The Christian Moral Life: Practice of Piety

This work by Timothy Sedgwick offers an introduction to the Christian life that leads readers from the theological foundations of Christian ethics to the daily practice of piety.In the opening chapters Sedgwick provides a general introduction to Christian moral living as expressed by both Catholics and Protestants, looking especially at the Anglican understanding of piety as a way of life. Subsequent chapters move from historical discussion to a contemporary description of Christian practices that deepen the love of neighbor in relation to the love of God.Arguing that the presence of God in our lives is given in a covenant of hospitality, Sedgwick develops a constructive view of the moral life that takes account of themes central to Christian ethics: the nature of forgiveness, the relationship of law and gospel, the call for love and justice. He also shows that effective piety requires the practice of spiritual disciplines that deepen our experiences of God: prayer, worship, self-examination, the simplification of daily life, and acts of hospitality and service.Written in a style accessible to non-specialists, The Christian Moral Life will be of special value to teachers, pastors, students, and others working in the field of Christian ethics.