What Kind of “Ethics” is New Testament Ethics?

Abstract

When we speak on New Testament Ethics or somebody writes a book on that subject we often wrongly presuppose what that means and what we can legitimately expect from such a project. From the Ethics of today we expect answers on practical questions, studies on ethical arguments and on moral language. New Testament Ethics, however, is primarily exhortation, parenesis which aims at acting according to what is recognized as morally right and at moral growth. Insofar it is similar to how Ancient Ethics, especially the Stoa, understands itself.