Introducing Christian Ethics

by Samuel Wells, Ben Quash

This comprehensive textbook offers an unparalleled introduction to the study of Christian Ethics, mapping and exploring all the major ethical approaches, and offering thoughtful insights into the complex moral challenges facing people today.

Genres: Theology, Christianity, Religion

400 pages, Paperback

First published March 8, 2010

About the author

Samuel Wells (PhD, University of Durham) is vicar of St. Martin-in-the-Fields Anglican Church at Trafalgar Square in London. He previously served as dean of the chapel and research professor of Christian ethics at Duke University. Wells is the author of several books, including Be Not Afraid, Improvisation: The Drama of Christian Ethics, and Transforming Fate into Destiny: The Theological Ethics of Stanley Hauerwas. He also coedited, with Stanley Hauerwas, The Blackwell Companion to Christian Ethics.

Reviews

[Stephen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Back in the early history of the Church, when, for many years, I taught ethics and moral theology, I was perplexed by my inability to find a satisfactory introductory text to assign to my students. Too many of the available textbooks assumed that beginning theologians were thoroughly versed in the classic pagan philosophers which, in my experience, they were not. The available texts were either arranged chronologically and therefor failed to demonstrate themes within the subject or were arranged thematically and failed to develop a sense of development of the field. Some included lengthy quotations from primary texts and other included none; the Wells and Quash text comes with a companion volume: "Christian Ethics: An Introductory Reader" (2010) which resolves this issue. The authors offer a novel analytical model within which to set ethical thinking, both Christian and secular. They analyze ethical thought as universal (applicable to all persons in every culture), subversive (the product of oppression) and ecclesial (growing out of the life of the Church). This works. It is highly unlikely that I will ever be asked to teach ethics and moral theology again but, if I were, I would most likely choose this pair of books as my assigned texts.

[Drew · Rating 4 out of 5]

A solid introduction to Christian Ethics. As a Duke grad I am biased to the perspective of the book (though I never had Wells), but it gives a good broad overview based on a helpful (if sometimes imprecise) typology. I used this for an undergraduate survey of Christian ethics. Depending on your students it may be a bit advanced for non-majors, but I will use it again most likely.

[Faith High]

Read the required 231 pages for an ethics class assignment(did not finish). 1 -2 stars for engagement (this reads like a textbook); 4.5 stars for good material and a comprehensive overview of Christian Ethics.

[Keri · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read the first half for our ethics class. It was hard to follow so it is hard to rate.

[Jane · Rating 3 out of 5]

Still looking for the perfect Ethics textbook. This isn't it. Too given over to typologies.

[Mac · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's a solid introduction, but I think that the the companion volume (Introducing Christian Ethics: A Reader) can stand on its own two feet without this volume.

[SD]

A+