W. Ross Hastings (Ph.D in Chemistry from Queen's University, Kingston; Pd.D in Theology from the University of St. Andrews, Scotland) is Sangwoo Youtong Chee Professor of Theology and Pastoral Theology at Regent College, Vancouver, B.C. He is author of several books including Missional Church; Jonathan Edwards and the Life of God; and Echoes of Coinherence.
'Ethics is never autonomous but always arises from a particular
narrative. Hastings cogently argues that Christian ethics must be
theological and therefore is Trinitarian, biblical, ecclesial, and
missional. A significant contribution to both Christian ethics and
theology.'
* DENNIS P. HOLLINGER, president emeritus and senior
distinguished professor of Christian ethics, Gordon-Conwell
Theological Seminary *
'In this thoroughly researched volume, Ross Hastings offers a
crackling compendium of fundamental theological criteria by which
Christians may guide their ethical reflection. The ideas contained
within these covers resonate with clear thinking as well as an
intriguing engagement with other leading modern theologians, public
controversies as well as the biblical sources.'
* PAUL ALLEN, academic dean and professor of theology, Corpus
Christi College *
'One of the most damaging legacies of modernity is the extent to
which Christian theologians have lost their evangelical nerve when
it comes to 'Christian' ethics. Fear of questioning universal
epistemic access to the moral law, confused accounts of the
conditions for repentance, and a concern to ratify accounts of the
state and its laws independently of the gospel have distracted
theologians from the recognition at the heart of the faith, namely,
that Jesus Christ is the key to understanding the totality of God's
purposes for human beings and thereby every facet of their
relationship to God and to each other. In this remarkable book,
Ross Hastings has the courage to think through the totality of
Christian ethics from its centre in the triune God and his radical
and liberating engagement with the contingent order in Jesus
Christ. Rather than defining ethics with reference to generic
assumptions about human purposiveness, it focuses on the one who
alone mediates God's creative purposes to humanity and who alone is
the true image of God the Father. Consequently, rather than turning
to some perceived natural order for guidance, Hastings interprets
our obligations in the light of our participation in the new
creation and in the life of the new humanity to which the
resurrection bears witness. The result is an approach to ethics
that is grace-oriented, liberating, and inspirational rather than
legalistic--that refuses to reduce Christian ethics to secular
humanism in religious guise. This is a courageous, cogent, and
convincing account of the radical and distinctive nature of
Christian ethics. Not only will it challenge, but it will inspire
and excite students, pastors, and theologians alike. What it
reminds us is that theological ethics is never more relevant than
when it actively witnesses to the gospel of Jesus Christ and
interprets its grounds accordingly.'
* ALAN J. TORRANCE, emeritus professor, University of St.
Andrews*
'Ross Hastings argues convincingly that Christian ethics must be
restored to its status as a profoundly theological discipline. In
making the case he offers us excellent perspectives on specific
topics in ethics--including some very pressing ones in contemporary
life. And there is more: refreshing insights on Trinitarian
thought, the church as the locus of moral reflection, the need for
grounding theology in careful biblical exposition, and the
relationship of morality to spirituality. An impressive and
refreshing book!'
* RICHARD J. MOUW, president emeritus, Fuller Theological
Seminary *
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