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Ethics as Worship: The Pursuit of Moral Discipleship
Ethics as Worship examines the biblical, theological, and philosophical foundations and application of Christian ethics, offering an ethical system that emphasizes the worship of God as motivation, method, and goal of the ethical endeavor. It concludes with an exploration of how worship ought to shape a response to particular ethical topics and issues most relevant in our from justice, race, and environmental stewardship to sexuality and birth control.
- GenresTheologyDiscipleship
792 pages, Hardcover
Published August 25, 2021
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89 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
March 26, 2023
Fantastic book on ethics. Though this book can appear daunting by its physical size it is really quite easy to read. I’ve only read one other textbook on ethics and it was by the Feinberg brothers “A Brave New World”. This book was truly an exposition on how does a Christian ethic lead to worship. The first half of the book was a discourse on a Christian ethical framework and then the second half was major topics in the field of ethics. Grounded in Scripture, faithful exegesis, also Baptist. One more star for that.
November 17, 2025
4.5 stars
This book is challenging to begin with, yet it becomes increasingly rewarding as you delve deeper into the issues. The first 8 chapters of the book explore the foundations of ethics as worship through the lens of creation, in the light of the fall, through the Holy Spirit, and through God's Word. Those first 8 chapters are somewhat repetitive, and while they were good, I felt I didn't need to review them to that extent. The reading questions were also very challenging for those eight weeks, and on one occasion, you even had to read three chapters and submit the reading questions. I now understand why they cover the basics of Christian faith in the first eight chapters, as it's easy to overlook a part of these foundations and have an incomplete ethical worldview. The part of the book I think is exceptionally well done is the author's exploration of individual issues, such as earthly stewardship, to much more clear-cut (but even more confusing issues, such as the role of Birth Control in marriage. The way the authors explained, got to the roots of, and addressed the objections of each issue is exceptional. They always draw from the Bible and apply it to the goal of Ethics as Worship. I especially enjoyed the chapter addressing LGBTQ issues because not only did they address that, but they also explored the principles of Biblical marriage and sexuality that even Christians who know how to think and address the lgbtq issues struggle with.
Overall, this is a hard read, but it's worth it. I will definitely be keeping this book on hand for when I get confused about an issue.
This book is challenging to begin with, yet it becomes increasingly rewarding as you delve deeper into the issues. The first 8 chapters of the book explore the foundations of ethics as worship through the lens of creation, in the light of the fall, through the Holy Spirit, and through God's Word. Those first 8 chapters are somewhat repetitive, and while they were good, I felt I didn't need to review them to that extent. The reading questions were also very challenging for those eight weeks, and on one occasion, you even had to read three chapters and submit the reading questions. I now understand why they cover the basics of Christian faith in the first eight chapters, as it's easy to overlook a part of these foundations and have an incomplete ethical worldview. The part of the book I think is exceptionally well done is the author's exploration of individual issues, such as earthly stewardship, to much more clear-cut (but even more confusing issues, such as the role of Birth Control in marriage. The way the authors explained, got to the roots of, and addressed the objections of each issue is exceptional. They always draw from the Bible and apply it to the goal of Ethics as Worship. I especially enjoyed the chapter addressing LGBTQ issues because not only did they address that, but they also explored the principles of Biblical marriage and sexuality that even Christians who know how to think and address the lgbtq issues struggle with.
Overall, this is a hard read, but it's worth it. I will definitely be keeping this book on hand for when I get confused about an issue.
March 19, 2024
Interesting book and concept. Worth the read if for no other reason than the primary thesis found in the first half of the book. The second half gives practical ramifications of the author’s thesis.
Read
April 9, 2024Read for seminary ethics class
May 8, 2024
(No one revoke my degree, please.) Ethics as Worship is trying to do good things. I believe it fails to temper its opinion of what is "biblically correct" with love. Ethics as Worship has a very prescriptive approach to ethics. While the authors claim to root their ethics in the Bible, the Bible as applied to ethical questions necessarily requires some interpretation. That's where things start to get a little hairy for me. The authors will present the main biblical passages that are associated with an ethical question, cite commentators/ethicists that agree with their interpretation of the text, and then state that their interpretation is the biblically supported and therefore the correct opinion.
For example, when it comes to the death penalty, they give the text Romans 13:1-7 for biblical support of retaining the death penalty. While there is debate about what "the sword" in that passage translates to, the authors cite one commentator who definitively claims that the sword is for execution and then state that this is the biblical meaning, glossing over the debate. It's a little disingenuous. I recognize that it is difficult to cover every ethical topic with nuance and lines must be drawn somewhere. However, the attitude of the authors comes across as authoritative, not suggestive on many of the topics.
The authors recognize that some of their opinions might offend people or provoke emotional responses at several points throughout the book. However, they respond by saying something along the lines of "Nonetheless, because, in his loving-kindness, God desires all areas of our life to be shaped by his wise and good counsel both for his glory and for our good, it is important to seek the wisdom of Scripture and thereby shape our character and worship even (or especially) in these arenas of life" (quote from chapter 19). In other words, "Our teaching may be hard to swallow, but it is the scriptural position, so you need to change to align with it." The attitude is similar even when they prescribe actions on things that are not in the Bible.
I don't disagree with everything in the book. In fact, I agree with a lot of what they have to say. Their prescriptions and attitudes, however, strike me as more legalistic than loving. I may return to this book in several years with new eyes, but for now, I won't be recommending this text.
For example, when it comes to the death penalty, they give the text Romans 13:1-7 for biblical support of retaining the death penalty. While there is debate about what "the sword" in that passage translates to, the authors cite one commentator who definitively claims that the sword is for execution and then state that this is the biblical meaning, glossing over the debate. It's a little disingenuous. I recognize that it is difficult to cover every ethical topic with nuance and lines must be drawn somewhere. However, the attitude of the authors comes across as authoritative, not suggestive on many of the topics.
The authors recognize that some of their opinions might offend people or provoke emotional responses at several points throughout the book. However, they respond by saying something along the lines of "Nonetheless, because, in his loving-kindness, God desires all areas of our life to be shaped by his wise and good counsel both for his glory and for our good, it is important to seek the wisdom of Scripture and thereby shape our character and worship even (or especially) in these arenas of life" (quote from chapter 19). In other words, "Our teaching may be hard to swallow, but it is the scriptural position, so you need to change to align with it." The attitude is similar even when they prescribe actions on things that are not in the Bible.
I don't disagree with everything in the book. In fact, I agree with a lot of what they have to say. Their prescriptions and attitudes, however, strike me as more legalistic than loving. I may return to this book in several years with new eyes, but for now, I won't be recommending this text.
November 13, 2024
Ethics as Worship does just what it needs to do: Define the Christian worldview, describe how it should affect our lives, and work through all the hot-button issues directly.
The emphasis throughout the book (as you may guess by the title) is that our whole lives should glorify God, and that means taking a closer look at everything from life to death. I was spiritually encouraged by the weight given to such issues as the death penalty, sexuality, and end-of-life care — worship can be found in even the most controversial places.
Liederbach and Lenow do a wonderful job representing and respecting historic views, widespread views, and even liberal views. They submit each perspective to Scripture, and come out with a fairly robust ethic, not afraid to draw lines in the sand. They address so many concerns people have today (like social justice and sexuality), as well as evaluate topics people nevlect to consider (like fertility treatments), taking nothing for granted, all while staying well within Christian orthodoxy.
This is not a quick and easy read, but it is deliberate and approachable, and I recommend it to anyone with an interest in ethics. This one book can cover everything you need, or provide you a starting point. In the end, the rights and wrongs of life must be considered, if our goal is to worship well.
The emphasis throughout the book (as you may guess by the title) is that our whole lives should glorify God, and that means taking a closer look at everything from life to death. I was spiritually encouraged by the weight given to such issues as the death penalty, sexuality, and end-of-life care — worship can be found in even the most controversial places.
Liederbach and Lenow do a wonderful job representing and respecting historic views, widespread views, and even liberal views. They submit each perspective to Scripture, and come out with a fairly robust ethic, not afraid to draw lines in the sand. They address so many concerns people have today (like social justice and sexuality), as well as evaluate topics people nevlect to consider (like fertility treatments), taking nothing for granted, all while staying well within Christian orthodoxy.
This is not a quick and easy read, but it is deliberate and approachable, and I recommend it to anyone with an interest in ethics. This one book can cover everything you need, or provide you a starting point. In the end, the rights and wrongs of life must be considered, if our goal is to worship well.
March 11, 2022
Great book with thoughtful and biblical perspectives on a variety of ethical situations that face every Christian. The authors start by providing their readers with a biblical framework from which to make evaluations, develop conclusions, and ultimately live a life of maximal worship and moral consistency.
Next, they dive into specific ethical topics and illustrate how a biblical metaethic will drive the Christian to prayerfully search Scripture and arrive at biblical convictions. These topics include war, capital punishment, birth control, divorce & remarriage, and euthanasia, among others. In each chapter, Liederbach and Lenow ask clear questions, properly define relevant terms, and help the Christian evaluate emotionally and culturally charged issues through the lens of Scripture and with the telos of bringing maximum glory to King Jesus. This book is well worth the read.
Next, they dive into specific ethical topics and illustrate how a biblical metaethic will drive the Christian to prayerfully search Scripture and arrive at biblical convictions. These topics include war, capital punishment, birth control, divorce & remarriage, and euthanasia, among others. In each chapter, Liederbach and Lenow ask clear questions, properly define relevant terms, and help the Christian evaluate emotionally and culturally charged issues through the lens of Scripture and with the telos of bringing maximum glory to King Jesus. This book is well worth the read.
February 28, 2025
Phenomenal read! This book sets a wonderful Biblically grounded and applied framework for Ethics as Worship and then applies it in a number of different specific contexts. The authors do a great job in the first half of the book to unpack the Biblical basis for ethics done to the glory of God, while also giving very practical handles on how to think through decision making. The second half of the book then takes these principles and applies them to various areas of life related to justice, money, ethnicity, sanctity of life, and marriage, among others. While this book is utilized more as a text book, any Christian desiring to gain a better grasp on how to live out a Biblically based ethic to the glory of God would do well to pick this up and read it and live it out!
April 23, 2024
This is my second time through the book, but this time I only read the first 300 pages—the Metaethics and normative ethics sections.
This book is an incredible introduction to ethics, and provides the reader with accessible and engageable material. For a Christian studying ethics, this book should be on your “to be read” list.
At times it feels redundant or simplistic, but that is the nature of an introductory text. Highly recommend
This book is an incredible introduction to ethics, and provides the reader with accessible and engageable material. For a Christian studying ethics, this book should be on your “to be read” list.
At times it feels redundant or simplistic, but that is the nature of an introductory text. Highly recommend
November 7, 2024
This was going to be four stars until I saw that there was a quote from LOTR in it. Honestly this book has challenged me on many of my ethical beliefs (praise the Lord). Specifically on the positions of divorce and remarriage, capital punishment and war theory, and reproductive health. I am glad I will be able to worship God better now because of what I learned in this class.
August 12, 2022
The first 300-ish pages were such I couldn't put it down. Fantastic stuff. I am teaching a study at our church using Grudem's ethics book because it lends itself to that format more than this book, but I refer to this book quite frequently. As far as this book goes, it's better than Grudem's, IMO.
January 7, 2025
Dr. Liederbach does a fantastic job at overviewing the major ethical topics pertaining the church today and how true Christians are to respond and appropriate the Word to these issues. Easily one of the best books on ethics you will read.
July 19, 2025
The first part of Ethics as worship was very good. The way the authors explained the creation narrative and the purpose of human beings as image bearers changed the way I thought about my life. The second half of the book on different ethical topics was also very informative and helpful.
February 9, 2022
An excellent and comprehensive approach a to the important subject of Christian ethics.
November 2, 2024
A must read for any pursuing ethics as a Christian.
August 31, 2024
Perhaps a good introductory level resource for high school age students. Nearly too accessible, felt like watered down, common sense summaries of important topics and cultural issues.
Minimally academic resource, not particularly theologically rigorous/rich either.
Minimally academic resource, not particularly theologically rigorous/rich either.
December 30, 2025
This book is gas🔥 would recommend to anyone in ministry who is thinking through ethics and tough topics.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews