Most people would agree that human perfection is unattainable. Indeed, theologians have typically expressed ambivalence about the possibility of human perfection. Yet, paradoxically, depictions of human perfection are widespread. In this volume, Robin Gill offers an interdisciplinary study of human perfection in contemporary secular culture. He demonstrates that the language of perfection is present in church memorials, popular depictions of sport, food, music and art, liturgy, and philosophy. He contrasts these examples with the socio-psychological concept of 'maladaptive perfectionism', using commercial cosmetic surgery as an example, as well as the 'adaptive perfectionism' suggested in the lives of Henry Holland, Paul Farmer, and, more ambivalently, Ludwig Wittgenstein. Gill then provides an in-depth analysis of New Testament and Septuagint usage of teleios and theological debates about the human perfection of Jesus. He argues that the Synoptic accounts of the Transfiguration offer a template for a Christian understanding of perfection that has important ecumenical implications within social ethics.

Examining contemporary secular culture and the New Testament, this study explores the contradictions of the concept of human perfection.

The scientific reproducibility crisis is a crisis of character. Stoic and Christian spiritual exercises build virtues that address these problems.

It is a comprehensive and critical study of the normative status of human nature in biotechnology from a Christian perspective.

Feminists are aware of the diversity of thinking within their own tradition, and of the different approaches to moral questions in which that is manifest. This book describes and analyses that diversity by distinguishing three distinct paradigms of moral reasoning to be found within feminism. Using the writings of feminists, the major strengths and weaknesses of each theory are considered, so that creative dialogue between them can be encouraged. Three common themes are drawn out - which are also on the agenda of new developments in philosophical and Christian ethics: the search for an appropriate universalism, the possibility of a redemptive community and the development of a new humanism. Feminists may be encouraged, through this account of their considerable scholarship in ethical thinking, to contribute to these changes with their special concern for the lives and the fulfilment of women.

This is a long-awaited and needed book about the mutual relationship between moral theology and spirituality -- in the past, at the present time, and with hope for the future. It is a gentle and convincing book, both in its tone and in its arguments. It is in the best sense a scientific book and at the same time an existential text. It appeals to mind and heart. This is a most useful book for every Christian striving to become ever more a discerning person, aiming at integration of prayer and life. Books like this strengthen my unbroken optimism about the ongoing renewal of Christian ethics and Christian spirituality."" Bernhard Haering, Gars, Germany In 'Becoming Good, Becoming Holy', Mark O'Keefe makes a valuable contribution to our understanding of the Christian life in its wholeness and integrity. By connecting love and justice; prayer, discernment, and moral decision making; fundamental option and spiritual growth, he challenges unhelpful divisions between Christian ethics and spirituality. His vision of conversion and of the Christian life as a dynamic totality will appeal to a wide range of readers."" Elizabeth Dreyer, Washington Theological Union Clearly written and insightful, 'Becoming Good, Becoming Holy' is a convincing response to the Second Vatican Council's call to renew Catholic moral theology by centering it on our life in Christ. Best of all, O'Keefe underscores both the pivotal connection between Eucharist and morality, and the integral role of prayer and discernment in Christian moral decision making."" Paul Wadell, Catholic Theological Union Mark O'Keefe, OSB, is Associate Professor of Moral Theology at St. Meinrad School of Theology and a Benedictine monk at St. Meinrad Archabbey. He is the author of 'What Are They Saying About Social Sin?' and his articles have appeared in 'New Theology Review', 'Irish Theological Quarterly', 'New Blackfriars', 'Eglise et Theologie', and other theological journals.

Enfleshing Theology honors and engages the life work of M. Shawn Copeland, whose theology is groundbreaking and prophetic, traversing the fields of Catholic Theology, Black Theology, Womanist Thought, and Semiotics. The book opens with a brief introduction, and then moves to an interview with Copeland, which connects her theology to her life stories. The conversation with Copeland also provides a backdrop to the seventeen essays that follow, extending Copeland’s theological worldview. The contributions are divided according to the following sections: embodiment, discipleship, and politics. The essays in the section entitled "Engaging Embodiment" critically reflect on the importance of embodiment in Christian theology and contemporary culture. Following Copeland’s lead, authors in this section theorize and theologize the body, particularly (but not limited to) Black women’s bodies, as a locus theologicus that reveals, mediates, and shapes the splendor and suffering reality of human existence. The next section, entitled "Engaging Discipleship," focuses on the concrete challenges of following Jesus in today’s world. The essays included in this section reflect on Copeland’s focus on Jesus’ particularity in terms of his solidarity with and for others. Discipleship is about modeling and mentoring, so scholars in this section also comment on Copeland’s contribution to teaching and pedagogy. The last section, entitled "Engaging the Political," interrogates the political implications of the theological. It is noteworthy that there are two trajectories of the political here, one is Copeland’s development of political theology through the lens of Canadian Jesuit theologian, Bernard Lonergan. The other trajectory focuses on the work of theology in contemporary art and politics. These three sections are fluid and overlap with one another. Several of the articles on embodiment speak to questions of solidarity and a few of the essays on discipleship clearly present as political. The ways in which each of the contributions in this volume overlap with each other attests to the complex nature of doing constructive theology today, and even more how Copeland’s work is at the forefront of that multi-layered, polyvalent, intersectional theological work.

This book explores the religious language of Nonconformity used in ethical debates about animals. It uncovers a rich stream of innovative discourse from the Puritans of the seventeenth century, through the Clapham Sect and Evangelical Revival, to the nineteenth century debates about vivisection. This discourse contributed to law reform and the foundation of the RSPCA, and continues to flavour the way we talk about animal welfare and animal rights today. Shaped by the "nonconformist conscience", it has been largely overlooked. The more common perception is that Christian “dominion” authorises the human exploitation of animals, while Enlightenment humanism and Darwinian thought are seen as drawing humans and animals together in one "family". This book challenges that perception, and proposes an alternative perspective. Through exploring the shaping of animal advocacy discourses by Biblical themes of creation, fall and restoration, this book reveals the continuing importance of the nonconformist conscience as a source to enrich animal ethics today. It will appeal to the animal studies community, theologians and early modern historians.

From police violence to mass incarceration, from environmental racism to micro-aggressions, the moral gravity of anti-black racism is attracting broad attention. How do Christian ideas, practices, and institutions contribute to today's struggle for racial justice? And how do they need to be reimagined in light of the challenges to white supremacy posed by today's movements for racial justice? With contributions by leading experts such as Katie Grimes, Steven Battin, Santiago Slabodsky, M. Shawn Copeland, Kelly Brown Douglas, Elias Ortega-Aponte, Ashon Crawley, Eboni Marshall Turman, and Bryan Massingale, this collection speaks to scholars, students, activists, and Christians of all races who believe that black lives matter. --

This book sets out clearly and critically the different ways that Augustine, Aquinas and Luther continue to shape ethics today within and across Christian denominations. Readers are introduced to Christian ethics before being invited to consider some of the most controversial but important questions facing people across the world today.