Joined-up life: A Christian Account Of How Ethics Works

by Andrew J.B. Cameron

What is possibly the most exquisite single group of psalms - 120 - 134 - describe themselves as 'songs of ascents'. They recall the journeys of pilgrims from all over the land 'up' to Jerusalem to keep the feasts of the Lord. And as the people walked, they sang.
God's people today may not make quite such a journey but, as Alec Motyer contests, in living the Christian life we have all embarked on a pilgrimage of the heart. The life of faith is to be lived on the move; through varying terrains but with a single destination - as we walk with eyes fixed on Jesus.
A devotional read to hearten both weary and sure-footed travellers.

Genres: Theology, Christian, Christianity, Christian Living

336 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 2011

About the author

Rev. Dr. Andrew J.B. Cameron (Ph.D., University of London, Kings College) was the Bruce Smith lecturer in ethics, philosophy and apologetics at Moore Theological College, Sydney, before becoming Director of St. Mark’s National Theological Centre in Canberra, Australia.

With his wife Mary-Anne, he has two adult children, Amy and Thomas. He also has been involved with the Centre for Christian Living and the Social Issues Executive.

Reviews

[Dani]

How can you write a whole book and say nothing at the same time

[Timothy Allan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a really perceptive, well-thought-out book, that goes far beyond what I would expect from a book on "ethics". That's because Cameron works out his contention that "ethics" is far more than resolving moral dilemnas, and really constitutes the whole way that we think about our lives, our purpose, our decisions, and everything. He's not just addressing "what's the right thing to do in this situation", but "what is my life for".

The opening part on common ways of thinking about ethics was a really helpful categorisation that enables me to relate to a lot of common discussion, and even to see when different forms of ethical thinking are talking past each other, disagreeing because they're not using the same terms of discussion. He also convincingly describes how each of these ideas is inadequate for a whole life system, and gradually leads through the gospel story to a "unified field" of life. The plain old gospel-preaching chapters, I found a bit harder to read, just because it's so familiar to me as a Christian, but once he mapped that over the common systems of ethical thinking and started applying it to "life packages", it really came to life.

The highlight for me was the chapter on work, which was probably more helpful than entire sermons and books I've heard/read on the topic. Because he'd taken the discussion away from just right vs wrong, he could described "primary" and "secondary" functions of work, which was just such a helpful way of understanding the different ways of thinking, as well as why I find my work frustrating sometimes. I noted that chapter to reread after a week or so to help me process it, and I don't regret that!

In some ways this book is hard to apply because it's about a whole life idea, about a big-picture thinking behind all our decisions, and doesn't hand out easy answers. So I can see how a lot of readers wouldn't find it helpful, if it weren't addressing what they were interested in. But I really appreciated reading it.

[Nicholas · Rating 4 out of 5]

The ethical framework offered here is excellent. It’s cohesive, it critiques secular ethics and it offers a positive way forward for Christians. Furthermore, it works as advertised when understood through the person and work of Jesus. Though left to the end, the epilogue on the complex “wisdom” nature of Christian ethics was satisfying.

If I can knock it for one thing, I didn’t really enjoy that this book had 40+ chapters. I found it hard to keep it all together, and it often felt like we were going on a side quest that wasn’t needed. The author often used “recaps” at the start of each chapter (which were helpful!), but I also couldn’t help feel that these were a crutch for a broader structural problem. Combine some chapters, trim the fat—the book’s framework consisted of six parts and I wonder whether the book’s architecture and content could have better reflected this.

5 stars for the thesis, 3 starts for presentation, 4 stars on average. Great read!

[David Strong · Rating 4 out of 5]

My rating: 4.5 stars.

[Chris Little · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book.

Each chapter is written to be clear in its own right, and Cameron invites readers to dip into whichever topic interests us. I chose to read right through, however, and can recommend this approach. Though each chapter does stand, there is a clear sense of building the overall argument from chapter 1 to chapter 47.

There are seven sections. Awareness notes common approaches to ethics. Unawareness uncovers factors too often overlooked as we decide what's right and wrong. Jesus versus ethics explores the various way the Bible's message, centred on Jesus, shapes ethics. Five things that matter is where Cameron constructs his 'unified field.' Living our lives brings biblical input into contact with an approach not as popular now as it was historically: character or virtue. Life packages looks at some broad life situations (singleness, marriage, work, ...). Six hotspots gets into some of the particular issues that often are controversial points of revelation for our differences of opinion.

In this short review it would be neglectful to quickly pass by Cameron's unified field. His book, I believe, has two parts: constructing the unified field, then employing the unified field. What is it?

In my words, the unified field is a set of interconnected inputs for ethical thinking. There is not 'an answer' or 'a single approach' to ethics - life is more complex and nuanced than that. Therefore ethics is, likewise, more complex.

The elements of the field are these:
Creation: God made things with an order that we can (partially) perceive or learn
Jesus-shaped community: the work of Jesus creates a group of his people dedicated to living a better way, devoted to being in relationships that are shaped by God's ways
The new future: history has a goal, set by God. This reality will last, and is to impinge on present life
God's character: God himself has patterns of right and wrong that become normative for his people
Commands: commands are not 'the' ethical method. Yet God's commands give us a quick insight into each of the above four elements

This field is a most helpful way to focus our approach to ethical questions. They do not neglect the major story arc of the Bible - the unfolding of the Saving Lordship of Jesus. Instead, they honour this story arc enough to see how the story of Jesus changes everything in our own story.

[Cris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hands down one of the best books on ethics that I have read. If you are at all interested in how to live ethically as a follower of Christ then you need to read this book. Chances are that you won't agree with everything written in here but you will be challenged as to why you believe what you do believe.

[S C · Rating 3 out of 5]

Generally easy to read but warrants a 2nd reading. I think I will dip back into this time and again.

Some excellent points & lots of references to relevant bible passages