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Summary Of The Promises And Pitfalls Of Classic Models Of Morality By Reuschling

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This paper is a review of the book, Reviving Evangelical Ethics: The Promises and Pitfalls of Classic Models of Morality by Wyndy Corbin Reuschling. This book addresses the misconceptions of Christian ethics and why it needs to be revived. Reuschling writes as a Christian social ethicist who understand the language, the communities, the commitments, and the moral and spiritual practices valued in evangelicalism. Reuschling approaches the moral formation of ethics by examining the three classic theories of ethics, deontology, teleology, and virtue ethics. Reuschling defines the term deontology as the study of duty or obligation. Teleology is “understood as the ascertaining and achievement of moral outcomes or ends by considering the consequences …show more content…

Clearly she has done a tremendous amount of research on the three classic theories of ethics. Where her strength is in the research conducted, the weakness of chapter one is the unnecessarily complicated explanations of these theories. There is tremendous value in the ability to explain the complex in easily understood terms, even to academics, which Reuschling seemingly …show more content…

Reuschling points out that Kant’s deontology “is a moral scheme wherein God is unnecessary, because human have the ability through reason to ascertain truth and to act accordingly.” The rules are there to be implemented and followed to make sense according to reason even if previously revealed to make sense. In the deontological perspective, “faith is beside the point, because the highest claim on our lives is the imperative duty for the sake of duty.” Reuschling mentions there is no need to engage in moral reflections scriptures, tradition, or fundamental conversions. We just need to “trust and obey”. The scriptures omit the context and narratives behind scriptural prescriptions and commands. Yet, acknowledging that deontological commands exist. There is a purpose to our moral instruction in which, we must understand the contextual and contingent of commands. There is a moral reality that extends beyond while practicing and obeying the command so the community can be

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