Forgiveness, punishment, and the duty of love are examined through the lens of Jesus' teaching.
This examination asks how the Master’s words shape a Christian ethic, from forgiveness with limits to the call of discipleship and the use of wealth. The book surveys how early Christian thinkers interpreted core claims about life, afterlife, and moral obligation, and what those debates mean for readers today.
This edition presents a careful, historically informed discussion of key questions in Christian ethics. It analyzes whether Jesus taught an endless hell, what his teachings imply about wealth and renunciation, and how vocation shapes moral duty. The author also connects these issues to broader biblical and philosophical sources, helping readers see how ideas about mercy, justice, and responsibility evolved.
- Explore how forgiveness can be unlimited in principle, yet bounded by repentance and practical wisdom.
- See how wealth and possessions are treated in Jesus’ teaching and what that means for modern generosity and service.
- Understand the meaning of discipleship, detachment, and the sense in which some followers may be called to radical self-denial.
- Learn how the question of eternal punishment was debated among early Christians and later thinkers, including Paul.
Ideal for readers of Christian ethics, theology, and the history of doctrine who want a clear, scholarly look at how Jesus’ moral vision has been read and applied through the ages.