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The Moral Quest: Foundations of Christian Ethics

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Stanley Grenz declares that he began as a professor of theology, but somehow has gotten "sucked into" teaching ethics. He is at Regents College currently and teaches both theology and ethics.

This book is solidly based on God's word and theology, and reflects on the development of morality, virtues, and ethics (after a brief introduction on why we should look at ethics), as it first arises from the Greek tradition. Various terminology are introduced, like an "ethic of being" rather than an "ethic of doing", and deontological vs. teleogical ethics.

Several Greek ethical traditions are evaluated, namely Plato, Aristotle, Epicurus, Stoics, and Plotinus (neo-Platonism), and what are the metaphysical backgrounds, nature of the human person, type of ethic, and conceptions of virtue.

Then the discussion moves to ethics in the Bible from Old Testament (specifically the apodidic laws, or the moral laws), Christ, and then Paul.

Then some model Christian proposals are evaluated, namely Augustine (Ethics as the Love of God), Aquinas (Ethics as the telos of human existence, or Ethics as the Fulfillment of our purpose), and Martin Luther and the Reformers (Ethics as Believing Obedience).

Some contemporary Christian proposals are raised looking at Social Order/Social Justice ("An Ethic for the Christianization of the Social Order"), Ethic of Transcedence (in Neo-Orthodoxy), Love as the Christian Norm, an Ethic of Liberation (Liberation Theology), Ethic of Character (an Ethic of Being), and Evangelicals and the Ethical Task. (What's good about these last two chapters is that Grenz fairly well presents a number of different models and is very good about evaluating the good and bad features in each one.)

Then Grenz spends some time discussing what ethics are being discussed at the present time and talks about what Christians need to do to discuss ethics successfully. He talks about related words like community, morals, duty, virtue, and dialogue ... especially with others who are thinking about ethics. Yet, Christian ethics must be distinctly different, and talks about why it must be (it must being and end with God, p. 218 -- and that the basis and goal of ethical living in God). Then Grenz apparently summarizes a good amount of his discussion of the biblical models of ethics, and then declares that Christian Ethics must be within a community-based ethic of being (in Christ)... also discussing Christian virtue-ethics, within a framework of theology. Very impressive. Then Grenz further discusses the foundation of a Christian ethic (discussing the famous Charles Sheldon novel "In His Steps" which inspires the ever-so-popular WWJD = What Would Jesus Do?). In this chapter, he covers even more Christian theology that affects our ethics.

Grenz reveals himself as an agape-ist ethicist in the final chapters, as he shows that he believes that love (or the ethic of love) is one that comes from God, and shows exactly how one is to demonstrate it, first to God, then to our neighbor. (Not just in marriage, but he does discuss this context.) He shows some of the four loves (interacting with C.S. Lewis' work, "The Four Loves", storge, philo, agape, and eros) and how love is to manifest (in a relational sense).

Grenz ends on a tone of love, specifically of that of love for God, in celebration, aka worship (notably corporate worship in addition to individual worship). He notes that Christian ethical life results in transformation (sanctification), and "the agent of our renewal and hence the one who authors true celebrative worship is none other than the Holy Spirit," (p.301) which transforms us to love God. (Again, emphasizing the agape-ethic.)

Grenz provides a great overview of the history of ethics and ethical philosophies. He follows with a foundation for a balanced theonomous ethical viewpoint. Especially enjoyed the chapters "Ethics in the Bible," and "Foundations of a Christian Ethic." Loved the fact that his conclusions were God-centered and thoroughly Biblical.

Great intro to Christian ethics!

Grenz offers a solid book on the foundations of Christian ethics. He provides readers with a historical view of ethics that takes into account ethics in Greek philosophy and ethics in the Scriptures. He highlights models of Christian ethics by outlining Augustinian, Thomist and Lutheran ethics. He surveys some contemporary ethical propositions that offer a wide spectrum of views. Grenz discusses Christian ethics in the postmodern context and points to the general foundations of Christian ethics historically and for today. He concludes the book by explaining the ethic of love at the center of Christian ethics.

This is a book that would serve as a good introductory text to Christian ethics.

Grenz is at his best with this treasure of a book. His emphasis on relational and covenantal theology, the importance of community, love as the character of God forming the basis for Christian ethics, and the use of narrative as an effective approach to address post modernism are not only enlightening, but also practical. Further, Grenz provides a brief history of the Greco ethical tradition and its influence on various Christian theologians, tracing that influence from the patristic period to contemporary times.

Particular attention should be paid to Grenz's explanation of the imago Dei and the relationship between the Triune persons. As Grenz rightfully states humankind serves as "image-bearers" of God, image-bearers who are expected to reflect God's character to other humans and creation in its entirety. As with the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit each element of creation ideally works in harmony with the other.

This is an insightful book that benefits theologians, students, and lay people alike.