Ethical: What You Must Know To Build Trust And Maintain Genuine Relationships, by Dr. Daniel Morris

[Note: This book was provided free of charge by Aneko Press in exchange for an honest review.]

Although the author claims in the introduction that writing books does not come easily to him, it is fortunate for his readers that he writes anyway, since this slim volume (around 90 pages if one includes the introductory sections) manages to contain a great deal of useful and insightful and biblical discussion about the issue of ethics in many walks of life. The author chooses to take a great deal of focus on respecting the property of others, and comparatively less attention to areas that would be of great interest to many readers (such as honorable speech and relationships with the opposite sex). The author’s note that this volume is the English translation of a work he originally wrote in Spanish for a Mexican audience of believers explains some of the references in this book, but there is a great deal of useful info that is generally applicable to a wide audience.

Where this book particularly excels is in its dedication to discussing the applicability of biblical law. Few Christian writers have focused on the applicability of biblical laws, especially the more obscure ones relating to the payment of wages and the respect for the animals of neighbors. Morris does yeoman’s labor by untangling the applicable laws for respect, and has some solid stories and biblical citations to back up both the contemporary relevance of biblical law as well as the fact that it represents God’s ways. Very strongly, this book presents a firm appeal to Christians to behave in a manner acceptable according to our calling with attention paid to the principles of humility, responsibility, respect, and protection. These principles are clearly and consistently spoken about in a variety of different aspects, although it is property and authority that take up the majority of the author’s attention.

There are some readers who will complain a bit about the author’s firm defense of the authority of parents as well as the leading role of husbands in the families. The author’s statement that legitimate resistance to authority should be rare may not square with the reality of abuse statistics, nor will it satisfy those for whom authority has often been a source of great anxiety and concern as a result of a history of abuse. Nevertheless, the book does a good job in explaining how many ethical dilemmas can be resolved, or at least minimized, through discussing matters according to a proper chain of command (including the use of quiet discussions with higher ups to avoid pinning a leader into whitewashing a subordinate or speaking painful “truths” that would result in causing great harm to that person’s respect and regard, or similar situations where parents feel undercut in their authority by outsiders. These situations are certainly relevant in our times and situations, and this book is a good reminder that respect for authority is an aspect of ethical conduct, even if not always easy or pleasant.