An Investigation into the Relationship between Aristotelian Eudaimonia and Christian Discipleship

“In this creative, daring, and useful book, Donald Williams puts in conversation two unlikely interlocutors—Jesus and Aristotle. Williams allows Aristotle to talk about one of his dearest concepts, eudaimonia, then asks Jesus to engage with him on his chief theme, discipleship. As if it were not remarkable enough for Williams to present a challenging theological work, he then tells us how he shared his insights with a group of ordinary Christians in his congregation. The result is a remarkable book, an embrace of the theological and the practical, and an example of how classical philosophical concepts can have relevance to the lives or contemporary disciples.”


—Will Willimon, director, Doctor of Ministry Program, Duke University





In this incredibly well-researched and pastoral book, Donald Williams examines Thomas Aquinas’s writings about eudaimonia—the state of blessedness and flourishing—and its compatibility with Christian discipleship. Williams explores the Aristotelian paradigm of virtue ethics and explains how humankind’s quest for perfect happiness is tied to the intentional cultivation of the virtues. He helps his readers understand that they can experience eudaimonia when they choose to cultivate divine virtues (e.g., the fruit of the Spirit as outlined in Galatians 5:22).”


—Laldinpuia Rodawla, associate pastor for congregational life, Providence Presbyterian Church, Charlotte, NC