A01=Timothy P. Jackson
Abortion
Altruism
Ambivalence
Author_Timothy P. Jackson
Buddhism
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Category=QRVS2
Christendom
Christian
Christian ethics
Christian theology
Christian tradition
Christianity
Christology
Conscience
Consummation
Deed
Deity
Divine grace
Doctrine
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Ethics
Ethics in religion
Ethics of care
Feminism
Feminist ethics
Forgiveness
God
God the Father
God's Grace
Good and evil
Gratitude
Hatred
Humility
Image of God
Imitation of God
Immutability (theology)
Jews
Judeo-Christian
Just war theory
Liberalism
Liberty
Love of God
Moral responsibility
Morality
New Forum
New Testament
Pacifism
Paul the Apostle
Philosopher
Philosophy
Political philosophy
Politics
Prophecy
Rationality
Religion
Religious text
Righteous indignation
Righteousness
Self-denial
Self-image
Self-love
Self-sufficiency
Soren Kierkegaard
Spirituality
Supererogation
The Divine Image
The Other Hand
Theodicy
Theological virtues
Theology
Toleration
Unconditional love
Virtue
Product details
- ISBN 9780691144283
- Weight: 369g
- Dimensions: 152 x 235mm
- Publication Date: 29 Nov 2009
- Publisher: Princeton University Press
- Publication City/Country: US
- Product Form: Paperback
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This book explores the relation between agape (or Christian charity) and social justice. Timothy Jackson defines agape as the central virtue in Christian ethical thought and action and applies his insights to three concrete issues: political violence, forgiveness, and abortion. Taking his primary cue from the New Testament while drawing extensively from contemporary theology and philosophy, Jackson identifies three features of Christian charity: unconditional commitment to the good of others, equal regard for others' well-being, and passionate service open to self-sacrifice for the sake of others. Charity, prescribed by Jesus for his disciples and named by Saint Paul as the "greatest" theological virtue, is contrasted with various accounts of justice. Jackson argues that agape is not trumped by justice or other goods. Rather, agape precedes justice: without the work of love, society would not produce persons capable of merit, demerit, and contract, the elements of most modern conceptions of justice.
Jackson then considers the implications of his ideas for several questions: the nature of God, the relation between Christian love and political violence, the place of forgiveness, and the morality of abortion. Arguing that agapic love is to be construed as a gift of grace as well as a divine commandment, Jackson concludes that love is the "eternal life" that makes temporal existence possible and thus the "first" Christian virtue. Though foremost a contribution to Christian ethics, Jackson's arguments and the issues he takes up will find a broader readership.
Timothy P. Jackson is Associate Professor of Christian Ethics at The Candler School of Theology at Emory University. He is the author of "Love Disconsoled: Meditations on Christian Charity".
