Steering Through Chaos: Vice & Virtue in an Age of Moral Confusion

This is a helpful collection of editorial articles, quotations, and excerpts from classics of literature or Christian devotion, accompanied by thoughtful questions for reflection and discussion. Each of the seven deadly sins is addressed by several descriptive excerpts and then countered by complementary virtues. For those who appreciate Richard Foster's two anthologies of Christian devotional classics, "Devotional Classics" and "Spiritual Classics," this is an excellent volume to invest in. I actually found the content more accessible and more enjoyable to read for some reason.

Os Guinness has put together an incredible collection of essays, quotes and works on the subject of moral clarity. The foundation for the study is the comparison of the "seven deadly sins" and how they contrast with the moral principles laid out within the "Sermon on the Mount" from the New Testament. While this study may not be unique, the presentation is so well done that the result challenges conventional thinking through ideological dichotomies that leave no doubt that morality can be defined as a moral standard. What is amazing is the diversity of opinion presented. From Bertrand Russell and Friedrich Nietzsche, to Soren Kierkegaard and CS Lewis, from Isaac Newton to Calvin and Hobbes, the philosophy and moral presentations leave the reader with the task of sifting through the often opposing worldviews. Interspersed throughout are hundreds of quotes, poetry, and depictions of moral values - both post modern and ancient. Each chapter looks at one of the "deadly sins" and it's "Beatitude" counterpart, and includes study questions and guidelines for further reading. This book could easily be the basis for a long study of philosophical morality from across cultural and generational perspectives. The study questions themselves are thought provoking and generate far too much to ponder and digest in one reading. I would consider this book "very highly recommended" in every respect. This one will stay on my shelf, for repeated readings, for years to come. The index and citations alone are worth the price. I can also see this book as the foundation for study groups and further research. Simply put, it is well worth the time to read, review and consider.

Guiness uses classical and modern literature to take the reader through the topics of the seven deadly sins and seven Beatitudes of Christ. A must read for the college freshman or sophmore getting ready for lit. classes. Provides and excellent framework for interpretation of some of the world's greatest literary minds.

This book is a must-read! I was skeptical at first because I didn't see the vital importance of learning about the seven deadly sins and seven virtues, but I could not put this book down after starting. I love the way the sins and virtues were compared- I recommend it to everyone, it really opened my eyes. The only word of caution is that it is slow in the beginning, but stick with it and you will be rewarded.

Well, this is one of the "lighter" books of Os Guiness. If you've read "The Call," you know Os can pack a lot of content; this book isn't quite as much work.The book is more a study guide that helps you work through issues about the 7 cardinal virtues and the 7 deadly sins. He is not going for lightweight topics, however. There are a lot of passages where one says "Ouch!" because it hits home.A good introduction into basic virtues for an age that has forgotten classical education.