Most Christians believe that their views on social and political issues are biblically based. But are they really? Sometimes, Pregeant suggests, an exclusive emphasis on Jesus' death and resurrection crowds out the role of Jesus as teacher and example. This obscures the way in which authentic Christian faith cuts against the grain of many of our contemporary cultural values. The result is that some Christians unknowingly allow those secular values to undermine the potential of the gospel to challenge the injustices in our economic system and other aspects of our lives together. The author therefore invites the reader to an in-depth encounter with Jesus' ethical teachings and related biblical materials as a way of recovering that dimension of Christian discipleship. And the irony is this: some readers might find that even though they think of themselves as countercultural, they are in some ways quite captive to values that are actually counterbiblical. There is, however, a remedy for this--conversion of Christians to the Jesus ethic!
Most Christians believe that their views on social and political issues are biblically based. But are they really? Sometimes, Pregeant suggests, an exclusive emphasis on Jesus' death and resurrection crowds out the role of Jesus as teacher and example. This obscures the way in which authentic Christian faith cuts against the grain of many of our contemporary cultural values. The result is that some Christians unknowingly allow those secular values to undermine the potential of the gospel to challenge the injustices in our economic system and other aspects of our lives together. The author therefore invites the reader to an in-depth encounter with Jesus' ethical teachings and related biblical materials as a way of recovering that dimension of Christian discipleship. And the irony is this: some readers might find that even though they think of themselves as countercultural, they are in some ways quite captive to values that are actually counterbiblical. There is, however, a remedy for this--conversion of Christians to the Jesus ethic!
Russell Pregeant is professor of religion and philosophy and chaplain emeritus at Curry College, and was frequently visiting professor in New Testament at Andover Newton Theological School. An ordained minister in the United Methodist Church, he spent four years in the parish ministry. His previous books include For the Healing of the Nation: A Biblical Vision; Encounter with the New Testament: An Interdisciplinary Approach; and Knowing Truth, Doing Good: Engaging New Testament Ethics.
"Russell Pregeant is concerned that the contemporary church and its members are, in the realm of public affairs, too accommodated to dominant cultural forces opposed to the ethics of Jesus. Discussing wealth and politics, governments, expressions of violence, and 'the stranger, ' Pregeant challenges readers to follow in the totality of their lives a Christ who questions contemporary cultural values and idolatries. This is a thoughtful, insightful, and challenging conversation concerning biblical ethics and contemporary sociopolitical issues." -Warren Carter, Phillips Theological Seminary "This book transcends the culture wars that sometimes masquerade as 'religious ethics.' Addressing readers across the religious and cultural spectrum who take seriously the issues of social and personal ethics that polarize American society, Pregeant calls church insiders to put their faith into practice, following the example and teaching of Jesus as the heart and core of Christian ethics. This book can ignite and fuel discussion in the academic and religious settings and is especially recommended to church study groups and their leaders." -M. Eugene Boring, Brite Divinity School, emeritus
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