Living in Grace

Content

In recent years, the Church's witness has been overshadowed at times by its struggles with painful ethical controversies, facing apparently stark choices between 'keeping the law' or 'doing what love demands'. At the same time, in our post-Christian, multi-faith culture, we urgently need to find common ground on which to base shared values for society.

Can the Bible help us in these circumstances? Is it the ultimate book of rules to be obeyed - or is it telling us simply to follow 'the way of love'? Can we take the biblical call to holiness seriously without becoming modern-day Pharisees and respond to the awesome responsibility of the Christian's radical freedom from living under the law?

This book looks at people in real, complex life situations and at specific passages from the New Testament, and demonstrates how the teaching of both Jesus and the apostle Paul in fact reveals a third way, transcending both legalism and a kind of hedonism. It shows how the ancient, rediscovered notion of Virtue Ethics can help lead us through hard personal decisions and painful ethical dilemmas. The author argues that in following this third way, we must heed the Bible's challenging call to let God's Spirit change us, so that we learn to 'live well', with the fruit of the Spirit manifest in our lives. View items in similar categories

• Pastoral Ministry

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Author info

Dr Claire Disbrey has recently retired as an Associate Lecturer for the Open University, teaching Religious Studies to undergraduates, and is the Associate Warden of Readers for the Edmonton area of London Diocese. She has written Listening to People of Other Faiths for BRF (2004), as well as contributing to a number of Christian publications including The Church of England Newspaper and Third Way.

• View other titles by Claire Disbrey

Reviews

From: Franciscan - January 2009

How can we know the right course of action when we have an ethical dilemma? Does the Bible still help us? What 'rules' of moral behaviour are appropriate for Christians? Living in Grace suggests that virtues like faithfulness, generosity, honesty, caring, integrity, justice, mercy and gratitude can form the basis of good decision making with regard to the moral questions we face. After a brief introduction to the philosophy of ethics and the perspective of Virtue Ethics, there are six examples of complex ethical situations - remarriage, suicide, truth-telling, abortion, obedience to parents, an unexpected inheritance - each of which looks at a passage from the New Testament and considers the situation from the point of view of rule-based ethics, the ethics of consequences, and Virtue Ethics. Each example is followed by a short discussion from a Christian perspective of one of the main virtues that was involved in the decision - righteousness, freedom, wisdom, love, peace and grace. A concluding section evaluates Virtue Ethics as a way to avoid the polarization of much ethical thinking and as a tool for use in the church. There is a short study guide offering questions and further biblical references to explore the issues raised in the three sections of the book.

This could be a valuable book for priests and those who are involved with guiding others in pastoral situations. It is easily readable, without jargon, and with a clear belief in the Bible to guide us in living well.

Reviewed by Maureen, CSF

From: The Reader - Autumn 2007 The emphasis of this book is on morality for the present rather than on adherence to an established code or on anticipating the consequences of one's actions. The virtues considered include honesty, generosity, courage, wisdom, love and peace. For a Christian these are the works of the Spirit. A central part of this book is a series of stories which illustrate how biblical material can contribute to the guidance needed to deal with some of the ethical dilemmas which may confront us. These include second marriage, suicide, abortion, taking part in demonstrations, and using a legacy. The author finally considers the impact of ethics on law making. This is a stimulating book which provides material for the consideration of a variety of ethical issues which confront us. Reviewed by George Macknelly From: Woman Alive - June 07 This book seeks to offer a way of dealing with difficult ethical issues by looking at fictitious people in real, complex life situations from divorce to abortion, suicide to war. Claire introduces the concept of 'virtue ethics', and shows how the teachings of both Jesus and Paul can help us through hard personal decisions and painful ethical dilemmas.

Book details

• ISBN: 9781841014036
• Published: 16 March 2007
• Status:
• Format: Paperback
• Pages: 192