The Good Life: Where Morality and Spirituality Converge

by Richard M. Gula

Morality and spirituality-at first blush they don't seem to be intimate partners. But spirituality is surely not relegated to the world of devotions, while the moral life should not be reduced to sins or individual acts of virtue. Based on the conviction that morality and spirituality converge when we explore the sort of persons we ought to become and the sort of lives we ought to lead, noted ethicist Richard Gula has written a simple, direct introduction to the Christian moral life. This work draws on four of the great biblical themes of Christian morality and spirituality to light up a vision of life and those virtues that constitute the biblical life. These biblical themes are being created in the image of God, (ch. 1); being a people of the covenant (chs. 2, 3, 4); being called to discipleship (ch. 5); and being a community of friends under the reign of God (ch. 6). The last chapter summarizes the vision of the good life. Each chapter ends with a variety of spiritual exercises which can enhance the connection between the moral life and the spiritual life. Lucid, concise, and without jargon, this book will make wonderful reflective reading for persons without a background in moral theology, for adult education groups, and high school and college classes. It is a powerful antidote to the strain of living in a consumer society. †

Genres: Theology, Religion

144 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 1999

Reviews

[Paul · Rating 3 out of 5]

Despite its self-helpy title, this is a decent exploration of how Christians attain the good life through a combination of God's grace, good friends and the cultivation of virtuous habits. Drawing from his Catholic background, Gula doesn't really delve much into the practical side of his arguments, but this short book nevertheless encourages its readers that the "good life" is not to be found either in capitalist materialism nor in "I'll fly away" anti-material spiritualism, but rather in cultivating right relationships with others, with creation and with God.

[Kevin · Rating 2 out of 5]

“The freedom of wanting to do what we do is the freedom that enables us to take our life into our own hands and to stand with our decisions. Such freedom is not the prerogative of only great people in history, it is also for us” (89).

"Another American who had to struggle with this teaching of Jesus about loving your enemies is Terry Anderson, one of the Americans held hostage in Iran for six and a half years. If there is anyone who has been challenged to love his enemies, he certainly was. He says this:
We can't separate the thing we do from what we are; hate the sin and love the sinner is not a concept I'll ever really understand. I'll never love him--I'm not Christ. But I'll try to achieve forgiveness, because I know that in the end, as always, Christ was right." (107)

[Tucker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short little book from a Catholic perspective, written in clear, simple language. Breaks down a number of common virtues, summed up at the end (humility, gratitude, self-esteem, justice, solidarity, fidelity and trust, hope, forgiveness, hospitality) illustrated by a few anecdotes.

[Olivia]

Christian Ethics

[grace copps]

read for my intro to christian ethics class

[Ray A. · Rating 2 out of 5]

Chapters 6 and 7 redeem the book. "Conversion reorients our way of seeing, thinking, feeling, judging, and acting," says Gula. This is what AA suggests about a spiritual awakening, and what Practice These Principles makes explicit and develops into a concrete and comprehensive account of how we can change and grow spiritually, morally, and emotionally.

[Patti Clement · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my required textbooks for my Moral Theology course. I loved it! Author did a great job demonstrating how leading a moral life is really about living out of the abundance of being loved by God unconditionally resulting in actions that make life richer for everyone. Love, love, love the connection between morality and spirituality!