Handbook of Ethics.
by Archibald Alexander
(1914)
This is a book on Christian ethics. Some of the topics in this book are Ethic, aesthetics, Socrates, Determinism, Spontaneity, Optimism, Pragmatism, Activism, and Vitalism.
CHAPTER I
THE NATURE AND SCOPE OF ETHICS…………… 9
I. General Definition. II. Distinctive Features–1. Ideal; 2. Norm; 3. Will. III. Is Ethics a Science? IV. Relation to–1. Logic; 2. Aesthetics; 3. Politics. V. Dependence upon–1. Metaphysics; 2. Psychology.
CHAPTER II
THE POSTULATES OF CHRISTIAN ETHICS…………. 22
I. Philosophical Ethics. II. Dogmatics. III. Theological Presuppositions– 1. Christian Idea of God. 2. Christian Doctrine of Sin. 3. Human Responsibility. IV. Authority and Method.
CHAPTER III
ETHICAL THOUGHT BEFORE CHRIST…………… 36
I. In Greece and Rome–Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, Stoics. Stoicism and St. Paul. II. In Israel–1. Law; 2. Prophecy; 3. Poetry. Preparatory Character of pre-Christian Morality.
SECTION B–PERSONALITY
CHAPTER IV
THE ESTIMATE OF MAN……………….. 55
I. Conflicting Views of Human Nature– 1. Man by nature Morally Good. 2. Man by nature Totally Depraved. 3. The Christian View. II. Examination of Man’s Psychical Nature– 1. The Unity of the Soul. 2. The Divine in Man. 3. The Physical and Mental Life. III. Appeal of Christianity to the Mind.
CHAPTER V
THE WITNESS OF CONSCIENCE…………….. 68
I. Treatment of Conscience– 1. In Greek Poetry and Philosophy. 2. In Old Testament. 3. In New Testament. II. Nature and Origin of Conscience– 1. Intuitionalism. 2. Evolutionalism. III. Validity of Conscience– 1. The Christian View. 2. The Moral Imperatives. 3. The Permanence of Conscience
CHAPTER VI
‘THE MIRACLE OF THE WILL‘…………….. 82
Is Man free to choose the Good? Creative Power of Volition. Aspects of Problem raised. I. Scientific– Man and Physical Necessity. II. Psychological– Determinism and Indeterminism. Criticism of James and Bergson. Spontaneity and Necessity. III. Theological– Divine Sovereignty and Human Freedom. Jesus and Paul–Challenge to the Will. Freedom–a Gift and a Task.
SECTION C–CHARACTER
CHAPTER VII
MODERN THEORIES OF LIFE……………… 99
I. Naturalistic Tendency– 1. Materialistic– (1) Idyllic or Poetic–Rousseau. (2) Philosophic–Feuerbach. (3) Scientific–Haeckel. 2. Utilitarian–Hobbes, Bentham, Mill. 3. Evolutionary–Spencer. 4. Socialistic–Marx, Engels. 5. Individualistic– (1) Aestheticism–Goethe, Schiller. (2) Subjectivism– (a) Pessimism–Schopenhauer. (b) Optimism–Nietzsche. II. Idealistic Tendency– 1. Kant–Categorical Imperative. 2. Fichte and Hegel–Idea of Personality. 3. James–Pragmatism. 4. Bergson–Vitalism. 5. Eucken–Activism.
CHAPTER VIII
THE CHRISTIAN IDEAL………………. 127
Life, as the highest Good. I. Life, in its Individual Aspect– 1. Its Intensity. 2. Its Expansion. 3. ‘Eternal Life.’ II. Life, in its Social Aspect– 1. ‘The Kingdom of God’– Eschatological Interpretation. Untenableness of Interimsethik. 2. Christ’s View of Kingdom– (1) A Present Reality–a Gift. (2) A Gradual Development–a Task. (3) A Future Consummation–a Hope. III. Life, in its Godward Aspect– 1. Holiness. 2. Righteousness. 3. Love.
CHAPTER IX
STANDARD AND MOTIVE……………….. 146
I. Christ as Example– 1. Portrayal by Synoptists– (1) Artlessness of Disciples. (2) Naturalness of Jesus, 2. Impression of Power– (1) Power of Loyalty to Calling. (2) Power of Holiness. (3) Power of Sympathy. 3. Value of Jesus’ Example for Present Life– Misconception of Phrase ‘Imitation of Christ.’ II. The Christian Motive– 1. Analysis of Springs of Conduct– (1) Divine Forgiveness. (2) Fatherhood of God. (3) Sense of Vocation. (4) Brevity of Life. (5) Idea of Immortality. 2. Question as to Purity of Motive– (1) Charge of Asceticism. (2) Charge of Hedonism. 3. Doctrine of Rewards– (1) In Philosophy. (2) In Christianity–(a) Jesus; (b) Paul.
CHAPTER X
THE DYNAMIC OF THE NEW LIFE……………. 164
I. Divine Power– Operative through Christ’s 1. Incarnation and Life. 2. Death and Sacrifice. 3. Resurrection and Indwelling Presence. II. Human Response– 1. Repentance– (1) Contrition–Confession–Resolution. (2) Question of ‘Sudden Conversion.’ (3) ‘Twice Born’ or ‘Once Born.’ 2. Faith– (1) In Ordinary Life. (2) In Teaching of Jesus. (3) The Pauline Doctrine. 3. Obedience– (1) Active Appropriation of Grace. (2) Determination of Whole Personality. (3) Gradual Assimilation.
SECTION D–CONDUCT
CHAPTER XI
VIRTUES AND VIRTUE………………… 183
Definition of Virtue. I. The Natural Basis of the Virtues– ‘The Cardinal Virtues.’ II. The Christian Transformation of the Virtues– 1. The New Testament Account. 2. Cardinal Virtues, Elements of Christian Character. 3. Place of Passive Virtues in Life. III. The Unification of the Virtues– 1. Unity in Relation to God. 2. Love, Spring of all Virtues, 3. ‘Theological Virtues,’ Aspects of Love.
CHAPTER XII
THE REALM OF DUTY………………… 199
I. Aspects of Duty– 1. Duty and Vocation. 2. Conflict of Duties– (1) Competing Obligations. (2) ‘Counsels of Perfection.’ (3) Indifferent Acts. 3. Rights and Duties– (1) Claim of ‘Natural Rights.’ (2) Based on Worth of Individual. (3) Christian Idea of Liberty. II. Spheres of Duty– 1. Duties in Relation to Self– (1) Self-Respect. (2) Self-Preservation. (3) Self-Development– Self-regarding Duties not prominent in Scripture. Self-Realisation through Self-Sacrifice. 2. Duties in Relation to Others– (1) Regard for Man: Brotherly Love– (a) Justice. (b) Veracity. (c) Judgment. (2) Service– (a) Sympathy. (b) Beneficence. (c) Forgiveness. (3) Example and Influence. 3. Duties in Relation to God– (1) Recognition. (2) Obedience–Passive and Active. (3) Worship–Reverence, Prayer, Thanksgiving.
CHAPTER XIII
SOCIAL INSTITUTIONS………………. 230
I. The Family– 1. Origin and Evolution of Family. 2. Christian view– (1) Christ’s Teaching on Marriage. (2) State Regulation and Eugenics. (3) Tendencies to Disparagement. 3. Family Relationships– (1) Parents and Children. (2) Woman’s Place and Rights. (3) Child Life and Education. II. The State– 1. Basis of Authority– Tolstoy and Anarchism. ‘Social Contract.’ 2. State, in New Testament. 3. Modern Conceptions– Views of Augustine and Hegel. (1) Duty of State to Citizens. (2) Duty of Citizens to State. (3) The Democratic Movement– Reciprocity of Service and Sense of Brotherhood. III. The Church– 1. Relation of Church and State. 2. Purpose and Ideal of Church– (1) Worship and Edification. (2) Witness to Christ. (3) Evangelisation of Mankind. 3. The Church and the Social Problem– (1) Christ’s Teaching as to Industry and Wealth. (2) Attitude of Early Church to Society. (3) Of Roman and Reformed Churches. 4. Duty of Christianity to the World– The Missionary Imperative and Opportunity.
CHAPTER XIV
CONCLUSION–THE PERMANENCE OF CHRISTIAN ETHICS……. 245
BIBLIOGRAPHY…………………… 248
INDEX……………………… 263
Post Views: 134
fam26 Wise advice for youth version 2.1 is a tract for helping youth to consider the wisdom and guidance of their parents.
Excerpt: Youth is a time of much energy, strength, and activity. They “get bored” very easily because they always want to go, move, have experiences, and do things (but they do not include work in these desires as a rule). To be quiet, calm, and have patience is not normal for youth. On the other hand, the “beauty” of age is its experiences and understanding (wisdom). (They have been down life’s road before and made all these mistakes themselves, in their own life.)
Read the Tracts: fam26 advice for youth version 2.1.
Brown The Devil's Mission of Amusement 7 page article from 1889. Hollywood in the church and her ministries. Brown was a student of C.H Spurgeon.
Excerpts:
Different days demand their own special testimony. The watchman who would be faithful to his Lord and to the city of his God needs to carefully note the signs of the times and to emphasize his witness accordingly. Concerning the testimony needed now, there can be little if any doubt. An evil is in the professed camp of the Lord, that is so gross, so brazen in its impudence, that the most shortsighted of spiritual men can hardly fail to notice it.... Amusement for the people is the leading article advertised by each... until the hideous fact has been proved up to the hilt, that "amusement" is ousting "the preaching of the Gospel" as the great attraction... The Concert is fast becoming as much a recognized part of church life as the Prayer Meeting; and it is already, in most places, far better attended.
"Providing recreation for the people" will soon be looked upon as a necessary part of Christian work, and as binding upon the Church of God, as though it were a Divine command, unless some strong voices are raised which will make themselves heard.
Read the 7-page article: Brown, The Devil's Mission of Amusement.
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I added Alexander-Handbook of Christian Ethics link. Try it now. Thanks for bringing it to my attention.