Old Testament Ethics for the People of God
Christopher Wright's comprehensive study emerges from decades of teaching Old Testament ethics at All Nations Christian College and his conviction that evangelical Christians have often neglected the Hebrew Scriptures as a source for moral guidance. Writing against the backdrop of widespread Christian ambivalence toward Old Testament law and ethics, Wright argues that the first testament provides not merely historical background but essential ethical foundations that remain relevant for contemporary believers.
Wright structures his argument around three fundamental relationships that define Israel's ethical framework: their relationship with God, with each other, and with the land. He demonstrates how Israel's ethics flow directly from their identity as God's covenant people, showing that moral imperatives emerge not from abstract principles but from the concrete reality of being chosen, redeemed, and called to holiness. Wright examines major ethical themes including social justice, economic relationships, political structures, and environmental stewardship, arguing that these concerns reflect God's character and purposes. He pays particular attention to how Israel's laws protected the vulnerable—the poor, foreigners, orphans, and widows—and created economic systems designed to prevent permanent inequality. Throughout, he addresses the hermeneutical question of how these ancient texts speak to modern Christians, advocating for a paradigmatic approach that seeks to understand the underlying principles and values that can guide contemporary ethical reflection.
The work has become a standard text in evangelical seminaries and has significantly influenced how Protestant churches approach social justice and creation care. Wright's integration of rigorous biblical scholarship with practical ethical application has made Old Testament ethics more accessible to pastors and lay leaders seeking biblical foundations for contemporary moral issues.
Who should read this: Seminary students, pastors, and serious Bible students who want to understand how the Hebrew Scriptures inform Christian ethics will find this essential reading. Those looking for quick answers to specific moral dilemmas or readers uncomfortable with detailed exegetical work should look elsewhere.