Resources on Christian Ethics

[Elias_Amare]

Greetings!
I'm looking for resources on Christian Ethics. I need both introductory-level materials and advanced books for deeper study. Preferably, I'd like resources that are accessible online, including lectures.

 

[Slave-to-the-Light-777]

You might want to check out Bavinck’s Reformed Ethics set, John Murray’s Principles of Conduct, and volume 4 of à Brakel’s The Christian’s Reasonable Service.

 

[Elias_Amare]

Has anyone listened to Ronald Nash's lectures on Christian ethics? Any thoughts?

 

[MW]

Has anyone listened to Ronald Nash's lectures on Christian ethics? Any thoughts?

Many years ago now. They used to be on iTunes for free. Usually I find Nash very interesting to listen to, but I can barely remember these, unlike his worldview and philosophy classes. That doesn't say anything about these lectures as I was studying a wide range of ethical things at that time. Sometimes it is the unremarkable material that is the best because it is straight down the line and it gives you all the basic things you need to know without leading you down rabbit holes.

 

[Elias_Amare]

Many years ago now. They used to be on iTunes for free. Usually I find Nash very interesting to listen to, but I can barely remember these, unlike his worldview and philosophy classes. That doesn't say anything about these lectures as I was studying a wide range of ethical things at that time. Sometimes it is the unremarkable material that is the best because it is straight down the line and it gives you all the basic things you need to know without leading you down rabbit holes.

Biblicaltraining.org provides Ronald Nash's lectures (History of Philosophy and Christian Thought, Christian Ethics and Advanced Worldview Analysis and others) for free. I've planned to listen to his other lecture in the near future.

 

[MW]

Biblicaltraining.org provides Ronald Nash's lectures (History of Philosophy and Christian Thought, Christian Ethics and Advanced Worldview Analysis and others) for free. I've planned to also lecture on his other lecture in the near future.

They are well worth it. He was clear in his thought and free-flowing in speech, which helps to carry you along while you listen and learn.

 

[beardedreformer]

Although there are a few draw-backs to John Frame's writing, I would highly recommend his Doctrine of the Christian Life in his Lordship Series. It's worth the expense for the sheer number of topics he manages to cover; I found his initial sections covering various secular moralities very helpful too.

However, of course, I think you can only find a preview online. I believe there are Christian ethics lectures he has done, and they were put up on YT or some website somewhere, but I'll have to do a little digging.

 

[alexanderjames]

In addition to the books already mentioned, I have one titled "Ethics as Worship" by Liderback and Lenow from P&R publishing released in 2021. But I have not yet engaged with it in any level of depth. The authors do deal with modern issues towards the end. There's also Grudem's work published by Crossway which was revised in 2024.

 

[Elias_Amare]

Although there are a few draw-backs to John Frame's writing, I would highly recommend his Doctrine of the Christian Life in his Lordship Series. It's worth the expense for the sheer number of topics he manages to cover; I found his initial sections covering various secular moralities very helpful too.

However, of course, I think you can only find a preview online. I believe there are Christian ethics lectures he has done, and they were put up on YT or some website somewhere, but I'll have to do a little digging.

Hello William,
I did a little digging and found Dr John Frame's lecture focusing on biblical ethics, titled 'Making Biblical Decisions', on thirdmill. And just to check if this is the one you were referring to?

 

[ReformedChristian]

Ethics for a Brave New World John Feinberg

 

[beardedreformer]

Hello William,
I did a little digging and found Dr John Frame's lecture focusing on biblical ethics, titled 'Making Biblical Decisions', on thirdmill. And just to check if this is the one you were referring to?

Yes! Spot on. I'm afraid I cannot comment on the quality or soundness of the lectures/lessons, but they certainly seem to be free.

I always found Frame's triperspectival approach slightly frustrating, but it's certainly unique, and I'm sure edifying.

 

[MW]

I always found Frame's triperspectival approach slightly frustrating, but it's certainly unique, and I'm sure edifying.

Triperspectivalism makes the structure of reality part of the moral norm. What "is" in the "situational" and "existential" perspectives are placed with the "normative" as a part of what "ought to be." The result is a subtle "moralisation" of ontology. Frame wants to honour God’s Lordship, but by forcing every doctrine into the same perspectival mould, he ends up subordinating exegesis to method. The triad becomes the norm rather than Scripture.