T&T Clark Approaches to Theological Ethics: Sources, Traditions, Visions

In an age of globalisation where different cultures, religions, lifestyles and values meet in the workplace, in schools, and in public spaces shaped by religious and cultural traditions, it is important to create possibilities and venues for dialogue. Analysing the variety of approaches to theological ethics will help articulate different visions of what constitutes a fulfilled life, of how the moral vocation of each human being can be supported, and of the role of the Christian faith for ethics. The discipline of theological ethics consists of a variety of approaches that draw on different philosophical traditions and theological visions in treating their sources. Part One examines the four sources and how they relate to other disciplines relevant for theology, such as biblical studies and hermeneutics, philosophy and analyses of ethics in a scientific and technological culture. Part Two compares five frameworks in English- and German-speaking theological ethics. Conceptions based on virtue, worship, natural law, autonomy and feminist analyses are discussed. Criteria for comparison are how each of them relates to the Bible, to historical reason, theological thought, practical self-understandings and interdisciplinary perspectives. Part Three identifies three types of vision: integralist, praxis-oriented, and discourse-focused. The Conclusion situates the investigation of the discipline within contemporary philosophical and theological exchanges on religion in the public sphere. Review "Bearing the fruit of many years teaching in Dublin, Maureen Junker-Kenny successfully combines accessible exposition with judicious criticism. Wide ranging in its scope and learning, her study of approaches to theological ethics will serve as an illuminating guide to students. This volume is set to become an important point of reference for others working in the field." --David Fergusson, Professor of Divinity, University of Edinburgh, UK "Arguably, this book will significantly expand the English-speaking debate on theological ethics. It not only provides an erudite outline of recent continental positions in this field but also brings them into a critical conversation with the Anglophone discourse. On this basis, a quite novel approach to theological ethics comes into sight." -- Christoph Hübenthal, Professor of Systematic Theology, Radboud University, Netherlands About the Author Maureen Junker-Kenny is Professor in Theology in the School of Religion, Trinity College Dublin, Ireland.