To Will and To Do Vol II: An Introduction to Christian Ethics

Jacques Ellul's To Will and To Do, a theological contribution from the 20th century, has now been published in English for the first time. Volume One and Volume Two, which make up the first part of his planned four-part treatment of Christian ethics, are combined in this new publication. Ellul explores the origin of the problem of Good and Evil, surveys Western society's morality, and proposes an impossible yet necessary Christian ethics in Volume Two. He also outlines the characteristics and conditions of Christian ethics, analyzes the relationship between ethics and the Bible's legal texts, and reimagines the theological use of the analogy of faith for scriptural interpretation. Ellul's work engages with Karl Barth, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Paul Ricoeur, and others, establishing it as a significant intervention in twentieth-century theological ethics.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 228 pages
Publication date: 31 August 2023
Publisher: James Clarke & Co Ltd

Jacques Ellul, a prominent French thinker of the 20th century, made a significant theological contribution with his work "To Will and To Do," but the full text has never been available in English until now. This groundbreaking publication brings to light Ellul's profound insights, incorporating recent interpretations and benefiting from the discovery of a lost manuscript. Presented in two volumes, this edition combines a fresh translation of Volume One with a first English translation of Volume Two, forming the initial part of Ellul's planned four-part treatment of Christian ethics.

In Volume Two, Ellul delves into the origins of the problem of Good and Evil, conducts a comprehensive survey of Western society's morality, and presents a thought-provoking exploration of the paradoxical nature of an impossible yet necessary Christian ethics. He further develops this discussion, outlining the defining characteristics and conditions of Christian ethics, while also examining the intricate relationship between ethics, biblical legal texts, and dogmatic theology. Ellul concludes by reimagining the theological significance of the analogy of faith for scriptural interpretation. Throughout the work, Ellul engages in a lively dialogue with renowned thinkers such as Karl Barth, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Paul Ricoeur, and others, contributing to the establishment of "To Will and To Do" as a major intervention in 20th-century theological ethics.

This comprehensive publication makes Ellul's theological vision accessible to a broader English-speaking audience, allowing readers to delve into his profound and thought-provoking ideas on Christian ethics and their relevance in contemporary society.

Weight: 346g
Dimension: 151 x 228 x 16 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780227179369