagement with the world. Contributors include Denise Ackermann, Jana Childers, Susan Davies, Etienne de Villiers, Cynthia Jarvis, Jong Hyuk Kim, Ralph Kunz, Cam Murchison, Piet Naudé, Cornelius Plantinga, Nancy Ramsay, Kang Phee Ramsay, Dirk Seng, Max Smit Stackhouse, William Storrar, Geoff Thompson, and Hmar Vanlalauva.
In this important and timely study, Frank Kirkpatrick draws on theology, political philosophy and the social sciences more generally to develop a Christian ethic of community.
