Ethix: Being Bold in a Whatever World

One of the central messages of our culture is to "follow your heart." From our youth we are taught to do what feels right, to seek the fulfillment of our desires almost regardless of how it may impact other people, and more importantly, whether the choices we make are right or wrong. In Ethix, Sean McDowell makes the case that there is a right way to live in a world such as ours, and the decisions we make should be guided by the general principles provided by the Bible. Written primarily to a youth audience, Ethix addresses many of the ethical and lifestyle decisions that teenagers face today. McDowell begins with why it's important to make right choices and how they can be made. Building on this foundation, McDowell explores the issues of truth, relativism, sex, drugs, abortion, homosexuality, marriage, war, and decision-making in light of God's will. Each chapter begins with a purpose statement for the chapter and a brief outline of its contents. At the end of each chapter are questions for review and small group discussion. Being essentially a guide book for Christian living, Ethix is solid foundation for both youth and adults who struggle with making good choices in our mixed up world. Sean McDowell analyzes the issues with clarity and charity when appropriate, fairly handling positions he disagrees with. Instead of isolating people from difficult subjects, McDowell successfully inoculates his readers against the ideas of our world that stand contrary to Scripture.

If you do a quick survey of the books available to young people dealing with moral issues, you will discover two things. First, there aren't very many out there and secondly, they aren't very substantive. Indeed, we often tell our young people to "just say no" and that is about the extent of our moral training for students. Enter McDowell's book. The structure of McDowell's book is well thought out. Chapter one kicks the discussion off by making a case for why a student's moral life is one of the most important things he or she can think about. Chapter 2 reminds students it is not a matter of personal will power but rather, the power of God's Spirit. Chapters 3 and 4 lay a necessary foundation for morality by examining the idea of truth and showing the flaws in relativism. After building a framework for moral thinking, McDowell is ready to address individual moral issues, which he does in the remaning chapters with more breadth and depth than most young people have ever encountered. Students won't find a "God says it, I believe, that settles it" rationale here! Instead, they'll find a thoughtful, careful, reasonable, and biblical case for particualar moral views. As one who works with thousands of students every year, I cannot recommend McDowell's book enough. I hope this is the beginning of more thoughtful and substantive resources for young people, who are eager for as much.

A vital message that provides direction for the Christian young person living in a world of ethical chaos. "Ethix" teaches us that absolute truth is more than just the root of intolerance; it is the only viable standard by which we must choose and evaluate choice. I recommend this book for anyone who is searching for a little piece of Scriptural logic amidst some of the most controversial issues of our time.

If there was ever a time for a book like Ethix, this is it. Our Christian youth are at a crossroad, as the opportunities to make the wrong decisions are many. Issues such as sex, drugs and alcohol, and moral relativism are what Sean McDowell deals with in this readable and well-researched book. But this book is more than just a bunch of facts thrown together. It's relevent material from a nationally known youth speaker, and I think the sincere Christian young person who is looking for answers to real issues is going to find it to be a big help. With objectives listed at the front of each of the 11 chapters and study questions placed at the back of the chapters--including group study questions--all youth pastors should immediately begin a weekly study with their teens. There is so much at stake that we need to quit babying our Christian youth and start providing answers for real world questions. After all, they are introduced to reality much earlier than my Baby Boomer generation was. As a Christian high school Bible teacher, I predict that a book like this will provide some important answers to these thirsty souls, and so I give Ethix my endorsement for Christian youth and their parents everywhere. I hope this will not be the last time we hear from the sharp apologetic mind of Mr. McDowell.