What should we do or not do? What attitudes, behavior and qualities are good? Can we be good without God? What is the highest good, the purpose of human existence? These are the questions the study of ethics seeks to answer.Unlike many approaches to ethics, this book foundationally turns to Scripture, going only as far as Scripture itself goes. The result is an overview of biblical ethics that not only addresses the life of love and wisdom to be lived out by Christians as virtuous individuals, but also as Christians in community, in society and in a world of God?s creation. Key preliminary considerations of love, law, sin and virtue are given their due in this thoroughly revised and updated text. The bulk of the work is then organized around the Ten Commandments and ethical themes springing from themloving God (commandments 1-4) and loving others (commandments 6-10). This new edition includes added material on- ethical alternatives such as relativism, social contract, utilitarianism and evolutionary ethics- the seven deadly sins as well as the cardinal virtues vs. theological virtues- end-of-life ethics, stem-cell research, animal rights, sexuality, genetics and technology, and other bioethical issues such as plastic surgery and surrogate motherhood- technology and its depersonalizing effects as well as helping the poor- the church?s engagement in society and how Christians can make a difference in the media.McQuilkin and Copan stay focused on how we are fulfilling the purposes of God for our livesa will that is for our good and our well-being. This comprehensive study is the place to begin on the journey of living wisely, faithfully and obediently.

Robertson McQuilkin (19282016) was a speaker and writer, engaging in extensive conference ministry in the United States and overseas. He served as the third president of Columbia International University for twenty-two years, and was beloved as president emeritus. Before becoming president, McQuilkin was headmaster of Ben Lippen School and a missionary in Japan. He was honored for his decades of work in Christian missions when by receiving the 2010 Lifetime of Service Award from Missio Nexus. His books include Five Smooth Stones, Life in the Spirit, and Introdution to Biblical Ethics.Paul Copan (PhD, Marquette University) is the Pledger Family Chair of Philosophy and Ethics at Palm Beach Atlantic University. His books include The Gospel in the Marketplace of Ideas, An Introduction to Biblical Ethics, Creation Out of Nothing, Did God Really Command Genocide? and Holy War in the Bible. He previously served with Ravi Zacharias International Ministries and taught at Trinity International University in Deerfield, Illinois.

Preface IntroductionBOOK 1: FOUNDATIONAL CONSIDERATIONS PART I: LOVE Chapter 1: Defining Love Chapter 2: The Objects and Conflicts of LovePART II: LAW Chapter 3: The Law: Its Definition and Purpose Chapter 4: The Law, Christ, Salvation-History, and ObediencePART III: SIN Chapter 5: Sin: Its Definition and Its Origin Chapter 6: Sin: Its Descriptions and Its ResultsPART IV: VIRTUES AND VICES Chapter 7: Becoming a Virtuous Person Chapter 8: Self-Control and Bodily Appetites, Greed and Contentment Chapter 9: Pride and Humility; Fear, Faith, Courage, and HopePART IV; ETHICAL ALTERNATIVES Chapter 10: Relativism, Utilitarianism, and the Social Contract Chapter 11: The Duty-Ethic, Evolutionary Ethics, and God as the Moral FoundationBOOK 2: APPLYING THE BIBLE TO LIFE PART VI: GOD FIRST Chapter 12: No Other Gods or Making and Worshiping Images Chapter 13: Not Taking God?s Name in Vain and Observing the Holy Rest DayPART VII: SEX, MARRIAGE, AND THE FAMILY Chapter 14: Preliminary Considerations on Human Sexuality and the Purposes of Marriage Chapter 15: Violations of God?s Purposes in Marriage: Mixed Spiritual Unions, Adultery, Polygamy, and Divorce Chapter 16: Nonmarital Violations of God?s Purposes for Sexuality: Lust, Pornography, and Premarital Sex Chapter 17: Courtship/Dating and Engagement Chapter 18: The Question of Homosexuality: Biblical and Scientific Questions Chapter 19: The Gay Marriage Question and Miscellaneous Sexual Considerations Chapter 20: The Christian HomePART VIII: LIFE ISSUES Chapter 21: Murder, Killing, and Anger; Race and Racism Chapter 22: Abortion and Infanticide Chapter 23: Suicide, Euthanasia, and Other Medical Ethical Considerations Chapter 24: War and Peace Chapter 25: Crime and PunishmentPART IX: INTEGRITY: PROPERTY AND TRUTH Chapter 26: Labor and Management, Work and Leisure Chapter 27: Economic Systems, Poverty, Wealth and Theft Chapter 28: Truth and DeceptionPART X: CHRISTIANS AND SOCIETY Chapter 29: Church-State Separation Chapter 30: Alternative Approaches to the Church-State Relationship Chapter 31: The Roles of Church and Government Chapter 32: Christian Engagement in SocietyPART XI: FALLIBLE CHOICES Chapter 33: Ethical Questions on Which Christians Differ Chapter 34: Knowing God?s Will in Matters Not Revealed in Scripture Afterword Notes Name Index Subject Index Scripture Index