Ethics as Worship: The Pursuit of Moral Discipleship

Often we think of ethics as a system of codified rules and behavior modification. But when ethics takes our personal, saving God into account, it rightly becomes a system in which an attitude of worship shapes our hearts and actions. Examining the biblical, theological, and philosophical foundations and application of Christian ethics, Ethics as Worship offers a coherent ethical system that emphasizes the worship of God as motivation, method, and goal of the ethical endeavor. It concludes with an exploration of how worship ought to shape a response to particular ethical topics and issues most relevant in our day: from justice, race, and environmental stewardship to sexuality and birth control. Virtue and character formation in conformity to Christ must be guided by--and wed to--the biblical ethical norms revealed in Scripture. Readers will ultimately see every aspect of their lives as a response to God's gift of salvation.

Mark D. Liederbach is professor of theology, ethics, and culture; dean of students; and vice president for student services at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary.

Evan Lenow is director of church and minister relations at Mississippi College in Clinton, Mississippi.