Readings in Christian Ethics: Volume 2: Issues and Applications

By Robert Rakestraw

Book Overview

What happens when ethical interpretations meet life? Readings sample divergent views on moral issues. Readers can work through case studies.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0801020565
• ISBN13: 9780801020568
• Release Date: January 2008
• Publisher: Baker Academic
• Length: 550 Pages
• Weight: 1.72 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 6.1" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

Helpful and comprehensive, but dated...

This review is for Volumes 1 and 2 of Clark and Rakestraw's "Readings in Christian Ethics." The strength of both volumes is their comprehensive nature. The format is a collection of essays, articles, and chapters from books written by a multitude of Christian thinkers like Alister McGrath, J.I. Packer, Norman Geisler, Donald Bloesch, Gordon Fee, Lewis Smedes, Stanley Hauerwas, Stanley Grenz, J.P. Moreland, Richard Foster, Ronald Sider, Charles Ryrie, and John Piper, among many others. This multiplicity of voices provides many different perspectives and prevents the book from settling on one particular approach or philosophy of Christian ethics. A primary strength of both volumes is their comprehensive nature. They cover a host of ethical theories and issues and discuss them from multiple positions. The contributors write thoughtfully, almost without exception, which helps to solidify the reality that ethical issues are complex and that knee-jerk, emotional reactions are inadequate for thoughtful Christians. A minor critique of Volume 1 is simply that it was extremely dense. Though its accessibility varied from author to author, many of the essays were rather baffling to understand. This may be nothing but a reflection of my own intellectual deficiencies, but I found the experience of reading this book to be utterly exhausting, which was disappointing for what seems to be intended as an introduction to the field of Christian ethics. Having waded my way through Volume 1, I learned a lot and was challenged in my own thinking about ethical methodology and issues. Volume 2 is significantly more accessible than Volume 1, so the experience of reading it was less laborious than its predecessor. Whereas Volume 1 is primarily about ethical theory, Volume 2 addresses specific issues, such as abortion, euthanasia, homosexuality, environmental care, and peace/war, among many others. My primary critique of both volumes, especially Volume 2 with its rather timely topics, is that the articles and essays are seriously dated. Though it was released in 1996, many of the articles were written in the 1970's or early to mid-1980's. For these sorts of timely and controversial issues, the language and arguments have changed dramatically from those dates. More recent writing would help to keep the conversation fresh and current. Nonetheless, these books are an extremely helpful guide for Christians who are interested in seriously wrestling with the complex ethical issues of our time. Though there are articles to irritate and provoke everyone, the opportunity to be challenged by a multiplicity of voices is invaluable. I am happy to recommend "Readings in Christian Ethics" as a helpful resource for all deep-thinking Christians.