Converting Christians to the Jesus Ethic - Paperback

by Russell Pregeant (Author)

Most Christians believe that their views on social and political issues are biblically based. But are they really? Sometimes, Pregeant suggests, an exclusive emphasis on Jesus' death and resurrection crowds out the role of Jesus as teacher and example. This obscures the way in which authentic Christian faith cuts against the grain of many of our contemporary cultural values. The result is that some Christians unknowingly allow those secular values to undermine the potential of the gospel to challenge the injustices in our economic system and other aspects of our lives together. The author therefore invites the reader to an in-depth encounter with Jesus' ethical teachings and related biblical materials as a way of recovering that dimension of Christian discipleship. And the irony is this: some readers might find that even though they think of themselves as countercultural, they are in some ways quite captive to values that are actually counterbiblical. There is, however, a remedy for this--conversion of Christians to the Jesus ethic!

Author Biography

Russell Pregeant is professor of religion and philosophy and chaplain emeritus at Curry College, and was frequently visiting professor in New Testament at Andover Newton Theological School. An ordained minister in the United Methodist Church, he spent four years in the parish ministry. His previous books include For the Healing of the Nation: A Biblical Vision; Encounter with the New Testament: An Interdisciplinary Approach; and Knowing Truth, Doing Good: Engaging New Testament Ethics.