Ethics After Easter: (New Church's Teaching Series)

In this volume of The New Church's Teaching Series, Stephen Holmgren introduces us to the world of Anglican ethics and moral theology. He focuses on questions all people of faith must ask: How will I keep my baptismal promises? How am I meant to live “after Easter?” In developing a distinctively Anglican approach to ethics, with its emphasis on holiness, sanctification, and the need for spiritual disciplines, Holmgren identifies clear axioms for Anglican moral theology and the ethos required for moral decision-making on the part of individuals and church bodies. He explains why ethical reflection is not the same as church governance, and why the institution cannot “make” its moral theology. Holmgren also discusses the role of conscience and reason, the work of moral discernment, the difference between moral knowledge and saving knowledge, the meaning of natural law, and the high value Anglicans place on consensus. The final chapter provides a methodology for building a moral case in Christian ethics, specifically on Christian involvement with war and violence. As with each book in The New Church's Teaching Series, recommended resources for further reading and questions for discussion are included.

Table of Contents:
Chapter 1 The Walk from the Font Chapter 2 Seeking to Live a Good Life Chapter 3 The Book of Nature Chapter 4 The Book of Scripture Chapter 5 Laws, Manners, and Moral Principles Chapter 6 Sin, Character and Conscience Chapter 7 Love in Acts, Rules, and Principles Chapter 8 Building a Case in Christian Ethics Part 9 Axioms for Moral Theology

About the Author :
Stephen Holmgren is associate professor of ethics and moral theology at Nashota House in Nashota, Wisconsin, where he also works with two area medical ethics committees. He received his doctorate in philosophy from Oxford University.

Review :
The eight chapters in this book begin with 'The Walk from the Font' and end with 'Building a Case in Christian Ethics.' In between the reader is systematically lead through the logic of how we, as followers of Christ, can faithfully respond to our desire to fully live out our Baptismal Covenant. Serious stuff, but so well presented that I could barely put the book down. A good reference book for people seeking grounding and 'ground rules' for discussing life issues, and as a resource for group discussion. Amid the thicket of ethical distinctions and opposing opinions, and with helpful summaries and study questions, Holmgren has written a book that is never polemical and often irenic, especially when he draws upon the Church's rich and commonly held liturgical resources. I think it is fair to say that his general approach is moderately conservative, but there is more often than not enough leeway for engagement and debate within the wide range of moral discourse that presently marks the Episcopal Church and Anglican Communion.