Ethics in Religion Commons^™

Abortion And Virtue Ethics, Mathew Lu

Philosophy Faculty Publications

My goal here is to consider what contemporary virtue ethics can say about the problem of abortion. I begin by outlining virtue ethics in comparison to the two other dominant approaches in normative ethics. I then consider what some important virtue ethicists have said about abortion, especially the work of Rosalind Hursthouse. After recognizing the many contributions her analysis offers, I also note some of the deficiencies in her approach, particularly in her attempt to bracket the problems of fetal status and women’s rights. Finally, in light of these criticisms I attempt to extend a virtue ethics analysis to embrace …

"The Myth Of Religious Violence", William Cavanaugh

William T. Cavanaugh

No abstract provided.

Witness Of The Body: The Past, Present And Future Of Christian Martyrdom, Michael Budde

Michael Budde

In an age of suicide bombers and paranoid political rhetoric, the concept of martyrdom can make ordinary Christians uncomfortable or even squeamish, filled simultaneously with fascination and with dread. In Witness of the Body, twelve scholars from across academic disciplines and church traditions attempt to demystify Christian martyrdom and resituate it within the everyday practices of the church. Beginning with the earliest church history, they explore the place of martyrdom in the church through all ages and into the future. Throughout, they remind readers that Christian martyrdom is neither a quick ticket to heaven nor a cheap political ploy, but …

The Eerdmans Reader In Contemporary Political Theology, William Cavanaugh, Jeff Bailey, Craig Hovey

William T. Cavanaugh

No abstract provided.

Migrations Of The Holy: Theologies Of State And Church, William Cavanaugh

William T. Cavanaugh

Whether one thinks that “religion” continues to fade or has made a comeback in the contemporary world, there is a common notion that “religion” went away somewhere, at least in the West. But William Cavanaugh argues that religious fervor never left — it has only migrated toward a new object of worship. In Migrations of the Holy he examines the disconcerting modern transfer of sacred devotion from the church to the nation-state. In these chapters Cavanaugh cautions readers to be wary of a rigid separation of religion and politics that boxes in the church and sends citizens instead to the …

The Borders Of Baptism: Identities, Allegiances And The Church, Michael Budde

Michael Budde

Forthcoming

Martyrs And Anti-Martyrs: Reflections On Treason, Fidelity, And The Gospel, Michael Budde

Michael Budde

No abstract provided.

"The Invention Of Fanaticism", William Cavanaugh

William T. Cavanaugh

This article examines the Western construction of “religion” as passionate and non-rational. First, it summarizes the history of the category “religion” and the creation of the myth of religious violence. It then examines the construction of one of the stock characters of modernity, the religious fanatic, and shows how fanaticism migrated from an accusation against heretics to an accusation of intolerance, and from an indictment of false prophecy and belief to an indictment of an irrational and violent passion. The article then shows how the construction of “religious fanaticism” can promote secularist rationales for violence.

"God Bless America - Or Else", Michael Budde

Michael Budde

No abstract provided.

You Make All Things New, Scott R. Paeth

Scott R. Paeth

This article examines the way in which the theology of Jonathan Edwards can contrib- ute to the construction of a Christian approach to ecological ethics that maintains crucial elements of the Christian theological tradition. By way of comparison, the article begins with an examination of the work of Rosemary Radford Ruether, whose approach to dealing with the ecological implications of the Christian tradition diverges sharply from the perspective offered by Edwards, and provides a useful contrast to his approach. The article then turns to an extensive discussion of Edwards’ view of nature and the theology of creation, particularly the relationship …

The Need For An Augustinian Left, Scott Paeth

Scott R. Paeth

No abstract provided.

"Breaking Bread, Making Peace", William Cavanaugh

William T. Cavanaugh

No abstract provided.

Where Justice Meets Compassion: A Christian Assessment Of Illegal Immigration, Kevin Twain Lowery, Courtney Fuqua

Faculty Scholarship – Theology

This presentation examines the multifaceted problems created by illegal immigration, both those impacting United States citizens and those encountered by the immigrants themselves. Two main areas of focus are the economic and sociological effects of illegal immigration. Although there are many injustices surrounding illegal immigration that need to be rectified, Christian ethics demands that compassion be given precedence. In the end, we identify key issues that need to be addressed for a holistic solution to be reached.

The Prophet Jeremiah As Theological Symbol In The Book Of Jeremiah”, Gary E. Yates

Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary (1973-2015)

Timothy Polk has noted, “Nothing distinguishes the book of Jeremiah from earlier works of prophecy quite so much as the attention it devotes to the person of the prophet and the prominence it accords the prophetic ‘I’, and few things receive more scholarly comment.”1 More than simply providing a biographical or psychological portrait of the prophet, the book presents Jeremiah as a theological symbol who embodies in his person the word of Yahweh and the office of prophet. 2 In fact, the figure of Jeremiah is so central that a theology of the book of Jeremiah “cannot be formulated without …

Book Review: Daniel M. Bell, Jr., Just War As Christian Discipleship: Recentering The Tradition In The Church Rather Than The State, Brian Stiltner

Philosophy, Theology and Religious Studies Faculty Publications

From his conversations in church settings and classrooms, Daniel M. Bell, Jr. has observed that Christians by and large do not know the church’s just war tradition very well, but that they are receptive to learning about it. Most theologians would likely agree that they know a number of Christians who are hungry to see better thinking and more effective action in response to war in our time. Bell, a Lutheran seminary professor and ordained elder in the United Methodist Church, wrote this book to interpret ‘the just war tradition in terms of concrete practices that might contribute to the …

Shrewd As A Snake, Innocent As A Dove: The Ethics Of Missionary Dissimulation And Subterfuge, Larry Poston

Bible & Religion Educator Scholarship

Whenever I quote the above passage to my students as an illustration of the Bible’s ambiguity with respect to ethics, reactions always seem to be directed toward the phrase: “do not be overwicked…” The question is raised, usually with a timid smile: “Does this mean I can be a little bit wicked, then?”

Many Christians would have no trouble answering such a query: it would never be permissible to be “a little bit wicked.” More thoughtful Christians will ask the question, “What did Solomon mean by this statement? Why would he seemingly indicate that one can be ‘overly …

"Written On Their Hearts": Thinking With Luther About Scripture, Natural Law, And The Moral Life, Gary M. Simpson

Faculty Publications

Those who ignore Luther’s critical agility in moral reasoning based on natural law in favor of a reactionary turn to a regime of biblical law create “misery and tribulation,” as Luther lamented, and seriously enfeeble the Christian faith for life today. Christians rightly use their God-given powers of reason to work out affairs in the present order.

Making Decisions Based On Mission And Values, Scott Kelley

Mission and Ministry Publications

No abstract provided.

Making Decisions Based On Mission And Values, Scott Kelley

Scott Kelley

No abstract provided.

A Critique Of The Historiographical Construal Of America As A Christian Nation, John David Wilsey

SOR Faculty Publications and Presentations

The Christian America thesis has grown in popularity over the past thirty years. This essay will critique the Christian America thesis, and instead offer the assertion that America was founded as a nation with religious liberty. Six lines of critique of the Christian America thesis will be presented, and the essay will attempt to show the significance of religious freedom in the founding. America‘s history points to a mixture of sacred and secular ideas. The nation is defined more realistically by religious freedom rather than a Christian identity. Evangelicals can approach those who do not share their faith commitment in …