Moral Dilemmas: An Introduction to Christian Ethics

by Wogaman, J. Philip

• ISBN13: 9780664233167
• ISBN10: 0664233163
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2009-02-16
• Publisher: Westminster John Knox Pr

Summary

How can we make decisions that are consistent with our basic values? We must first, Wogaman says, identify basic moral presumptions that can guide our thought as we face moral dilemmas. These basic moral presumptions include equality, grace, the value of human life, the unity of humankind, preferential claims for the poor and marginalized, and the goodness of creation. The burden of proof, he argues, must be borne by decisions that are contrary to such presumptions. Wogaman then illustrates how moral decision making works on the personal, national, and global levels and in communities of faith. He pulls into the conversation difficult ethical issues such as divorce, sexuality, abortion, political choices, economic justice, affirmative action, homosexuality, nuclear disarmament, economic globalization, global warming, international security, environmental policies, and military power. In the process, he provides a smart and helpful guide to Christian ethical behavior.

Author Biography

J. Philip Wogaman is Professor Emeritus of Christian Ethics at Wesley Theological Seminary. He also served as Senior Minister of Foundry United Methodist Church in Washington, D.C. He is the author of Christian Moral Judgment; Christian Perspectives on Politics; Christian Ethics: A Historical Introduction; and From the Eye of the Storm: A Pastor to the President Speaks Out.

Table of Contents

Preface	p. xi
Introduction	p. xiii
Starting Points	p. 1
Some Decisions Are Easier Than Others	p. 3
Easy Decisions	p. 3
More Difficult Decisions	p. 6
Moral Dilemmas	p. 9
The Deep Basis of the Moral Life	p. 13
Practical Decision-Making	p. 14
Why Ethics Is Ultimately Religious	p. 15
Acceptable and Unacceptable Forms of Revelation	p. 18
The Useful Incompleteness of Religious Tradition	p. 20
Moral Virtue and Character	p. 21
Intuition and Deliberation in Moral Decision-Making	p. 23
The Absolute and the Relative in Moral Life	p. 26
Have We Become Too Relativistic?	p. 27
The Natural-Law Approach	p. 30
God as the Absolute	p. 33
Facts and Values	p. 35
Individual Integrity and Communal Authority	p. 39
The Transcendent Absolute	p. 41
Rules and Relationships	p. 42
The Moral Burden of Proof	p. 46
A Legal Analogy	p. 46
Applying the Idea of "Presumption" to Ethical Decision-Making	p. 49
Moral Presumptions as a Common Starting Point	p. 52
Basic Moral Presumptions	p. 57
Uses of Scripture	p. 57
Positive Christian Value Presumptions	p. 59
The Limits and Flaws in Human Nature	p. 70
Presumptions That Preserve Balance	p. 74
A Presumption for Scripture and Tradition	p. 78
When Presumptions Are in Conflict	p. 79
Applications and Illustrations	p. 81
Difficult Personal Decisions	p. 83
Sexual Intimacy and Family Life	p. 84
Contraception and Abortion	p. 86
Choosing a Spouse	p. 89
Divorce	p. 91
Vocational Choices	p. 94
The Uses of Our Money	p. 95
Political Choices	p. 97
Hard Choices in the Public Arena	p. 101
Abortion	p. 102
Homosexuality	p. 106
The Dilemma of "Affirmative Action"	p. 109
Securing Economic Justice	p. 112
Environmental Policies	p. 117
Criminal Justice	p. 119
Uses of Military Power	p. 122
Hard Choices at the Global Level	p. 125
International Institution Building	p. 125
International Security and Policing	p. 128
Nuclear Disarmament	p. 133
Economic Globalization	p. 136
Global Warming	p. 141
Hard Choices in Communities of Faith	p. 146
Appendix: Avoiding Pitfalls in Moral Argument	p. 150
Notes	p. 163
Index	p. 167
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