Happiness and the Christian Moral Life: An Introduction to Christian Ethics

(Hardback, Fourth Edition)

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As one of the most widely adopted textbooks in the field, Happiness and the Christian Moral Life introduces students to Christian ethics through the lens of happiness. Drawing on classical and contemporary Christian sources, Paul Wadell proposes that the heart of the moral life is not rules and obligations but our deep desire for happiness and fulfillment.
The fourth edition of this accessible and student-friendly text has been revised and updated throughout. It introduces Christian ethics with sensitivity towards readers who may not be Christian themselves. After setting out the principal argument of the book in the opening chapter, subsequent chapters explore the importance of narrative or story for Christian ethics; a Christian understanding of the person and vocation; the role of the virtues in our quest for happiness; the centrality of justice in the moral life; the place of friendship and community in a good and flourishing life; a Christian theology of freedom; how sin hinders ones growth in happiness; the meaning and importance of conscience; and a Christian understanding of love.
The fourth addition also includes new sections on several topics, such as the Beatitudes; forgiveness and reconciliation; the social thought of Pope Francis; the challenges of climate change and global warming; recent thinking on gender and sexual ethics (by theologian Bridget Burke Ravizza); a politics of charity; and racism and ongoing racial conflict. This edition also features fresh, global examples, revised introductions to key thinkers and figures, expanded treatment of the theological virtues, and a list of key terms at the end of every chapter.

Reviews

Valuable new coverage of polarization, racism, and sexuality updates this classic introduction to the moral life. Wadell's text offers an engaging, substantive, and remarkably comprehensive introduction to the Christian ethics through the welcome lens of our creation for happiness. -- Kristin E. Heyer, Joseph Chair in Theology, Boston College
As many who have taught Christian Ethics with this book will attest, it is accessible to students from a range of ecclesial traditions, as well as to those with no religious background at all. But it is more than that. Happiness and the Christian Moral Life draws readers in with a compelling invitation: to discover that at the heart of the good life is love and belonging, and that ones vocationno matter ones occupationis to embody the fullness of that life in just relationships with all of creation. The updates to this new edition and the inclusion of a section on sexuality by Bridget Burke Ravizza strengthen this wise, engaging text even more. -- Debra Dean Murphy, chair of the department of Philosophy and Religious Studies, West Virginia Wesleyan College
This definitive edition of Paul Wadells Happiness and the Christian Moral life coalesced through the magnanimity and hospitality of its author to the many interlocutors who have loved, used, and discussed its previous editions. Along with improvements to the overall structure of the already impressive third edition, Wadell incorporates thoughtful treatments of recent papal encyclicals to further inform his insightful explanations. Emergent moral concerns facing undergraduatesclimate change, racism, hookup culture, and pornographyalso receive attention in this latest edition, which now fittingly begins with the Beatitudes and ends with caritas. This is a masterful introduction to Christian ethics. -- Carter Aikin, grants director, Network for Vocation in Undergraduate Education
That this is the fourth edition of Happiness and the Christian Moral Life reflects how happy instructors, including myself, and students are with this engaging introductory text. Paul J. Wadell, now emeritus professor but ever a gifted teacher, continues to listen and to learn, as reflected in this improved edition that bridges past insights with present concerns, integrates foundational elements with major issues, and incorporates contributions from both traditional and marginalized voices. I am happier than ever to see this new edition. -- Tobias Winright, professor of Moral Theology, St. Patrick's Pontifical University, Maynooth, Ireland
For over two decades, my students have been captivated by Wadells intriguing stories, and drawn deeply into a clearer understanding of moral theology by his clear and compelling presentations. This latest edition, significantly updated, is a testimony to Wadells understanding of the moral life as an ongoing quest, that earnest desire, for happiness. -- Patrick Flanagan, chair of the department of Theology and Religious Studies, St. John's University
While this fourth edition of Wadells provocative, useful, and eminently readable text, Happiness and the Christian Moral Life, is certainly a fine introduction to Christian ethics, a case can also be made for its value as an especially rich and profoundly relevant work of theological anthropology. Perhaps the strongest evidence of this is the authors inclusion of a compelling new chapter devoted to the importance of understanding love as humanitys sole raison detre. -- Scott D. Geis, professor of Religious Studies, Christian Brothers University

Author Bio

Paul J. Wadell is professor emeritus of theology and religious studies at St. Norbert College. He is the author of several books, including Friendship and the Moral Life; Becoming Friends: Worship, Justice and the Practice of Christian Friendship; and Happiness and the Christian Moral Life: An Introduction to Christian Ethics (now in its 3rd edition).