
Human Perfection, Transfiguration and Christian Ethics
Robin Gill(Author)
Cambridge University Press
Will be published approx. on 9. July 2026
Book
Paperback/Softback
260 pages
978-1-009-47672-0 (ISBN)
Description
Most people would agree that human perfection is unattainable. Indeed, theologians have typically expressed ambivalence about the possibility of human perfection. Yet, paradoxically, depictions of human perfection are widespread. In this volume, Robin Gill offers an interdisciplinary study of human perfection in contemporary secular culture. He demonstrates that the language of perfection is present in church memorials, popular depictions of sport, food, music and art, liturgy, and philosophy. He contrasts these examples with the socio-psychological concept of 'maladaptive perfectionism', using commercial cosmetic surgery as an example, as well as the 'adaptive perfectionism' suggested in the lives of Henry Holland, Paul Farmer, and, more ambivalently, Ludwig Wittgenstein. Gill then provides an in-depth analysis of New Testament and Septuagint usage of teleios and theological debates about the human perfection of Jesus. He argues that the Synoptic accounts of the Transfiguration offer a template for a Christian understanding of perfection that has important ecumenical implications within social ethics.
Reviews / Votes
'Perfection, a gospel mandate few can attain! Yet Jesus' Transfiguration illumines God's faithful in his perfection - Gill's brilliant insight for Christian ethics.' Lisa Cahill, J. Donald Monan, S.J. Professor of Theology, Boston College 'The idea of human perfection is crucial for Christian ethics, and this penetrating discussion revitalises a rather neglected topic in Christian ethics.' Keith Ward, Emeritus Regius Professor of Divinity, Oxford University 'A rich, expansive treatment of perfection across multiple contexts that raises important questions about the tasks of Christian ethics.' Karen V. Guth, The Heythrop JournalMore details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
Cambridge
United Kingdom
Target group
College/higher education
Product notice
Paperback (trade)
Illustrations
Worked examples or Exercises
ISBN-13
978-1-009-47672-0 (9781009476720)
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Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions

E-Book
05/2024
Cambridge University Press
€105.99
Available for download
Person
Robin Gill, Emeritus Professor of Applied Theology at the University of Kent, was the first holder of both the Michael Ramsey Chair at Kent and the William Leech Research Chair at Newcastle. His previous books include Moral Passion and Christian Ethics (Cambridge University Press, 2017) and Sociological Theology (3 volumes, 2012-13).
Content
Acknowledgements; Introduction; Part I. Human Perfection: 1. Homo perfectus; 2. Glimpses of artistic perfection; 3. Moral perfection; 4. Perfectionism; Part II. Jesus' Perfection: 5. Be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect; 6. Was Jesus perfect?; Part III. Transfiguration and Global Perfection: 7. Perfection and the transfiguration; 8. Perfection: the transfiguration and Abrahamic trust; 9. A perfect planet; Epilogue: the end of perfection?; Select Bibliography in Christian Ethics; Index.