Virtue Ethics: Building Strong Foundations for a Flourishing Life

By: Thomas McCuddy, M.A., D.Min. | March 2, 2025

When we think of ethics, we often think of rules—do this, don’t do that—and while rules have their place, they are not the heart of what it means to live a good life. Virtue ethics invites us to step away from a checklist approach and ask deeper questions: What kind of person should I be? How can I cultivate a life of character and moral excellence? These are the same questions we ask as a follower of Christ.

This article will introduce you to virtue ethics, explore its roots in ancient philosophy, and show how the Thomistic system of virtues, as articulated by Thomas Aquinas, uniquely equips us to integrate faith, reason, and character into our daily lives. Along the way, we will see how virtue ethics in conjunction with the commands of God and the desire for the good is the clearest Christian ethical system.

What Is Virtue Ethics?

Virtue ethics in general emphasizes who we are rather than what we do. Unlike other ethical systems that focus on duties or consequences, virtue ethics asks: What kind of character am I developing? The goal is not merely to follow rules or avoid punishment but to cultivate moral virtues—habits of excellence that enable us to live well and flourish as human beings.

The concept of virtue comes from the Latin word virtus, meaning strength or excellence. In the classical tradition, virtues are stable qualities of character that enable a person to act rightly, consistently, and with joy. Aristotle, one of the key figures in virtue ethics, described virtue as a mean between extremes: courage, for example, is the balance between recklessness and cowardice. For Aristotle, the ultimate goal of life is eudaimonia—a term often translated as “flourishing” or “happiness.”

The Christian Perspective on Virtue Ethics

While Aristotle provided a foundation for virtue ethics, the Christian tradition deepened and transformed it by rooting virtue in God’s character and purpose for humanity. Enter Thomas Aquinas, a 13th-century theologian and philosopher who synthesized Aristotle’s philosophy with Christian theology, accepting what was correct, amending what needed correcting, and rejecting what was false. Aquinas affirmed that virtues are essential for human flourishing but taught that true virtue must be directed toward God as our ultimate end.

In Aquinas’ system, virtues are divided into three main categories:

Theological Virtues: Faith, hope, and love, which are gifts of God’s grace and orient us toward Him.
Cardinal Virtues: Prudence, justice, courage (fortitude), and temperance, which serve as the foundational virtues for a good moral life.
Intellectual Virtues: Habits of the mind, such as wisdom and understanding, which help us discern truth.

Each virtue corresponds to a specific aspect of human life and equips us to reflect God’s goodness in our thoughts, actions, and relationships. For example, prudence guides us in making wise decisions, justice calls us to give others their due, and love inspires us to seek the good of others selflessly.

Even Peter found the value of virtue in 2 Peter 1:5-15. He says that we should add with our faith, virtue. He goes on to name several character traits that correspond exactly to the four cardinal virtues. However, what is most important is that he said these qualities are the keys to a fruitful and productive life (v. 8) and that he had done everything he could to remind and bring to remembrance these things to his audience when we he was gone (v. 12-15).

Why Virtue Matters in Today’s World

We live in a time when moral confusion abounds. The rapid pace of cultural change with the falling away from Theism as detailed in James Sire’s book The Universe Next Door, has left many people adrift, unsure of how to navigate questions about truth, identity, and purpose. Rules alone cannot provide the stability and direction we need, nor can vague appeals to individual freedom or authenticity. The first leads to legalism and Pharisaical obedience, the second to licentiousness and relativism. What we need is a recovery of virtue ethics—a way of living that emphasizes not only what we do but who we are becoming so that we may live in true liberty as we walk with the Spirit and are conformed to the image of Christ. Jesus, as we see in the gospel, possessed no vices.

Virtue ethics offers a framework for addressing some of the most pressing challenges of our time:

Family and Relationships: Virtues like patience, kindness, and forgiveness strengthen marriages, parent-child relationships, and friendships.
Work and Vocation: Diligence, integrity, and courage enable us to approach our work as a calling to serve others and glorify God.
Community and Society: Justice and temperance call us to seek the common good and live in harmony with others.

By cultivating virtue, we can counter the culture’s tendencies toward selfishness, division, and despair, becoming beacons of hope and truth in a fractured world.

Modern Christian Ethics

Believers and their families will be strengthened by living out the Thomistic system of virtue ethics in practical, transformative ways. Why families? Because the family is the first school of virtue, the primary context in which we learn what it means to love, forgive, and serve others.

This approach is rooted in the classic virtues as articulated by Aquinas, but we emphasize their application to modern Christian discipleship. Here are a few key aspects of our understanding of virtue ethics:

Virtue Is Holistic

Virtue encompasses every aspect of life—not just outward actions but also thoughts, emotions, and desires. We teach that true discipleship involves cultivating virtues of the mind (such as wisdom), heart (such as love), and will (such as perseverance). By aligning all parts of our being with God’s will, we become fully integrated people, capable of living with integrity and joy.

Virtue Is Relational

Virtues are not developed in isolation. Just as iron sharpens iron, so we grow in virtue through our interactions with others. Whether it’s showing patience with a difficult family member or practicing generosity toward a stranger, every relationship is an opportunity to grow in Christlikeness.

Virtue Is Habitual

Aristotle famously said that virtue is developed through practice. Aquinas built on this insight, teaching that virtues are habits formed by repeated good actions. We have often encouraged families to adopt daily practices that reinforce virtue—praying together, serving the community, and reflecting on Scripture.

Virtue Is Christ-Centered

Ultimately, virtue is not about self-improvement or moral achievement; it’s about becoming more like Christ. Jesus is the perfect embodiment of every virtue, and through His grace, we are empowered to grow in holiness. The theological virtues of faith, hope, and love remind us that our ultimate goal is not earthly success or happiness but union with God.

Practical Steps to Cultivate Virtue

How can you begin cultivating virtue in your own life and family? Here are some practical steps:

Study the Virtues: Learn about the theological, cardinal, and intellectual virtues, and reflect on how they apply to your daily life. Families of Virtue offers resources to help you explore these timeless truths.
Practice Small Acts of Virtue: Virtue is built through small, consistent choices. Whether it’s choosing to speak kindly when frustrated or persevering through a difficult task, every act of virtue strengthens your character.
Reflect on Scripture: The Bible is filled with examples of virtue in action. Passages like the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5–7) and Paul’s teaching on the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22–23) provide practical guidance for living virtuously.
Engage in Community: Surround yourself with others who are committed to growing in virtue. Whether it’s a church small group, a discipleship class, or a ministry like Families of Virtue, community provides accountability and encouragement.

Conclusion: Living a Life of Virtue

Virtue ethics invites us to see morality not as a burdensome set of rules but as a joyful path to flourishing. By cultivating virtues, we become the people God created us to be, capable of loving Him and others with our whole heart, soul, and mind. One such ministry, Families of Virtue (https://familiesofvirtue.com), is committed to helping families embrace this vision, equipping them to grow in character and faith as they follow Christ.

If you are ready to take the next step in your journey toward virtue, we invite you to explore our resources. Join one of our classes, or start a virtue-focused discipleship group in your church. Together, we can build strong families, strong churches, and a culture that reflects the beauty of God’s design for human flourishing.

Let us press on to grow in virtue, trusting that the God who began a good work in us will carry it to completion (Philippians 1:6).

About the Author

Thomas McCuddy, M.A., D.Min.

Dr. Thomas McCuddy brings a wealth of ministerial experience to the team. Throughout Eastern North Carolina, Thomas has served in various pastoral roles. He heads the Apologetic Department at Carolina College of Biblical Studies. Additionally, he serves as the President of Families of Virtue Ministries and assists with various ministries in South Africa. Formerly, he worked with the late Dr. Norman Geisler at NGIM (Norm Geisler International Ministries).

McCuddy earned his Doctor of Ministry in Apologetics degree from Southern Evangelical Seminary along with other degrees from the school. Originally hailing from Memphis, Tennessee, Thomas is a graduate of Middle Tennessee State University, where he earned a degree in mathematics. Currently, he resides with his wife and children in Fayetteville, North Carolina.