Christian Grace and Pagan Virtue

Download or read book Christian Grace and Pagan Virtue written by J. Warren Smith and published by Oxford University Press, USA. This book was released on 2011-01-27 with total page 340 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Warren Smith examines the neglected biblical, liturgical and theological foundations of Ambrose's thought on ethics. Earlier studies have found little that was distinctively Christian in Ambrose's image of the virtuous person. Smith shows that, although like the pagans he emphasized moderation, courage, justice, and prudence, for Ambrose these characteristics were shaped by the church's beliefs about God's salvific economy.