Happiness and the Christian Moral Life suggests that the heart of Christian ethics are not elements such as laws and rules and principles and obligations, but is an ongoing initiation into a way of life capable of making a person good and therefore, happy. These elements are important, but they should never overshadow what ought to be the principal concern of Christian ethics: how to form us into people who love the good and seek it in everything we do. Paul Wadell re-envisions the basic elements of Christian morality in light of the conviction that the Christian moral life can be most promisingly described as 'training in happiness.' This book explores the place of friendship in the Christian moral life, the role of the virtues in our quest for happiness, a Christian understanding of the person, the meaning of freedom in the Christian life, and the importance of narrative for Christian ethics, including what it might mean to 'put on' the story that comes to us in Jesus. Also examined are the role of conscience and prudence, its primary virtue; a Christian understanding of love; and why in the Christian life, happiness is impossible without justice.
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Happiness and the Christian Moral Life is a fantastic text. Yet to call this book an 'introduction' seems to diminish its depth. Wadell skillfully moves back and forth from ancient and medieval texts to contemporary insight on the nature of persons and society. In this book he addresses clearly the fundamentals of moral theology in a thoroughly 'un-textbook' fashion. Like a good storyteller, he shares these fundamentals with us - including friendship, freedom, sin, conscience, virtue, and love, in a coherent and compelling manner. (Brady, Bernard )
Paul Wadell's Happiness and the Christian Moral Life is an extraordinarily inviting treatment of the deep and expansive material of the discipline of Christian ethics. In Wadell's book the well-worn concepts and terms of Catholic moral theology are given new life, as he guides us with a friendly and gracious openness through discussions of happiness, friendship, virtue, truth, freedom, sin, conscience and justice. This is a comprehensive textbook that reads like a novel. In Wadell's competent hands, moral theology not only makes sense, it is engaging and exciting. I cannot think of a better place to begin thinking about the central questions of Christian ethics. (Charles Pinches )
It is rare to find a book one cannot wait to teach. Paul Wadell's Happiness and the Christian Moral Life is just such a book. Here the complex components of Catholic moral theology come alive through crystal clear, honest, and good-humored prose that will engage any reader, especially students. But even more delightfully, the book incarnates its claims. Wadell sees the moral life as 'training in happiness' and describes moral education as a process of 'becoming enchanted with goodness.' This book will enchant its readers, as it did me, with the beauty of the Christian journey. It is a book that imparts the joy that comes with friendship with God and those God loves. Suffused with the author's own contemplative spirituality, this book is a gift to the church, one with potential to actually change students' lives. (M. Therese Lysaught )
It is Wadell's superb study. (Books & Culture )
This is the best one volume work in fundamental moral theology now available for the widest possible audience. It represents the shift in the revision of moral theology from its focus on right actions to becoming good persons. In this theologically rich work, Wadell shows the difference the qualifier 'Christian' makes for understanding who we are, who we are to become, and how we get there. He draws from the storehouse of Christian ethics to develop his core theme of seeking happiness through virtue. Those who know Wadell’s work already appreciate the artistry of his lucid prose, rich images, and laser-like precision. This book does what all important books do—expand the conversation by giving a new slant on familiar themes. I plan to use it and recommend it as a must read for anyone who seeks to live their faith reflectively or who wants to know where fundamental moral theology is today. (Richard M. Gula, S.S. )
Paul Wadell's Happiness and the Christian Moral Life is an extraordinarily inviting treatment of the deep and expansive material of the discipline of Christian ethics. In Wadell's book the well-worn concepts and terms of Catholic moral theology are given new life, as he guides us with a friendly and gracious openness through discussions of happiness, friendship, virtue, truth, freedom, sin, conscience and justice. This is a comprehensive textbook that reads like a novel. In Wadell's competent hands, moral theology not only makes sense, it is engaging and exciting. I cannot think of a better place to begin thinking about the central questions of Christian ethics. (Charles Pinches )
It is rare to find a book one cannot wait to teach. Paul Wadell's Happiness and the Christian Moral Life is just such a book. Here the complex components of Catholic moral theology come alive through crystal clear, honest, and good-humored prose that will engage any reader, especially students. But even more delightfully, the book incarnates its claims. Wadell sees the moral life as 'training in happiness' and describes moral education as a process of 'becoming enchanted with goodness.' This book will enchant its readers, as it did me, with the beauty of the Christian journey. It is a book that imparts the joy that comes with friendship with God and those God loves. Suffused with the author's own contemplative spirituality, this book is a gift to the church, one with potential to actually change students' lives. (M. Therese Lysaught )
It is Wadell's superb study. (Books & Culture )
This is the best one volume work in fundamental moral theology now available for the widest possible audience. It represents the shift in the revision of moral theology from its focus on right actions to becoming good persons. In this theologically rich work, Wadell shows the difference the qualifier 'Christian' makes for understanding who we are, who we are to become, and how we get there. He draws from the storehouse of Christian ethics to develop his core theme of seeking happiness through virtue. Those who know Wadell’s work already appreciate the artistry of his lucid prose, rich images, and laser-like precision. This book does what all important books do—expand the conversation by giving a new slant on familiar themes. I plan to use it and recommend it as a must read for anyone who seeks to live their faith reflectively or who wants to know where fundamental moral theology is today. (Richard M. Gula, S.S. )
About the Author
Paul J. Wadell is a professor of religious studies at St. Norbert College. He specializes in Christian ethics and has taught in this field for twenty years. He has written several books on Christian ethics, including Becoming Friends: Worship, Justice, and the Practice of Christian Friendship and The Moral of the Story: Learning From Literature about Human and Divine Love.
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7 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
great basic introduction to virtue ethics,
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This review is from: Happiness and the Christian Moral Life: An Introduction to Christian Ethics (Paperback)
Dr. Wadell's book is a terrific introduction to the positive, life affirming topic of Christian virtue ethics. Read this book if you really want to know how even despite sin and human weakness, God's love for us all transends the sorrows of the world. His explanations are beautifully crafted and his voice is one that brings hope to those who struggle with living the good life well. Wonderful text for beginning students of a positive, affirming view of Christian ethics. A breath of fresh air in the dankness of the usual sin, damnation, and "thou-shall-nots" of many Christian ethics texts. Bravo, Dr. Wadell, your book is full of joy!
0 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
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Received on time and in the condition it was described. Used, but still in good condition with very minimal highlighting on less than 5 pages of entire book. I am happy with the order.
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