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Just Business: Christian Ethics for the Marketplace
"An ethical man is a Christian holding four aces." So said Mark Twain. But practicing Christians, at least, want to be ethical in all areas of life and work--not just when they are holding four aces. To those faced with the many questions and quandaries of doing business with integrity, Alexander Hill offers a place to begin. Alexander Hill carefully explores the foundational Christian concepts of holiness, justice and love. These keys to God's character, he argues, are also the keys to Christian business ethics. Hill then shows how some common responses to business ethics fall short of a fully Christian response. Finally, he turns to penetrating case studies on such pressing topics as employer-employee relations, discrimination and affirmative action, and environmental damage. This is an excellent introduction to business ethics for students and a bracing refresher for men and women already in the marketplace.
276 pages, Paperback
First published March 1, 1997
40 people are currently reading
89 people want to read
About the author
Alexander Hill
99 books6 followersAlexander Hill is an associate professor in military history at the University of Calgary in Canada and specialises in Soviet military history from 1917 to 1945. He has published a range of books and articles that cover not only the Red Army at war but also the Soviet Navy and the Soviet partisan movement.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
March 9, 2019
Rather disappointed by this. It was a very basic book on ethics that never really delved into anything in depth.
March 3, 2012
Man, I really wanted to like this book more. Alec Hill was the former Dean of SPU's School of Business and Economics and he's currently the President of InterVarsity Christian Fellowship. I know a number of my friends and colleagues who really admire him and every time I hear him speak in person, I like what he has to say. But this book, written over a decade ago, didn't work for me.
Maybe I went in to reading it with the wrong expectations. I was expecting a good book on how one might behave ethically in the marketplace. But this book is much more descriptive than prescriptive. Hill spends a fair bit of time teasing out legal distinctions and setting up potential ethical dilemmas a Christian might face at work. But for the most part he doesn't provide much of a framework for resolving those dilemmas.
No, that's not fair. He does attempt to set up a framework. In the first three chapters Hill describes the basic Christian approach to ethics as a three-legged stool that consists of holiness, justice and love. The problem is I don't particularly agree with his definitions of those three virtues. So when the rest of the book builds on his interpretation of holiness, justice and love, I find myself non-plussed.
Another major quibble I have with this book is that Hill pretty explicitly states that legalism is a vice. But as a lawyer himself, Hill write these ethical cases and descriptions in terms that are largely those of jurisprudence. I found myself longing for a more hot-blooded approach - for more creativity and imagination, and fewer diagrams and T-charts. I guess I'll have to look for that book elsewhere.
Overall, this was a bit frustrating and disappointing.
Maybe I went in to reading it with the wrong expectations. I was expecting a good book on how one might behave ethically in the marketplace. But this book is much more descriptive than prescriptive. Hill spends a fair bit of time teasing out legal distinctions and setting up potential ethical dilemmas a Christian might face at work. But for the most part he doesn't provide much of a framework for resolving those dilemmas.
No, that's not fair. He does attempt to set up a framework. In the first three chapters Hill describes the basic Christian approach to ethics as a three-legged stool that consists of holiness, justice and love. The problem is I don't particularly agree with his definitions of those three virtues. So when the rest of the book builds on his interpretation of holiness, justice and love, I find myself non-plussed.
Another major quibble I have with this book is that Hill pretty explicitly states that legalism is a vice. But as a lawyer himself, Hill write these ethical cases and descriptions in terms that are largely those of jurisprudence. I found myself longing for a more hot-blooded approach - for more creativity and imagination, and fewer diagrams and T-charts. I guess I'll have to look for that book elsewhere.
Overall, this was a bit frustrating and disappointing.
May 13, 2011
It’s Because We Can Ask, “Why?”
The exploration of meaning in the lives of individuals provides a fascinating difference between human beings and other living organisms. Instead of engaging in simple reactions to stimuli, human beings possess the capacity to ponder these actions at a deeper level.
While a bird eats for sustenance, humans can not only ask but also reason to an answer concerning why the consumption of food is vital. In the case of living in a community, humanity enjoys the ability to question the way we interact and to create structures that help society function on a level playing field.
Although questions of ethical action remain arguably unanswerable in a conclusive form, many find ethical structures helpful in governing difficult quandaries.
In Just Business, Alexander Hill spends the first portion of the book outlining a Scripturally-based ethical structure of holiness, justice, and love for business practices. During the second section, Hill relates his Christian ethic to the dominant forms of ethical practice in the business world. And, finally, Hill utilizes the third section of Just Business as an extended analysis of case studies in light of his proposed Christian ethic.
Holiness
Hill begins his pursuit of an ethical framework by proposing the concept of holiness as a critical component of an ethical lifestyle. He argues that the definition of holiness comprises of four parts: zeal for God, purity, accountability, and humility. Hill writes,
“The crucial point is that holiness is fundamentally about priorities. So long as a business is a means of honoring God rather than an end in itself, the concept of holiness is not violated” (25).
In other words, business means more than a competition around the highest profits, when a business person prioritizes holiness, that business is reoriented around its usefulness for others, not merely a way to make money.
However, the principle of holiness can be misapplied. When holiness becomes a set of rules, it becomes a harsh form of legalism; if holiness is used as a means to point out the flaws of others, it is merely judgmentalism; and, finally, when holiness becomes an excuse for roping off one’s self from society, it functions as a false ascetisim.
Justice
For the second foundational principle, Hill suggests the biblical notion of justice. In the business world, sadly, any action within the opaque legal framework is morally permissible no matter the injurious outcome on other people.
“Justice,” Hill pens, “provides order to human relationships by laying out reciprocal sets of duties and rights for those living in the context of community – business partners, employees, neighbors and family members” (37).
In other words, justice functions as a communal code that allows a society to function.
Similarly to holiness, the excessive application of justice leads to possible mishandling. More specifically, when justice is applied as the letter of the law, it can be exceedingly harsh and condemning. Hill asserts,
“Justice tends to be cold and dispassionate, lacking the emotional heat and relational passion of holy love” (48).
Love
Thus, it is important to buttress holiness and justice with the spiritual virtue of love. Acting as the glue between holiness and justice, love anchors these virtues in relationship. Hill argues that the definition of love includes empathy, mercy, and sacrifice.
As with holiness and justice, the biblical virtue of love carries potential difficulties. Hill notes that clergyman Joseph Foster proposed love as the only Christian ethic. Taken to extremes love alone allows people to act in immoral ways for the sake of loving relationships.
Additionally, such positions offer ambiguity. When love is the only moral beacon, what should an individual do when a difficult choice means loving one person and “unloving” another?
Lastly, when others in society understand your single-minded loving ethic, they find opportunities to take advantage of your loving-kindness.
Therefore, it is important for holiness, justice, and love to act in unity because each virtue acts as a check and balance against the potential abuses of the other virtues.
The Space Between Duty-Bound Ethics and Virtue Ethics
While the rest of the book discusses both the comparison between holiness-justice-love and its application in specific case studies, the root of Hill’s argument resides in these Christian virtues. As Hill compares and applies this framework, his ethic meanders between a deontological and a virtue ethic position.
On one hand, Hill argues that the holiness-justice-love ethic provides absolute answers in particular scenarios. Yet on the other hand, Hill wants his position to maintain the fluidity of virtue ethics as difficult scenarios require nuanced decisions.
Where’s Grace?
Additionally, Hill spends one paragraph at the end of the book discussing the role of the fallen world in the holiness-justice-love rubric. Although the themes of holiness, justice, and love ought to inform our decision making, do they apply equally to decisions after a mistake is made?
In his one paragraph on the matter, Hill argues that no one is able to fully apply the holiness-justice-love ethic; we, thus, must all accept God’s gift of grace.
I question, however, the way the notion of grace is applied practically. In the business world, is grace a possibility when the Fall influences someone to make a decision with drastic consequences for the company? Is grace unconditional within a company? Lastly, how do holiness, justice, love, and grace apply to theories of termination? Does the Christian ethic argue against terminating jobs? It seems to me that Just Business remains silent on these issues.
The Verdict Is
By nature, any attempt at the deeper meanings behind human interaction will always fall short. As such, the holiness-justice-love rubric is useful but incomplete. Nevertheless, humanity is capable of pursuing these deeper questions significant meaning results from such inquiries.
Hill’s Just Business is an admirable effort at applying biblical principles to business practices. Readability makes this book an excellent read for Christians in the business world. Hill carefully and accessibly categorizes his argument. Additionally, he inserts case studies and business stories to keep the reader’s attention throughout the discourse.
While I have my reservations about the conclusivity of his arguments, this book is a must read for anyone considering a Christian ethic for the marketplace.
Originally published at http://wherepenmeetspaper.blogspot.com/
The exploration of meaning in the lives of individuals provides a fascinating difference between human beings and other living organisms. Instead of engaging in simple reactions to stimuli, human beings possess the capacity to ponder these actions at a deeper level.
While a bird eats for sustenance, humans can not only ask but also reason to an answer concerning why the consumption of food is vital. In the case of living in a community, humanity enjoys the ability to question the way we interact and to create structures that help society function on a level playing field.
Although questions of ethical action remain arguably unanswerable in a conclusive form, many find ethical structures helpful in governing difficult quandaries.
In Just Business, Alexander Hill spends the first portion of the book outlining a Scripturally-based ethical structure of holiness, justice, and love for business practices. During the second section, Hill relates his Christian ethic to the dominant forms of ethical practice in the business world. And, finally, Hill utilizes the third section of Just Business as an extended analysis of case studies in light of his proposed Christian ethic.
Holiness
Hill begins his pursuit of an ethical framework by proposing the concept of holiness as a critical component of an ethical lifestyle. He argues that the definition of holiness comprises of four parts: zeal for God, purity, accountability, and humility. Hill writes,
“The crucial point is that holiness is fundamentally about priorities. So long as a business is a means of honoring God rather than an end in itself, the concept of holiness is not violated” (25).
In other words, business means more than a competition around the highest profits, when a business person prioritizes holiness, that business is reoriented around its usefulness for others, not merely a way to make money.
However, the principle of holiness can be misapplied. When holiness becomes a set of rules, it becomes a harsh form of legalism; if holiness is used as a means to point out the flaws of others, it is merely judgmentalism; and, finally, when holiness becomes an excuse for roping off one’s self from society, it functions as a false ascetisim.
Justice
For the second foundational principle, Hill suggests the biblical notion of justice. In the business world, sadly, any action within the opaque legal framework is morally permissible no matter the injurious outcome on other people.
“Justice,” Hill pens, “provides order to human relationships by laying out reciprocal sets of duties and rights for those living in the context of community – business partners, employees, neighbors and family members” (37).
In other words, justice functions as a communal code that allows a society to function.
Similarly to holiness, the excessive application of justice leads to possible mishandling. More specifically, when justice is applied as the letter of the law, it can be exceedingly harsh and condemning. Hill asserts,
“Justice tends to be cold and dispassionate, lacking the emotional heat and relational passion of holy love” (48).
Love
Thus, it is important to buttress holiness and justice with the spiritual virtue of love. Acting as the glue between holiness and justice, love anchors these virtues in relationship. Hill argues that the definition of love includes empathy, mercy, and sacrifice.
As with holiness and justice, the biblical virtue of love carries potential difficulties. Hill notes that clergyman Joseph Foster proposed love as the only Christian ethic. Taken to extremes love alone allows people to act in immoral ways for the sake of loving relationships.
Additionally, such positions offer ambiguity. When love is the only moral beacon, what should an individual do when a difficult choice means loving one person and “unloving” another?
Lastly, when others in society understand your single-minded loving ethic, they find opportunities to take advantage of your loving-kindness.
Therefore, it is important for holiness, justice, and love to act in unity because each virtue acts as a check and balance against the potential abuses of the other virtues.
The Space Between Duty-Bound Ethics and Virtue Ethics
While the rest of the book discusses both the comparison between holiness-justice-love and its application in specific case studies, the root of Hill’s argument resides in these Christian virtues. As Hill compares and applies this framework, his ethic meanders between a deontological and a virtue ethic position.
On one hand, Hill argues that the holiness-justice-love ethic provides absolute answers in particular scenarios. Yet on the other hand, Hill wants his position to maintain the fluidity of virtue ethics as difficult scenarios require nuanced decisions.
Where’s Grace?
Additionally, Hill spends one paragraph at the end of the book discussing the role of the fallen world in the holiness-justice-love rubric. Although the themes of holiness, justice, and love ought to inform our decision making, do they apply equally to decisions after a mistake is made?
In his one paragraph on the matter, Hill argues that no one is able to fully apply the holiness-justice-love ethic; we, thus, must all accept God’s gift of grace.
I question, however, the way the notion of grace is applied practically. In the business world, is grace a possibility when the Fall influences someone to make a decision with drastic consequences for the company? Is grace unconditional within a company? Lastly, how do holiness, justice, love, and grace apply to theories of termination? Does the Christian ethic argue against terminating jobs? It seems to me that Just Business remains silent on these issues.
The Verdict Is
By nature, any attempt at the deeper meanings behind human interaction will always fall short. As such, the holiness-justice-love rubric is useful but incomplete. Nevertheless, humanity is capable of pursuing these deeper questions significant meaning results from such inquiries.
Hill’s Just Business is an admirable effort at applying biblical principles to business practices. Readability makes this book an excellent read for Christians in the business world. Hill carefully and accessibly categorizes his argument. Additionally, he inserts case studies and business stories to keep the reader’s attention throughout the discourse.
While I have my reservations about the conclusivity of his arguments, this book is a must read for anyone considering a Christian ethic for the marketplace.
Originally published at http://wherepenmeetspaper.blogspot.com/
June 24, 2025
This was, from my perspective, a clearly presented and well-argued approach to business ethics from a Christian perspective. A few things stand out to me. First, his discussion of holiness as not requiring separation from business but rather a "in the world, not of the world" approach was appreciated. Second, his affirmation throughout that human being s as made in God's image has ethical implications for such areas as employer/employee relations, international business, and honesty. Third, I thought his discussion of love and law, respectively, were nuanced. For instance, with love, he pushes against an altruism that would destroy self-love. Fourth, his discussion of truth-telling and the case studies his provided stand alone as a contribution to this aspect of ethics more broadly speaking. In sum, while no book can be exhaustive, this book is an excellent place to start for anyone desiring to think from a Christian perspective regarding business.
November 25, 2020
This is a wonderful book book for anyone who has lots of questions when it comes to making ethical decisions. As a Christian it’s tough to do this sometimes and it can be hard to prepare for those situations but this books helps to do that. It faces you with challenges that would actually happen in the real world and asks you what you would do. This book, although information heavy is very impactful and has helped to prepare me for any decision I make in the ethical side of my business.
September 21, 2020
I read this book for an ethics class in college and I honestly really enjoyed it. It is easy to read and offers insightful and practical applications of Biblical lessons in real life business. Neither a page turner nor a dull read.
April 19, 2020
Great book for understanding workplace ethics and moralities. Justice is a key learning!
April 27, 2020
A stellar guide to ethics for any working Christian, whether in an executive position or working the grill at McDonald's.
February 7, 2021
Solid grounding of Christian ethics and plenty of still relevant application to commerce.
November 2, 2024
So needed in todays world.
May 12, 2025
DNF because it was not good or interesting
February 3, 2010
A good description of how business should be modeled after the character of God...enjoyed the first half of the book (true and false views of Christian responsibility within business) more than the second half (topics). However, what's missing now is the missional drive - I wish there was some more information about how/where Christians should be using this framework. Alas, perhaps for another book...
December 26, 2009
This is good, good , solid, biblical framework for workplace ethics.
July 24, 2010
ATS, HS5387.H55.1997
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews