Applied Christian Ethics

Matthew Lon Weaver is chaplain and chair of the Department of Social, Religious, and Ethical Studies at the Marshall School.

Applied Christian Ethics addresses selected themes in Christian social ethics. The book is divided in three parts. In the first section, "Foundation," several contributors reveal their Christian realist roots and discuss the prophetic origins and multifarious agenda of social ethics. Thus, the names of Reinhold Niebuhr and Paul Tillich come up frequently. In the second section, "Economics and Justice," the focus turns to the different levels at which economics has significance for social justice. These chapters discuss fair housing at the local level, the dialogue between Christians and Native Americans over property rights at the regional and national levels, and trade and international organization. In the third and final section, "Politics, War, and Peacemaking," the content ranges from the existential experience of a soldier to that of a veteran of civil rights activism, from theorizing about peacemaking to commenting on the use of drones.

Introduction, Matthew Lon WeaverPart I: FoundationsChapter 1: Social Christianity, Niebuhrian Realism, and the Protestant Mainline, Gary DorrienChapter 2: Paul Tillich and the Frankfurt School, Guyton B. HammondChapter 3: Toward a Constructive "Religious Realism": Robert Bellah and Reinhold Niebuhr, Harlan StelmachChapter 4: Paul Tillich and the Lingering Possibility of Prophetic Activity, Randall K. BushChapter 5: Recent Books about Reinhold Niebuhr and Reflections on His Relevance Today, Charles C. BrownChapter 6: Calvin for Today: Breaking Out of the Iron Cage, Matthew Lon WeaverChapter 7: The Life and Practice of an Ethicist, Ronald H. StonePart II: Economics and JusticeChapter 8: Cowboys, Indians, and Ethicists: A Conversation Stimulated by Robert Warrior, Carol S. RobbChapter 9: Justice, Power, and International Organizations, Randall W. StoneChapter 10: Making Global Capitalism More Just by Imposing an International Transaction Tax, John C. RainesChapter 11: Responding to "Not in My Backyard" Advocates: A Christian Feminist Justice Approach, Laura StiversPart III: Politics, War, and PeacemakingChapter 12: Redeeming Democracy: The Continuing Paradox of African-American Faith-Based Politics, Samuel K. RobertsChapter 13: The Development and Nature of the Peace Making Idea, Edward LeRoy Long, Jr.Chapter 14: The Church Reformed and Always Resisting: Ronald H. Stone and Presbyterian Social Witness, Christian T. IossoChapter 15: Vietnam: A Scar on the Soul, Robert L. StiversChapter 16: Drones and Christian Morality, Ronald H. StoneAfterword, Ronald H. Stone