Christian Ethics

Christian Ethics provides a biblical, historical, philosophical and theological guide to the field of Christian ethics. Prominent theologian David S. Cunningham explores the tradition of ‘virtue ethics’ in this creative and lively text, which includes literary and musical references as well as key contemporary theological texts and figures.Three parts examine:the nature of human action and the people of God as the ‘interpretative community’ within which ethical discourse arisesthe development of a ‘virtue ethics’ approach, and places this in its Christian contextsignificant issues in contemporary Christian ethics, including the ethics of business and economics, politics, the environment, medicine and sex.This is the essential text for students of all ethics courses in theology, religious studies and philosophy.

'In some of the clearest prose I have encountered, Cunningham speaks directly to undergraduates in their own language, artfully weaving in a myriad of allusions and illustrations from contemporary culture, unpretentiously explaining unfamiliar words and concepts, and astutely naming the assumptions that shape their lives and voicing the questions they raise. He deftly takes them by the hand and walks them, step by logical step, into and through the discipline of Christian ethics as an ethics of character rooted in Scripture, worship, and the Trinity. This is really a wonderful book - a long-needed gift to all who teach Christian ethics, whether in the classroom or in the congregation.' -Therese Lysaught, Associate Professor, Department of Theology, Marquette University, Milwaukee. 'One of the best introductions to Christian ethics available. An essential tool for all students who want to explore the connections between Christian understanding of God, worship, community life, the reading of Scripture, and moral formation. The pace is lively, the text fluent and easy. David Cunningham opens up the rich resources of what Christian tradition says with respect to 'peaceableness', justice, grace, love, courage, stewardship of the created order, giving and receiving, sacrifice and companionship, music as a Christian practice, and much more.' -Esther D. Reed, Associate Professor of Theological Ethics, University of Exeter, UK 'David Cunningham's enjoyable and highly readable textbook is an excellent introduction to contemporary Christian ethics and is ideally suited for those who have little prior knowledge of Christian belief. His use of literature, film, and music is notably refreshing, as is the imaginative way he draws on the virtues to illuminate practical judgements in different parts of everyday life. This book will deservedly find its way onto the reading lists of many introductory courses on Christian ethics.' -Robert Song, Senior Lecturer in Christian Ethics, University of Durham.

David S. Cunningham is Professor of Religion and Director of the CrossRoads Project at Hope College, Michigan. He has published widely on the subjects of systematic, doctrinal and philosophical theology and Christian ethics.