Using biblical narratives, the Beatitudes and Erick H. Erikson's life cycle theory, Donald Capps reveals ways to combat the deadly sins by nurturing saving virtues. With his work rooted deeply in the Bible, Capps attempts to show comparisons that link each traditional deadly sin with a particular stage of personality development, using biblical figures to provide dynamic examples of virtue and sin.

Providing broad implications for practicing ministry, Capps book will intrigue all who wish to explore virtue and sin from a pastoral, biblical and psychological perspective.