
Christian Ethics
A Very Short Introduction
D. Stephen Long(Author)
Oxford University Press
Published on 29. July 2010
Book
Paperback/Softback
160 pages
978-0-19-956886-4 (ISBN)
Description
This Very Short Introduction to Christian ethics introduces the topic by examining its sources and historical basis. D. Stephen Long presents a discussion of the relationship between Christian ethics, modern, and postmodern ethics, and explores practical issues including sex, money, and power. Long recognises the inherent difficulties in bringing together 'Christian' and 'ethics' but argues that this is an important task for both the Christian faith and for ethics.
Arguing that Christian ethics are not a precise science, but the cultivation of practical wisdom from a range of sources, Long also discusses some of the failures of the Christian tradition, including the crusades, the conquest, slavery, inquistions, and the Galileo affair. Placing them in the context of the theory and practice of ethics and their historical persepctive, he notes the challenges they raise for Christian ethics.
He concludes with a discussion of their implications in the modern era, considering how this affects our lives in the present age.
ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.
Arguing that Christian ethics are not a precise science, but the cultivation of practical wisdom from a range of sources, Long also discusses some of the failures of the Christian tradition, including the crusades, the conquest, slavery, inquistions, and the Galileo affair. Placing them in the context of the theory and practice of ethics and their historical persepctive, he notes the challenges they raise for Christian ethics.
He concludes with a discussion of their implications in the modern era, considering how this affects our lives in the present age.
ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.
Reviews / Votes
serves to bring to the fore some characteristically Catholic emphases often neglected by Protestants. It could serve as a very useful 'very short introduction to Catholic ethics' for those who have been exposed only to the Protestant tradition. * Jonathan Chaplin, Churchman *More details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
Oxford
United Kingdom
Illustrations
15 black and white halftones
Dimensions
Height: 173 mm
Width: 111 mm
Thickness: 17 mm
Weight
126 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-19-956886-4 (9780199568864)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions

E-Book
07/2010
OUP eBook
€5.49
Available for download
Person
D. Stephen Long is Professor of Systematic Theology at Marquette University. Previously he worked at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary, St. Joseph's University and Duke Divinity School. He is an ordained United Methodist and served churches in Honduras and North Carolina. He has published eight books and numerous essays in Systematic Theology and Theological Ethics.
Content
Introduction ; 1. Sources ; 2. History ; 3. Christian ethics in and beyond modernity ; 4. Sex, money, and power: some questions for christian ethics