We live in a post-Christian world where Christians are regularly vilified or belittled for holding to ethical positions that would have been the norm 20 years ago. Accordingly, it has never been more important for Christians to reflect on the many ethical challenges of our day and understand why we hold the positions we do. Davis’ book is a great place to begin exploring Christian ethics. He describes it as a concise journey through Christian Ethics and at first, I thought it would be impossible for him to do justice to the various issues he seeks to address in the book. However, he has written a fascinating and challenging introduction to many ethical dilemmas while keeping each chapter short and focused. Of course, each issue would repay further study but as a starting point it is excellent.

Davis covers an impressive list of topics in the book – the topics you would expect are there – such as life issues like abortion and euthanasia, relationship issues like marriage, divorce, pornography, homosexuality and transgenderism – but he also looks at other areas we wouldn’t necessarily think of – how we use language, technology, racism, disability. He also ends the book with four chapters looking at stewardship including workplace integrity, the environment and immigration.

Each issue is summarised and he draws on Scripture to unpack what a Christian response might look like. He then provides helpful questions for further discussion which also encourages us to apply the teaching in our lives.

Davis, who is used to teaching high school students, uses clear and straightforward language to write a book that is suitable for high school students, university students and adults. But perhaps what comes across most in the book is that he displays a compassion and concern for others as he writes, even those he disagrees with. He is seeking to persuade even non-Christians to think again about these ethical issues and giving confidence to Christians to stand up for what is right. This book deserves to be widely read and put into practice in our lives.

This book is available to purchase from Christian Focus.

Stephen Allison, Kiltarlity Free Church