The Obvious Candidates

One question people often ask me is, "What's the best thing about teaching Ethics?" I don't know if this is the best thing, but one of the better items about teaching Ethics in school is that you always have material. Society, it seems, is constantly writing and re-writing your curriculum.

That can make things a little dicey when you are writing a book on Christian ethics, a project that is vastly different from classroom instruction, though I am sure there is a Venn diagram somewhere demonstrating where the overlap is. I wouldn't have been able to write a book on Christian ethics if I couldn't settle on a series of contents, but some of these issues are among the more obvious candidates for inclusion.

Some are logical inserts because of the pressing discussions of the age. The third chapter on "Diversity and Unity" tackles the matter of bigotry and racism, which can rear their ugly heads in individual and systemic fashion. Also, chapters on "Homosexuality and Same-Sex Marriage" and "Transgenderism and Sexual Identities" meet the conversation that has unearthed itself in recent years, attempting to bring more light than heat to what can often degenerate into a cacophany of dismissiveness.

Some chapters are must-haves because we swim in the waters of their existence. The second chapter of the book has to do with "Technology, Social Networks, and Faithful Living". Our default mode is life in a hyper-cyber globally connected world. Our proactive approach to living in that world matters greatly, for while the tools may be neutral or helpful, our use of them can be marred by rebellion. Also, the advances of medicine make a chapter on "Bioethics" necessary (though at many times I felt I was out of my depth there!), and because we live in a world of stunning beauty and life-giving force, how we steward that creation is of utmost importance. Hence, a chapter on "Environmental Stewardship". And some of the conclusions reached might surprise you!

More to come, but that's a look at some of the details you will find when Christian Focus Publications releases Tough Issues, True Hope: A Concise Journey Through Christian Ethics on May 8th. This is the result of many years of thought and labor and I can't wait to share it with you.

[Next post: "On the Target Somewhere", about expected topics but maybe not as burning as these today]