A revised and expanded edition of the text that presents a justice-based ethics that avails itself of the perspectives and experiences of those on the margins.

In this revised edition of an established classroom text, De La Torre furthers his argument that the pain and suffering of people who have been marginalized continues to inform a perspective that holds a greater grasp of reality than those who are more privileged by power and profit. He continues the method of theory and case studies from earlier editions, updating the cases for the 3rd edition. In Part IV, the chapter entitled "Private Property" that appeared in the 2nd edition has been removed in the 3rd edition. Also in that part, the chapters on affirmative action and sexism have been re-ordered so that the chapter entitled "Affirmative Action" is the last chapter before the conclusion. In the 3rd edition, there is a fuller conclusion than the 2nd edition's epilogue.

Miguel De La Torre opens up Christian ethics to the rich diversity found among those who are often excluded from academic and Eurocentric ethical considerations. This book seeks to help students realize that because the gospel message itself was proclaimed to the marginalized peoples of Judea, the people who occupy the same disenfranchised spaces in our contemporary cultures are the ones who hold the interpretive key to understanding that gospel message. The binding effects of power and privilege (institutional or not) can be overcome by a justice-based ethics that avails itself of the perspectives and experiences of those on the margins. -- Provided by publisher.

How should Augustine, Aquinas, Bonhoeffer, Kant, Nietzsche, and Plato be read today, in light of postcolonial theory and twenty-first-century understandings? This book offers a reader-friendly introduction to Christian liberationist ethics by having scholars "from the margins" explore how questions of race and gender should be brought to bear on twenty-four classic ethicists and philosophers. Each short chapter gives historical background for the thinker, describes that thinker's most important contributions, then raises issues of concern for women and persons of color. Contributors include George (Tink) Tinker, Asante U. Todd, Traci West, Darryl Trimiew, Ada María Isasi-Díaz, Robyn Henderson-Espinoza, and many others.

When a reluctant Jonah finally entered Nineveh to announce God's grace to the powerful Assyrian empire, God brought about reconciliation between the oppressors and the oppressed. Today, too, the world is inhabited by both oppressors and oppressed, and in desperate need of reconciliation--between different ethnic backgrounds, socio-economic levels, and gender and sexual orientations. Liberating Jonah describes the significant role that can be played by the underrepresented and oppressed as instruments of reconciliation today. Accessible language makes this book appropriate for undergraduate classrooms as well as church study groups.

Continuing the unbroken conversation on ethics that has endured across the Christian generations, David Oki Ahearn and Peter R. Gathje present Doing Right and Being Good. For Ahearn and Gathje, ethics is the critical reflection on morality, focusing on our beliefs, our practices, our held values. In addition to the book's wide-reaching selected readings, Ahearn and Gathje offer introductions to each chapter which provide extensive overviews and establish contexts for moral issues over which sincere Christians differ. The authors examine two broad understandings of ethics: that of doing right (understanding the difference between right and wrong) and being good (specific personal traits). Acknowledging a shared history between Protestant and Roman Catholic traditions, this book takes both historical and ecumenical approaches to ethics. Engaging, and informational, Doing Right and Being Good aims at providing constructive reflection and dialogue to all readers, regardless of background. Chapters are: The Moral Person," *Sources of Christian Ethics, - *Interpretations of Love and Justice, - *Marriage, Family, and Sexuality, - *Political Life and the Problem of Violence, - *Stewardship: Work, Property, and the Environment, - *Christian Love at the Margins of Life. - David Oki Ahearn, PhD, an ordained member of the United Methodist Clergy, serves as associate professor of religion and philosophy, as well as chair of the division of humanities and social sciences at LaGrange College in LaGrange, Georgia. Peter Gathje, PhD, is associate professor of religion at Christian Brothers University, in Memphis. He also serves as chair for the department of religion and philosophy, director of De Lassalle Center for Teaching and Religion, and director of the peace studies program.

Too often, says Nigel Biggar, contemporary Christian ethics poses a false choice either conservative theological integrity or liberal secular consensus. Behaving in Public explains both why and how Christians should resist these polar options. Informed by a frankly Christian theological vision of moral life and so turning toward the world with openness and curiosity, Biggar s succinct argument charts a third way forward. Common sense is usually bland and boring. Nigel Biggar s book Behaving in Public, however, is full of common sense that is anything but bland and boring. That s because Biggar employs his common sense polemically to show what s deficient in one and another position on speaking as a Christian in public, and to point to alternatives. Over and over I found myself saying, Yes, of course; he s right. This is a wonderfully fresh, perceptive, and sensible discussion. Nicholas Wolterstorff Yale University How can the church witness effectively in public debates in modern, mostly secular societies, without either losing its integrity or imposing its perspectives on others? In this important new book Nigel Biggar maintains that the integrity of the Christian message should not be confused with distinctiveness. . . . Offers a nuanced yet demanding position on the public role of the church, cutting through unhelpful dichotomies and reminding us that theological seriousness need not be sectarian or intolerant. Jean Porter University of Notre Dame Clear in thought, elegant in expression, and generous in dialogue, this book offers a new and convincing approach to Christian ethics. . . . Biggar argues for the integrity of a mature, discriminating, nonmoralizing Christian ethics which is inspired and equipped for critical engagement with the church and the wider public and which cares about the flourishing of both. Werner G. Jeanrond University of Glasgow Behaving in Public shows people who care about public life how to combine theological integrity and political effectiveness. . . . This is a theology that offers an alternative to today s polarized politics. Robin W. Lovin Southern Methodist University

An intelligent discussion of the foundations and methods in ethics and ways to apply a Christian worldview to our secular culture.

Within the Christian community at large there is often little correlation between scriptural guidelines for Christian living and the lifestyle practices and behavior of believers. Christian social scientist, George Barna, has done extensive research in this area that reveals alarming data. For example, nearly nine of ten adults state that religious faith is very important in their lives. However, only one in five adults claims that the Bible is the dominant influence in their decisions regarding lifestyle practices. Further research suggests that there is often little difference between the lifestyle practices of Christians and non-Christians. This nominal difference in lifestyle practices and behavior between Christians and non-Christians, as well as the minimal correlation between Scripture and practice among many Christians, produced an interest in this area of practical theology. Serving as a Christian pastor over the past two decades, the reality of Barnas research has been observed personally. The biblical parallel of the prevailing apathy within todays churches is seen in Judges 21:25 (NASB), In those days there was no king in Israel, everyone did what was right in his own eyes. That is, in those days there was no accepted standard of truth. Likewise, only one in four American adults believes in the existence of absolute truth. As a result, the relationship between doctrine and practice, belief and behavior, is often minimal, with many Christians doing only what is right in their own eyes, rather than allowing Gods Word to influence their mode of living. A distinct relationship between belief and behavior is seen in I Timothy 4:16. In this passage, Paul clearly identifies a correlation between what one believes (doctrine) and the lifestyle (behavior) one lives when he writes, Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers. From this verse it is clear that there are two areas in the life of the Christian that need to be scrutinized and pursued, namely, belief and behavior. The fundamental thesis of this book is that a deeper understanding of Christian ethics will inform and facilitate the Christian life.

This survey text for religious ethics and theological ethics courses explores how ethical concepts defined as liberationist, which initially was a Latin American Catholic phenomenon, is presently manifest around the globe and within the United States across different racial, ethnic, and gender groups. Authored by several contributors, this book elucidates how the powerless and disenfranchised within marginalized communities employ their religious beliefs to articulate a liberationist/liberative religious ethical perspective. Students will thus comprehend the diversity existing within the liberative ethical discourse and know which scholars and texts to read and will encounter practical ways to further social justice.