Matt Barrios
We asked Logos users which writers have most formed their thoughts on Christian ethics. Hundreds chimed in, and a few names kept standing out.
Here are the top seven authors (apart from the Bible)1 on Christian ethics according to Logos users. Plus we’ll provide a little information about each author’s contributions to Christian ethics and some favorite books by them.
Table of contents
What is ethics?
But first, what is Christian ethics?
Here’s a quick definition from Factbook about ethics:
A branch of philosophy concerned with moral principles and values that guide human behavior and decision-making. Ethics explores questions of right and wrong, good and bad, and the principles that govern human conduct.
Explore Christian ethics in Factbook.
Top Christian authors on ethics
With that in mind, these authors are some favorites of our Logos audience. Here are the top seven, in no particular order.
1. Norman Geisler (1932–2019)
If you’re looking for someone who could defend Christian morality with the precision of a skilled logician, Norman Geisler should be your go-to. This evangelical thinker was incredibly prolific—he wrote over a hundred books—and had a knack for making a case for objective moral truths when the broader culture was sliding into moral relativism.
Geisler built his ethical framework on natural law and classical theism, arguing that right and wrong aren’t made-up concepts but are actually grounded in the character of God.
Notable works
2. R. C. Sproul (1939–2017)
Have you ever heard someone explain something super complicated in a way that made perfect sense? That was R. C. Sproul’s superpower, especially when it came to Reformed theology.
For Sproul, ethics wasn’t a separate category from theology—the two were fully intertwined. His big emphasis: You can’t live right if you don’t think right about God.
Sproul kept pointing believers back to God’s holiness as the foundation for ethical living. His approach wasn’t about following a list of rules but about living with integrity in response to God’s sovereignty.
Notable works
3. Abraham Kuyper (1837–1920)
Kuyper wasn’t just a theologian—he was also a journalist, founded a university, and even served as the prime minister of the Netherlands!
His big contribution to Christian ethics was the idea that absolutely every inch of our world belongs to Christ. Kuyper developed what he called “sphere sovereignty,” suggesting that God designed different areas of life—like family, government, education, and business—with their own God-given purposes and responsibilities. Instead of just keeping faith between you and God, Kuyper challenged Christians to bring their faith into everything from politics to art to science.
Notable works
- The Problem of Poverty
4. Stanley Hauerwas (b. 1940)
If you’re tired of mushy, subjective Christianity, Hauerwas might be your ethical north star. This modern-day theological provocateur keeps challenging the idea that Christian ethics is primarily about individual choices or private morality. Instead, he argues that our moral formation happens in community—specifically, in the church.
His famous book Resident Aliens (co-written with William Willimon) argues that Christians should think of themselves as foreigners in a strange land rather than comfortable citizens of America (or any other earthly nation). For Hauerwas, being ethical means being shaped by the practices and story of God’s people.
Notable works
- The Peaceable Kingdom
- A Community of Character
Resident Aliens: Life in the Christian Colony (Expanded 25th Anniversary Edition)
Regular price: $13.19
5. Dietrich Bonhoeffer (1906–1945)
When Logos users talk about ethics with gravity, Bonhoeffer’s name comes up a lot—and for good reason. This German pastor and theologian didn’t just write about ethics; he lived (and died for) his convictions during one of history’s darkest hours. He resisted Hitler and the Nazi regime’s attempted hijack of the German church.
His approach to ethics centered on responsible action in the real world, not just abstract principles. Bonhoeffer famously emphasized that following Jesus comes with a cost and that Christian ethics makes no sense apart from Jesus himself or the community of believers. His writings continue to challenge Christians to consider what long and faithful obedience to Jesus looks like, without mindlessly capitulating to the political flavor of the day.
Notable works
Dietrich Bonhoeffer Works, vol. 5: Life Together and Prayerbook of the Bible
Regular price: $18.99
6. John Paul II (1920–2005)
Pope John Paul II might not be the first name evangelicals think of for ethics, but many Logos users find his writings profoundly insightful.
Unlike some ethical frameworks that feel like a list of prohibitions, John Paul II offered a positive vision of human flourishing rooted in God’s design. He wove together philosophical depth with pastoral warmth, emphasizing that love and responsibility go hand in hand. His Theology of the Body, for instance, brought a thoughtful perspective to discussions about human dignity, sexuality, and relationships.
Whether or not you’re Catholic, his reflections on the meaning of being human in a technological age continue to resonate with Christians seeking a thoughtful approach to ethics.
Notable works
Love and Responsibility: A New Translation of John Paul II’s Classic Work
Regular price: $17.99
7. C. S. Lewis (1898–1963)
No surprise here—Lewis continues to be one of the most beloved Christian thinkers across denominations!
Though not primarily known as an ethicist, Lewis had this incredible gift for making moral reasoning accessible and compelling for everyday readers. In Mere Christianity, he starts with the simple observation that people everywhere seem to have this innate sense of right and wrong (he called it the “Moral Law”), then builds a case for how Christian virtue leads to a flourishing life.
What makes Lewis special is how he combines rock-solid reasoning with imaginative storytelling—just think about how much ethical wisdom is packed into the Chronicles of Narnia or The Screwtape Letters! Lewis speaks to both the head and heart, which is probably why so many Logos users turn to him for ethical guidance.
Notable works
- Mere Christianity
- The Screwtape Letters
- The Abolition of Man
What do you think?
Do you agree with what other Logos users said? Were there any writers you think should have made the list?
Chime in on the original Facebook, X, and Instagram posts to weigh in on your favorite writers and books on Christian ethics.
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