Faithful Reason: Natural Law Ethics for God’s Glory and Our Good

by Andrew T. Walker

Many evangelical Christians have faith in the Bible, but struggle with confidence in its ethical principles. Some believe that biblical morals are not as effective as secular ideologies in promoting human well-being and societal progress. Others feel that using the Bible as a basis for moral arguments lacks persuasive power in public discussions.

In Faithful Natural Law Ethics for God’s Glory and Our Good , Andrew T. Walker argues that developing a comprehensive Christian ethic is not simply a matter of appealing to biblical authority, but also of understanding the way that God has ordered creation and our place within it. In this work, he provides a comprehensive and accessible introduction to natural law ethics from an evangelical perspective.

In the first section of Faithful Reason , Walker develops a robust framework of natural law ethics, guided by biblical and theological evidence. In the second section, this framework is applied to various contemporary ethical issues within dignity ethics, embodied ethics, personal ethics, social ethics, and political ethics. Through a natural law framework, readers are empowered to reason through the particulars of any situation and develop a godly ethical response.   

Genres: Philosophy, Theology, Christian, Cultural

432 pages, Hardcover

Published May 15, 2024

Reviews

[Ericka Andersen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely wonderful book. Concepts are so foundational to connecting Christianity with the natural world. I was fascinated and enlightened the whole time. It’s heavy and thick and not an easy read, but my pages are full of underlining & notes!

[Shelby Arnette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wish I could give more than 5 stars. Such a helpful and robust book!

“Christians are called to witness to the truth for the sake of the truth as its own end. This is what this book has called a ‘self evident good.’ Truth is good for us to live by. We are to live by it regardless of whether others are or not. The gospel of Jesus Christ is true witnessing to the truth has no greater justification for its purpose than its own end. We are to share it with reckless abandon. For that, I am thankful. The message of the gospel is purposeful truth to share. We are called to this regardless of outcome or consequences. We have an obligation to do it. We are to speak what is true, defend what is true, walk in justice, to protect the weak and the vulnerable.” pg. 368

[Caleb Gerber. (Right makes Might) · Rating 5 out of 5]

ONE OF THE MOST HIGHLY INFLUENTIAL BOOKS IN MY LIFE
Review of Faithful Reason: Natural Law Ethics for God’s Glory and Our Good

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Andrew Walker’s Faithful Reason: Natural Law Ethics for God’s Glory and Our Good is an expertly written, deeply thought-provoking exploration of natural law ethics through an evangelical lens. At times, the concepts can be challenging—Walker doesn’t shy away from using precise and occasionally technical terminology—but the intellectual effort required is absolutely worth it.

This book was an eye-opener in so many ways. Walker presents a compelling, clear-eyed case for natural law as more than an abstract philosophical concept; it’s a vital tool for engaging in moral and ethical discourse—especially with those outside the Christian faith. He argues that natural law is the foundational framework underlying all just governments and societies.

One of the book’s notable strengths is its incorporation of quotes and insights from trusted thinkers like Albert Mohler, John Calvin, Augustine, Thomas Aquinas, C.S. Lewis, John Adams, and others. These voices enrich the discussion, placing natural law within a broad historical and theological context. Crucially, Walker consistently brings readers back to Christ—the initiator, author, and creator of natural law—emphasizing that this moral order is grounded in God’s nature, not merely human reasoning.

Walker adeptly weaves together theology, philosophy, history, and cultural engagement. Faithful Reason is both intellectually stimulating and practically relevant—for anyone serious about defending truth and moral reasoning in the public square.

[Jonah Twiddy · Rating 4 out of 5]

In our pluralistic world I agree with Walker that Christians can be helped by a revival of Natural Law Theory in order to remind themselves that faithfulness to God's moral decrees is not just good because it is right, but good because it is true. Christians are not calling the world to trade one moral reality for a better one. We are calling the world to trade lies for the truth and to experience the joy and flourishing of living with the grain of God's created order.

[Matthew Bonzon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Walker’s explanation of Natural Law and its ethical implications is truly excellent. I highly recommend this book and considering the implications of this system.

[Parker Haines · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holy smokes. May have been the best thing I’ve read this year

[Wade Rials · Rating 5 out of 5]

Andrew Walker has authored an exceptional introduction to natural law ethics. The past decade has witnessed a resurgence of interest in this topic within evangelical circles. Walker presents three primary objectives: to contextualize natural law for an evangelical audience, to elucidate its origins, and to practically apply natural law to contemporary issues. Walker effectively achieves all three objectives. Ultimately, he asserts, “ We understand the integrity of the natural order as an expression of Christ’s sovereignty, and goodness to us in the world. He has ordered for our good and for his glory. It is by seeking Christ’s glory that we experience the fulfillment of our being and know and exult in the good.” Walker defines this concept as “Christotelic natural law.”

Andrew Walker’s book provides a much-needed introduction to a subject that has been somewhat overlooked. This book will be of immense value to the church. I strongly recommend that you read it.

[Aditya · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you were like me and are interested in natural law but have no clue where to start, Dr. Walker’s book is for you. Modern Baptists, alongside Evangelicals in general, have failed to appreciate the beauty of the natural law tradition and the immense applicability it has within our modern-day culture, choosing to abandon it for a misled Biblicism that only hurts our interactions with the world and our understanding of God’s creational order. Dr. Walker provides a distinctly Evangelical and Reformed reckoning of natural law that is Christocentric and accessible to all readers. If you wish to have a stronger reckoning of classical Christian ethics, regardless of how much you know about the subject, Dr. Walker’s book is for you.

[Peter Sontag · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great explanation of Natural Law given in the scriptures and its relationship to the Bible. The book lays out why you don’t have to be a Christian to understand the Natural Law given in creation. Faithful Reason shows why Christian ethics have a place in the public square from a Protestant perspective. Walker shows how Protestants have abdicated the Natural Law in their ethics in the last 100 years and how society at large has suffered. Walker shows how Christians speak from the Natural Law to engage their neighbors and fellow citizens in ways they can comprehend. In the last appendix, he gives a fantastic example speech of how a legislator could argue why a government should only recognize heterosexual marriage.

[E · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a great and important topic, one I fully "believe in" and support. But Walker has not done his side much good. This is an exceedingly meandering and poorly edited book. It is not clear what he is seeking to argue, or how he's attempting to support those arguments. And then in the second half of the book, when he moves from the theoretical to the practical, his case falters and appears hollow.

This is an especially disappointing claim because his conclusions are (in my opinion) correct! But if natural law is going to continue a Protestant resurgence of sorts, it will need better champions.

[Brady Adler · Rating 4 out of 5]

“The natural law exists to hold human beings accountable to God’s moral law and, in that sense, to bring us to the gospel. It should also point us to Jesus Christ, by whom and for whom—according to Scripture—all reality is ordered, upheld and created (John 1:2; Col 1:15–20). It is Christ who provides the ultimate foundation and ultimate finality of where all moral good is directed. Christ is our telos—completion—and it is in knowing our telos that we best know ourselves.”
—Andrew T. Walker

[Benjamin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Impressive work that needs some organization.

Walker writes a well argued defense of natural law, wisely bringing it back to Protestants. The ideas contained within are mind blowing to anyone not exposed to natural law before. My only criticism is that the structure is confusing at points and certain sections feel repetitive.

[Trevor Hoffman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very helpful.

[Tim Betancourt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a coherent and helpful treatment of the natural law!

[Nathan Akers · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a timely and needed book in a post-Christian secular world

[Cole Michaels · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this book and would definitely recommend it. It is a little repetitive though which drops it down to 4 stars.

[Brad · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Introduction is rather good.

The middle is meh.

The end.

B. Grizenko