Becoming Good: Building Moral Character

This book argues that becoming a good person is a skill that takes practice and a community within which to build ones character. He grounds the community in its relationship to God. This books tone is pastoral. One gets the sense that David cares deeply about Christian formation and church life and this book is his contribution to our shared life. It is a good contribution! Three aspects of the book will be useful to readers: 1. David Gill wrote the book very clearly. He does not use tons of unnecessary words and phrases, but says what needs saying consisely. He wrote this book with clear language as well. For example, he uses active verbs rather than passives which make sentences much easier to read. In addition this book contains very little jargon. 2. Along the way, the book includes periodic summary boxes that help the reader remember and recap the major points. Gill basically provides in these boxes an outline, the text filling in this outline. I found this helpful as a reminder. 3. Each chapter ends with a series of questions for reflection and discussion. I think these questions would make for good study material in groups. A study group could read a chapter each week or so and discuss the questions at the end of the chapter as a way to reflect on how their lives could become better. This book would be useful for church groups (small groups, study groups, etc.); undergraduates who need a clear introduction to how virtue ethics makes sense of our lives and who are interested in reading people like Hauerwas, MacIntyre and others; it will also be of interest to seminary students for a similar reason. Because David Gill uses the Bible so adeptly, this book makes for a good supplement and correction to the overly philosophical system that some people who write about virtue and character use (Alasdair MacIntyre for example). Gill clearly depends on these writers and has learnt from them, but he refuses to let any system of thought be more determinative then the church. If and when I teach a course in ethics, I will use Gill's work and its companion Doing Good.

I know David Gill. His writing comes from the substance of his person and represents the best of academic and moral reasoning. Rather than abstract theory, Gill places his ethics squarely in the Divine Imperative: love your neighbor as yourself. His explication of Jesus' Beatitudes is classic for its practical application to everyday life and forms an ethics that not only has God as its basis but is rooted in the pursuit of his holiness.

I found David Gill's Becoming Good to be an insightful and eye-opening look at ethics through the lens of the Beatitudes. His writing style is both easily accessible and deep. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and coming to understand the depth and nuance found in the Beatitudes. Highly Recommended!

This is an excellent book on an important topic. I enjoyed both the style of the writing - which uses a conversational tone with a scholarly slant - and the topic itself. One of the most appealing features of the writing itself is the way the book is laid out with footnotes included on each page. This is an informative and helpful way to present information. The topic itself is one that has much relevance today. I think that Dr. Gill attempted to take a somewhat objective approach by spelling out theories and data, and while presenting an opinion, was not "preachy" in doing so. I also know David personally, and can attest that the themes presented here are genuine and reflect his character. One highlight in particular was the first couple chapters and the interesting way to look at Christian approaches to the "world". This is must reading for any Christian, regardless of denomination or background. I recommend this book highly to anyone who has an interest in "becoming good".

David W. Gill's "Becoming Good: Building Moral Character" is a wonderful and potentially life changing book, the first in a series on Christian Ethics. Gill describes Christian ethics in layman's terms, with full explaination of his reasoning behind each point he makes. At no point is the reader left behind in a sweeping leap of logic, and no prior knowledge is needed to comprehend his discussion. I highly recommend the book, and eagerly await the publishing of the next one!