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Peter Kreeft

Back to Virtue: Traditional Moral Wisdom for Modern Moral Confusion Paperback – October 1, 1992

by Peter Kreeft (Author)

51 ratings

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We have reduced all virtues to one: being nice. And, we measure Jesus by our standard instead of measuring our standard by Him. For the Christian, explains author Peter Kreeft, being virtuous is not a means to the end of pleasure, comfort and happiness. Virtue, he reminds us, is a word that means manly strength. But how do we know when we are being meek--or just cowardly? When is our anger righteous--and when is it a sin? What is the difference between being virtuous--and merely ethical? Back to Virtue clears up these and countless other questions that beset Christians today. Kreeft not only summarizes scriptural and theological wisdom on leading a holy life, he contrasts Christian virtue with other ethical systems. He applies traditional moral theology to present-day dilemmas such as abortion and nuclear armament. Kreeft restores to us what was once common knowledge: the Seven Deadly Sins have an antidote in the Beatitudes. By setting up a close contrast between the two sets of behaviors, Kreeft offers proven guidance in the often bewildering process of discerning right from wrong as we move into the questionable mores of the twenty-first century. He provides a road map of virtue, a map for our earthly pilgrimage synthesized from the accumulated wisdom of centuries of Christians, from Paul and the early Church Fathers through C.S. Lewis.

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Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Peter Kreeft, Ph.D., Professor of Philosophy at Boston College, is one of the most respected Christian authors of our time. His many bestselling books cover a vast array of topics in spirituality, theology, and philosophy. They include How to Be Holy, Practical Theology, Back to Virtue, Because God Is Real, You Can Understand the Bible, Angels and Demons, Heaven: The Heart's Deepest Longing, and A Summa of the Summa.

Product details

Paperback: 195 pages
Publisher: Ignatius Press; First edition (October 1, 1992)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0898704227
ISBN-13: 978-0898704228
Product Dimensions: 5.2 x 0.8 x 8 inches
Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
Customer Reviews: 51 customer ratings
Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #62,164 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #1860 in Christian Spiritual Growth (Books)
- #1331 in Theology (Books)
- #1116 in Christian Inspirational

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Rev Jerry

An explanation of true virtue as opposed to Christian "values"

Reviewed in the United States on March 25, 2019

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This book made such an impression on me I have sent copies to family members. They are Catholic, I am not; but this is not what might be termed a 'denominational' book. Kreeft has done an absolutely masterful job of explaining virtue and how poorly understood it is today by many, if not most, Christians, regardless of denominational persuasion. At heart, he makes the argument that being a genuine Christian is most definitely not a matter of what we DO, but what we ARE. When Christ is allowed to live His life through the Christian, then His life will be increasingly revealed. It is not a question of externals, the error of the Pharisees and many Christians today. It makes some difficult points, but so does scripture. As other reviewers have pointed out, it is not a quick read, nor should it be considering the subject matter.

4 people found this helpful

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Texaskay

Definition of Virtue

Reviewed in the United States on March 28, 2014

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I thought I knew what virtue was. I did not. I had it confused with morality. Although closely related, virtue is not the same thing as morality. This book opened my eyes to a world of sanctity that had been just beyond my reach. It placed my spirituality in sharper focus; it made me think about the "why" of being good.
I have recommended this to every thinking person I know. Unfortunately, I get a lot of blank stares. I understand. Had I not stumbled on to it through my own misconception, I probably would have passed it up as well. But by the grace of God, I did not pass it up. I hope you don't either.
It is not a book to blast through in one sitting; it is a book that needs to be poured over, mulled, walked away from for a while, snatched up in a moment of clarity, beckoned by as it stares at you from the shelf reminding you that you have more to learn in this world than the thinly-veiled evil that is shoved in your face every day.
Kreeft's writing is deep but not hard to read. He does not use mysterious verbiage; he uses every day words. But the concepts are meaty and thought-provoking. But do not be afraid. You can read this AND you can understand. If I can, you can. This book will enrich your life.

7 people found this helpful

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Thomas M. Loarie

An Answer For A World Morally Confused

Reviewed in the United States on March 4, 2007

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Do you believe that life today is so confusing? And do you believe that the modern world is morally confused? If you do, you will find Peter Kreeft's "Back to Virtue" stimulating and enlightening. Kreeft examines modern civilization and why it is at risk. He poses the question, "What ever became of virtue?" and proceeds to examine the absence of virtue in today's world and why it's absence has led to moral confusion.

"Back to Virtue" begins with review of spiritual history and how we got to this state of confusion. In modern life, life flows from the modern world view that there is no God; therefore we play God to the world. As a result, we do not have any shared principles (virtues) as each person can decide what is virtuous and what is not. There is no notion of any universal and objective morality, no meeting place.

The rest of Kreeft's work (most of the book) examines the key to eliminating confusion, personal virtue. He goes into great detail examining each - the four cardinal virtues and the three theological virtues - and the role each plays in an ordered world. He ends with a beautiful discussion of the Beatitudes and their role in confronting the seven deadly sins. You will be stimulated, enlightened, and motivated by each of these discussions.

"The patient, Western civilization, may indeed die soon and will certainly die some day, for everything human is mortal. But it need not die now. Though we are sliding towards the abyss...we can (still) turn back the clock which keeps false time." All we need to do is grab onto the footholds presented in this book - the cardinal virtues, the theological virutes, and the Beatitudes. "We are the slaves of time and the masters of morality rather than vice versa. We can return."

17 people found this helpful

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Amazon Customer

Great book

Reviewed in the United States on July 27, 2017

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I enjoyed this book. It was able to give words to thoughts and feelings I had. It is a bit deep, which I enjoy and does not turn me off. I really liked this book. It got me thinking. It pointed out things in our society that are not typically talked about.

There were some very deep ideas here. My favorite part was when the author explained how God is perfectly merciful and just. I had been trying to wrap my head around that and this book answered it. Thank you!

2 people found this helpful

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Narwhal85

A little gem

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 1, 2013

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Peter Kreeft does a masterful job of expounding the virtues and demonstrating the dangers of any society who leaves them behind. His expounding of the beatitudes is worth the money in itself but the rest of the book is both well written and well argues and definitely worth a space in any library.

2 people found this helpful

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BB Ireland

Five Stars

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 3, 2016

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grand

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Amazon Kunde

Knapp, gut, ansprechend

Reviewed in Germany on September 13, 2017

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Das Buch ist gut verständlich geschrieben, der tugendethische Ansatz gut zugänglich - Autoren der ganzen Bandbreite werden zitiert, am Anfang wäre vielleicht mehr Eigenständigkeit gut gewesen.

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Marianne

Love this book

Reviewed in Canada on March 25, 2018

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Peter is awesome. Teaches good thinking and how to survive in the modern world.

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Back to Virtue: Traditional Moral Wisdom for Modern Moral Confusion Paperback – October 1, 1992

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