BOOK REVIEW

CHRISTIAN
ETHICS
A Very Short Introduction
by D. Stephen Long

Presented by-

Md. Sazzad Hossain

Roll: 802, Section: H

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 Title
Christian Ethics- A Very Short Introduction

About the Author

Professor of Ethics;
an expert in systematic theology, Christian Ethics and Political theology;

Publisher
OXFORD University Press, UK

Other
Number of Pages: 152 (Paperback);
Price: $11.95 in US

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 Purpose of the Book
Very Short Christian Ethics-
Introduction A Very Short
Series Introduction
●
Changes the way of To give a brief
●

thinking about things overview of Ethics

that interests;
●
Perfect introduction to
in Christianity for
subjects previously the newcomers in
knew nothing about; this field;
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 Book Outline
The book contains 4 chapters-
Introduction

1. The sources of Christian ethics

2. The history of Christian ethics

3. Christian ethics in and beyond modernity

4. Sex, money, and power: some questions for Christian ethics

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 Overview of the Book
Short History
Basic Sources of Christian Ethics

Contemporary Issues
Failures in Christian Traditions
Christian Ethics in Modern Era

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 Does modern ethics emerge as a result of the failure of Christian moral claims?

Yet Long is concerned more with explaining how Christianity can be ethical
rather than vice versa. 

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 What is Ethics?
Ethics is a system of moral principles. They affect
how people make decisions and lead their lives.

Moral
God and cost-
Religion benefit
analysis
Example of
Conscience
good
and
human
Intuition
beings

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 Sources of Christian Ethics

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 Critical Review
40,000 Words
Vast issue of ethics in Christianity;
Ancient Greek and Judaism roots to the complexities of
modern days;

Essential Themes
Virtue and Natural Law;
Relationship between Nature and Grace;
Balance between depth and breadth
Covered few things better, rather than discussing
everything in a superficial manner;
Exception: ‘Catholics Ethics’, ‘Angelic Ethics’;

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 Critical Review

Can serve as a very useful 'very short introduction to Catholic ethics' for those
who have been exposed only to the Protestant tradition.

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 Critical Review
Virtue Ethics Christian idea of Morality

Christian Ethics Trinity Resurrection

Tediously theological rather

than true nature

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 Critical Review

Augustine  Aquinas Luther

Known for combining theological principles of faiths with the
philosophical principles of reasons;
More details about them would have been appreciated.
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 Critical Review
Long fails to acknowledge fully the Church's’ Contribution to-

Crusades

Inquisitions

Persecution of Science Men

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 Critical Review
“Perhaps religion returned, for good or ill, in
our postmodern culture because secularism
so obviously failed.” –Stephen D. Long

Is that so?

Is Vatican not getting soft on fundamental rights like

same sex marriage due to the uprising of secular
movement?
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 Critical Review

Purpose of Sex
Unity Procreation Fidelity

Why do certain clergies have to practice celibacy?

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 Critical Review

Long is more straightforward in criticizing

Christian beliefs for the ethical failures of
churches and other Christian institutions;

Banner was apologetic in tones and styles;

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 Conclusion
a good edition in this series;

moderately good book for neophyte;

Could offer more with some modifications;

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