The following books present introductions to Christian ethics from a variety of perspectives at different levels, broadly the more popular and the more academic.
Astley, J. (2000). Choosing Life ? Christianity & Moral Problems. DLT.
A basic introduction to both concepts and issues which includes exercises to think through. Although needs supplementing in most areas, if you want a simple,accessible and not too academic introduction to the field then this is perhaps the place to start.
Atkinson, D. (1994). Pastoral ethics : a guide to the key issues of daily living. Lynx.
Helpful basic introduction; covers most of the ethical issues we will look at but not concepts; written by an open evangelical who used to teach at Wycliffe.
Gill, D. W. (2000). Becoming good : building moral character. IVP.
Study, aimed at laypeople, on Christian character and virtue ethics
Jones, R. G. (1984). Groundwork of Christian ethics. Epworth.
Now a bit dated; some find a helpful basic way into studying Christian ethics; gives an overview of both Scripture and Church tradition; looks at specifics issues (eg war and sexuality) before addressing some contemporary debates within church and society.
Jones, R. G. (1999). What to do ? Christians and ethics. Epworth Press.
Aimed particularly at lay Christians; approaches questions from everyday life; no real interaction with other writers; may be a useful way to enter into thinking about ethics if it all initially seems too abstract and academic
Kenneson, P. D. (1999). Life on the vine : cultivating the fruit of the spirit in Christian community. IVP.
An exciting discussion of the fruit of the Spirit relating the virtues to the contemporary world.
Lowery, M. D. (2003). Living the good life : what every Catholic needs to know about moral issues. Charis.
A readable and accessible introduction to official RC moral teaching and Christian moral concepts. Some helpful resources (glossary, Aquinas, new natural law and other issues) are on the author's website
Meilaender, G. (2002). Love taking shape : sermons on the Christian life. Eerdmans.
Simple but stimulating and instructive sermons on Romans 6, Decalogue, Sermon on the Mount and love from leading Lutheran ethicist
Attwood, D. (1998). Changing values : how to find moral truth in modern times. Paternoster.
Probably the best easy-to-read introduction which builds on Paul Ramsey and Oliver O'Donovan to offer a Christian ethic based on creation and covenant love. Mainly conceptual but with some discussion of issues.
Black, R. (2000). Christian moral realism : natural law, narrative, virtue, and the Gospel . Oxford University Press.
A fascinating doctoral study of 3 key contemporary thinkers - Hauerwas, O'Donovan and Grisez - discussing many central themes (narrative, virtue, moral order, natural law, the distinctiveness of Christian ethics etc) and defending Christian moral realism.
Bloesch, D. G. (1987). Freedom for obedience : evangelical ethics in contemporary times. Harper & Row.
Helpful discussion and survey of Christian approaches to a number of conceptual themes in Christian ethics from this Barthian evangelical theologian.
Cessario, R. (2001). Introduction to moral theology. Catholic University of America Press.
A high-level development of Catholic moral thinking in line with Veritatis Splendor
Fernandez, A. S., James (1997). Our moral life in christ : a basic course on moral theology. Midwest Theological Forum.
A wide-ranging and accessible guide to Catholic teaching introducing key concepts and discussing issues based around the commandments and beatitudes
Grenz, S. J. (1997). The moral quest : foundations of Christian ethics. IVP Apollos.
Helpful introduction to both historical and contemporary approaches to Christian ethics; author is ethics professor at Regent's, Vancouver; develops his own "comprehensive love" Christian ethic.
Hays, R. B. (1997). The moral vision of the New Testament : community, cross, new creation : a contemporary introduction to New Testament ethics. T&T Clark.
Best book on NT ethics; covers teaching of individual NT books, method in using Scripture today; discussion of some key ethicists and engagement with some important contemporary ethical topics.
Higginson, R. (1988). Dilemmas : a Christian approach to moral decision making. Hodder & Stoughton.
A helpful overview of many conceptual issues approaching through Christian responses to ethical dilemmas from the then tutor at Cranmer Hall, Durham and now tutor at Ridley Hall, Cambridge.
Hollinger, D. P. (2002). Choosing the good : Christian ethics in a complex world. Baker Academic.
A readable discussion from an evangelical perspective, introducing key concepts and different schools of contemporary Christian ethics from a Christian worldview perspective and engaging with pluralism and postmodernity.
Holmgren, S. (2000). Ethics After Easter. Cowley Publications.
A readable introduction to Anglican moral theology from the catholic tradition. Reflects its US context strongly but still one of the best, short orientations to Christian moral concepts.
May, W. E. (2003). An introduction to moral theology. Our Sunday Visitor Pub.
An excellent, clear discussion of official Roman Catholic moral method with good discussions of Aquinas, natural law, conscience, papal teaching etc.
Meilaender, G. (1991). Faith and Faithfulness : Basic Themes in Christian Ethics. Univ of Notre Dame Press.
A good introduction to Christian ethics from a theological perspective offering an understanding of what it means to be human and how that relates to a number of different areas.
Oderberg, D. S. (2000). Moral theory : a non-consequentialist approach & Applied ethics : a non-consequentialist approach. . Blackwell.
Two more moral philosophy volumes - one conceptual and one on life issues (abortion, euthanasia, animals, capital punishment, war); not explicitly Christian but clearly explaining and applying classical Christian moral concepts such as intention, acts and omissions etc and helpfully critiquing predominant consequentialist thought.
Pinckaers, S. (1995). The sources of Christian ethics. T&T Clark.
French Catholic author; not easy but an excellent account of Christian ethics; introduces both Scripture's teaching and the main thinkers in the Christian tradition (esp Aquinas); while develops its own vision of Christian ethics.
Pinckaers, S. and M. Sherwin (2001). Morality : the Catholic view. St. Augustine's Press.
A sort of short popularisation of his more detailed study which traces the history of Catholic moral theology in Part I and then addresses issues more conceptually in Part II.
Stassen, G. H. and D. P. Gushee (2003). Kingdom ethics : following Jesus in contemporary context. IVP.
A Christ-centred and Sermon on the Mount focussed discussion of Christian ethics covering both questions of method and discussion of many key issues by two US evangelical authors
Stott, J. R. W. (1999). New issues facing Christians today. Marshall Pickering.
Classic evangelical discussion of contemporary moral issues; some good introductory methodological/biblical material but mainly issue-based where strong on biblical basis.
Vardy, P. and P. Grosch (1999). The puzzle of ethics. Fount.
Part One covers theoretical ethics and introduces the main thinkers and issues; focus is sadly more moral philosophy than Christian theological ethics but probably the best introduction to that area; Part Two applies to various issues (eg abortion, human rights, genetic engineering); again a good survey of the debates but little explicitly Christian reflection; questions for discussion throughout.
Wogaman, J. P. (1994). Christian ethics : a historical introduction. SPCK.
Focus here much more on the Christian tradition; from Scripture through Fathers, medieval and Reformation; large final section on 20th century Christian ethics
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