One good way into the subject is to try to read one 'classic' by a Christian moral theologian. Unlike the 'Textbook' sections these tend to present one particular interpretation but most cover the classic areas in both concepts and, to varying degrees, discuss specific issues.

Aquinas, T. Summa Theologica.

The full text is available on the web both here and here and the Latin text is gradually online here. A search engine for it can be found here and a more elaborate one is being developed here. A synopsis of its structure is available here Particular questions relating to ethics are in the First Part of the Second Part and the Second Part of the Second Part (Secunda Secundae Partis). In addition to the standard translations in print (eg Blackfriars Edition), probably the best way to engage Aquinas is through Timothy McDermott's concise translation (Christian Classics, 1989) where the main ethics is found in Part Two, pp167-324

Barth, K. and D. Braun (1981). Ethics. T. & T. Clark.

This is the text of the early 1928-31 lectures of the great Swiss theologian. Later important discussions are to be found throughout his monumental Church Dogmatics. Although almost impossible to divide out 'ethical' sections here, see especially I/2, §22 (Dogmatics as ethics), II/2, §36-39 (The Command of God), III/4 (The Command of God the Creator) IV/2, §68 (Christian Love), and the fragments of IV/4 published as The Christian Life (The Command of God the Reconciler) .

Bonhoeffer, D. (1955). Ethics. SCM.

Major work by famous German Lutheran theologian; covers both conceptual, theological issues and discussion of specific issues.  His 'Cost of Discipleship' is a more accessible discussion of important ethical themes.

Bonhoeffer, D. (2001). Discipleship. Fortress Press.

Original ET 'The Cost of Discipleship'; A classic text on nature of Christian discipleship from German Lutheran theologian

Brunner, E. (1937). The divine imperative; a study in Christian ethics. The Lutterworth Press.

Another of the great 20th century Protestant theologians discussing the problem of natural morality and Christian ethics (Bk I), the divine command (Bk II), and the orders of human life (Bk III, marriage, family, work, politics and law etc).

Catechism of the Catholic Church (1999). Geoffrey Chapman.

A clear and readable guide to official Roman Catholic moral theology. The main sections is Part Three - Life in Christ. Section 1 on life in the Spirit as man's vocation opens with a study of the dignity of the human person and contains teaching on Man: the image of God, Our vocation to beatitude, Man's freedom, The morality of human acts, The morality of the passions, Moral conscience, The virtues and Sin. There follows teaching on the human community and specifically The person and society, Participation in social life and Social justice. The third chapter on God's salvation as law and grace addresses The moral law, Grace and justification and The Church, Mother and Teacher. Section 2 on the Decalogue structures its account in terms of Christ's two-fold summary of love of God (The first, second and third commandments) and love of neighbour (The fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth, ninth and tenth).

Colwell, J. E. (2001). Living the Christian story : the distinctiveness of Christian ethics . T & T Clark.

A theologically quite heavy but stimulating book looking at the influence of modernism and post-modernism before developing an authentic Christian ethic based on the narrative of Scripture which in turn shapes the Church.

Grisez, G. G. and R. B. Shaw (1991). Fulfillment in Christ : a summary of Christian moral principles. University of Notre Dame Press.

A popularisation of the first volume of Grisez's three volume, The Way of the Lord Jesus. Grisez is probably the foremost traditional Roman Catholic ethicist today and although very much a particular view this book will orient well to conceptual issues.

Hauerwas, S. (1984). The peaceable kingdom : a primer in Christian ethics. SCM.

A very important contemporary Christian ethicist with Anabaptist leanings; not an introduction to themes, theories or writers in ethics but covers most important areas; probably the most accessible and stimulating account of what a specifically Christian ethic may look like. His work can best be explored further through the selections in The Hauerwas Reader (2001). A new edition in 2004 includes Afterword by Hauerwas 20 years on.

John Paul II, P. (1993). Veritatis Splendor.

A major statement by the Pope; parts rather technical and addressing internal church debates; fascinating opening biblical exegesis of Mt 19.16ff giving account of Christian morality. Reprinted in Understanding Veritatis Splendor (ed Watkins) and a searchable version available here.

Kirk, K. E. (1931). The vision of God. Longmans Green & Co.

Subtitled, 'The Christian doctrine of the summum bonum' these Bampton lectures for 1928 by one of the greatest Anglican moral theologians bring together liturgy, spirituality, theology and ethics to trace the development of Christian thinking and argue that because 'the end of life is the vision of God' the highest prerogative of the Christian is the activity of worship and that only there do we find the key to ethical problems. Note that appears also in an abridged version.

Long, D. S. (2001). The goodness of God : theology, church, and the social order. Brazos.

A high-level discussion of theology and ethics arguing for the subordination of ethics to theology (Part I) and then, more accesibly, relating this to the church and other social formations (family, the market, political community).

Melina, L. (2001). Sharing in Christ's virtues : for a renewal of moral theology in light of Veritatis splendor . Catholic University of America Press.

A Christian virtue ethic developing official papal moral teaching; not easy reading but a challenging theological ethic

Niebuhr, R. (1936). An interpretation of Christian ethics [full text online]. SCM.

Highly influential work in American Protestantism by leading ethicist and theologian whose Gifford Lectures on The Nature & Destiny of Man also shaped much later US moral theology.

O'Donovan, O. (1986). Resurrection and moral order : an outline for evangelical ethics. IVP.

Already a classic; heavy-going but provides a masterful introduction to Christian ethics by the Schools lecturer; not for the faint-hearted but if you really want to grapple with issues this is excellent; for me, reading it aloud can help to make sense of its often dense argumentation.

Ramsey, P. (1953). Basic Christian ethics. SCM.

Work by leading 20th century US ethicist dealing with foundational and conceptual matters and developing a Christian love ethic.

Verhey, A. (2002). Remembering Jesus : Christian community, Scripture, and the moral life. Eerdmans.

A readable introduction to the task and method of Christian ethics from an evangelical perspective which is then applied to medical, sexual and political ethics

 

Single Volume Ethics

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