DESCRIPTION:

This introduction to ethics aims at providing a method for bringing biblically-based Christian convictions to bear on current moral problems which face the Church at both the individual and communal levels. In particular, we shall consider issues relating to family and sexuality, war and self-defense, poverty and wealth, racism and social justice.

This course does not provide "the answers" to today's pressing ethical questions, but should give future counselors, pastors, church leaders, and others guidance for moral discernment within their communities.

Class time will be spent in lectures and small-group discussions. The first part of the course will establish a method of moral reasoning based on an extended examination of the "pro-life vs. pro-choice" debate. The second part of the course will apply this method to selected topics.

Baird, Robert M., and Stuart E. Rosenbaum, eds. The Ethics of Abortion, 2d ed. Contemporary Issues in Philosophy Series. Buffalo: Prometheus Books, 1989. ISBN 0-87975-805-8. (Selected essays.)

Dawn, Marva J. Sexual Character: Beyond Technique to Intimacy. Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans, 1993. ISBN 0-8028-0700-3.

Farley, Benjamin W. In Praise of Virtue: An Exploration of the Biblical Virtues in a Christian Context. Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans, 1995. ISBN 0-8028-0792-5.

Fowl, Stephen E. and L. Gregory Jones. Reading in Communion. Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans, 1991. ISBN 0-8028-0597-3.

Hauerwas, Stanley. The Peaceable Kingdom: A Primer in Christian Ethics. Notre Dame: Notre Dame University Press, 1983. ISBN 0-268-01554-6.

Mouw, Richard J. The God Who Commands. Notre Dame: University of Notre Dame Press, 1990. ISBN 0-268-01021-8.

Yoder, John Howard. The Politics of Jesus. second ed. Grand Rapids and Carlisle, UK: Wm. B. Eerdmans and Paternoster Press, 1994. ISBN 0-85364-620-1.

Photocopied syllabus.

Childress, James F. and John MacQuarrie, eds. Westminster Dictionary of Christian Ethics. Rev. edition of Dictionary of Christian Ethics, ed. John MacQuarrie, 1967. Philadelphia: Westminster Press, 1986.

MacIntyre, Alasdair. After Virtue: A Study in Moral Theory. 2nd ed. Notre Dame: University of Notre Dame Press, 1984.

Careful and timely reading of assigned texts; regular attendance at lectures; participation in discussion groups. Midterm and final exams, essay style; one eight-page paper; one book review.

It is strongly recommended that students have some background in historical theology and/or systematic theology from their undergraduate or seminary study.

Meets M. Div. core requirement in Ethics (ETH).

Yes.