Creation and Christian Ethics

“Creation is important for far more than debates about how the world began. Dennis Hollinger shows us how this foundational doctrine is vital for discerning how to navigate the complexities of life in the world God created. Hollinger makes a clear connection between doctrine and ethics, and his depth of study and insight will help Christians walk with conviction, wisdom, humility, and generosity.”

“Dennis Hollinger is a wise ethicist who has given us a book that is full of wisdom. He argues convincingly—and eloquently—that a biblical ethics that is genuinely biblical must be firmly grounded in the knowledge of God’s creating purposes in designing the marvelous world where he calls us to do his will. I learned much from this book, and I plan to return to it frequently to learn even more.”

“Hollinger’s fundamental instinct—which he consistently and ably applies throughout the book and across various subjects—is to make sure our ethics begin with the goodness of creation. It sounds easier than it often proves to be in practice: some downplay the goodness of creation because of a hyperemphasis on the fall, while others ignore creation by giving the spirit of this age too much unquestioned influence. I’m glad to see him push us toward the goodness and the faithful trajectory of God’s creation in the way he does.”

“If the resurrection vindicates creation, then understanding the significance of creation in its biblical and trinitarian foundation alongside the teachings of Jesus, the kingdom, and eschatology is paramount for Christian ethics. Creation and Christian Ethics reclaims the centrality of this doctrine for understanding our creatureliness and social responsibility regarding an array of critical topics facing the contemporary church. Timely and comprehensive, this book is an essential read for discerning faithful witness and ethical practice in our day.”

“Dennis Hollinger is one of the most respected evangelical Protestant ethicists of our generation. This much-needed book is clear, cogent, and impressively comprehensive. This outstanding work of contemporary moral reflection is biblically rich, philosophically astute, and contextually engaged.”

“A masterful examination of creation and its implications for contemporary Christian ethics. Hollinger carefully navigates the theory-praxis tension so often present in the field by offering a refreshingly robust biblical and theological account of creation and its practical application to many of the most challenging ethical issues of our day.”

“As we’ve come to expect from Dennis Hollinger, Creation and Christian Ethics is another first-rate work in the area of Christian ethics. It is thorough and well documented and will be a rich resource for those thinking hard about questions at the intersection of Christian faith and culture. The evangelical tradition has not always given the doctrine of creation sufficient weight—Hollinger corrects that neglect well in this important work.”