The Christian Case for Virtue Ethics

includes index and biblioraphy

1 The Return to Virtue Ethics 5 A SOCIETY IN CRISIS 6 THE RISE OF HISTORICAL CONSCIOUSNESS 8 THE INCOMPLETENESS OF MODERN THEORIES SUMMARY U NOTES 13 What Is Virtue Ethics 16 A TELEOLOGICAL ETHIC 17 NATURE OF THE VIRTUES 23 HUMAN AGENCY AND MORAL EDUCATION 26 MORAL LUCK 29 THE PRIORITY OF BEING 30 DISCERNMENT AND THE PLACE OF RULES AND CONSEQUENCES 31 A KIND OF PERFECTIONISM 37 SUMMARY 38 NOTES 39 Needed: A Christian Case for Virtue Ethics 48 ON NOT RECOGNIZING THE NEED 50 JUSTIFICATIONS FOR NEGLECT 51 EPISTEMOLOGICAL ISSUES AND TRUTH CLAIMS TOWARD AN ECUMENICAL CHRISTIAN VIRTUE ETHIC 59 NOTES 61 4 Theological Links 69 SANCTIFICATION AND PERSONAL ESCHATOLOGY 71 CHRISTOLOGY 78 CHRISTIAN ANTHROPOLOGY 90 CONCLUSION 93 NOTES 93 5 Biblical Connections 103 THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW 104 THE LETTERS OF PAUL 119 CONCLUSION 130 NOTES 134 6 Theological and Biblical Objections 143 NARCISSISM 143 ARISTOCRATIC TENDENCIES 147 SECTARIAN 151 OTHER ETHICAL THEORIES 155 CONCLUSION 159 NOTES 159 7 Conclusion: An Appeal for a Christian Virtue Ethic 167 ADDITIONAL BENEFITS OF VIRTUE THEORY 170 CONCLUSION 176 NOTES 176