“This is a timely addition to the burgeoning scholarship on what early Christians thought about a life of virtue. Blowers has chosen his texts carefully to illustrate important themes relating to the moral formation of early Christians. Ranging from excerpts of The Shepherd of Hermas to Maximus the Confessor, these texts in lively, new, and updated translations will have a wide appeal to scholars, pastoral workers, ethicists, and general readers in the history of early Christianity.”
Moral Formation and the Virtuous Life
In Moral Formation and the Virtuous Life, volume editor Paul M. Blowers has translated and gathered several key texts from early Christian sources to explore the broad themes of moral conscience and ethics. Readers will gain a sense of how moral formation was part of a process sustained by pastoral instruction and admonition based on ritual practice (baptism, eucharist, and liturgy) as well as learned ethical behaviors related to moral issues, such as sexual ethics, marriage and celibacy, wealth and poverty, pagan entertainment, military service, and more. Moral Formation and the Virtuous Life is part of Ad Fontes: Early Christian Sources, a series designed to present ancient Christian texts essential to an understanding of Christian theology, ecclesiology, and practice. The books in the series will make the wealth of early Christian thought available to new generations of students of theology and provide a valuable resource for the Church. Developed in light of recent Patristic scholarship, the volumes will provide a representative sampling of theological contributions from both East and West.
The series aims to provide volumes that are relevant for a variety of courses: from introduction to theology to classes on doctrine and the development of Christian thought. The goal of each volume is not to be exhaustive, but rather representative enough to denote for a non-specialist audience the multivalent character of early Christian thought, allowing readers to see how and why early Christian doctrine and practice developed the way it did.
- Publisher Fortress Press
- Format Paperback
- ISBN 9781451496345
- eBook ISBN 9781506457376
- Dimensions 5.5 x 8.5
- Pages 244
- Publication Date July 2, 2019
Endorsements
A timely addition to the burgeoning scholarship on what early Christians thought about a life of virtue
Bronwen Neil | Macquarie University
A masterful orientation to the complex theme of Christian moral formation
“Paul M. Blowers has authored a superbly designed volume that captures the richness of moral formation in early Christianity. The translated sources are thematically organized, carefully introduced, and representative of the diverseness of early Christianity. The volume is also prefaced by a masterful orientation to the complex theme of Christian moral formation. This splendid book will serve a variety of classrooms well.”
Peter W. Martens | Saint Louis University
An indispensable guide for all who are interested in the moral experience of early Christians
“Moral Formation and the Virtuous Life is an eloquent resource for studying early Christian moral thought and practice, which will be appreciated by students and teachers alike. It ably weaves together pastoral admonition, biblical interpretation, hymns, liturgical practice, and philosophical reflection to present a multifaceted view of the dynamic ‘communal moral vision’ at the heart of the Christian pursuit of virtue. The diversity and breadth of sources, presented with some fresh translations, make this volume an indispensable guide for all who are interested in the moral experience of early Christians.”
Richard Layton | University of Illinois
The range of coverage is diverse, exemplary, and fitting
“This book wonderfully captures the theological, historical, and communal contours of moral formation in early Christian thought. The introduction to each section is nuanced but accessible, aptly identifying and spelling out the crucial issues and thinkers. The range of coverage is diverse, exemplary, and fitting. The tone of the book is refreshingly astute in its selection of texts and its constructive promise.”
Fred Aquino | Abilene Christian University
This collection of texts makes the early Christian heritage of moral and spiritual wisdom accessible to all
“What it means to live a good life is today perhaps more contested than ever before. The early church had a clear and distinctive teaching on this subject. Despite the passage of two millennia, it is still capable of speaking to us today. This collection of texts makes the early Christian heritage of moral and spiritual wisdom accessible to all.”
David Bradshaw | University of Kentucky