Summer 2018/Pasadena

ET533

Dufault-Hunter

ET533: CHRISTIAN DISCIPLESHIP IN A SECULAR SOCIETY (4 Units: 160 hours). Erin Dufault-Hunter.

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.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to: (1) articulate the biblical-theological basis of Christian moral convictions and the methodology of ethical decision-making for ecclesial and public ethics on various issues; (2) articulate the relationship between theories and practices for sympathetic engagement with culture(s) with reference to how our interpretation of history, participation in popular culture, and personal experience shape our perceptions of social issues; and (3) better appreciate the diversity of the body of Christ, practice respectful disagreement within it, and recognize our overlapping concerns as members of it.

COURSE FORMAT: This is a hybrid+ course, meaning that it is a ten-week course with nine weeks of online instruction and one week of classroom instruction during week six of the quarter. The week of classroom instruction will include four hours daily of lecture and discussion. Classroom and online instruction will include lecture and discussion for a total of 40 instructional hours.

REQUIRED READING: 1,200+ pages required, plus viewing of social media and 2 hours of video.

Cavanaugh, William T. Being Consumed: Economics and Christian Desire. Wm. B. Eerdmans, 2008. ISBN: 978-0802845610, Pub. Price $14.00 [121 pp. assigned].

Gorman, Michael J., Reading Revelation Responsibly: Uncivil Worship and Witness: Following the Lamb Into the New Creation. Wipf and Stock, 2010. ISBN: 978-1606085608, Pub. Price $27.00 [230 pp. assigned].

Greene-McCreight, Kathryn. Darkness is My Only Companion: A Christian Response to Mental Illness. Brazos Press, 2015. ISBN: 978-1587433726, Pub. Price $18.99 [178 pp. assigned].

Hays, R. The Moral Vision of the New Testament: Community, Cross, New Creation, A Contemporary Introduction to New Testament. Harper, 1996. ISBN: 978-0060637965, Pub. Price $26.99 [250 pp. assigned].

Yarhouse, Mark et al. Listening to Sexual Minorities: A Study of Faith and Sexual Identity on Christian College Campuses, InterVarsity Press 2018. ISBN: 978-0830828623, Pub. Price $25.00. OR Yarhouse, Mark. Understanding Gender Dysphoria: Navigating Transgender Issues in a Changing Culture. InterVarsity, 2015. ISBN: 978-0830828593, Pub. Price $20.00. [approximately 200 pages each]

Psalms [approximately 20 pages]; The Gospel of Mark [approx. 30 pages]; the book of Revelation [approximately 10 pages]

View: Fuller Integration Lectures 2015

Daily/regular newsfeed for your community [15 min/day].

Selected articles by Ellen Davis, Emmanuel Katongale, Soong-Chan Rah, and others [200 pages]

RECOMMENDED READING: A list of recommended reading will be provided in the syllabus.

ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT:

Log of course reading, perusing your usual newsfeed, viewing of instructional materials (approx. .5 - 1 hour/week for 9 weeks, usually mp3 lectures), plus class attendance week 6 (10%). [This assignment related to learning outcomes 1, 2; must earn 75% to pass course above C]. [85 hours].
Bi-Weekly: Before & after engaging in instruction, reflect on your experience of the course topic (120-150 words each; one pre and one post-instruction). (15%). [This assignment related to learning outcome 1, 2]. [5 hours].
Following the form provided, identify main argument, themes, & concerns of the week's readings or instruction (five total; 500-550 words each). (35%). [This assignment is related to learning outcomes 1, 2]. [30 hours].
Bi-weekly: Post substantive response to one other student in your small group (120-150 words). (no grade but must complete to get credit for #2 above]. [This assignment related to learning outcomes 1-3]. [5 hours].
Using your usual newsfeed as a resource, describe your culture's understanding of an ethical topic we cover to the class -- your culture's language, foci, concerns, and recommendations for how to live a good life. (Two total; 300-400 words or 2-minute recording). (10%). [This assignment related to learning outcomes 1, 2]. [5 hours].
Final project: A cumulative, culminating paper of approximately 4000 words that engages at least two different perspectives on the same ethical topic in light of student's own particular cultural context. (30%). [This assignment related to learning outcomes 1-2]. [30 hours].

PREREQUISITES: None.

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Fulfills the TH5 or TH6 requirements in the 120 MDiv Program (Fall 2016). Fulfills the TH6 requirement in the 80 MAT and 80 MATM Programs (Fall 2016). Option to meet the C2 or C4 requirement in the 120 MDiv Program. Option to meet the C2 or C4 requirement in the 80 MATM Programs (Fall 2015). Meets ETH in the 144 MDiv Program.

FINAL EXAMINATION: None.