The Virtue in the Vice

by Meyers, Robin R.

• ISBN13: 9780757302213
• ISBN10: 0757302211
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2004-08-01
• Publisher: Hci

Summary

One of America's most thoughtful ministers adds a startling new twist to the Seven Deadly Sins. Our world is awash in false dichotomies: "You're either for us or against us, good or evil, 'born again' or 'left behind.'"Virtue is virtue, and vice is vice, but is it really that simple? Are the rules of proper conduct that black and white?With extraordinary clarity of thought and word, Dr. Robin Meyers argues that there are seven vital, life-affirming attributes everyone must embrace to lead a full life-and that in fact not only are these virtues not the opposite of evil, but that each is based on urges and instinct that are similar to the Seven Deadly Sins. Pride is a sin; Self-worth is essential to life. Envy is a sin; Emulation is essential to life. Anger is a sin; Righteous Indignation is essential to life. Lust is a sin; Holy Eros is essential to life. Gluttony is a sin; Communion is essential to life. Greed is a sin; Wanting Wisely is essential to life. Sloth is a sin; Contentment is essential to life. This isn't a philosophical treatise (although after reading this book no reader will ever think about morality in the same way again). The Virtue in the Vice uses personal stories, pop culture examples, and anecdotes from both the contemporary world and the Bible to create a practical plan for living. This book will help people embrace the ambiguity of life and the moral clarity that comes with honoring their own rights and needs and those of their fellow man.

Author Biography

Dr. Robin Meyers has been the senior minister of Mayflower Congregational UCC Church of Oklahoma City since 1985. He is also professor of rhetoric in the philosophy department at Oklahoma City University, where he has taught since 1991

Table of Contents

Drologue: The Virtue Is in the Vice, and Vice Virtue	p. xi
Worthiness, not Pride	p. 1
Emulation, not Envy	p. 27
Righteous Indignation, not Anger	p. 55
Holy Eros, not Lust	p. 85
Communion, not Gluttony	p. 113
Wanting Wisely, not Greed	p. 141
Contentment, not Sloth	p. 167
Epilogue: Living the Seven Lively Virtues	p. 191
Table of Contents provided by Ingram. All Rights Reserved.