Editor's Preface
Book IV: The Life-Spheres in Which the Moral Life Must Manifest Itself
22. Family and Marriage
§50 History of the Family
§51 The Duty to Marry
23. Qualifications for Marriage
§52 Impediments to Marriage
§53 Degrees of Blood Relationship
24. Betrothal and Wedding
§54 The Betrothal
§55 The Wedding
25. Marriage and Family
§56 The Essence of Marriage
§58 Husband and Wife
26. Divorce
§57 Divorce
Appendix A: Philosophical Ethics
Introduction
§1 Terminology
§2 Philosophical Ethics
§3 The Main Forms of Philosophical Ethics
§4 A Concise Survey of the History of Philosophical Ethics
A. The Greeks
B. A History of Philosophical Ethics in Recent Times
C. The Most Recent Philosophy: Criticism and Speculation
§5 Contemporary Views of Philosophical Ethics
A. Autonomous Morality
B. Positivism
C. Utilitarianism
D. The Theory of Evolution
E. Pessimism
Appendix B: Contemporary Morality
Preface
Introduction
I. The Problem
II. Modern Solutions
III. Christianity's Answer
Indexes

"For the last decade, a global readership has enjoyed the theological and historical richness of Bavinck's Reformed Dogmatics. At the outset of that work, Bavinck set out that dogmatics is happiest in the company of its twin discipline, theological ethics. Dogmatics and ethics, respectively, show us why and how we should love God. For that reason, they belong together as 'related members of a single organism.' Since its release, Reformed Dogmatics has given a wide audience the chance to engage with a great Christian theologian on God and God's works of creation, salvation, and consummation. In Reformed Ethics, we are invited to think with Bavinck about the concreteness of human life in the light and strength of God's deeds for us. For that, we owe the editor and translators a great deal."
--James Eglinton, New College, University of Edinburgh; author of Bavinck: A Critical Biography

"In addition to Bavinck's magisterial Reformed Dogmatics, we now have the complementary Reformed Ethics. John Bolt and his accomplished team of translators and editors have added amazing value to Bavinck's recently rediscovered manuscripts in the field of moral theology. Their lucid translation, notes, and careful documentation of bibliographic sources used by Bavinck make this volume an invaluable background study on the history of theological ethics. Equally important, the book fills out our understanding of Bavinck the complete theologian. Working through it is an exhilarating eye-opener."
--James A. De Jong, Calvin Theological Seminary

"Ethics is no marginal relative of doctrine and theology, as the letters of Paul bear eloquent witness. The translation of Herman Bavinck's Reformed Dogmatics has been of major significance, and now it is followed, appropriately, by his Reformed Ethics. It is wonderful that this work has been discovered, translated, and published. One of the great needs of our day is close attention to the 'theological' in theological ethics, and Bavinck does not disappoint in this respect, with his characteristic rigor and creativity. John Bolt and his colleagues have provided us with a fresh resource for theological and ethical reflection."
--Craig G. Bartholomew, Kirby Laing Centre for Public Theology, Cambridge