Book Review
LIBERTY UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF DIVINITY
Book Review/Critique
Reviving Evangelical Ethics
The Promises and Pitfalls of Classic Models of Morality
Submitted to Dr. Ronnie Campbell,
in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the completion of
THEO 650
Ethics and Christian Ministry
Jermaine Willis
THEO 650
April 29, 2018
Book Review
Table of contents
Introduction… ...........................................................................................................................3
Summary................................................................................................................................... 3
Analysis and Critique ................................................................................................................. 4
Conclusion… ............................................................................................................................. 8
Bibliography .............................................................................................................................. 9
Book Review
Introduction
Reuschling looking at misconceptions that with Christian ethics. The writer attempts to
engage the readers to understand the different elements that are apart of ethics. Reuschling
addresses three different classical theories used in Ethics. She incorporates the ethics to have the
reader see their position and what he or she needs to adjust or acknowledge where he or she is in
conjunction with ethics. Reuschling purposes define the different terms to evaluate the overall
moral outcomes that can help good decision making. Reuschling shows the readers different
perspective from other writers on ethics. The writer to engage to the reader on the aspect of
ethics, virtue, and morals. Reuschling wants to see the theories and understand the theories of
ethics and find their self in the writings. The writer took her time to research and write this book.
Reuschling wanted to address what Christian ethics was. The writer wanted to "articulate the
claims of theories that may conflict or diverge in significant ways from the Christian story that
has its own context its own assumptions, its own claim on individuals and communities who
profess to live by Christian morals. Second, Reuschling went ant to go in depth with the theories
and evaluate how the theories have taken in evangelical morality and ethical practices."111 Her
main going to have readers to see where they are and where they should be.
Summary
Reuschling evaluates Immanuel Kant, John Mills, and Aristotle positions on ethical
values, virtues, and morals. The writer navigates the through the theories to give readers a better
understanding of ethics and Christian ethics. Reuschling addresses the positive and negative
aspect of ethics. The writer defines the classic models of Morality. She brought clarity of what
they were and how the theories were developed. Reuschling pushes the importance of knowing
the scripture and living it. Obedience key to living a life of morals through living out the
1 Wyndy Corbin Reuschling, Reviving evangelical ethics: the promises and pitfalls of classic models of
morality, Baker Books, 2008, 11.
Book Review
scriptures. The writer demonstrates to readers to live a life that reflects the Kingdom of God as
Christ did. Our life is a witness to ours. Reuschling reiterates that Scriptures is the way to
reviving evangelical ethics. The writers stress that there is not a way to get around from obeying
the word of God. Critical Interaction
Classic Models of Morality
Reviving Evangelical Ethics was written by Wyndy Corbin Reuschling. She looks at the
promises and pitfalls of classic models of morality. The writer gives a description of Christian
ethics. She explains the meaning of Christian ethics. She presents three classical model some
morality: duty, utility, and virtue. She gives a brief overview of the views of Immanuel Kant,
John Mill, and Aristotle. The writer only gives the reader a bare minimum of the three ethical
positions. Reuschling briefly breaks down duty, utility, virtue. She looks at the positive and
negative aspects of these three ethical areas for Christians. The writer looks at Kant's position on
duty ethics. Reuschling is direct on what she shares with her readers. She presents the views of
Kant, Mills, and Aristotle. She shows the readers where the enlighteners agree and disagree. The
writers suggest that humanity will always act in a moral way. Reuschling looks at Utilitarian
from the position of Mills and Kant. She addresses why many Christians may favorite Mills
position on Utilitarianism. The writer causes the reader to think about if God's goal for humanity
is to be happy. Reuschling discusses how Utilitarianism have penetrated the views of the church
and believers. The writer looks at the positive and negative of virtue ethics. Reuschling appears
to be a bit complexed on this subject. The writer intertwined scripture what's the subject of
ethics. The writer shared what ethics is to her readers. She wanted her readers to understand what
the different standards of ethics and how the ethical stances were developed. Reuschling wants
her readers to see where they stand.
Trust and Obey? Another way for scripture and ethics
Book Review
Reuschling connects ethics and scriptures together for her readers. The writer discusses
Kant's position on Ethics. She addresses Kant separation of duty and God. The writer shows how
Kant separates ethics from God and Religion. Kant's system separates faith and reason, belief
and action, and salvation and morality. Also, Reuschling addresses the significance of scripture.
Reuschling states, "The Scriptures provide the way for us to understand who God is, God's
claims on our lives, and God's continual activity in the world."2 The writer addresses the truth
that is in the Bible that forms ethics. The Bible is the blueprint for believer’s life. Morality is
formed from the obedience of the scriptures. Morality is a duty. Reuschling shares, "Duty as a
moral criterion is a crucial one in ethics."3 Understanding scripture is vital to get to
understanding the meaning of the scripture and how to apply to one's life. Following the laws is
very important and is a duty. Reuschling impresses on the readers, "These practices that make
sense within the context of a moral community that understand the intention of these duties,
which go beyond mere obedience to divine commands to the evocation of virtues and goods that
create and sustain our moral lives."4 The key to life for humanity is obedience and obedience is a
moral duty. Reuschling suggests the Bible does not even need to be believed but simply
obeyed.69 God does not want us to do anything but to obey. Obedience should be apart Christian
practices. Obedience to God can open the floodgates of Heaven.
We've a Story to Tell: Which One and Why?
Reuschling looks at different practices that present morality theories. The writer looks at
utilitarianism in connection to human behavior. Humanity has the desire to be happy. The
principle of utility is that we are to pursue what will could she get the greatest happiness for the
2 Wyndy Corbin Reuschling, Reviving evangelical ethics: the promises and pitfalls of classic models of
morality, Baker Books, 2008, 70.
3 Ibid., 73.
4 Ibid., 77.
Book Review
greatest number of people.5 You cannot just do for one. Society has moved to just doing for me
and my mines. Society has done a paradigm shift from being community-based to being selfish.
Utilitarianism is for everyone to obtain happiness. Humanity's pursuit of happiness is not wrong
but should not be individualized. Happiness is for all. Scriptures form a moral life. Reuschling
references Stassen and Gushee discuss the Sermon on the Mount. According to Stassen and
Gushee present multiple dimensions of the moral life, such as moral vision, moral virtues, and
moral obligation oriented around the overarching narrative of the kingdom of God.6 Believers
have an obligation to living a life that represents Christ. Believers must for feral there more
responsibility for making disciples, living Holy and living a life pleasing to God. Christian faith
relates to ethical commitments and practices. These ethical commitment and practices have been
addressed throughout the Bible through the laws and Christ's call to be a disciple and make
disciples. The kingdom of God and utilitarianism may differ, but it gets humanity to unity and
come closer to God and His Glory. Sweet Hour of Prayer
Reuschling looks multifaceted of virtue. Virtual is very significant to be any part of life.
Aristotle's theory of virtue ethics is this: the acquisition of specific virtues, or those qualities that
make a person good, enables one to achieve a life of happiness, which is the end and substance
of the moral life.7 The virtues is the character of a person. The character of a person can either
make a person good or bad. Seeing how a person handles things can determine if this person is
good or bad or how that person is trying to achieve their happiness. Also, virtual can uncover the
5 Wyndy Corbin Reuschling, Reviving evangelical ethics: the promises and pitfalls of classic models of
morality, Baker Books, 2008, 91.
6 Ibid., 97.
7 Wyndy Corbin Reuschling, Reviving evangelical ethics: the promises and pitfalls of classic models of
morality, Baker Books, 2008, 116.
Book Review
integrity of an individual. Reuschling suggests, "The moral life is not a given but one that needs
to be nurtured and practiced by developing habits in light of an informal vision."8 Reuschling
made a connection with this process and the process of sanctification. Aristotle describes this as
the will of a human being in her or his aspiration and effort to be good as part of living the good
life. A person is not born with virtues but has gone through the process to develop good virtues.
Reuschling defines virtues are human qualities and characters that can be labeled "good" and to
which humans aspire because these qualities are good and crucial for living the good life. Human
qualities and characters can be developed through following the example of Jesus. Reuschling
alludes to the virtues that Jesus taught or demonstrated in the life he lived through His humanity
and in his social and personal interactions.9 Christ lived a life that was a model to all humanity.
The way the Christ lived his life is the same way that humanity should live their lives. Living the
life of holiness is of discipline and takes the Spirit of God to form that discipline to have a moral
foundation. People that around Christians are watching how Christian's behavior.
Reviving Evangelical Ethics
The reality is Christians may be the only Bible that people read. Christians have a mark on them
to live a certain way and people will hold them to that high standard. Living to the high standard
of having ethics is a duty of believers. Christians must be conscious of how they behave and
interact with people around them. Reuschling elaborated on developing consciences, "Moral
development requires the formation and use of conscience."10 Christians must make a stand for
what is right. Christians must live according to the Scriptures. Reuschling declares, "Conscience
requires more serious engagement with the richness and complexity of scripture, the strong
8 Ibid., 117.
9 Ibid., 123.
10 Wyndy Corbin Reuschling, Reviving evangelical ethics: the promises and pitfalls of classic models of
morality, Baker Books, 2008, 145.
Book Review
reliance on Christian community as a means for learning why and how to be moral, and the
necessity of practical wisdom and becoming competent in the exercise of our Christian moral
convictions."11 Scriptures are important tools to rely on to guide an individual's life. Scriptures
help individuals to know good from bad and right and wrong. Scriptures develop convictions
within an individual under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Scriptures help you to become aware
of things that are Holy and not Holy. Scripture gives insight into what is to come. Wisdom is
found in the Scriptures. Scripture gives vision and through scripture the vision is shaped,
inspired, orienting our moral vision.12 Scripture validates an individual if he or she is living Holy.
The best way to revive ethics is living out scripture. Through teaching the scripture to others can
help others that develop ethics virtue, and mortals.
Conclusion
I believe that Reuschling reached her goal. She was intentional about everything that she
shared with her readers. Research that she did Kate gave the readers a better understanding of
ethics and the different models of ethics. Her purpose was to show her readers where they were
to become better and make good moral decisions. The bible is to be followed to enhance a moral
life. Reuschling evaluates how Utilitarianism have penetrated the views of the church and
believers. The writer attempts to find a way for the readers to understand that the theory of
human desire to be happy and doing the great greater good for everyone. The writer looks at the
positive and negative of virtue ethics. Reuschling appears to be a bit complexed on this subject.
The subject of ethics maybe complex, but it clear that morality is essential in living the good life.
Christians have the duty to live out the scripture and share the scriptures to others. Others are
looking to Christians to see how they should live. Believers have the duty to share the word of
11 Ibid, 148.
12 Ibid., 151.
Book Review
God to non-believers. Christ lived a life that all humanity can model. "Moral development
requires the formation and use of conscience."13 The scripture helps develop a life that is pleasing
to God and character that forms morality.
Bibliography
Reuschling, Wyndy Corbin. Reviving evangelical ethics: the promises and pitfalls of classic
models of morality. Baker Books, 2008.
13 Wyndy Corbin Reuschling, Reviving evangelical ethics: the promises and pitfalls of classic models of
morality, Baker Books, 2008, 145.
