Pastoral Ethics, Second Edition

""I often describe pastoral theology as the discipline of pastors seeking convergence between what we say we believe with what we actually do, and between what actually do with the beliefs implicit in these practices. Would anyone infer we believe in the Trinity from what we do? Would what we do point more to pragmatism than providence? Convergence is always a work in progress, requiring continual reexamination of what we believe and do as pastors. In the latest edition of Pastoral Ethics, Ross Hastings helps us carry out this kind of pastoral theological examination drawing from his expertise as an ethicist and his experience as a pastor. Grounded in classic Trinitarian theology, yet addressing contemporary challenging ethical issues that pastors face such as transgenderism, Pastoral Ethics provides wisdom for greater convergence and congruency. Pastors will especially appreciate, as well as be personally challenged by, specific ethical applications to the pastoral office, such as the absence of any clerical exemption from the fourth commandment to keep the sabbath."" --David A. Currie, Dean of the Doctor of Ministry Program, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary ""I wished I had read this book as I was beginning my vocational journey as a pastor. Using the Decalogue as his outline, Hastings roots his pastoral theology in the very nature of the Trinity in participation with his people. It's beautiful, doxological, and evangelical . . . pure gospel. I was particularly heartened and equipped as the author provided a robust and timely theological critique of Chris and Richard Hays's new book affirming same sex marriage. As a theologian, Hastings's sexual ethic flows out of his Trinitarian ontology, rooting our relatedness as male and female in the nature of God, three distinct persons-in-relation. As a seasoned pastor, Hastings's approach to our LGBTQ+ family and friends is gracious, compassionate, and humble. Above all, his devotion to Jesus and his bride shines through on every page."" --Brian Buhler, Spiritual Director ""Even for those of us who hold different moral perspectives on the ethical issues discussed in W. Ross Hastings's Pastoral Ethics, his book rightly challenges us to engage seriously with what it means to take the qualifier 'theological' into account in our theological ethical discourses, particularly through a commitment to a trinitarian emphasis."" --Robert Vosloo, Professor in Systematic Theology, Stellenbosch University Praise for the first edition: ""With his finger on the pulse of the ethical challenges pastors face, Hastings offers a winsome and wise work equally full of grace as it is full of biblical convictions. Appreciating the fact that dogma and ethics must never be separated and situating the discussion within a robust trinitarian theology, Hastings makes a case for, and resources, what he rightly terms 'the pastor as ethicist.' May this tribe increase, and may this work strengthen them."" --Myk Habets, Head of School of Theology, Laidlaw College, Auckland, New Zealand ""Oh, how I wish I had Ross Hasting's book in my hands when I began pastoral ministry fifty years ago now! Ross helps us do 'ethics in the trenches, ' ethics deeply informed by God's self-revelation in Scripture, and then worked out in the hard and often painful issues we pastors face day-in and day-out. In his book Ross accomplishes his aim: to prepare pastors (and those they serve) for participation in God's moral and ethical formation, a formation flowing out of and empowered by union with Christ in his relationship with his Father and Spirit. Ross's thorough exposition of the Ten Commandments is a must read for any who seek to expound the life-giving law of the Creator.