DESCRIPTION:

This introduction to Christian ethics investigates how Christian values, practices and norms shape the ways Christians live out discipleship in various contexts of contemporary life. We seek a level of coherence between the affirmation of Jesus Christ as Lord of life and the quest for justice (economic, racial and ecological) and also the resolution of ethical dilemmas in various areas of contemporary life (peacemaking, human sexuality and bio-ethics. Attention is paid to biblical and theological perspectives on the formation of Christian character as foundational to ethical consciousness.

Christian ministers teach and guide other Christians in ways and means of developing requisite skills and practices for mature ethical discernment and action. Ministry is enhanced when practitioners learn the skills of integrating biblical, theological and pastoral perspectives in their vocation of helping parishioners with ethical analysis and reflection.

Class will meet daily for four-hour sessions for two weeks. Coursework includes readings, lectures, written assignments, and class discussions.

Clark, David K. and Robert V. Rakestraw. Readings in Christian Ethics, Vol. 2: Issues and Applications. Baker, 1996.

Dennis P. Hollinger. Choosing the Good. Baker, 2002.

Hauerwas, Stanley. A Community of Character, Notre Dame, 1986.

Mount, Eric. Covenant, Community, and the Common Good. Pilgrim, 1999.

Roberts, Samuel K. African American Christian Ethics. Pilgrim, 2001.

The readings in Hollinger, Hauerwas and Roberts (chaps. 2-8) will be the bases for lecture and discussion in the first week; Mount, Clark and Rakestraw, and Roberts (chaps 9-11) will be foundational during the second week. Students should complete the readings prior to the week they are due. Each student is expected to bring to class on August 3 a 5-6 page review of Hollinger. This review should state how your prior conceptions about Christian ethics have been challenged, reshaped or modified. Subsequent reviews of other texts should reflect on how those texts offer normative proposals on Christian ethics. A 4-5 page reflection paper on Hauerwas will be due August 5; a 4-5 page critical assessment of a debate between any two authors on a topic (other than the one on which the student's final paper will be based) in Clark and Rakestraw will be due August 9; a 4-5 page reflection on Mount will be due August 11.

A final paper (about 15 pages), due no later than September 3, should identify a moral problem in contemporary society and propose a sustained argument for the resolution of such problem, using significant tools and ideas drawn from the class.

None.

Meets MDiv core requirement in Christian Ethics (ETH).

No final exam.