Dealing With Harsh Realities Of Life: Being Thoughtful With Christian Ethics
(REVIEW) We live in a fast-paced world and face numerous challenges, from burnout at work to chronic anxiety. In search of peace, some individuals turn to financial security products, excessive consumption or self-help books as lifelines.
The book "How to Do Christian Ethics: Living the Grammar of Christian Life Every Day" offers an intriguing perspective, presenting Christian ethics as a moral compass in chaotic times rather than a set of strict guidelines imposed by church authorities.
The authors aim to illuminate Christian viewpoints on various human conditions, exploring contemporary topics such as work, artificial intelligence and anxiety.
Make work more meaningful
Work, as we understand it today, is primarily a means to earn a living. It often brings stress and frustration and can lead to depression. Work-life balance is a common New Year’s resolution, yet many continue to struggle to achieve it.
Prof. Edward van’t Slot’s book offers an alternative view. He argues that modern societies define meaningful work largely in terms of success and talent, evaluating it through a meritocratic lens.
This view can lead to an endless race for social status, ultimately harming mental health. Instead, Slot proposes a different approach: connecting the professional sphere with the idea of vocation, a calling from God the Creator. Referencing Psalm 104, he illustrates how God worked for six days and rested on the seventh — a divine rhythm that invites us to find true fulfillment in our labor.
Romanticizing work can lead to the exploitation of human capability, while a biblical view of work helps reconnect it to the broader meaning of creation and teaches us to respect its limits. This is why we celebrate the Sabbath—to remember our limitations and begin anew. By revisiting work from a vocational and ethical perspective, we can find freedom: the freedom to think and act without the illusions that often accompany modern work culture.
A challenge for Christian ethics
A compelling essay by theologian Ad de Bruijne addresses the highly debated topic of artificial intelligence. AI presents both benefits and risks. Bruijne cites AI-driven deepfake technology, which can assist law enforcement but also be misused to harm reputations.
He argues that conventional ethical discussions about AI often fall into an unproductive loop of defining right and wrong. Attempting to embed moral philosophy into machines raises complex questions, and it is naive to assume that AI will obediently follow ethical principles.
The desire to control AI through moral guidelines, Bruijne contends, echoes the mistake of those who built the Tower of Babel—humans trying to become like God, forgetting their place as His creations. The Babel story represents unchecked technological ambition without regard for divine authority. Today, we face the dilemma of creating something in our image, then fearing it may surpass us.
Bruijne urges a shift from moral concerns to a theological-ethical framework, asking whether the use of AI aligns with the ways of God. He advocates for a Christ-centered perspective, insisting that ethical AI use should reflect Christian values.
Out of fear: Freedom is different from security
In a thoughtful chapter, Prof. Pieter Vos explores how we live in a security-focused society where every risk is calculated and managed. Paradoxically, the more security measures we adopt, the more insecure we feel. Threats like terrorism, car accidents and natural disasters have fueled widespread fear.
Vos draws on the work of philosopher Søren Kierkegaard, who viewed fear as a reflection of existential anxiety—a deep, inherent uncertainty. No amount of risk mitigation can fully eliminate this fear, as life itself involves unpredictability, regardless of one’s wealth or personal traits. This anxiety can overwhelm people and limit their freedom.
Christian ethics offers a pathway to liberation. Vos emphasizes two key ideas: we are finite beings who cannot eliminate all risk, and instead of promising complete safety, Christian ethics invites us to live with grace and joy. Embracing this perspective opens the door to genuine freedom.
Overall, the book presents a Christian framework for everyday life that may resonate with readers of various faiths. However, the writing quality is uneven; while some chapters, such as Vos’s, are clear and accessible, others use complex language that may be challenging for general readers.
Despite its limitations, this collection is worth reading in an age marked by AI, anxiety and burnout — when many are searching for a compass to guide their lives in a meaningful direction.
Thien Bui is a Vietnamese writer who specializes in the history and religions of Southeast Asia.