In this excellent and accessibleintroduction, now in a secondedition, Childs helpfully articulatesthe shared features of Christianfaith and shows how that communalcommitment forms our values,character, virtues, and "eagernessto do what is right." Who we areinforms what we choose. Thisdynamic, dialogical basis for ethics isan open framework. Childs applies itto a host of tough, real-life dilemmassuch as affirmative action, end-of-life decisions, medicalethics, truth telling, environmental justice, and war-making.
Previously published by Fortress Press in 1992 asFaith, Formation, and Decision, the new edition updatesdiscussions throughout, adds numerous cases andillustrations, adds questions for discussion and items forfurther reading, and contains a new section on courage.
The Rev. James M. Childs Jr., PhD, is Joseph A. Sittler Professor Emeritus of Theology and Ethics at Trinity Lutheran Seminary at Capital University, Columbus, Ohio. From 2002 to 2005 he served as Director of Sexuality Studies for the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. His books include Ethics in the Community of Promise (Fortress, 2006) and The Way of Peace (Fortress, 2008).