Christian Moral Realism
Natural Law, Narrative, Virtue, and the Gospel
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Hardback
£170.00
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Publisher: Oxford University Press
ISBN: 9780198270201
Number of Pages: 384
Published: 08/03/2001
Width: 14.6 cm
Height: 22.4 cm
Christian Moral Realism describes the shape of a Christian ethic that arises from a conversation between contemporary accounts of natural law theory, narrative and virtue ethics; and an insistence that any Christian ethic begin with a distinctively Christian description of reality. The key partners in this conversation are the leading Christian ethicists, Germain Grisez, Stanley Hauerwas and Oliver O'Donovan. The ethic that emerges from this conversation seeks to resolve the tensions in Christian ethics between creation and eschatology, narrative and natural law, objectivity and relativity, the cultivation of virtue and a focus on the resolution of moral dilemmas. In defence of its philosophical foundations, this book argues that a thoroughly realist ethic can respect the logical claim that no 'ought' can be derived from 'is'. Dr Black moves from this analytic foundation to conclude that worship lies at the heart of a theologically grounded ethic whose central concern is the flourishing of the whole human person in community with both one another and God.
This book is an important study of the key features of the ethical systems espoused by the Grisez School, Stanley Hauerwas and Oliver O'Donovan, and the points at which there is disagreement between the three perspectives. By bringing these positions into dialogue Black does a good job of indicating the strengths and weaknesses of the various systems. * Studies in Christian Ethics * ... the reader is led on a largely methodical journey which is both instructive and interesting ... this book will stimulate and challenge anyone with a knowledge of contemporary ethical method and an interest in the debates which take place in the field. * ANVIL * Each step in the argument is carefully prepared and thoroughly debated. As a guide to the theory of Christian ethics the book deserves a secure place on the shelf and should be frequently consulted. * Journal of Theological Studies *