An Introduction to Biblical Ethics

by David W. Jones

This book serves as an introduction to the field of biblical ethics, a subcategory of the discipline of moral theology. It differs from moral philosophy in that biblical ethics is distinctively Christian, and it is more specific than Christian ethics proper because it specifically focuses upon the application of the moral law -- as it is revealed in Scripture -- to daily living.

Introduction to Biblical Ethics explains the nature, relevancy, coherency, and structure of the moral law as revealed throughout the Bible. In addition to covering the foundational elements of biblical ethics, major issues investigated in this volume different types of law in Scripture, the relationship between the law and the gospel, and issues related to the prospect of conflicting moral absolutes.

Additionally, after a discussion of ethical methodology, and using the Ten Commandments as a moral rubric, author David W. Jones explores the place of the moral law in the lives of believers. In the final chapters, the events surrounding the giving of the Decalogue are surveyed, and the application of each of the Ten Commandments to Christian living is explored.

Genres: Christian, Theology, Nonfiction, Christianity

240 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 2013

Reviews

[Nathan Pettit · Rating 4 out of 5]

My favorite ethics textbook for class. Definitely a recommended ethics resource.

[Keith Skrdlant · Rating 4 out of 5]

Definitely introductory, but very informative. There's statements/subjects I wish received more commentary, and there were some moments where I objected to the author's rhetorical approach, but overall, a positive experience.

[Jacob Cibas · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a required read for my Christian Ethics class in seminary. However, this book has shaped my thinking on Christian Ethics in a profound way. Dr. Jones does a fantastic job explaining all the nuances of Ethics from a Biblical Worldview. His treatment on the Decalogue and the role it plays in the life of the Christian is extremely helpful. I highly recommend this book to any Christian looking to gain a better understanding of biblical ethics.

[Cole Michaels · Rating 4 out of 5]

I did not read chapter 2 or 5 but read the rest of it. The chapters on the 10 Commandments were especially good.

[Michael Boling · Rating 5 out of 5]

We all make ethical decisions all throughout the day. If I leave work early surely the boss won’t mind if I don’t note that early departure as vacation time. After all, I work hard for the company and they owe me. Only 45 mph in a construction zone? There is nobody around and I need to get where I am going. Surely it is not a problem to speed just a little bit as it is not harming anyone. These seemingly innocuous issues of life are often overlooked in favor of the more intense ethical issues such as abortion and homosexuality; however, they are ethical issues nonetheless. What then do we base our decisions on when we encounter ethical issues? David Jones, in his excellent book An Introduction to Biblical Ethics aptly captures the reality that answers to ethical questions are found in Scripture.

Quoting the noted Greek philosopher Socrates, Jones notes “We are discussing no small matter, but how we ought to live.” Questions of right and wrong permeate each and every action and thought of life. How we respond to those questions of right and wrong demonstrates where our worldview is rooted. Do we rely on our own self evaluation and opinion on matters of life or do we establish our perspective of life on a more sure foundation? Jones correctly defines biblical ethics as “the attempt to understand what it means to both live and to think biblically.” This is an extremely important statement given that when it comes to the truth of Scripture, application is just as vital as head knowledge. Far too many books on ethics or even biblical ethics keep the conversation at the philosophical level without connecting the head to the hands. Jones avoids such an approach by stressing the need for biblical morality to be lived out each and every day.

Many, even within the Church, view the law, specifically the Old Testament system as antiquated and superseded by the teachings of Christ. In order for there to be a standard of behavior, those standards must be rooted in a system of laws or guidance on how right and wrong behavior should be understood. Jones does a marvelous job of explaining the term law as it is used and applied in Scripture thus clearing the fog of understanding and approach that is often associated with God’s moral law found throughout Scripture. First, he engages how general revelation establishes within each individual the reality that there are right ways of thinking and acting and wrong ways of thinking and acting. We see such general revelation in God’s created order, it is seared in our conscience, and history itself reveals that individuals and societies have affirmed a moral base upon which acceptable and unacceptable behavior is understood.

While general or natural revelation provides some basis for understanding right and wrong, it has its limitations. Jones rightly avers “while general revelation may communicate aspects of moral law, it is questionable as to whether such revelation, considered in isolation, is comprehensive enough to be useful in moral theory.” Thus a more firm and unchanging foundation is needed, that of special revelation found only in the pages of Scripture, the basis for biblical moral law/ethics. Jones correctly states that when it comes to understanding God’s moral law, “the relationship between the law and the gospel must be considered by all who participate in the discipline of biblical ethics, for one’s answer to this question will set the parameters for the material from which one can engage in moral theory.”

Confusion often results in the misapplication of the types of laws found in Scripture, particularly in the Old Testament. Jones notes the ceremonial, civil, and moral laws and the importance of grasping “the various manifestations and functions of the law in Scripture.” Jones does an excellent job of honing in on the moral law, sharing with the reader three important uses for such laws, namely the social use, the convictional use, and finally the normative use. This begs the question as to how the law and the gospel relate, a point which Jones also expertly explains commenting “the Bible does not teach that man’s problem is that he has the law; rather, man’s problem is that he cannot keep the law he already has. Therefore, one should not necessarily expect Jesus to abolish the law.” A proper understanding of the relationship of the law and gospel then is found in the reality that “The moral law of God does not change from Genesis to Revelation.” Furthermore, it “is the standard by which men are judged, and provides the framework for the practice of biblical ethics.”

A final element I thoroughly enjoyed was Jones exegesis of the Ten Commandments. In the two chapters dedicated to that topic, he does an excellent job of taking the foundation established earlier in the book, namely that of looking at God’s moral law and noting how to apply it. For example, in discussing the often debated and much maligned fourth commandment (Remember to keep the Sabbath day and make it holy), Jones states “The focus of the fourth commandment is on the temporal worship of God, which includes the temporal rest of man.” I appreciated that Jones correctly noted the Sabbath command as being a creation ordinance given God rested on the seventh day and blessed it, declaring it holy. Establishing that reality, Jones aptly comments “If Sabbath-keeping is a creation ordinance, or might even be considered the climax of creation, it would have to be part of the moral law which lasts forever.” For those caught up in the debate on what to do or not do on the Sabbath or even what day to remember the Sabbath day, Jones avers “Sabbath-keeping should ought not to be viewed as a laborious duty but rather should be a natural desire of the heart that reflects the eternal rest and redemption made possible through the cross.” Such a statement ties nicely the relationship between the moral law and the gospel.

I highly recommend this book for all believers. Jones does a marvelous job of explaining what the law of God is all about, why it matters, and how it relates intimately to the gospel. In an age where morality seems to be whatever one makes it, Jones returns the conversation of ethics and morals back to the only firm foundation we have – the word of God.

I received this book for free from B&H Acaedmic for this review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

[Blake Williams]

Jones differentiates biblical ethics from Christian ethics and talks about how they impact decision making for the Christ follower. His book is a little heady but on the positive side, he gives good summaries at the end of every chapter and bullet points to give the main takeaways. The important takeaway for me as I’ve been thinking through this book was this: “biblical ethics assumes the presence of a fixed moral order in the world that proceeds from God. Therefore, advocates of biblical ethics affirm the existence of universal, moral absolutes.” He gives some cultural commentary about how the move away from absolute truth has has major implications and encourages Christ followers to hold their ground on the absolute truth claims of the Bible.

[Pig Rieke · Rating 3 out of 5]

In this work, David Jones provides the contours of ethical theory, Biblical ethics, and teaching on the Decalogue. The author successfully provides both an overview of Biblical ethics and a place to continue further study from. While the faithful exploration of the Ten Commandments commends the book as an edifying work, confusion over the law, grace, justification, and sanction as well as odd translations hamper the hinder the work’s strengths. Furthermore, large concepts such as matters of conscience, natural law, the ability to obey the law by both the natural man and the redeemed man, and more are not addressed in detail in the work.

[Jose Cruz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good introduction to Biblical Ethics

It’s the perfect book to introduce to Biblical Ethics. Discusses what the ethics is, compare the Biblical Ethics to non Biblical Ethics always with scientific approach. I have read other ethics books and it was great to see them here compared.
The book, then deeps into the Biblical Ethics and details each one of them, always with references for all statements.
In the end, this book improved my knowledge about ethics, God and the Bible. Really recommend it.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

A dense and insightful book that can be sectioned into two parts - Understanding the topic of biblical ethics and understanding the 10 commandments

Compacted with point of views/concepts, it took time to digest the material for a novice reader like me. Nevertheless, it was well explained to give an introduction and the content poses a challenge if one would do a honest self-reflection.

Definitely recommend this to anyone who wants an introduction to ethics with lens of a christian and the bible. Having said, one has to be willing to plow through terminologies and concepts.

[Josiah Richardson · Rating 3 out of 5]

A better than average introduction to Biblical Ethics. This one was particularly helpful in analyzing some of the major positions (deontology, utilitarianism, non-consequentialism, etc) and providing short biblical critiques against each one.

An interesting discussion I would have liked to have seen played out more in the book, is the apparent paradox between lex talionis of the OT and the golden rule of the NT.

There was a lot of repetition in the book, probably done to enforce certain points, but it made some of the reading a real slog to get through.

[Jonah Twiddy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nothing revolutionary, but like Jones intended this is a hugely helpful introductory work. The latter chapters were the most eye-opening as he unpacks the full moral extent of the Decalogue. The Ten Commandments today are so often only dryly associated with legalism and children's Sunday school. Jones helps breathe life into them again, demonstrating their nature as life's guiding principles that are clearly summarized and re-emphasized in Christ's commands to love God and neighbor.

(Full confession, I did not read chapter 5.)

[JT Goodart · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was surprised at how much I enjoyed this book. It gave a great introduction to and overview of biblical ethics. It provided many helpful frameworks for understanding what makes something moral. It also unpacked the relationship of the law and the gospel well. Finally, I really enjoyed the explanations and unpacking of the Ten Commandments - it was very helpful and enjoyable. This book has made me more interested in the study of biblical ethics for sure!

[Nathan Webb · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book helped me think more about the biblical theology of the Mosaic Law. I disagreed with it at certain points, but I helped a lot in that regard. A helpful piece of information was the way he related each of the 10 Commandments to one another and showed how they build off each other. Another helpful part of the book is the time spent in the first few chapters on how other cultures and religions have formed their ethics currently and in the past.

[Andrew Ivester · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jones has given a gift to anyone wanting to develop a biblically sound system for doing ethics. His approach is clear and simple in providing a solid framework while giving care and attention to other views as well. This book is accessible to the lay person, not just pastors.

[Logan Maloney · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a book I read for Seminary which was basically my class summarized in a book. This was a pretty easy to read and the author (my professor) does a good job explaining lofty concepts very simply.

[Joost Nixon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jones is best in the first 6 chapters. I particularly appreciated his chapter on the coherency of the law and his critique of Geisler's "Graded Absolutism." His section on the Ten Commandments, however, is threadbare.

[Kevin J Buss · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent overview of Christian ethics.

I especially appreciated the last half that gave a thought-provoking overview of the 10 Commandments. I was helped by the way Jones discusses the many ways each command touches our lives. By Kristina

[Blake Reas · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a good book on biblical ethics. A couple drawbacks that I wish a book like this would engage in are issues of slavery and rape in the Old Testament.

[Nate · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short introduction to biblical ethics. Redundant and underdeveloped at times, this work does a good job of developing a cohesive narrative to understand ethics throughout Scripture.

[Philmont · Rating 2 out of 5]

Get to it

I had to read this book for a class. This book could have honestly been 4-5 chapters long. The author could have cut the middle section and made it more practical

[David Wright · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some really insightful perspective on biblical ethics in the Ten Commandments found in here. I was given a completely new view on the eighth and ninth commandments.

[Austin Puckett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jones provides insightful discussion of the use of the moral law in present-day ethical decision-making.

[Michael Burchfield · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent and helpful

[Alan Patrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

This a great, thorough work that introduces readers to the concept or biblical ethics. I highly recommend this to any interested in the subject.

[Brad · Rating 5 out of 5]

Consequentialism is bad.

[Scott Frazier · Rating 4 out of 5]

My ethics professor at Southeastern Baptist Seminary, David W. Jones, offers an incredible introduction into the study of biblical ethics.

I would say that it's a more condensed version of Frame's, "Doctrine of the Christian Life", and more accessible on a popular level.

Everyone has to make ethical decisions everyday of their life and this is a great volume to help give the reader an infantile framework of thinking ethically through a biblical lens. Highly recommended!

[Michael Powell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book. Well organized with lists and elaboration. The primary point of the book is that moral law is an expression of God's nature and when we keep it we become more like Him. One weakness of the book is that sometimes the author brings up theories or positions and then dismisses them quickly while other times he is thorough. I wish each position was given the same amount of words.

[Katie]

Grad school read

Solid foundational text. Especially interesting in the discussion of the Biblical moral law - what it's for, how it was given, and the different theological interpretations of it in relation to how Christians should apply it to their lives today.

[Eric Pruitt · Rating 3 out of 5]

A helpful introduction to biblical ethics. This was assigned reading for a seminary class along with some other books. If you are looking for something more thorough, I would suggest reading John Frame's "The Doctrine of the Christian Life"

[Guillaume Bourin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Anyone who look for a concise introduction to Biblical Ethics should read this book. A great volume.