Entering into Rest

Ethics as Theology #3

by Oliver O'Donovan

Oliver O'Donovan's Ethics as Theology project began with Self, World, and Time, an "induction" into Christian ethics as ordered reflection on moral thinking within the life of faith. Volume 2, Finding and Seeking, shifted the focus to the movement of moral thought from a first consciousness of agency to the time that determines the moment of decision.

In this third and final volume of his magnum opus, O'Donovan turns his attention to the forward horizon with which moral thinking must engage. Moral experience, he argues, is necessarily two-directional, looking both back at responsibility and forward at aims. The Pauline triad of theological virtues (faith, love, and hope) describes a form of responsibility, and its climax in the sovereignty of love opens the way to a definitive teleology.

Entering into Rest offers O'Donovan's mature reflections on questions that have engaged him throughout his career and provides a synoptic view of many of his main themes.

Genres: Theology

246 pages, Paperback

Published April 6, 2017

About the author

Oliver O'Donovan FBA FRSE (born 1945) is a scholar known for his work in the field of Christian ethics. He has also made contributions to political theology, both contemporary and historical.

Reviews

[Steve Frederick · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've never read anything as utterly compelling as these three books. I've pondered what it would take to record them, so that I may continue to listen to them should I live long enough for my eyes to finally dim.

[Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

As the capstone to his three volume project exploring ethics as theology, Oliver O'Donovan demonstrates in spades why he is such a respected thinker. With this book, he reframes deontological (duties) and teleological (ends) ethics from a thick theological perspective. After establishing the important of communication (and community) and sanctification, he walks through the ethics of friendship, work and meaning. The final chapter moves into discussion of how love corresponds with death, suffering, and temporality. O'Donovan writes beautifully and each paragraph is dripping with insight. It is worth chewing on this book (as well as the entire series) slowly and returning to it again and again. Highly recommended.

[Nicholas Bannister · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve spent the last three years reading, re-reading, synthesizing, and finally writing on this trilogy. It has transformed the way I think about acting well in this life, and it has granted clarity concerning what ends are worth acting toward. If you have any interest in ethics and/or theology, I highly recommend picking these volumes up.

[Jason · Rating 4 out of 5]

There are books we read, learn from, and set aside, and then there are books to which we refer for years to come. O'Donovan's trilogy will certainly be in the latter category for me.

[Kenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

This trilogy was brilliant. This volume did not speak to me as powerfully as the first two, but still offers much wisdom.

[Matthew Loftus]

A thoughtful reflection on ethics and faith.

[Warwick Fuller · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finishing this series has been so encouraging and thought provoking. Love, dwelling in hope, in the face of death and the reality of the church’s mission… I’ve enjoyed these books so much.

[Daniel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful, profound reflections on the ends of action to which our moral thinking and deliberation is aimed. It's difficult but worth sticking with. A book I hope to return to again and again.