Over the course of my own research and teaching, I’ve grown wary of using ‘biblical’ as an adjective and yet (perhaps in part because I have been nurtured by an evangelical heritage) I regularly turn to the bible for nourishment. A primary area of my research is the use of the bible in moral reasoning, i.e. how do we use the bible in thinking through social issues. I find that the ways in which writers use the bible can often prove more telling than the actual conclusions they reach. You may be surprised to know that academic writing on this topic, or method in biblical ethics is actually rather sparse. This bibliography here represents my best attempt to collate the literature, and eventually provide comment on some of the major streams in contemporary use of the bible in Christian ethics.
Note: I also try to keep this list cross-referenced with an Amazon list-mania list I maintain.
1. Literature Surveys
There are a few good studies surveying the literature, though these are getting a bit dated at this point.
- Barton, John. “Understanding Old Testament Ethics.” Journal for the Study of the Old Testament , no. 9 (1978): doi:10.1177/030908927800300902.
- Wright, Christopher JH. “Biblical Ethics: A Survey of the Last Decade.” Themelios 18, no. 2 (1993): 15-19.
Several books on biblical ethics also provide good surveys. See especially the meticulous surveys by Brock and Hays, included in their larger monographs listed below.
2. Biblical Ethics – General
Birch, Bruce C, and Larry L Rasmussen. Bible & Ethics in the Christian Life. Minneapolis: Augsburg, 1989.
Brock, Brian. Singing the Ethos of God : On the Place of Christian Ethics in Scripture.Grand Rapids, Mich.: William B. Eerdmans Pub, 2007.
Murray, John. Principles of Conduct : Aspects of Biblical Ethics. Grand Rapids, Mich.: Eerdmans, 2001.
Ogletree, Thomas W. The Use of the Bible in Christian Ethics : A Constructive Essay.Louisville, Ky.: Westminster John Knox Press, 2003.
3. Biblical Ethics – OT
Barton, John. “Approaches to Ethics in the Old Testament.” In Beginning Old Testament Study. Edited by J W Rogerson. Philadelphia: Westminster Press, 1982.
Birch, Bruce. “Old Testament Narrative and Moral Addres.” In Canon, Theology, and Old Testament Interpretation : Essays in Honor of Brevard S. Childs. Edited by Gene M Tucker, David L Petersen, Robert R Wilson and Brevard S Childs. Philadelphia: Fortress Press, 1988.
Birch, Bruce C. Let Justice Roll Down : The Old Testament, Ethics, and Christian Life.Louisville, Ky.: Westminster/John Knox Press, 1991.
Goldingay, John. “The Old Testament As a Way of Life.” In Approaches to Old Testament Interpretation Issues in Contemporary Theology. Downers Grove, Ill.: InterVarsity Press, 1981.
Kaiser, Walter C. Toward Old Testament Ethics. Grand Rapids, Mich.: Zondervan, 1983.
Newsom, Carol A. The Book of Job : A Contest of Moral Imaginations. Oxford; New York: Oxford University Press, 2003.
Wilson. “Approaches to Old Testament Ethic.” In Canon, Theology, and Old Testament Interpretation : Essays in Honor of Brevard S. Childs. Edited by Gene M Tucker, David L Petersen, Robert R Wilson and Brevard S Childs. Philadelphia: Fortress Press, 1988.
Wright, Christopher JH. Old Testament Ethics for the People of God. Downers Grove, Ill.: Inter-Varsity Press, 2004.
———. Walking in the Ways of the Lord : The Ethical Authority of the Old Testament.Downers Grove, Ill.: InterVarsity Press, 1995.
4. Biblical Ethics – NT
Bartholomew, Craig G. A Royal Priesthood? : The Use of the Bible Ethically and Politically : A Dialogue with Oliver O’donovan. The Scripture and hermeneutics series 3. Carlisle, Cumbria; Grand Rapids, Mich.: Paternoster Press ; Zondervan, 2002.
Burridge, Richard A. Imitating Jesus : An Inclusive Approach to New Testament Ethics. Grand Rapids, Mich.: William B. Eerdmans Pub., 2007.
Hays, Richard B. The Moral Vision of the New Testament : Community, Cross, New Creation : A Contemporary Introduction to New Testament Ethics. San Francisco]: HarperSanFrancisco, 1996.
5. Biblical Ethics – Topical