A Book Review from Books At a Glance
by Jeff Erickson
Dr. Branch, a professor of Ethics at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, wrote this book as a guide to help modern Christians think through many of the questions of our times for which there is not a Bible verse to quote in response. Branch intends this book as a question and answer guide. He has attempted to provide good responses to modern ethical dilemmas in a format accessible to persons who do not need to know the language of ethics. Branch is sensitive to the emotional load these ethical topics might carry for some of his readers. He also acknowledges that there are Christians, some of whom have pre reviewed his work, who will disagree with his conclusions (xiv).
Before going into his fifty questions, Branch writes an introduction and a fourteen-page chapter titled “Thinking Ethically as a Christian.” His first example for the Christian to consider (although not one of his 50 Questions) is an event where he door-dinged a car in a parking lot. Most of us have either done this, watched our kids do it, had it done to us, or both. Maybe we have seen someone we consider a jerk taking two parking spaces in order to avoid being close to another car. Maybe we have seen most of the above. Door dings are an trifle many of us have learned to overlook, but one which still infuriates a few. Branch uses this infraction as an example of how Christians should be conscious to approach every violation of another’s rights or property honestly so as not to tarnish the name of Christ before our fellow man or dim our spiritual relationship with God (1-2).
Branch affirms the Bible as the source of Christian ethical understanding. He foresees that in his upcoming question and answer chapters he will have two challenges using the Bible as his primary reference. He will have to address the status of the Hebrew legal code and he will have to justify using a thousands of years old book that appears to know nothing about dilemmas created by modern technology. Knowing that one of the first questions often asked concerns the status of the Levitical law versus Christian practice, he briefly explains the “tripartite division” of the law, and perhaps the more easily understood fulfillment of the law in Jesus Christ (3-4). For issues not specifically addressed in the text of Scripture, Branch says that it is our duty to find biblical principles and apply them as best we can to the issue at hand (3).
Branch reminds the reader that all Christians live a life of grace there is no perfect decision making process for humans. Everyone is a sinner. Everyone who pursues right living is going to struggle between legalism and antinomianism (4-5). Branch refers to C.S. Lewis’s requirements for morality as one of having right relationships, right internal faculties, and right goals (6-7). Branch says that a habit of Bible study and prayer are indispensable for ethical Christian living (10-12). Jesus is our example (10). Obedience to God is our goal (13).
In the five parts of the book that follow, Branch poses question and answer chapters on 1) why ethical theory is important, 2) issues related to medicine and bioethics, 3) heterosexual issues, 4) homo and alternate sexuality, and 5) general Christian living. Each Chapter has four sections. There is a definition section, biblical principles, suggested moral stance, and questions for reflection. The chapters are short, and each chapter is a self-contained unit.
Part 1: Questions about Ethical theory.
Chapter 1: Why can’t we base our moral judgments on the greatest good? This is an assessment of utilitarianism which is a form of collective hedonism. Branch recognizes that on its surface, utilitarian thinking seems like it seeks to maximize good in the world, but Branch says that utilitarianism defines goodness as pleasure (18). Pleasure pursuit assumes that people can know the consequences of their actions and that feeling is the basis for morality (18-19). He also says that Pleasure pursuit for most people will be at the expense of a minority who will experience displeasure(20).
Chapter 2: Aren’t moral judgments just an expression of our feelings? Branch says that emotivism is a substitute for good arguments (23). He then points out the self-defeating nature of following one’s feelings, and the expounded challenge for groups of people stuck trying to determine which member’s feelings on a subject are correct. Emotion cannot properly substitute for sound thinking.
Chapter 3: How can we say that one moral code is better than another? In this chapter, Branch discusses ethical relativism. He points out the self-defeating inconsistency of this ethical theory through relativism’s guiding principle of tolerance. Relativists tolerate anything but intolerance, which constitutes any truth statement. Branch concludes that if tolerance of all actions is true, then anything someone can do without experiencing a negative consequence must be the right thing (27).
Chapter 4: Why can’t we just do the most loving thing in any situation? Branch says that this sounds good, but there are two things for Christians to consider. The first is that God has given rules for living (30). Second, and commensurate with these rules, Christians need to know the proper object of their love, namely God and His word (31). Simply loving anything and everything leads to the same kind of ethical systems discussed in chapters two and three.
Chapter 5: Is the Golden Rule practical today? Branch reminds the reader that while the Golden Rule is true, it cannot be rightly interpreted without understanding its context. The Golden Rule has its roots in Levitical Law and must be interpreted in light of this and in light of Jesus’ contextual statements about God’s goodness immediately preceding it.
Chapter 6: What does it mean to regard life as sacred? In this chapter, Branch is referring specifically to human life (37). He states that humans are special because they bear the image of God (38). The sacredness of life should cause Christians to care about issues of life and death from conception to old age and also quality of life and human dignity issues such as human trafficking, racism, oppression, and slavery. Christians should care for and about all human lives.
Chapter 7: What is social justice and how should Christians think about it? Branch says that social justice is an often talked about but seldom defined topic. Because it lacks definition, social justice is a highly divisive topic. Branch lists and defines four subcategories of social justice that Christians should understand so they can better understand what people might mean when they talk about social justice (42). God is the standard of justice for Christians. Christian social justice is much more limited than the modern redistributive definitions advocate (45).
Part 2: Questions related to Bioethics.
Chapter 8: What is the status of preborn human life? Branch points out that in his deposition for Roe v. Wade in 1973, Supreme Court Justice Harry Blackmun separated unborn humanity from those entitled to the rights of personhood (49). Branch affirms that the correct ethical position for Christians is to recognize preborn humans as “fellow bearers of the image of God (52).”
Chapter 9: What should be done in the case of an ectopic pregnancy? Ectopic pregnancies are fatal for the child and dangerous to the mother. Branch believes there is no emotionally painless resolution to an ectopic pregnancy. Medical removal of the embryo is morally acceptable (58).
Chapter 10: Is abortion permissible in cases of rape and incest? For some people, these scenarios constitute a strong emotional argument in favor of abortion. He acknowledges the personal trauma to victims of these two crimes and that carrying a child who is the product of abuse may further traumatize the mother. Still, Branch reminds the reader that however conceived, the child is a human being.
Chapter 11: What should we do if our baby has been diagnosed in utero with encephaly or Down syndrome? These and other severe birth defects also make up strong emotional arguments in favor of abortion for some people. Branch says there are differences between these two defects to consider and Christians should be careful about judging parents’ decision to abort a child with fetal encephaly. He is more positive about the retention of Down syndrome babies. A major factor for Branch is the child’s life expectancy (71-72). Branch’s conclusion is that these birth defects should not be interpreted as a curse from God. We should remember that they may contain an unforeseen blessing. He reminds us that we live in a fallen world which God will one day redeem (73).
Chapter 12: Should Christians use vaccines developed from abortion-derived cell lines? Branch argues that while Christians should urge pharmaceutical companies to develop vaccines without the use of fetal cell lines, it is not morally wrong for them to use vaccines developed from them. He cites the good that vaccines do, that the use of vaccines derived from fetal cells is far removed from the abortion, and use of the vaccine does not cause future abortions to occur (80).
Chapter 13: Should Christians use in vitro fertilization? Branch cautions Christians who insist on IVF to only produce as many embryos as they are willing to raise (85).
Chapter 14: Should Christians use surrogates or act as surrogates? Branch separates commercial surrogacy from altruistic surrogacy. He believes that commercial surrogacy reduces human life to that of a commodity and is immoral. Altruistic surrogacy does not make children the product of a commercial service, but it is still morally uncertain because of the potential problems arising from introducing a third party into a child’s parentage (90).
Chapter 15: Is it permissible to donate or receive sperm or eggs? Branch believes it is immoral for Christians to be gamete donors for the same reasons he believes surrogacy is morally questionable (95-96).
Chapter 16: Is it permissible to sign an advance directive declining medical treatment? Branch says that advance directives are wise. They do not demonstrate lack of faith in God’s care for us, but help our loved ones to make wise decisions regarding our end of life care.
Chapter 17: Is it ever permissible to end life support? Medical technology has made end of life decisions more confusing (101-102). The sixth commandment must be considered (102). Branch says that with all considerations of sanctity, prognosis, and kindness towards the person in question have been taken into account, transition from life support to comfort care can be wisely made (103).
Chapter 18: Should Christians affirm physician-assisted suicide? Branch believes that in all cases physician-assisted suicide is immoral. Instead, physicians should deal with the fear and depression dying patients feel about the prospect of dying (107-108).
Chapter 19: Should Christians affirm euthanasia? Euthanasia is killing, even if it is couched in what could be construed as a noble purpose (110-111).
Chapter 20: Should Christians use medical marijuana? Branch is doubtful that marijuana is more effective at alleviating physical pain than drugs without marijuana’s controversy. At the same time, he says marijuana is associated with moral debauchery and intoxication, making it morally dubious (116-117).
Part 3: Questions Related to Sexual Ethics, Marriage, and Divorce
Chapter 21: What, if anything, does the Bible say about dating? Branch briefly discusses some pros and cons of dating. He says that the Bible is silent on this issue but is plain on the mandate for Christians to maintain premarital sexual purity. He further says that parents should monitor dating for their children and that Christians should avoid dating nonbelievers (123).
Chapter 22: Why are Christians opposed to premarital sex? Branch begins by discussing five popular arguments in favor of premarital sex. He states the Bible’s position and affirms that premarital sex is wrong (125-127).
Chapter 23: What should I do if I’m single and I’ve lost my virginity? Despite the Christian stance on moral purity, Branch says that this is a frequently asked question by Christian young people (129). He advises that Christians should pursue restoration of their moral purity through prayer, mourning of their sin, and abstinence (131-132).
Chapter 24: Should we live together before we are married? Branch is clear that Christians should not cohabitate before marriage. He augments his biblical position through citation of secular sources which point out that premarital cohabitation results in decreased marital satisfaction (133-134, 136).
Chapter 25: What is the Christian definition of marriage? “Marriage is a heterosexual and monogamous covenant between one man and one woman (141).” Homosexual marriage is never mentioned. The Bible mentions polygamous marriages, but these are bracketed as less than optimal by many instructional verses including Genesis 2:24 and Matthew 19: 4-6 (140).
Chapter 26: Do we need a public ceremony and a license to be married? Branch asserts that marriages have always had some type of ceremony associated with them. Recognition by both the church and the state provides both internal and external protections of the union (145-146).
Chapter 27: We are dating and have gotten pregnant. Should we get married? Branch lists seven questions a couple should answer before making this decision (149-150).
Chapter 28: What is the purpose of sex? Branch discusses sex as a gift from God having both procreative and unitive properties for the husband and wife. He acknowledges that sex is enjoyable and shameless when practiced within the bonds of marriage.
Chapter 29: Is it permissible for Christians to look at pornography? Pornography is worthless and cheapens marriage. Branch says that within the spirit of Matthew 5:28, viewing pornography constitutes adultery (156).
Chapter 30: What are some practical steps to avoid adultery and stay faithful to my spouse? Proverbs 5 is the best place to start. Listen to Jesus’s words in Matthew 5:28 Also, follow Joseph’s example from Genesis 39. Do not view pornography. Branch gives several other practical words of advice in the “Suggested Moral Stance” section of this chapter.
Chapter 31: Is it permissible for Christians to use contraception? Several methods of contraception are described. Then Branch says that Children are an expected part of marriage and it is a problem for a married couple to never want to have children (165). Aside from this Branch recognizes that Christians differ in their views on whether conception should be prevented and whether sex can be engaged in without intent to procreate. He does not believe that this is an issue worth breaking fellowship over and Christians ought to treat one another with grace in this area (166).
Chapter 32: Does the birth control pill cause abortions? After giving a brief description of how oral contraceptive pills work and whether they are likely to cause abortions, Branch advises couples to consult a medical professional and prayerfully consider whether they ought to use these drugs (170).
Chapter 33: What is the “morning after pill,” and is it moral for Christians? While Branch is not definitive about this drug, he lists several concerns he has about its possible mechanism.
Chapter 34: May Christian couples consider finances when thinking about the size of their family? Branch believes that finance should be a consideration. He gives three guidelines for couples to consider so that they are thinking about the issue properly (177).
Chapter 35: Why get married when half of all marriages end in divorce? Branch points out that this number is skewed (179-180). Christians should marry and pursue God wholeheartedly in their unions (181).
Chapter 36: Is no-fault divorce permissible for Christians? The problem with no-fault divorce is that it makes dissolution of the covenant union easier (185). Branch brings up several other issues for discussion.
Chapter 37: Does God hate divorce? This chapter is mostly an analysis of various ways in which Malachi 2:16 has been translated. Branch supports the affirmative to this question by supporting Jesus’s statements from the New Testament.
Chapter 38: Is it ever permissible for Christians to get a divorce? Branch discusses New Testament passages on divorce. He acknowledges that divorce and remarriage are difficult issues for all Christians to navigate. He lists several areas where divorce is impermissible but refrains from saying that it is impermissible in all cases.
Chapter 39: I’m a Christian in an abusive marriage. What should I do? Persons in an abusive marriage can leave. See discussion.
Part 4: Questions Related to Homosexuality, Intersex, and Transgender
Chapter 40: Is homosexual sex wrong even in the context of two loving people in a committed relationship? Yes. Sex is only permissible between a man and a woman married to each other.
Chapter 41: Are Christians being unfair if they oppose same-sex marriage? No. If the Bible is true, justice is limited to God’s declaration of what is just (207). Outside of this, there is no anchor point upon which to fix the standards of marriage.
Chapter 42: Is there a gay gene? It is not likely, and the discovery of such a gene would not negate God’s moral commands.
Chapter 43: I’ve been invited to a same-sex wedding. Should I attend? There are two moral principles at work in this question. The first is to love everyone, even your enemies (Lu 6:27). The second is to avoid contact with sexually immoral people (1 Cor 5:10). Branch says that Christians should carefully consider what their attendance or absence at a same-sex wedding sends to others (214).
Chapter 44: What does it mean to say that someone is intersex? Branch says that intersex people are often referred to as having disordered sexual development (DSD). This is different from transgender identity, which is not manifest in physical characteristics, but is a mental state. Branch reminds us that intersex people are made in God’s image and should be treated with respect.
Chapter 45: Should a Christian self-identify as transgender? Branch contrasts transgenderism and intersex, characterizing transgenderism as a primarily behavioral condition (223). He reminds his reader that people suffering from this syndrome are made in the image of God and merit compassion. However, Christian parents should in no way support their child’s request to undergo sex change.
Part 5: Questions Related to Christian Living
Chapter 46: What are the differences between individual and systemic racism? This chapter appropriately opens with a description of racism as a lightning rod type term and a term that persistently defies meaning (229). Branch then defines several associated terms and outlines questions for discussion (230). He cites Genesis 1:26 and 3:20 as supporting the universality and relatedness of all humankind. While he says Christians should be concerned about racial disparity, they should also remember the “tremendous advances” the United States has made toward equality (233). He says that any discussion about race relations must acknowledge its complexity (233). Remember, only in Christ can we overcome (234).
Chapter 47: Is it morally permissible for a Christian to conceal-carry a firearm? The main issues Branch says bear on firearm ownership and use are obedience to the government and sanctity of life. Christians, who are divided on the issue, all refer to sanctity of life as the reason they hold a particular position (236-237). Branch analyzes the right to self-defense from the Bible. He concludes that this is an issue where Christians ought to gravely consider the responsibility and right of gun ownership. Whatever they decide, they also ought to give one another grace in their diverse decisions.
Chapter 48: Can I serve in the military? What if I’m asked to kill the enemy? The issues here are similar to those of Chapter 47. Christians are divided between degrees of pacifism and just war advocacy. Branch says that obedience to the government is important because governments are accountable to God for justice in the world. He affirms that Christians can serve and fight for justice (242).
Chapter 49: Is it ever okay to gamble? No. Branch gives some support from the Bible and several social statistics to support his position that gambling is immoral.
Chapter 50: What’s wrong with profanity? Branch discusses various categories of profanity and various reasons people use it. He references several verses that admonish believers to have pure speech. He discusses Paul’s use of skubala in Philippians 3:18. He says our speech reflects our hearts and reminds us that Christians should avoid the use of profane words as part of their pursuit of a pure life.
Analysis
This is a handbook of questions and answers which, as it says on the back cover, will primarily benefit individual Christians in their pursuit of living a holy life. Branch’s conclusions are both practical and biblical. He tries to be sensitive to the emotional nature of the issues he discusses. Where there is a definite biblical principle to be understood, he lists and supports it. He refrains from being dogmatic where he can. Branch wants to allow Christians the freedom to prayerfully make their own decisions on issues that do not directly bear on their salvation. He challenges Christians to give each other grace when, within Christian freedom allowed by the Bible, they arrive at different conclusions than their fellows.
Some of Branch’s answers anticipate follow-up questions that Christians are likely to encounter in public discussions. Two chapters in particular, seven and 46, stood out as those in which the reader will be led to consider that the question is more convoluted than they might have anticipated at first. In Chapter 7, Branch points out that social justice is a word that immediately diverges into one of several varieties. In Chapter 46, he points out that the term racism defies definition. Other chapters will also information useful for Christian apology, but these two, in particular, seemed to anticipate the likelihood of public engagement.
This book is not targeted towards apologetics or academic study as a standalone text. Branch seeks to prepare Christians for public discussion by defining each issue and discussing it with secular citation. But the format of definition, biblical ethical principles, suggested moral stance, and questions for reflection, lend the book towards helping Christians to understand an issue and helping them to think about how to think about individual moral issues through prayer, the Bible, and practical research. This book belongs in a church or individual Christian’s library. With companion information for some of the topics, and in a few cases additional Bible study, it is a good primer for a Sunday school year for teens and adults.
Jeffrey Erickson