Walking in the Way: An Introduction to Christian Ethics

Walking in the Way: An Introduction to Christian Ethics. By Joe E. Troll. Nashville: Broadman & Holman, 1997, 344 pp., n.p.

This introductory text in Christian ethics consists of three main parts. The first is an introduction that addresses questions about the nature of Christian ethics. Second, the author examines foundations for Christian ethics. In this section, there are chapters on the role of philosophy and the Bible in Christian ethics, the ethics of the Bible, the relation between the Church and the world, and one an moral decision-making. Finally, the third section focuses upon issues, including "personal ethical issues" and "social" issues. Included in the latter are chapters on sexuality and marriage, human equality, gender and race, biomedical ethics, and economics and politics.

A strength of this book is the balance of attention given to theory and to issues, which serves as a corrective to those that offer little reflection an theoretical questions before moving on to a discussion of contemporary issues. A second strength of this book is that Trull seeks to guide the newcomer to Christian ethics through each step, showing connections between theory and practice and between what he has discussed earlier and what he is about to discuss. In addition, there is a (relatively brief) glossary, with bold highlights in the text to show which words are found in the glossary. He is to be commended far working at making sure that the reader does not get lost along the way. Third, Trull indicates the importance of the Holy Spirit in Christian ethics, a significant point that is often overlooked.

While the form of this book serves as a model text in Christian ethics, it has weaknesses that outweigh its strengths. First, two relatively minor points. Apart from the book's glossary, it lacks helpful study aids, as there is no bibliography or index, and endnotes are used instead of footnotes. Second, the allocation of space is insufficient for some issues. Far example, in one chapter on biomedical ethics Trull attempts to discuss abortion, euthanasia, and reproductive technologies!

There are other weaknesses that are more problematic. Two examples must suffice to illustrate. First, Trull claims that ethics must come before theology. To support his claim, he argues that "the church of the first century was identified not by its theological teachings or its mystical revelation-in the beginning Christianity was a different way of life" (p. 3). Yet what initially and radically changed the early Christians was their belief in Jesus as the Bon of God, and their lives were transformed as a result. Indeed, our beliefs always determine (consciously or unconsciously) the way we live.

Second, in speaking of human sexuality and marriage in Genesis 2, Trull asserts that male and female "originated in the undifferentiated humanity of adam" and concludes that marriage "is not only a union, it is also a reunion of two who were originally one" ip. 176). He makes this dubious assertion without significant discussion or references, attributing it to theologians who remain unnamed. This view is more akin to Plato's Symposium than to orthodox Christianity, and one is left to wonder how carefully the author has considered his views.

To be fair, these examples are not discussed at length by the author, and they may not be significant issues to him. However, they serve as examples of other claims that. are either problematic or unsubstantiated. Further; they should be recognized as significant issues by the author and either treated more adequately or left out altogether.

In a brief review it is difficult to do justice to an author's work. There are helpful insights in this book, and it is written in a very accessible style. However, the above examples serve to highlight problems with this work that are not overcome by the positive aspects.

K. T. Magnuson

Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Louisville, KY

Copyright Evangelical Theological Society Mar 2000
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