DESCRIPTION: Paul charges us in Romans 12:2, "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God--what is good and acceptable and perfect." Such a statement presumes that part of our calling is participation in moral discernment, sifting our culture's perceptions of what is good or acceptable through the lens of Scripture with the help of the Spirit. This class explores "secular" conceptions of what is suitable and pleasing in various arenas--economics, politics, ecology, sexuality, and ethnicity. We also discuss the importance of having a theology of suffering and evil as it pertains to these subjects. We will develop an explicitly Scripture-shaped vision of the world, so that we might worship God truthfully and participate in Christ's ongoing work of creating us and all creation anew.

SIGNIFICANCE FOR LIFE AND MINISTRY: We are invited and commanded to work by the power of the Spirit for the kingdom of God that is present but not yet fully so, even as we are also members of a larger secular, global society. In addition, many of us serve as leaders in communities, professions, and churches, and in these capacities facilitate discussion of and response to these ordinary aspects of our lives.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: First, students will gain tools for analyzing how our interpretation of history, participation in popular culture, and personal experience shape our perceptions of social issues. Second, we will reflect on how theological interpretation of Scripture should temper our confidence in commonly held assumptions and guide us in our beliefs and practice. Third, through honest discussion and shared experience, students can develop an appreciation for the diversity of the body of Christ, practice respectful disagreement within it, and recognize our overlapping concerns as members of it.

COURSE FORMAT: The class will meet twice a week for two-hour sessions that will consist of interactive lectures and small group discussion.

REQUIRED READING:

Cavanaugh, William T. Being Consumed: Economics and Christian Desire. Eerdmans, 2008. $8.57 on Amazon. 121 pages. ISBN 978-8028-4561-0.

Davis, Ellen. Scripture, Culture, and Agriculture: An Agrarian Reading of the Bible. Cambridge University Press, 2008. 252 pages. $21.55 on Amazon. ISBN 978-0521732239.

Gorman, Michael. Reading Revelation Responsibly: Uncivil Worship and Witness: Following the Lamb Into the New Creation. Wipf and Stock, 2010. $25.00. 230 pages. ISBN 978-1606085608.

Jennings, Willie. The Christian Imagination: Theology and the Origins of Race. Yale University Press, 2011. $23.00. 384 pages. ISBN 978-0300171365.

Hays, R. The Moral Vision of the New Testament: Community, Cross, New Creation. Harper, 1996. $17.63 on Amazon. 528 pages. ISBN 978-0060637965. [Note: Approximately 300 pages of reading from book assigned.]

Paris, Jenell Williams. The End of Sexual Identity: Why Sex is Too Important to Define Who We Are. InterVarsity Press, 2011. $9.78 on Amazon. 160 pages. ISBN 978-0-8308-3836-3.

ONE of the following:

Gutierrez, Gustavo. On Job: God-Talk and the Suffering of the Innocent. Orbis, 1987. $17.52 on Amazon. 160 pages. ISBN 978-0883445525.

OR Greene-McCreight, Kathryn. Darkness is My Only Companion: A Christian Response to Mental Illness. Brazos Press, 2006. 178 pages. $12.78 on Amazon. ISBN 978-1587431753.

1. Due every other week: 1500-2000 word précis (precise, clear summary) of the weeks' reading (90%).

2. Participation in class, including attendance and discussion of reading (10%).