Goodreads helps you keep track of books you want to read.

Start by marking “The Sources of Christian Ethics” as Want to Read:

Other editions

Enlarge cover

Rate this book

Clear rating

1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

Open Preview

The Sources of Christian Ethics

Servais Pinckaers

4.50 · Rating details · 111 ratings · 14 reviews

First published in 1985 as Les sources de la morale chr�tienne by University Press Fribourg, this work has been recognized by scholars worldwide as one of the most important books in the field of moral theology. Already its acclaim has warranted translations into Spanish, Italian, and Polish. Now it is available for the first time in an English translation, which includes First published in 1985 as Les sources de la morale chr�tienne by University Press Fribourg, this work has been recognized by scholars worldwide as one of the most important books in the field of moral theology. Already its acclaim has warranted translations into Spanish, Italian, and Polish. Now it is available for the first time in an English translation, which includes a new preface.

Writing in a tone that is reconciliatory rather than polemical, Servais Pinckaers returns Christian ethics to its sources, the Gospel and the Holy Spirit. After discussing the complementary domains of morality and the behavioral and natural sciences, he traces the scriptural themes--particularly in the Sermon on the Mount and the writings of St. Paul--that most influence moral instruction. He then examines in depth the history of moral theology from the patristic period to the present day. This history includes a discussion of the relation of Protestant and Catholic views of Christian ethics.

The unique feature of Pinckaers's contemporary Thomistic view is its emphasis on the virtues, gifts, and evangelical Beatitudes as the heart of the Christian moral life. His approach to morality results in what he calls the freedom for excellence, a notion of freedom that he contrasts with the nominalist concept of the freedom of indifference, which has dominated moral theology since the fourteenth century.

As a complete handbook of moral theology, this book will serve the needs of both beginning and advanced students in seminary and university courses in moral theology and ethics. For Catholic readers in particular, it will provide the background and perspective needed to achieve a fuller understanding of the moral teaching of the Catechism and of the encyclical Veritatis splendor.

Servais Pinckaers, O.P., is professor of moral theology at the University of Fribourg in Switzerland. His most recent books include L'Evangile et la Morale (1989) and La Morale Catholique (1991).

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Pinckaers' wonderful book is characterized by a return to the centrality of the virtues for how one thinks about the moral life. . . ."--First Things"

"This work provides a succinct overview of the history of moral theology, written with a sureness of touch developed by long years of research. . . . There is no comparable single work in English which explains what moral theology is and what it is about."--Brian V. Johnstone, C.Ss.R., Alphonsian Academy, Rome

"A very readable translation of Pinckaers's award-winning work in foundational ethics...."--Religious Studies Review" ...more

Get A Copy

Paperback, Third Edition, 489 pages

Published June 1st 1995 by Catholic University of America Press

More Details... Edit Details

Friend Reviews

To see what your friends thought of this book, please sign up.

Reader Q&A

To ask other readers questions about The Sources of Christian Ethics, please sign up.

Be the first to ask a question about The Sources of Christian Ethics

Lists with This Book

Jesus Told Me to Do What? Looking Beyond the Golden Rule by Peter Bakich

Brief Survey of the Book of Romans by Brad Andres

THEOLOGICAL BOOKS

16 books — 6 voters

Thomistic Institute Recommended Reading

36 books — 1 voter

More lists with this book...

Community Reviews

Showing 1-30

Average rating 4.50 ·

Rating details

· 111 ratings · 14 reviews

More filters

Sort order

Start your review of The Sources of Christian Ethics

Apr 17, 2016 John rated it it was amazing

A very important book - but not an easy read.

This is a critical overview of Christian ethics, contrasting the modern ethics that emphasizes obligation and commandments to the ethical approach found in the Fathers of the Church and St. Thomas that started from the natural inclination to happiness, the importance of the Beatitudes, and the virtues.

This book is a very good - though a little repetitive at times - analysis that opens up the way toward an ethics based first of all on the Sermon on th ...more

flag 1 like · Like · see review

Aug 18, 2010 Conor rated it it was amazing

It has been 10 years since I read this book, but I remember being blown away by Fr. Pinckaer's approach. I was reading this in juxtaposition to some very legalistic approaches to ethics and Fr. Pinckaer's writing was fresh, free, and liberating. As someone else put in a review, Pinckaer's approach is one of freedom for excellence. The Beatitudes are the place he starts his reflection on the moral life of the Christian. This book is beautiful and an indispensable read for those who want to be fam ...more

flag 1 like · Like · see review

Feb 03, 2020 Thomas Lehner rated it really liked it

Shelves: catholic-church, catholicism

I read this book as part of Deacon Study program. It is packed full of information and history. I really liked the depth of knowledge provided here regarding ethics. It is based on Scriptures and recognizes the shortcomings of the current approach while proposing a new way forward. The author goes through the development of morals and ethics through Church history, and mixes in philosophical approaches as well. It's a hefty book and will take some time to read through but it provides a lot of kn ...more

flag Like · see review

Jun 14, 2019 Agustin Estrada rated it it was amazing

¡De lo mejor que hay para entender todo el edificio de la moral cristiana! /AE

flag Like · see review

Aug 19, 2019 Jon Wisnieski rated it it was amazing

One of the best and most influential books I have ever read. Completely changed my understanding of ethics and human freedom.

flag Like · see review

Jan 17, 2017 Cornelius Pulung rated it it was amazing

Shelves: moral-theology, thomism

The best introduction (in fact it is more than an introduction) to moral theology based on insightful teaching of Sts. Augustine and Thomas Aquinas. Father Pinckaers puts the question of happiness as the last end of humanity and integrates and synthesize other things such as virtues, freedom, natural inclination, grace in relation to universal desire to happiness. A must read for students of theology.

flag Like · see review

Sep 21, 2007 Br. Justin Marie Brophy, O.P. rated it really liked it

Recommends it for: everyone

Wonderful text. Very readable and quick-moving. Very compelling arguments for a return to a telos-based moral theology. While the author is a great champion of St. Thomas, he also provides very good arguments for a return to the sources of moral theology. A very balanced text that anyone can read with great benefit.

flag Like · see review

May 20, 2014 Jan-Jaap van Peperstraten rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Why christian moral theology shows that the moral life does not have much to do with 'rule-following', and freedom is not what most people think it is. ...more

flag Like · see review