Alexander, A. – Handbook of Christian Ethics

A Handbook of Christian Ethics

A Handbook of Christian Ethics
By Archibald Alexander

In A Handbook of Christian Ethics Alexander presents a layout of Christian Ethics in which he explores the reality of ethics and our moral responsibilities in different areas, and he also explores some institutions like civil government, family, church, etc.

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CONTENTS of A Handbook of Christian Ethics

INTRODUCTION

PAGE A PLEA FOR THE STUDY OF CHRISTIAN ETHICS………. 1

SECTION A–POSTULATES

CHAPTER I THE NATURE AND SCOPE OF ETHICS…………… 9

I. General Definition. II. Distinctive Features–1. Ideal; 2. Norm; 3. Will. III. Is Ethics a Science? IV. Relation to–1. Logic; 2. Aesthetics; 3. Politics. V. Dependence upon–1. Metaphysics; 2. Psychology.

CHAPTER II THE POSTULATES OF CHRISTIAN ETHICS…………. 22

I. Philosophical Ethics. II. Dogmatics. III. Theological Presuppositions– 1. Christian Idea of God. 2. Christian Doctrine of Sin. 3. Human Responsibility. IV. Authority and Method.

CHAPTER III ETHICAL THOUGHT BEFORE CHRIST…………… 36

I. In Greece and Rome–Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, Stoics. Stoicism and St. Paul. II. In Israel–1. Law; 2. Prophecy; 3. Poetry. Preparatory Character of pre-Christian Morality.

SECTION B–PERSONALITY

CHAPTER IV THE ESTIMATE OF MAN……………….. 55

I. Conflicting Views of Human Nature– 1. Man by nature Morally Good. 2. Man by nature Totally Depraved. 3. The Christian View. II. Examination of Man’s Psychical Nature– 1. The Unity of the Soul. 2. The Divine in Man. 3. The Physical and Mental Life. III. Appeal of Christianity to the Mind.

CHAPTER V THE WITNESS OF CONSCIENCE…………….. 68

I. Treatment of Conscience– 1. In Greek Poetry and Philosophy. 2. In Old Testament. 3. In New Testament. II. Nature and Origin of Conscience– 1. Intuitionalism. 2. Evolutionalism. III. Validity of Conscience– 1. The Christian View. 2. The Moral Imperatives. 3. The Permanence of Conscience

CHAPTER VI ‘THE MIRACLE OF THE WILL’…………….. 82

Is Man free to choose the Good? Creative Power of Volition. Aspects of Problem raised. I. Scientific– Man and Physical Necessity. II. Psychological– Determinism and Indeterminism. Criticism of James and Bergson. Spontaneity and Necessity. III. Theological– Divine Sovereignty and Human Freedom. Jesus and Paul–Challenge to the Will. Freedom–a Gift and a Task.

SECTION C–CHARACTER

CHAPTER VII MODERN THEORIES OF LIFE……………… 99

I. Naturalistic Tendency– 1. Materialistic– (1) Idyllic or Poetic–Rousseau. (2) Philosophic–Feuerbach. (3) Scientific–Haeckel. 2. Utilitarian–Hobbes, Bentham, Mill. 3. Evolutionary–Spencer. 4. Socialistic–Marx, Engels. 5. Individualistic– (1) Aestheticism–Goethe, Schiller. (2) Subjectivism– (a) Pessimism–Schopenhauer. (b) Optimism–Nietzsche. II. Idealistic Tendency– 1. Kant–Categorical Imperative. 2. Fichte and Hegel–Idea of Personality. 3. James–Pragmatism. 4. Bergson–Vitalism. 5. Eucken–Activism.

CHAPTER VIII THE CHRISTIAN IDEAL………………. 127

Life, as the highest Good. I. Life, in its Individual Aspect– 1. Its Intensity. 2. Its Expansion. 3. ‘Eternal Life.’ II. Life, in its Social Aspect– 1. ‘The Kingdom of God’– Eschatological Interpretation. Untenableness of Interimsethik. 2. Christ’s View of Kingdom– (1) A Present Reality–a Gift. (2) A Gradual Development–a Task. (3) A Future Consummation–a Hope. III. Life, in its Godward Aspect– 1. Holiness. 2. Righteousness. 3. Love.

CHAPTER IX STANDARD AND MOTIVE……………….. 146

I. Christ as Example– 1. Portrayal by Synoptists– (1) Artlessness of Disciples. (2) Naturalness of Jesus, 2. Impression of Power– (1) Power of Loyalty to Calling. (2) Power of Holiness. (3) Power of Sympathy. 3. Value of Jesus’ Example for Present Life– Misconception of Phrase ‘Imitation of Christ.’ II. The Christian Motive– 1. Analysis of Springs of Conduct– (1) Divine Forgiveness. (2) Fatherhood of God. (3) Sense of Vocation. (4) Brevity of Life. (5) Idea of Immortality. 2. Question as to Purity of Motive– (1) Charge of Asceticism. (2) Charge of Hedonism. 3. Doctrine of Rewards– (1) In Philosophy. (2) In Christianity–(a) Jesus; (b) Paul.

CHAPTER X THE DYNAMIC OF THE NEW LIFE……………. 164

I. Divine Power– Operative through Christ’s 1. Incarnation and Life. 2. Death and Sacrifice. 3. Resurrection and Indwelling Presence. II. Human Response– 1. Repentance– (1) Contrition–Confession–Resolution. (2) Question of ‘Sudden Conversion.’ (3) ‘Twice Born’ or ‘Once Born.’ 2. Faith– (1) In Ordinary Life. (2) In Teaching of Jesus. (3) The Pauline Doctrine. 3. Obedience– (1) Active Appropriation of Grace. (2) Determination of Whole Personality. (3) Gradual Assimilation.

SECTION D–CONDUCT

CHAPTER XI VIRTUES AND VIRTUE………………… 183

Definition of Virtue. I. The Natural Basis of the Virtues– ‘The Cardinal Virtues.’ II. The Christian Transformation of the Virtues– 1. The New Testament Account. 2. Cardinal Virtues, Elements of Christian Character. 3. Place of Passive Virtues in Life. III. The Unification of the Virtues– 1. Unity in Relation to God. 2. Love, Spring of all Virtues, 3. ‘Theological Virtues,’ Aspects of Love.

CHAPTER XII THE REALM OF DUTY………………… 199

I. Aspects of Duty– 1. Duty and Vocation. 2. Conflict of Duties– (1) Competing Obligations. (2) ‘Counsels of Perfection.’ (3) Indifferent Acts. 3. Rights and Duties– (1) Claim of ‘Natural Rights.’ (2) Based on Worth of Individual. (3) Christian Idea of Liberty. II. Spheres of Duty– 1. Duties in Relation to Self– (1) Self-Respect. (2) Self-Preservation. (3) Self-Development– Self-regarding Duties not prominent in Scripture. Self-Realisation through Self-Sacrifice. 2. Duties in Relation to Others– (1) Regard for Man: Brotherly Love– (a) Justice. (b) Veracity. (c) Judgment. (2) Service– (a) Sympathy. (b) Beneficence. (c) Forgiveness. (3) Example and Influence. 3. Duties in Relation to God– (1) Recognition. (2) Obedience–Passive and Active. (3) Worship–Reverence, Prayer, Thanksgiving.

CHAPTER XIII SOCIAL INSTITUTIONS………………. 230

I. The Family– 1. Origin and Evolution of Family. 2. Christian view– (1) Christ’s Teaching on Marriage. (2) State Regulation and Eugenics. (3) Tendencies to Disparagement. 3. Family Relationships– (1) Parents and Children. (2) Woman’s Place and Rights. (3) Child Life and Education. II. The State– 1. Basis of Authority– Tolstoy and Anarchism. ‘Social Contract.’ 2. State, in New Testament. 3. Modern Conceptions– Views of Augustine and Hegel. (1) Duty of State to Citizens. (2) Duty of Citizens to State. (3) The Democratic Movement– Reciprocity of Service and Sense of Brotherhood. III. The Church– 1. Relation of Church and State. 2. Purpose and Ideal of Church– (1) Worship and Edification. (2) Witness to Christ. (3) Evangelisation of Mankind. 3. The Church and the Social Problem– (1) Christ’s Teaching as to Industry and Wealth. (2) Attitude of Early Church to Society. (3) Of Roman and Reformed Churches. 4. Duty of Christianity to the World– The Missionary Imperative and Opportunity.

CHAPTER XIV CONCLUSION–THE PERMANENCE OF CHRISTIAN ETHICS……. 245

BIBLIOGRAPHY…………………… 248

INDEX……………………… 263

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