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Very Short Introductions #238
Christian Ethics: A Very Short Introduction
Christian ethics, writes theologian D. Stephen Long, is the pursuit of God's goodness by people "on the way" to a city not built by human hands. The cultivation of practical wisdom that comes from diverse sources, it draws on all that is good in God's creation and among the nations. In this Very Short Introduction , Long examines these diverse sources, discusses the relationship between Christian, modern, and postmodern ethics, and explores practical issues including sex, money, and power. The book also examines some of the failures of the Christian tradition, including the crusades, the conquest, slavery, inquisitions, and the Galileo affair. Placing them in the context of the theory and practice of ethics and their historical perspective, Long notes the challenges they raise for Christian ethics. He concludes with a discussion of their implications in the modern era, considering how this affects our lives in the present age. Long recognizes the inherent difficulties in bringing together "Christian" and "ethics" but argues that this is an important task for both the Christian faith and for ethics.
Combining authority with wit, accessibility, and style, Very Short Introductions offer an introduction to some of life's most interesting topics. Written by experts for the newcomer, they demonstrate the finest contemporary thinking about the central problems and issues in hundreds of key topics, from philosophy to Freud, quantum theory to Islam.
Combining authority with wit, accessibility, and style, Very Short Introductions offer an introduction to some of life's most interesting topics. Written by experts for the newcomer, they demonstrate the finest contemporary thinking about the central problems and issues in hundreds of key topics, from philosophy to Freud, quantum theory to Islam.
135 pages, Paperback
First published July 29, 2010
25 people are currently reading
388 people want to read
About the author
D. Stephen Long
28 books11 followersD. Stephen Long is professor of theology and ethics at Southern Methodist University. Previously he worked at Marquette University, Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary, St. Joseph’s University and Duke Divinity School. He received the PhD from Duke University, and is an ordained United Methodist Minister in the Indiana Conference. He has served churches in Honduras, North Carolina and Milwaukee.
He has published a number of works, including Divine Economy: Theology and the Market (2000), The Goodness of God: Theology, Church, and the Social Order (2001), John Wesley's Moral Theology: The Quest for God and Goodness (2005), and Calculated Future: Theology, Ethics, and Economics (2007).
He has published a number of works, including Divine Economy: Theology and the Market (2000), The Goodness of God: Theology, Church, and the Social Order (2001), John Wesley's Moral Theology: The Quest for God and Goodness (2005), and Calculated Future: Theology, Ethics, and Economics (2007).
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
January 16, 2019
D. Stephen Long is a professor of Systematic Theology at Marquette University. I was a fan of Systematic Theology growing up and I still think that it's among the few branches of Christian thought that make sense. I am open to refutations of a literal interpretation of the Bible, however. Most reformed theologians are not, to my understanding.
That aside, I was not expecting this book to be the way it is. Long addresses Virtue Ethics and how it differs with Christian Ethics. He then says that a crucial element to the Christian idea of morality are a) the Trinity, and b) the Resurrection. This is where the book starts to get somewhat tediously theological rather than descriptive about the true nature of Christian Ethics.
To be honest, I expected a brief synopsis of the major Christian figures' understanding of ethics, such as that of Augustine, Aquinas, Calvin, then Luther, then perhaps Wesley & Spurgeon, to modern-day Evangelicalism. But Long's approach was much more ambiguous.
.
.
He claims that the crusades, the Witch Hunt, & the Inquisition are not correlated with Christian claims (or lack thereof) about rights. He writes: "No official Church body still sanctions crusades, slavery, or the use of torture to investigate heretics, witches, or sinners (a practice that is, however, still justified by some 'civilized' secular nations against their enemies). Most of these corrections were internal to Christianity itself" (92).
This is just misleading. Witches were killed because the Bible ordained it. Slavery may have originated before Judaism & Christianity, but slavery was encouraged in the Bible. In the 17th century, for example, we have no record of an anti-slavery sermon or text from Christian leaders condemning it. That is not an accident.
He, then, also dismisses Utilitarianism because it is not based on Divine revelation (pp. 96) and then claims that ethicists replace God with ethics, Long argues. He also says that the 20th century can exemplify that "secularism failed" (99). Overall, not a great synopsis of Christian Ethics, in my humble view.
That aside, I was not expecting this book to be the way it is. Long addresses Virtue Ethics and how it differs with Christian Ethics. He then says that a crucial element to the Christian idea of morality are a) the Trinity, and b) the Resurrection. This is where the book starts to get somewhat tediously theological rather than descriptive about the true nature of Christian Ethics.
To be honest, I expected a brief synopsis of the major Christian figures' understanding of ethics, such as that of Augustine, Aquinas, Calvin, then Luther, then perhaps Wesley & Spurgeon, to modern-day Evangelicalism. But Long's approach was much more ambiguous.
.
.
He claims that the crusades, the Witch Hunt, & the Inquisition are not correlated with Christian claims (or lack thereof) about rights. He writes: "No official Church body still sanctions crusades, slavery, or the use of torture to investigate heretics, witches, or sinners (a practice that is, however, still justified by some 'civilized' secular nations against their enemies). Most of these corrections were internal to Christianity itself" (92).
This is just misleading. Witches were killed because the Bible ordained it. Slavery may have originated before Judaism & Christianity, but slavery was encouraged in the Bible. In the 17th century, for example, we have no record of an anti-slavery sermon or text from Christian leaders condemning it. That is not an accident.
He, then, also dismisses Utilitarianism because it is not based on Divine revelation (pp. 96) and then claims that ethicists replace God with ethics, Long argues. He also says that the 20th century can exemplify that "secularism failed" (99). Overall, not a great synopsis of Christian Ethics, in my humble view.
April 10, 2023
To my mind, a fine little introduction to Christian Ethics. I thought it was especially strong with respect to situating Christian Ethics/Theology within the story of Israel and the Old Testament, and facing head-on challenges related to colonialism/slavery etc. (at least for a 'very short introduction').
I feel compelled to argue, however, that the paragraph on 'Reformed Ethics' was little more than a series of rather silly caricatures. Still pretty good!
I feel compelled to argue, however, that the paragraph on 'Reformed Ethics' was little more than a series of rather silly caricatures. Still pretty good!
February 14, 2022
This book is what the title promises: a very short introduction into the topic of Christian ethics. I do not feel like I have a decent grasp on the subject yet, though. Instead, I feel like I swam in a small, cordoned-off pond that is part of a vast ocean. I feel no closer to understanding that ocean than if I had remained on the shore and looked out. My best guess about what that means is that it indicates that this book is best read in partnership with other books. While this may be a good primer or introduction, it certainly leaves a lot unsaid and untaught (which I know was its goal), so I don't think I would recommend this book as a solo read, but I do think it was a good way for me to be introduced to the topic at large before moving on to much larger, much more boring volumes.
August 8, 2024
A book for class this upcoming semester - 3.5, rounded down.
I appreciate the succinctness of this book. "A Very Short Introduction" is a very accurate subtitle, because it attempts to synthesize all of Christian ethics into about 109 pages. The first chapter set a great foundation for the rest of this work, and I felt like Long did a phenomenal job at capturing the vision of the story of the Gospel and why it proposes its own set of ethical visions/expectations for the community of God as they seek to be "bringers of the Kingdom"
Long ends the book with an analysis of the topics of sex, money and power, and how the church attempts to address these topics on a wide spectrum, but this quote sums up the book well. “So What is Christian ethics? It is the pursuit of God’s goodness by people ‘on the way’ to a city not built by human hands… it draws on all that is good in God’s creation and among the nations. But it also acknowledges that creatures cannot attain their true end without the gift of God’s own goodness... it is joining in Gods own intentions for creation by praying the prayer he taught us: ‘May your name be holy and may your kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven” (page, 121).
Looking forward to some other reads this semester!
I appreciate the succinctness of this book. "A Very Short Introduction" is a very accurate subtitle, because it attempts to synthesize all of Christian ethics into about 109 pages. The first chapter set a great foundation for the rest of this work, and I felt like Long did a phenomenal job at capturing the vision of the story of the Gospel and why it proposes its own set of ethical visions/expectations for the community of God as they seek to be "bringers of the Kingdom"
Long ends the book with an analysis of the topics of sex, money and power, and how the church attempts to address these topics on a wide spectrum, but this quote sums up the book well. “So What is Christian ethics? It is the pursuit of God’s goodness by people ‘on the way’ to a city not built by human hands… it draws on all that is good in God’s creation and among the nations. But it also acknowledges that creatures cannot attain their true end without the gift of God’s own goodness... it is joining in Gods own intentions for creation by praying the prayer he taught us: ‘May your name be holy and may your kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven” (page, 121).
Looking forward to some other reads this semester!
September 3, 2022
A potent little introduction that covers a lot of ground in 120ish pages. Chapter 3 may be a bit much for readers without a background in theology or philosophy. He has his biases; there is a lot of Catholic moral theology here, and an affinity for virtue theory; he also overstates the importance of the Anabaptist tradition, but this is to be expected by those influenced by Hauerwas.
Overall a solid intro for what it is, even giving me some new conceptual frameworks and interesting anecdotes to discuss complex topics.
Overall a solid intro for what it is, even giving me some new conceptual frameworks and interesting anecdotes to discuss complex topics.
did-not-finish
July 22, 2025Soft DNF, as I haven't returned to this book since I first started it. I need to take it back to the library on the 25th, and I have four other library books that need to be read before then.
October 18, 2025
Good overview
It was an easy read for a seminary class. It hits the major points. My favorite section was about the author trying to make 2 dollar bills fructify.
It was an easy read for a seminary class. It hits the major points. My favorite section was about the author trying to make 2 dollar bills fructify.
July 5, 2021
not for me
I do like that Long has a relationship to Radical orthodoxy, which he evidently used as a basis for his work, The Divine Economy: Theology and Market. I find that intriguing.
But, I did not like the organization or flow of this book. Maybe a different editor would have helped? It certainly is not enjoyable, so why read it when so many other options are out there?
I do like that Long has a relationship to Radical orthodoxy, which he evidently used as a basis for his work, The Divine Economy: Theology and Market. I find that intriguing.
But, I did not like the organization or flow of this book. Maybe a different editor would have helped? It certainly is not enjoyable, so why read it when so many other options are out there?
August 21, 2017
Think I'd have to read this over again when I've got a bit more functioning mental bandwidth to get the most out of it. interesting all the same.
December 29, 2022
Perhaps I was expected too much of a very short introduction, but I was none the wiser for one of my main reasons for reading this book, which was to figure out how conversations in *Christian* ethics connect to the broader ethics conversations (especially analytic secular ethics or even theistic metaethics). Throughout the book, I constantly found myself asking, "Why is he talking about this and not that, how did we get here, why are we here, and where are we going?" I learned a number of curious tidbits for sure, so parts were very interesting. I wish it was more obviously systematic in its approach, or at least would motivate its organizational structure and the selective treatment that it gave.
The book is four chapters:
1) the sources of Christian ethics (on how Christian ethics developed especially from virtue ethics and Stoic natural law from Greek and Roman philosophers, and then random important biblical aspects with theological virtues, fruits of the spirit, and gifts)
2) the history of Christian ethics (especially focusing on Catholic vs Protestant ethics and various interdenominational ethical debates within these + Orthodox too)
3) Christian ethics in and beyond modernity (talks about postmodern concerns about truth, the death of God in ethics, etc.)
4) sex, money, and power: some questions for Christian ethics (various applied questions, such as on sexuality, charity and economics, and political involvement and just war theory).
The author was clearly Catholic, but he was not polemical in nature (except at a point where he said Luther's view of justification "could call 'ethics' into question altogether," which is silly). The book emphasized the theological aspects, and it was more like moral theology rather than Christian moral philosophy (which made it more frilly and less rigorous or easily intelligible in my view).
I do think the summary of Christian ethics was nice which was about being set apart from the nations so that we can then bless the nations, all ultimately so that we can set apart God's name as holy and worshiped. I appreciate the frequent reference back to this fundamental theme.
Overall, it was an okay read, but I would recommend Christian Ethics and Moral Philosophy: An Introduction to Issues and Approaches as a better intro book to Christian ethics.
The book is four chapters:
1) the sources of Christian ethics (on how Christian ethics developed especially from virtue ethics and Stoic natural law from Greek and Roman philosophers, and then random important biblical aspects with theological virtues, fruits of the spirit, and gifts)
2) the history of Christian ethics (especially focusing on Catholic vs Protestant ethics and various interdenominational ethical debates within these + Orthodox too)
3) Christian ethics in and beyond modernity (talks about postmodern concerns about truth, the death of God in ethics, etc.)
4) sex, money, and power: some questions for Christian ethics (various applied questions, such as on sexuality, charity and economics, and political involvement and just war theory).
The author was clearly Catholic, but he was not polemical in nature (except at a point where he said Luther's view of justification "could call 'ethics' into question altogether," which is silly). The book emphasized the theological aspects, and it was more like moral theology rather than Christian moral philosophy (which made it more frilly and less rigorous or easily intelligible in my view).
I do think the summary of Christian ethics was nice which was about being set apart from the nations so that we can then bless the nations, all ultimately so that we can set apart God's name as holy and worshiped. I appreciate the frequent reference back to this fundamental theme.
Overall, it was an okay read, but I would recommend Christian Ethics and Moral Philosophy: An Introduction to Issues and Approaches as a better intro book to Christian ethics.
July 28, 2021
It's clear that the concept of Christian Ethics is, at best, convoluted as each ethical question has been interpreted and reinterpreted from scripture over the centuries. In truth though, Christian Ethics is incoherent and entirely relative. Slavery was OK, now it is not. Homosexuality was definitely not OK, now some Christians are not so sure. When the author compares the use of fetal tissue in medical research to cannibalism, I can only conclude that he is clutching at scriptural straws.
Hence, I finished this book none the wiser as to what represents Christian Ethics, but untroubled by this inevitable conclusion.
Hence, I finished this book none the wiser as to what represents Christian Ethics, but untroubled by this inevitable conclusion.
August 22, 2024
Listened to the audiobook. It seems according to Long, Christian ethics is a type of virtue ethics transformed by theological virtues and based on a eudaemonia that is found in relationship with God revealed in Jesus. This eudaemonia is different from Aristotle’s because it requires supernatural grace to achieve. I enjoyed the book but thought it was heavy on historical theology and light on ethics. I wish it took the same structure as the Very Short Introduction to Buddhist ethics.
June 23, 2025
Great introduction. Took me a while to get used to the vocabulary. Has given me topics to research further. It helped give context to how people think currently regarding current events and how beliefs pivoter in the last century. Some parts regarding human atrocities were introduced and dealt with very abruptly and felt like it suffered from bias. As I'm not an expert on this field, I wouldn't be able to fully condemn particularly ideas yet, so other reviewers can provide more insight.
January 7, 2018
Sometimes, when you see a series of books which have the word introduction in them, there is a concern that not all books would justify being in the series. I’m pleased to say this is not the case with this book. It’s a great little introduction and would help any Christian who is looking to understand the basis upon which any moral decision can be made.
January 30, 2018
A very short introduction indeed, but I found it useful. I specially liked the simple explanation that the author offers or Gifts (Isaiah 11), Theological Virtues (I Cor 13 and Aristotle), Beatitudes and the Fruits of the Spirit; and how they have helped people from different traditions build different variations of Christian ethics.
April 28, 2022
I love these books! They provide a concise overview of your chosen topic but stop short at drowning you in a sea of abstract terminology and concepts. This book on Christian Ethics is another example. Concise but deeply insightful with regards to the discipline overall. It provides a very helpful roadmap to help navigate further reading.
August 9, 2024
I read this book while waiting for my text books for my Christian Ethics class to arrive. Despite being a short introduction, it is a comprehensive and a good primer for anyone taking a class on Christian ethics.
March 9, 2025
Well, not every Very Short Introduction can be good.
August 7, 2012
Christian ethics, writes theologian D. Stephen Long, is the pursuit of God's goodness by people "on the way" to a city not built by human hands. The cultivation of practical wisdom that comes from diverse sources, it draws on all that is good in God's creation and among the nations. In this Very Short Introduction, Long examines these diverse sources, discusses the relationship between Christian, modern, and postmodern ethics, and explores practical issues including sex, money, and power. The book also examines some of the failures of the Christian tradition, including the crusades, the conquest, slavery, inquisitions, and the Galileo affair. Placing them in the context of the theory and practice of ethics and their historical perspective, Long notes the challenges they raise for Christian ethics. He concludes with a discussion of their implications in the modern era, considering how this affects our lives in the present age. Long recognizes the inherent difficulties in bringing together "Christian" and "ethics" but argues that this is an important task for both the Christian faith and for ethics.
April 12, 2017
Ethics is really just a fancy word philosophers use for the various answers to the question, 'What should we do?' Starting with the idea of 'Christian', the question is not all that difficult to answer. Despite what many people think (especially today), Christian or otherwise, there has always been a more-or-less uncomplicated agreement - save for quibbling over details and motives - among Christians about What We Should Do, the difficulty being that of actually doing it.
Dr Long's book is mainly about the quibbling over details and motives. He draws on a variety of sources, not just the Bible but Aristotle and many theological authors over the centuries. When I told a friend I was reading this, she said, 'Oh, but you know it all already!' She was quite mistaken; there is a good deal for most people to learn here. It would perhaps have been better to see more examples of the interface between Christian ideas about ethics and how they have worked out in practice - Christianity is, after all, a religion, not an academic thought-experiment - but otherwise Long's analysis is commendable.
Dr Long's book is mainly about the quibbling over details and motives. He draws on a variety of sources, not just the Bible but Aristotle and many theological authors over the centuries. When I told a friend I was reading this, she said, 'Oh, but you know it all already!' She was quite mistaken; there is a good deal for most people to learn here. It would perhaps have been better to see more examples of the interface between Christian ideas about ethics and how they have worked out in practice - Christianity is, after all, a religion, not an academic thought-experiment - but otherwise Long's analysis is commendable.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews