Moral Choices, summary

This was an excellent book. I am glad to have read it. Rae is careful in his presentation of the topics and the positions he takes. I can appreciate the care and precision with which he nuances very subtle distinctions in ethics. I can see this book being as serving as a model for working through ethical decisions, a source for understanding controversial issues, and potentially a text for a class.

His model for making ethical decisions in chapter 5 was worth the price of admission. Rae lays out a step by step procedure for working through any topic in ethics. While there is much to be said for actually carrying out those points, I appreciate a clear and applicable model and I do plan to use it.

I find it extremely helpful to read the various arguments when considering an ethical issue. Having an ethicist such as Rae to explain the positions from a Chritian worldview is helpful. In ministry, these issues come up often. So, having this as a resource to think through and carefully unpack tough issues is quite valuable.

I also hope to use this as a framework for discussing ethics and ethical issues in a church context. I think these are important for Christians to consider. I could see using this to teach a class, lead discussions and wrestle with tough issues faced in our society. If we, as Christians, are going to be the "significant voice" in politics that Grudem envisions, we must think through these issues and be articulate in our position.