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Protestant Social Teaching: An Introduction
“If we are to witness moral renewal in our societies, Protestants will have a major role to play, and I say that as a convicted Catholic. This volume, Protestant Social Teaching , comes as a revelation—a revelation that there is a coherent tradition of Protestant moral theology that can still offer concrete guidance to doctors and nurses, statesmen and judges, soldiers and policemen today. The essays on marriage, sexuality, life, dying, work, and the home are particularly insightful. Only by looking backward can we gain the perspective needed to move forward, and these essays offer a model of retrieval in service of practical discipleship. The result is a book that will benefit both Catholic and Protestant readers.” – Ryan T. Anderson, President of the Ethics and Public Policy Center, author of When Harry Became Responding to the Transgender Moment For over one hundred years, the Roman Catholic Church has steadily curated a body of papal encyclicals, classic texts, and go-to answers on pressing moral issues of the day, that has come to be known as “Catholic Social Teaching.” Meanwhile, in Protestantism, mainline churches have steadily jettisoned nearly every historic Christian moral teaching in an effort to make the faith more “relevant” and progressive, while evangelicals, though still committed to Scripture, have often done little better in holding fast to the norms that used to guide faithful Christian discipleship when it came to love, war, and everything in between. However, Protestants too have a rich heritage of social teaching, if only they knew their own tradition, a heritage that dovetails on many points with Roman Catholic teaching, but is also inflected by the Reformation’s emphasis on the goods of the family and the nation. Now, for the first time, we are planting a flag for “Protestant social teaching,” a coherent, catholic, biblical set of convictions about what it means to love one’s neighbor in both personal and political life. The essays in this volume span the breadth of human life, from birth to death, from work to welfare, while providing a clear moral compass on hot-button issues like abortion, just war, and environmental care. This volume brings together contributions from a dozen authors who have deeply studied these diverse moral issues from a classical Protestant standpoint, distilling their biblical and historical insights into short, accessible chapters that can guide the reflections of every pastor or Christian leader.
248 pages, Paperback
Published October 8, 2022
26 people are currently reading
167 people want to read
About the author
Alastair J. Roberts
15 books85 followersAlastair Roberts (PhD, Durham University in England) writes in the areas of biblical theology and ethics, but frequently trespasses beyond these bounds. He participates in the weekly Mere Fidelity podcast, blogs at Alastair’s Adversaria, and tweets at @zugzwanged.
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November 5, 2022Books like this really need an index.
February 8, 2023
A helpful volume presenting a “catholic” coherency to Protestant thought’s contribution to political theology and social ethics. While some essays faltered in rooting themselves thoroughly in historic Protestant distinctives, plenty of others succeeded, presenting a clarion call to renewed engagement within the modern intellectual ecosystem of the West heralded by Reformational aspirations.
March 28, 2023
I found this book to be a mixed bag with some good and helpful essays and some that were disappointing. I appreciated chapters 1-4 and 7-8 (there were 12 chapters total).
December 18, 2022
A good start to a conversation that I hope others will take up as well. Really liked Meador’s chapter on the environment, the chapters on property and welfare were interesting also. Overall would have liked more direct engagement with Scripture rather than indirectly through the Reformers.
November 24, 2022
I was very excited when I saw this book. It is a collection of essays detailing traditional Protestant positions on issues as wide-ranging as just war, private property, environmental care, abortion, labor, the family, and more. Obviously Protestantism is a very big thing and much variation exists under this umbrella term. However, the authors do a nice job trying to approach these topics in a way that will resonate with most theologically conservative Protestants.
Given that this book is a collection of essays written by various authors, some chapters will be stronger than others. Personally, I was particularly intrigued by the chapters on just war, abortion, death and dying, and environmental care. I will not dive into all the details right now, but this is a very worthwhile volume. As Protestants, we do have a historical tradition that can speak to these big questions, and often times I feel like we are just ignorant of history in general. This book can help with that.
Given that this book is a collection of essays written by various authors, some chapters will be stronger than others. Personally, I was particularly intrigued by the chapters on just war, abortion, death and dying, and environmental care. I will not dive into all the details right now, but this is a very worthwhile volume. As Protestants, we do have a historical tradition that can speak to these big questions, and often times I feel like we are just ignorant of history in general. This book can help with that.
April 30, 2023
Kamel, Onsi Aaron; Meador, Jake; and Minich, Joseph. 2022 Protestant Social Teaching: An Introduction. South Carolina. Davenant Press. 335 pp. 9.99
Due to electoral candidates with questionable personalities, the COVID-19 pandemic, and an increased distrust of the government, Protestant political thought has become a divisive and tribalistic issue. Davenant Press in 2022 released a collection of essays in Protestant Social Teaching: An Introduction, which seeks to help the church gain a unified thought on the social issues of the day. The collection has been edited by Onsi Aaron Kamel, Jake Meador, and Joseph Minich. The collection is divided into three parts: Part One: Law, Justice, and Punishment, Part Two: Marriage, Life and Death, and Part Three: Property, Wealth, and Poverty, with each section having four essays. In Part One and Part Two the essays are designed to introduce the reader to how Protestant Social thought has developed. Part Three attempts to do the same while adding ideological suggestions by the essayist. This work is going to provide the reader with a “great cloud of witnesses” to encourage them to think critically through today’s most pertinent political thoughts.
Part One has the following essays: “Law and the Christian” by E.J. Hutchinson, “The Civil Magistrate” by Bradford Littlejohn, “Resistance and Rebellion” by Glenn Moots, and “Just War” by Marc LiVecche. In “Law and the Christian” Hutchinson traces the development of Protestant thought about the law starting with Martin Luther’s twofold division of political and theological uses of the law. Hutchinson explains that the political use of the law allows for the “gospel to flourish” while the theological use of the law allows for a “spiritual environment individually and internally” (p. 34). He concludes that this ultimate leads to a threefold division of the law: first, it helps to promote civic life, second, it displays to man God’s plan of salvation, and third, it teaches man how to live in a way that shows godly sonship. Littlejohn’s essay reminds the reader of two truths. First, that the civil magistrate is appointed by God has the duty to promote the common good of mankind. He concludes the essay by proving how Protestant political thought is composed of “three principles ̶ the desacralization of politics, the accountability of the magistrate to the rule of law and the consent of the governed, and a decentralized ideal of federalism and subsidiarity…” (p. 66). “Resistance and Rebellion” lays out the balanced judgments Protestants have had about rebellion, leading the reader to see that one should examine themselves, pray and repent before seeking rebellion. The most helpful essay in tis section is “Just War”. LiVecche has walked through not just Protestant thought on war but also Augustine and Aquinas. In this section he builds on their three criteria and gives those looking for a more nuanced discussion of just war a helpful essay for both lay people and pastors.
Part Two includes the following essays: “Procreation and Children”, “Sex, Marriage, and Divorce”, “Abortion”, and “Death and Dying”. “Procreation and Children” reminds the reader of the heavenly calling and duty of childbearing, while “Sex, Marriage, and Divorce” encourages Christians to remember that Protestant’s look to the family as sign by which the effects of the fall are minimized by reminding us of the good by which God pronounced His Creation to be. “Abortion” works through both Protestant thought, but also early Christianity’s view on abortion. Essay eight, “Death and Dying” by John Wyatt is helpful in showing to the reader that death is unnatural, but also on how to help Christians die well. It will greatly benefit the pastor reading this book to think through the thoughts presented.
Part Three’s essays are “Work and Labor”, “Private Property”, “Taxation and Welfare”, and “Environmental Care”. This section did not deal as much with the Reformers development of Protestant thought on these issues as the earlier two parts, in a way making the work more hypothetical. The strength of this section is in “Taxation and Welfare”, returning the reader to the Reformers thoughts and how they have developed over the years, surprisingly showing a connection between church and state to help with welfare issues in society. In “Work and Labor” and “Private Property” the essayist reminds us to use our money and property for God’s glory and that our work is not just for our families, but also can be used in helping those less fortunate than us. Even though this section is the weakest in terms of how Protestant Political Thought has developed, it gives the critical reader something to consider while working through these issues.
This collection of essays has value for both pastors and laymen. It supplies an excellent introduction to Protestant thought and challenges the ideas that lead to divisions and rivalries in Protestant churches today. This volume reminds readers that we are not alone in the realm of thoughts and that others have gone before us. If we are wise and listening, that “cloud of witnesses” can aid us in navigating the development of political thought in this generation and those that follow.
Due to electoral candidates with questionable personalities, the COVID-19 pandemic, and an increased distrust of the government, Protestant political thought has become a divisive and tribalistic issue. Davenant Press in 2022 released a collection of essays in Protestant Social Teaching: An Introduction, which seeks to help the church gain a unified thought on the social issues of the day. The collection has been edited by Onsi Aaron Kamel, Jake Meador, and Joseph Minich. The collection is divided into three parts: Part One: Law, Justice, and Punishment, Part Two: Marriage, Life and Death, and Part Three: Property, Wealth, and Poverty, with each section having four essays. In Part One and Part Two the essays are designed to introduce the reader to how Protestant Social thought has developed. Part Three attempts to do the same while adding ideological suggestions by the essayist. This work is going to provide the reader with a “great cloud of witnesses” to encourage them to think critically through today’s most pertinent political thoughts.
Part One has the following essays: “Law and the Christian” by E.J. Hutchinson, “The Civil Magistrate” by Bradford Littlejohn, “Resistance and Rebellion” by Glenn Moots, and “Just War” by Marc LiVecche. In “Law and the Christian” Hutchinson traces the development of Protestant thought about the law starting with Martin Luther’s twofold division of political and theological uses of the law. Hutchinson explains that the political use of the law allows for the “gospel to flourish” while the theological use of the law allows for a “spiritual environment individually and internally” (p. 34). He concludes that this ultimate leads to a threefold division of the law: first, it helps to promote civic life, second, it displays to man God’s plan of salvation, and third, it teaches man how to live in a way that shows godly sonship. Littlejohn’s essay reminds the reader of two truths. First, that the civil magistrate is appointed by God has the duty to promote the common good of mankind. He concludes the essay by proving how Protestant political thought is composed of “three principles ̶ the desacralization of politics, the accountability of the magistrate to the rule of law and the consent of the governed, and a decentralized ideal of federalism and subsidiarity…” (p. 66). “Resistance and Rebellion” lays out the balanced judgments Protestants have had about rebellion, leading the reader to see that one should examine themselves, pray and repent before seeking rebellion. The most helpful essay in tis section is “Just War”. LiVecche has walked through not just Protestant thought on war but also Augustine and Aquinas. In this section he builds on their three criteria and gives those looking for a more nuanced discussion of just war a helpful essay for both lay people and pastors.
Part Two includes the following essays: “Procreation and Children”, “Sex, Marriage, and Divorce”, “Abortion”, and “Death and Dying”. “Procreation and Children” reminds the reader of the heavenly calling and duty of childbearing, while “Sex, Marriage, and Divorce” encourages Christians to remember that Protestant’s look to the family as sign by which the effects of the fall are minimized by reminding us of the good by which God pronounced His Creation to be. “Abortion” works through both Protestant thought, but also early Christianity’s view on abortion. Essay eight, “Death and Dying” by John Wyatt is helpful in showing to the reader that death is unnatural, but also on how to help Christians die well. It will greatly benefit the pastor reading this book to think through the thoughts presented.
Part Three’s essays are “Work and Labor”, “Private Property”, “Taxation and Welfare”, and “Environmental Care”. This section did not deal as much with the Reformers development of Protestant thought on these issues as the earlier two parts, in a way making the work more hypothetical. The strength of this section is in “Taxation and Welfare”, returning the reader to the Reformers thoughts and how they have developed over the years, surprisingly showing a connection between church and state to help with welfare issues in society. In “Work and Labor” and “Private Property” the essayist reminds us to use our money and property for God’s glory and that our work is not just for our families, but also can be used in helping those less fortunate than us. Even though this section is the weakest in terms of how Protestant Political Thought has developed, it gives the critical reader something to consider while working through these issues.
This collection of essays has value for both pastors and laymen. It supplies an excellent introduction to Protestant thought and challenges the ideas that lead to divisions and rivalries in Protestant churches today. This volume reminds readers that we are not alone in the realm of thoughts and that others have gone before us. If we are wise and listening, that “cloud of witnesses” can aid us in navigating the development of political thought in this generation and those that follow.
September 8, 2023
A helpful set of essays on a range of Social Issues. The limited scope of the volume and the breadth of the topics significantly limits how much can be said but it's good and thought provoking as far as it goes.
Most chapters seek to ground an approach to the issue they're addressing in the thinking of early particularly Luther and Calvin before making some comments about how we should consider the issue today.
A few standout notes:
- The opening chapter gives a decent overview of the abiding validity of the moral law contra many modern representations of it.
- The case for "Just War" is quite strong
- The history of protestant opposition to contraception is fascinating and thought provoking
- The last 5 chapters all raise lines of thought that many people will have never even considered
If you want quick guidance on what to do in situation X this is not the book for you; if you're working at thinking through how to approach all of life as a christian OR hoping to teach or write on ethical issues this is a helpful volume.
Most chapters seek to ground an approach to the issue they're addressing in the thinking of early particularly Luther and Calvin before making some comments about how we should consider the issue today.
A few standout notes:
- The opening chapter gives a decent overview of the abiding validity of the moral law contra many modern representations of it.
- The case for "Just War" is quite strong
- The history of protestant opposition to contraception is fascinating and thought provoking
- The last 5 chapters all raise lines of thought that many people will have never even considered
If you want quick guidance on what to do in situation X this is not the book for you; if you're working at thinking through how to approach all of life as a christian OR hoping to teach or write on ethical issues this is a helpful volume.
January 20, 2025
3.5
A significant, essential idea—Protestant Social Teaching—that will be increasingly important going forward. However, the framing and execution of the book itself is mediocre, mostly due to the inconsistency of the authors. Each contributing author approaches the vision of PST differently, which is not bad in and of itself, but there is not enough unity to balance out that diversity. In my opinion, the editors should have decided to make the book either primarily retrieval work, primarily constructive work, or a balance of both. Instead, each author does what seems right in their own eyes, and the book feels disorganized. Some chapters are very good. Some are okay. Some are not very good. But I applaud the effort, and it’s a step in the right direction.
A significant, essential idea—Protestant Social Teaching—that will be increasingly important going forward. However, the framing and execution of the book itself is mediocre, mostly due to the inconsistency of the authors. Each contributing author approaches the vision of PST differently, which is not bad in and of itself, but there is not enough unity to balance out that diversity. In my opinion, the editors should have decided to make the book either primarily retrieval work, primarily constructive work, or a balance of both. Instead, each author does what seems right in their own eyes, and the book feels disorganized. Some chapters are very good. Some are okay. Some are not very good. But I applaud the effort, and it’s a step in the right direction.
December 9, 2023
2.4. It is a collection of essays. The intro had me on board with the objective, the essay topics looked great…and then it just fell flat for me. A lot of the essays didn’t provide much clarity, at times I thought they were really dry and tough to read. It seemed like the authors I was more familiar had a deadline and just turned in partial drafts. Not necessarily low rating from disagreements, but I don’t think it accomplished what it set out to do.
June 25, 2024
Excellent resource on a generally consistent protestant perspective on ethics and politics from the early reformers. Best chapters were on abortion, death and dying, and the role of the magistrate. The most challenging chapter was on procreation which has me rethinking some of what I believe. I'm not sure why the chapter on the environment was in here given the author barely pulled from the protestant tradition in that essay.
December 15, 2022
Meador’s chapter on environmental care is actually the weakest imo - minimal engagement with tradition and a sort of reliance on sacramentology rather than doctrine of creation or anthropology.
Overall a good mixed bag of topics approaches and levels - a very Protestant book! But lots of good stuff. Couple of typos and formatting weirdness did stick out.
Overall a good mixed bag of topics approaches and levels - a very Protestant book! But lots of good stuff. Couple of typos and formatting weirdness did stick out.
December 19, 2023
Disappointed in the middle essays, which was sad since those writers are often amongsts my favorites to listen to and read. Overall still a helpful resource. Curious to see what more resourcement future expansions on this work will bring with it!
February 3, 2023
Meh. It’s a start.
April 3, 2023
An important contribution! Full review coming soon in The London Lyceum!
May 2, 2023
I appreciated learning the evolution of issues I thought to be only contemporary.
September 3, 2023
Solid, not great. A few essays would benefit from significant pruning. Others could use a shot of espresso.
November 20, 2025
Hit and miss. Some articles were helpful and gave an overview of the tradition on a subject, others felt more like one person’s personal take on a subject.
January 16, 2026
Excellent collection of essays on various applied ethics topics by a range of current theologians and philosophers. Each essay attempts to address current issues in ethics from the viewpoint of both the early Church Fathers as well as the varying views of the Magisterial Reformers such as Luther and Calvin. As a lawyer who writes for a living in my daily life and work, I could appreciate the precise and concise writing employed here by the various writers throughout this book, and the level of depth and analysis herein makes this a book that I would read again. This is one of several books from the Davenant Institute that I have read, and it was one of the books assigned in a recent seminary class I completed in Christian Ethics. I would recommend it to anyone seeking a broader and deeper understanding of the ethical underpinnings from a reformed theological perspective on issues such as death and dying, abortion, just war theory, and other critical issues of our day.
February 26, 2023
I’m very thankful for this book and the folks at the Davenant Institute for putting it together. In a time when there is so much confusion among Christians about basic ethical issues, it is comforting to hold a book that holds its convictions firmly. It’s also encouraging to read a book that is intentionally committed to historic Protestantism. Sadly, much of what passes as Christian ethics today has no connection to the heritage we Protestants have received. In our ignorance—or perhaps arrogance—we seek novel answers to questions that some of the best minds in the history of the church have already settled. The value of this book, however, is in its application of those timeless truths to current events—neoliberalism, on-demand abortion, and assisted suicide. Protestants dissatisfied with the platitudes and vacuous thinking of prominent evangelical groups like The Gospel Coalition (TGC) and the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission (ERLC) will find a fresh perspective chastened by the Reformed tradition in Protestant Social Teaching.
October 1, 2025
I love when a book corrects my thinking. The essays in here have corrected me, and helped my thinking on Just War Theory, and on The Magistrate.
The essay on death was also very stimulating. But while I can see some good things in the chapters on labor, taxes, and the environment, I had a number of doubts, too. A lot would depend on how to apply things today, and they seemed to leave out the wisdom of experience at times.
The essay on private property had some great insights, though.
Still, really liked it.
The essay on death was also very stimulating. But while I can see some good things in the chapters on labor, taxes, and the environment, I had a number of doubts, too. A lot would depend on how to apply things today, and they seemed to leave out the wisdom of experience at times.
The essay on private property had some great insights, though.
Still, really liked it.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews