Ethics Beyond Rules

An introduction to ethics that will help Christians rediscover a moral reasoning rooted in Scripture and navigate the ethical crises of our time.

How should Christians live How should we interact with one another Why do we think the way we do about right and wrong How should we approach today's complex moral questions Keith Stanglin realigns our ethical thinking around the central question: What does real love require applying it to our ethical reasoning on many of the social issues present in today's culture:

• abortion
• sexual ethics
• consumerism
• technology
• race
• and politics

Moral evaluation must be based on more than our subjective feelings or the received wisdom or majority opinion of our community. But thinking objectively and reasonably about our ethical commitments is a process that's rarely taught in contemporary education or even in churches.

Ethics Beyond Rules is a clear and accessible introduction for thoughtful Christians who want to lead moral lives—who want to define their moral code by firm biblical standards while acknowledging the complex nature of the issues at hand. Stanglin's love-based framework for moral decision-making engages Scripture and the historic Christian faith, giving Christians the tools to clear-mindedly consider the ethical problems of today and the foundation to confront new issues in the years to come.

“'Stanglin in Ethics beyond Rules lays bare all the pseudo-foundations of the moral relativism that has gripped our culture. Tragically, even the church has been caught in the quicksand of this moral malaise and needs a fresh vision and renewed understanding of biblical ethics. Stanglin provides it in a refreshing and compelling way, focusing on many of the most pressing issues of our day. It is engagingly written, persuasively argued, and decisively relevant. Every Christian should purchase two copies, one to read, and one to give to a friend, because this book is that good.'”

'Ethics beyond Rules is a clarion call to wake up a sleepy Church and to exhort Christians to become 'loving resistance fighters.' Drawing from Scripture, tradition, history, science, and human experience, Stanglin offers an articulate defense of the church's ageless teaching and challenges Christians everywhere to sanctify rather than submit to an increasingly secular culture.' DeAnn Stuart, associate director of curriculum, Austin Institute for the Study of Family and Culture
'Ethics beyond Rules is a readable, insightful book. It offers guidance for Christian disciples living in a quickly changing and increasingly morally confused culture. Keith Stanglin provides both a solid framework and grounding principles for a clear, biblically informed ethic on living wisely and well. Then with balance, courage, and grace, he applies those principles to such relevant topics as race and sexuality. Finally, he exhorts us to take our calling as salt and light seriously, engaging in the spiritual and cultural challenges of our day as 'loving resistance fighters.' I am very pleased to recommend this fine book.' Paul Copan, Pledger Family Chair of Philosophy and Ethics, Palm Beach Atlantic University, and author of Loving Wisdom: A Guide to Philosophy and Christian Faith
'Ethics beyond Rules is deceptively easy to read, but the discerning reader will notice the way in which Keith Stanglin has taken the ethical insights of such luminaries as Aristotle, Plato, Augustine of Hippo, and Thomas Aquinas and made them accessible to everyone, while also fully integrating this history of ethics with the inspired teaching of the Christian Scriptures. In doing this, Stanglin has produced a much needed volume of Christian ethics, one that will equip pastors and laity alike in living holy lives while also guiding others toward the same. This volume is not only a corrective to the erroneous moral theology so common today but a map for those who desire to love God and their neighbor wholeheartedly.' Greg Peters, professor, Torrey Honors College, Biola University
'Ethics beyond Rules is exactly the right book in exactly the right moment for every Christian, especially in a world increasingly untethered from biblical faith. Beautifully written and intensely engaging, it examines the contentious issues of our time through the only lens that matters: What does Christian love require? Here is a book for every man and woman of faith--but also for those of no faith, because its decency and compassion refute once and for all the anti-Christian caricatures of our time.' Mary Eberstadt, Panula Chair in Christian Culture, Catholic Information Center, Washington, DC, author of Primal Screams and How the West Really Lost God
'Ethics beyond Rules is the product of wide reading and careful Christian thinking. Readers will find in it both the sorts of considerations that matter in moral reasoning and a discussion of many of the ethical issues that are central to human life--all of this done in a way that takes seriously not only natural reason but also Christian Scripture and tradition. Stanglin approaches disputed moral problems in thoughtful, often imaginative ways that will be accessible to many sorts of readers.' Gilbert Meilaender, senior research professor of theology, Valparaiso University
'Kudos to Keith Stanglin for the courage, intelligence, and love it took to write this crucial tract for the times. It is full of Christian wisdom about how we ought to live and interact with one another in nearly every sphere of life. I applaud the way it orients our ethical reflection in relation to the question, 'What does real love require?' If more of us attended to that question more regularly, deeply, and honestly, our world would be a much better place.' Douglas A. Sweeney, dean and professor of divinity, Beeson Divinity School
'Stanglin brings his keen mind, Christian rootedness, and lucid writing to this pointed overview of Christian ethics. A wonderfully ordered and accessibly presented discussion of the foundations of the gospel's love ethic that is then applied to a series of key issues, Stanglin pulls no punches, providing a responsible Scriptural lens on matters ranging from sexuality and race to technology and politics. Wearing its learning lightly and delving into the concrete challenges of Christian life in the world, this illuminating volume will deepen the faith and practice of any serious disciple. It deserves a wide reading throughout the church.' Ephraim Radner, professor of historical theology, Wycliffe College, University of Toronto
Timothy C. Tennent, president and professor of world Christianity, Asbury Theological Seminary

Keith Stanglin is executive director of the Center for Christian Studies in Austin, Texas, and professor of theology at Heritage Christian University in Florence, Alabama.

In Ethics Beyond Rules Keith Stanglin offers a clear and accessible guide for thoughtful Christians who want to lead ethical lives. Stanglin's easy-to-understand Christian ethical system doesn't have a long list of rules to follow but instead bases moral decision-making on Christian love. Stanglin is concerned less with a comprehensive ethics and scholarly discourse than with introducing everyone to important moral principles and modeling a way to reason through concrete issues. This resource does not answer every ethical question Christians face today, though it does provide examples such as abortion, sexual ethics, consumerism, technology, and politics. Instead, Stanglin provides a love-based framework for moral decisions that stands with the historic Christian faith, giving Christians the tools to consider the moral problems of today and the foundation to confront new issues in the years to come.

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