Sean McDowell - ETHIX: Being Bold in a Whatever World

Sean McDowell has a gift for taking tough concepts and bringing them down to earth in practical ways that make a difference. EthiX will be a great help to all of you guys who are struggling to find answers to life's hardest questions!

WILLIAM LANE CRAIG

Research Professor of Philosophy, Talbot School of Theology

It is completely evident that Sean McDowell understands the hearts and culture of today's youth. Sean offers truths that are relevant and a benefit to students everywhere.

SHAUN BLAKENEY

Saddleback Church, High School Pastor

No book is more to the point of the moral needs of today's teens and parents than this clear, concise, and commendable text by Sean McDowell.

NORMAN GEISLER

Former President and co-founder, Southern Evangelical Seminary; Author of over 50 books on ethics and apologetics

Ethix is a powerful resource for young people who want to be transformed, passionate followers of Jesus Christ and know how to answer a world that mocks the standards of the Bible.

RON LUCE

President, Teen Mania Ministries

Sean McDowell has written a masterful book on ethics for young Christians. I wish every teenager in my church would read, study, and heed its wisdom.

JAMES W. SIRE

Author of The Universe Next Door

Ethix is a much-needed book. Young people need to be challenged today to use their minds and to think about the most important issues in life. Sean has done just that.

J. P. MORELAND

Distinguished Professor of Philosophy, Talbot School of Theology, Biola University, and Coauthor of The Lost Virtue of Happiness

Sean McDowell has a tremendous skill in relating truth to students. Ethix is a must-read for every young person in a day when teenagers need clarity in what to believe and not to believe.

CHUCK KLEIN

National Director, Student Venture, Campus Crusade for Christ

Learning to think with a Christian mind is one of our great tasks. This is especially true in the area of what's right and what's wrong. I am thankful for Ethix. Highly recommended!

DAVID A. NOEBEL

President, Summit Ministries; Author, Understanding the Times

Sean McDowell is part of a generation of young Christian thinkers who are fast becoming leaders in equipping the church in mastering the intellectual power of the Christian tradition.

FRANCIS J. BECKWITH

Associate Director, J. M. Dawson Institute of Church-State Studies; Associate Professor of Church-State Studies, Baylor University

The world has devalued truth, yet truth has consequences. Ethix provides you with a clear road map through the dangerous terrain of the modern world. Sean McDowell helps you make sure you know how to make the right decision.

KERBY ANDERSON

National Director, Probe Ministries; Author, Christian Ethics in Plain Language

While churches all over the country are lowering the bar for young people, Sean McDowell is raising it. In Ethix he has given his generation of Christians both map and compass to navigate this chaotic whatever culture.

GREGORY KOUKL

President, Stand to Reason; Coauthor, Relativism: Feet Firmly Planted in Thin Air

Sean McDowell has given students a wonderful start in building a biblical worldview. Sean makes theological truth practical. Ethix is a must-read for students, parents, and youth workers.

JIM BURNS, PH.D.

President, HomeWord

There's a new voice bringing clarity and direction in the twenty-first century. His name is Sean McDowell. His book Ethix brings reasoned guidance and solid answers for today's youth. Every parent, youth pastor, middle-schooler, and high-school student needs to read this engaging book!

MIKE LICONA

Director of Apologetics Evangelism, North American Mission Board

Ethix will equip you to make right decisions in a world that has abandoned truth.

GREG STIER

President, Dare 2 Share Ministries

Ethix is a profoundly important book for helping this generation establish anchor points for their life and creates a basis for the decisions they are making. Sean McDowell tells the truth about truth.

MONTY HIPP

President, the C4 Group

In a world of moral relativism, students need to know how to think clearly and biblically about the tough issues in life. Sean McDowell takes a fresh and captivating approach to answering these most difficult questions. I highly commend it to you.

DR. DANN SPADER

Founder, Sonlife Ministries; President, Global Youth Initiative

Acknowledgments

The first person I would like to thank is my father Josh. No son could be more proud of the way a father boldly models his convictions. I appreciate your help, feedback, and insights on this project. And thank you to my mother Dottie for her edits and encouragement throughout the entire process.

Thanks to Brannon Howse, president of Worldview Weekends, for introducing me to the fine people at Broadman & Holman and for his guidance during the writing process.

I am grateful to all of my personal editors who gave me such insightful feedback, including Brett Kunkle, Carlos Delgado, Stephen Wagner, and the editors from Broadman & Holman.

Thank you to the entire team at B & H, and especially David Shepherd, Lisa Parnell, and Stephanie Huffman. I consider it a privilege to be part of the TQ line of resources, which is a vitally important contribution to help our young people stand up boldly for the Christian faith.

Thank you to my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. You are truly the perfect example of love and boldness in action. I pray that this book, and my life, will play one piece in building your kingdom.

Standing Up for What Is Right

PURPOSE

To understand the importance of making right choices for a meaningful and happy life

In this chapter you will learn

• What it takes to have a life of happiness rather than a life of emptiness
• Four reasons why right choices are so important
• Helpful ideas for taking a stand for what is right

Jana had never imagined she would be facing the decision that was before her today. As a former member of a high school youth group, she had learned much about making right choices and honoring God in her daily life, but this seemed to be beyond anything she had been tested with before. How can I possibly do the right thing, she wondered, when my college psychology professor has assigned me to watch four one-hour periods of X-rated pornographic films and write a personal review as part of my grade? Without this assignment Jana's grade would suffer greatly, but she also knew that God's desire was for her to be sexually pure. What should she do?

Michael's history teacher gave an essay assignment with the freedom to choose any historical person. As a Christian, Michael decided to write on the life of Jesus of Nazareth.When he turned in his proposal, his teacher adamantly objected, even though others in the class were writing on religious figures. He tried to reason with her, but she refused to budge. How should he respond? Should he stand up and be bold for his faith?