James William McClendon

McClendon's Ethics is not for the speed-reader or for someone looking for a primer on ethics. He pleads in the introduction to read slowly, and if you don't, I doubt you will get much out of it.

This is the first book in his three-volume series on systematic theology, and as far as I know he is the only writer to tackle the challenge from an Anabaptist perspective. He begins with the assumption that the church is not the world - our story and theology is not the world's theology. And it would be a mistake not only try to appeal to the world's reason but also to try and conceal our differences.

Another central argument is against "decisionism" in ethics. He argues that through narrative we are able to understand our identity and therefore be informed in our ethics. His entire book argues against a modernist understanding of ethics. If we were to categorize McClendon, he would probably be post-modern in his attempt at systematic theology.… (more)