The Moral Vision of Proverbs: A Virtue-Oriented Approach to Wisdom - Paperback

by Timothy J. Sandoval (Author)

Wisdom literature is an unfamiliar genre to modern readers and presents many interpretive challenges. In this major new work, respected wisdom scholar Timothy Sandoval argues that the book of Proverbs, though difficult to access for some, provides a coherent moral vision for human flourishing.

The approach Sandoval argues for in The Moral Vision of Proverbs is that of virtue ethics, or character ethics, particularly that which emerges from the classical tradition of Aristotle (as opposed to reading the book, intentionally or unintentionally, through the lenses of modern ethical systems). Sandoval engages with specialists in this ethical tradition as well as biblical scholars to make his case that Proverbs is an ancient, virtue-oriented moral discourse.

This comprehensive critical study of Proverbs analyzes the book's major topics and strives to discern the moral and philosophical presuppositions and logic of its rhetoric, all the while engaging past and present interpretive approaches. Although authored by a Christian scholar, this text will be of great interest to a broadly ecumenical audience, whether students of the Old Testament/Tanakh/Hebrew Bible, biblical scholars, or Christian ethicists and moral theologians.

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"Essential for serious students of biblical wisdom traditions"

This major statement on Proverbs by a Christian scholar provides a critical, virtue ethics approach to a text laden with interpretive challenges for modern readers.

"Sandoval presents Proverbs as a profoundly theological statement about the cultivation of moral character through the practice of the complex moral and intellectual activity that the sages call 'wisdom.' This study will be essential for serious students of biblical wisdom traditions, in the academy and also in the church."
--Ellen F. Davis, Duke Divinity School

"The book of Proverbs finally receives its full ethical due from the able hands of Sandoval, who offers the most robust and nuanced moral treatment to date of this often-overlooked book. Sandoval's study is both sophisticated and engaging, philosophical and dialogical, offering its share of exegetical surprises."
--William P. Brown, Columbia Theological Seminary

"In a rich and incisive contribution to a burgeoning debate on Proverbs as a book of virtue ethics, Sandoval claims that it is indeed an ancient, virtue-oriented moral discourse. Picking up on Proverbs' concern with character ethics, Sandoval discovers more profound aspects of its moral rhetoric and wider moral vision, including natural law, social virtues, and practical wisdom that together embody a coherent model for promoting human flourishing."
--Katharine J. Dell, University of Cambridge

"In this substantial and engaging study, Sandoval sheds light on why biblical scholarship has largely relegated Proverbs to second-tier status as a source of theological and ethical insight. Delivering his scholarly erudition in clear prose, Sandoval redresses this balance and reveals Proverbs' merits as such an intellectual resource by examining its moral perspective in light of ancient virtue ethics."
--Gilberto A. Ruiz, Saint Anselm College

"With precision, care, and wisdom, Sandoval demonstrates how Proverbs' engagement with premodern, virtue-oriented moral discourse yields instruction that is ethically and theologically relevant for the contemporary world. A must-have for any serious reader of Proverbs."
--Patricia Vesely, Memphis Theological Seminary

Author Biography

Timothy J. Sandoval (PhD, Emory University) is associate dean of academic administration and associate professor of Hebrew Bible at Brite Divinity School at Texas Christian University in Fort Worth, Texas. His teaching and scholarly work has focused on the book of Proverbs and the Bible's wisdom literature with special attention to questions of ethics, justice, and poverty in the biblical world. He is the author of Money and the Way of Wisdom and The Discourse of Wealth and Poverty in the Book of Proverbs as well as numerous articles. He has also coedited five other books.