An Introduction to Biblical Ethics: Walking in the Way of Wisdom
Digital Logos Edition
What should we do or not do? What attitudes, behavior and qualities are good? Can we be good without God? What is the highest good, the purpose of human existence? These are the questions the study of ethics seeks to answer.
Unlike many approaches to ethics, this book foundationally turns to Scripture, going only as far as Scripture itself goes. The result is an overview of biblical ethics that not only addresses the life of love and wisdom to be lived out by Christians as virtuous individuals, but also as Christians in community, in society and in a world of God?s creation.
Key preliminary considerations of love, law, sin and virtue are given their due in this thoroughly revised and updated text. The bulk of the work is then organized around the Ten Commandments and ethical themes springing from them—loving God (commandments 1-4) and loving others (commandments 6-10).
This new edition includes added material onethical alternatives such as relativism, social contract, utilitarianism and evolutionary ethicsthe seven deadly sins as well as the cardinal virtues vs. theological virtuesend-of-life ethics, stem-cell research, animal rights, sexuality, genetics and technology, and other bioethical issues such as plastic surgery and surrogate motherhoodtechnology and its depersonalizing effects as well as helping the poorthe church's engagement in society and how Christians can make a difference in the media.McQuilkin and Copan stay focused on how we are fulfilling the purposes of God for our lives—a will that is for our good and our well-being. This comprehensive study is the place to begin on the journey of living wisely, faithfully and obediently.
Top Highlights
“First, becoming reconciled with God and seeking first his kingdom takes priority over all human relationships or this-worldly considerations.” (Pages 536–537)
“Third, the first sin was a turning away from God—the greatest Good—to creaturely, lesser goods.” (Page 101)
“Nevertheless, the dominant Protestant Reformation teaching was not for separation of influence, but for separation of the powers of each so that neither controlled the other. Church and state were viewed as partners in separate but overlapping spheres of responsibility for achieving God’s purposes in the world.” (Page 524)
“Second, biblical virtues and universal Christian duties are more fundamental than concrete, situation-specific considerations.” (Page 537)
“So the first sin consisted in a failure to pay attention to the reasons for loving God supremely and regarding him as the highest Good.” (Page 101)
Ethics without the Bible is a matter of cultural mores. The Bible without ethics is a textual relic without life or relevance. This superb introduction to biblical ethics brings the two together through the wisdom of two noted evangelical thinkers and leaders. This book does not duck the tough issues but presents them in the light of God's unfailing revelation in Jesus Christ and the revelation of God in Holy Scripture. Highly recommended!
Timothy George, founding dean of Beeson Divinity School of Samford University and general editor of the Reformation Commentary on Scripture
An Introduction to Biblical Ethics combines the winsome wisdom of Robertson McQuilkin, one of the sage professors of Christian ethics, with the penetrating rigor of Paul Copan, one of the premier thinkers of today. What could be better than this?
C. Ben Mitchell, Graves Professor of Moral Philosophy, Union University, Jackson, Tennessee
A first-rate discussion of ethics from a Christian worldview. I'm very glad to see Robertson McQuilkin's work be updated by such a capable scholar as Paul Copan.
Scott B. Rae, dean of faculty, Talbot School of Theology, Biola University
Although as a Catholic I part ways with the authors on a couple of issues—such as birth control and the use of images—this is an amazingly careful piece of work. Robertson McQuilkin and Paul Copan offer to their readers a clear and compelling account of an evangelical Protestant understanding of biblical ethics, one from which those outside this tradition can learn much. What makes this book historically interesting is that it is a third edition of a classic originally authored by McQuilkin, a legendary figure in American evangelicalism and a pioneer in the field of contemporary biblical ethics. But now it has been revised and authored in collaboration with one of the most prolific Christian philosophers alive today, Copan. As one would expect, this rare combination of talents makes for an important contribution to the study of ethics.
Francis J. Beckwith, professor of philosophy and church-state studies, and codirector of the program on philosophical studies of religion, Baylor University