Business Ethics in Biblical Perspective: A Comprehensive Introduction

by Michael E. Cafferky

It is legal for CEOs to make 300 times the amount of the average worker. But is this fair and just? Is it ethical for a customer to purchase a digital camera for the sole purpose of using it on a ski trip and then return the item to the store afterwards? Should companies who purchase advertising space on websites that offer pirated videos for download be held accountable for breaking intellectual property laws? The world of business is fraught with ethical challenges. Some of these are relatively straightforward, but others are complicated and require careful reflection. While there are numerous theories to help people navigate these dilemmas, the goal of this book is to provide a comprehensive biblical perspective on contemporary issues in areas such as consumer behavior, management, accounting and marketing. In Business Ethics in Biblical Perspective , Michael E. Cafferky explores the biblical resources for moral guidance and ethical consideration. He identifies twelve key themes in the narrative of cosmic conflict, creation, holiness, covenant relationships, shalom, sabbath, justice, righteousness, truth, wisdom, loving kindness and redemption. By looking at ethical approaches and issues through this multifaceted biblical perspective, Cafferky helps readers appreciate the complex nature of ethical decision making, particularly in the context of business and finance. Designed from the start with the classroom in mind, each chapter of Business Ethics in Biblical Perspective provides example scenarios, questions for intrapersonal and interpersonal ethical reflection, review questions, ethical vignettes for discussion and an exploration of the chapter material in light of the biblical themes. Additional IVP Instructor Resources are also available.

496 pages, Hardcover

First published August 3, 2015

Reviews

[David Lugo · Rating 2 out of 5]

Sometimes kind of shallow and trying to be too balanced. It also didn’t do a great job showing the biblical themes in my opinion. For example, it talked about shalom in parts almost as if it is just about keeping the peace in the workplace, which I think is a mis-directed redemptive-historical view of biblical shalom. Overall it did a decent job explaining the contemporary ethical models but I feel like it’s analysis of them wasn’t super rigorous. In some ways it felt like they were all presented as equally viable decision-making models.

Some good elements of this book but I wasn’t overall very impressed.

[Brandon Bellinghausen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mostly good. Tries to be a little bit too "balanced" at points (a problem that occurs again and again in the modern Christian ghettos), but good overall.