Title
The Priority of Love: Christian Charity and Social Justice (New Forum Books),Used
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This book explores the relation between agape (or Christian charity) and social justice. Timothy Jackson defines agape as the central virtue in Christian ethical thought and action and applies his insights to three concrete issues: political violence, forgiveness, and abortion. Taking his primary cue from the New Testament while drawing extensively from contemporary theology and philosophy, Jackson identifies three features of Christian charity: unconditional commitment to the good of others, equal regard for others' wellbeing, and passionate service open to selfsacrifice for the sake of others.Charity, prescribed by Jesus for his disciples and named by Saint Paul as the 'greatest' theological virtue, is contrasted with various accounts of justice. Jackson argues that agape is not trumped by justice or other goods. Rather, agape precedes justice: without the work of love, society would not produce persons capable of merit, demerit, and contract, the elements of most modern conceptions of justice. Jackson then considers the implications of his ideas for several questions: the nature of God, the relation between Christian love and political violence, the place of forgiveness, and the morality of abortion. Arguing that agapic love is to be construed as a gift of grace as well as a divine commandment, Jackson concludes that love is the 'eternal life' that makes temporal existence possible and thus the 'first' Christian virtue. Though foremost a contribution to Christian ethics, Jackson's arguments and the issues he takes up will find a broader readership.
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- Q: What is the main theme of 'The Priority of Love'? A: The main theme of 'The Priority of Love' is the relationship between Christian charity (agape) and social justice, exploring how unconditional love precedes and informs concepts of justice.
- Q: Who is the author of this book? A: The author of 'The Priority of Love' is Timothy P. Jackson, a scholar in Christian ethics.
- Q: What are some key issues discussed in the book? A: Key issues discussed include political violence, forgiveness, and abortion, examined through the lens of Christian charity.
- Q: What is agape as described in the book? A: Agape is defined as a central virtue in Christian ethical thought, characterized by unconditional commitment to the good of others and passionate service.
- Q: How does the author contrast charity with justice? A: The author argues that agape is not overridden by justice; rather, it is foundational, as love creates the capacity for justice and moral understanding.
- Q: What can readers expect to gain from this book? A: Readers can expect to gain insights into the role of love in ethical decision-making and its implications for social justice issues.
- Q: Is this book suitable for a general audience? A: Yes, while primarily a contribution to Christian ethics, the discussions are relevant to a broader readership interested in social issues.
- Q: What is the publication date of 'The Priority of Love'? A: The book was published on November 29, 2009.
- Q: How many pages does the book have? A: The book contains 256 pages.
- Q: What type of binding is used for this book? A: The book is available in paperback binding.