Gospel Virtues: Practicing Faith, Hope, and Love in Uncertain Times

by Jonathan R. Wilson

Virtues are in, but the work of Bill Bennett and others says little about specifically Christian virtues. Jonathan Wilson now recounts the recent rise of virtue ethics and provides a compelling Christian account and justification of them. Wilson engages such key figures as Alasdair MacIntyre and Stanley Hauerwas. Focusing especially on the theological virtues of faith, hope, and love, he not only sets forth a closely reasoned intellectual argument but suggests how an embrace of virtue ethics might change the nitty-gritty practice of the church's education, worship, and hospitality. Accessible, informed, and faithful, 'Gospel Virtues' is important reading for all who care about issues of character and community.

Genres: Theology

214 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 1998

About the author

Jonathan R. Wilson (PhD, Duke University) is Pioneer McDonald Professor of Theology at Carey Theological College in Vancouver, British Columbia. He previously taught at Acadia Divinity College and Westmont College and has served as a pastor. He currently serves as Senior Consultant for Theological Integration with Canadian Baptist Ministries and is a Teaching Fellow at Regent College. He is the author of numerous books, including Living Faithfully in a Fragmented World, A Primer for Christian Doctrine, and God So Loved the World.

Reviews

[Ross Heinricy · Rating 5 out of 5]

JR Wilson is a deep and thorough thinker given to a greater understanding of truth than many theological books I read. This book is dedicated to the virtues of faith hoe and love. He treats each one separately while still pointing to the truth that they are interconnected and interdependent one upon the other. "Each exists in dependence upon the others."
One particular thought gripped me, as I continue to contemplate the depth of its meaning. As he spoke to the idea that our knowledge of God forms our faith in God, and although we never truly arrive, we know enough to have hope, and we are sustained by our hope in the knowledge we have. He wrote on page 94, "Yet by its very nature, personal knowledge is open ended and incomplete. That is why the Christian life is a pilgrimage, and why Christians are disciples - learners, not masters."
I know this is a book I will need to read again a few times before I truly glean the depth of the message.