Christianity and Ethics

Christianity and Ethics, by
Archibald B. C.

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C. Alexander
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Title: Christianity and Ethics A Handbook of Christian Ethics
Author: Archibald B. C. Alexander

Release Date: July 19, 2007 [eBook #22105]
Language: English
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CHRISTIANITY AND ETHICS***
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CHRISTIANITY AND ETHICS
A Handbook of Christian Ethics
by
ARCHIBALD B. D. ALEXANDER, M.A., D.D.
Author of 'A Short History of Philosophy,' 'The Ethics of St. Paul,' etc.

London: Duckworth & Co. 3 Henrietta St., Covent Garden 1914 All
rights reserved

{v}
PREFACE
The object of this volume is to present a brief but comprehensive view
of the Christian conception of the moral life. In order to conform with
the requirements of the series to which the volume belongs, the writer
has found the task of compression one of almost insurmountable
difficulty; and some topics, only less important than those dealt with,
have been necessarily omitted. The book claims to be, as its title
indicates, simply a handbook or introduction to Christian Ethics. It
deals with principles rather than details, and suggests lines of thought
instead of attempting an exhaustive treatment of the subject. At the
same time, in the author's opinion, no really vital question has been
overlooked. The treatise is intended primarily for students, but it is
hoped that it may prove serviceable to those who desire a succinct

account of the moral and social problems of the present day.
A fairly full bibliography has been added, which, along with the
references to authorities in the body of the work, may be helpful to
those who wish to prosecute the study. For the convenience of readers
the book has been divided into four sections, entitled, Postulates,
Personality, Character, and Conduct; and a detailed synopsis of
contents has been supplied.
To the Rev. W. R. Thomson, B.D. of Bellshill, Scotland, who read the
chapters in type, and generally put at his disposal much valuable
suggestion, the author would record his most sincere thanks.

{vii}
CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION
PAGE A PLEA FOR THE STUDY OF CHRISTIAN
ETHICS . . . . . . . . . . 1

SECTION A--POSTULATES
CHAPTER I
THE NATURE AND SCOPE OF ETHICS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
I. General Definition. II. Distinctive Features--1. Ideal; 2. Norm; 3.
Will. III. Is Ethics a Science? IV. Relation to--1. Logic; 2. Aesthetics; 3.
Politics. V. Dependence upon--1. Metaphysics; 2. Psychology.
CHAPTER II
THE POSTULATES OF CHRISTIAN ETHICS . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

I. Philosophical Ethics. II. Dogmatics. III. Theological
Presuppositions-- 1. Christian Idea of God. 2. Christian Doctrine of Sin.
3. Human Responsibility. IV. Authority and Method.
CHAPTER III
ETHICAL THOUGHT BEFORE CHRIST . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
I. In Greece and Rome--Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, Stoics. Stoicism and
St. Paul. II. In Israel--1. Law; 2. Prophecy; 3. Poetry. Preparatory
Character of pre-Christian Morality.
SECTION B--PERSONALITY
CHAPTER IV
THE ESTIMATE OF MAN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
I. Conflicting Views of Human Nature-- 1. Man by nature Morally
Good. 2. Man by nature Totally Depraved. 3. The Christian View. II.
Examination of Man's Psychical Nature-- 1. The Unity of the Soul. 2.
The Divine in Man. 3. The Physical and Mental Life. III. Appeal of
Christianity to the Mind.
CHAPTER V
THE WITNESS OF CONSCIENCE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68
I. Treatment of Conscience-- 1. In Greek Poetry and Philosophy. 2. In
Old Testament. 3. In New Testament. II. Nature and Origin of
Conscience-- 1. Intuitionalism. 2. Evolutionalism. III. Validity of
Conscience-- 1. The Christian View. 2. The Moral Imperatives. 3. The
Permanence of Conscience
CHAPTER VI
'THE MIRACLE OF THE WILL' . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82

Is Man free to choose the Good? Creative Power of Volition. Aspects
of Problem raised.