Individualized Distance Learning

ET 501

Stassen

ET 501: CHRISTIAN ETHICS (4 units). Glen Stassen, Professor of Christian Ethics

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DESCRIPTION:

This introduction to Christian ethics aims to identify and compare fundamental assumptions that shape how Christians exercise their Christian discipleship, seeking a method that aids repentance and correction, and growth in wholeness and commitment to serve Jesus Christ as Lord in all of life and ministry. The agenda will be set by the Sermon on the Mount, and so issues of violence and peacemaking, sanctity of life, sexual faithfulness, truth-telling, love, justice (economic, racial, and ecological), and prayer will be included.

RELEVANCE FOR MINISTRY:

Christian ministers teach Christians to be disciples and to make disciples, equipping persons to be Christians in character and lifestyle, followers of Christ, rather than unaware captives of a secular culture. Christian ethics seeks to develop skills for that central ministry, which is at the heart of what Jesus did and taught. Such skills begin with growth in our own Christian ethics as well as understanding the fundamental assumptions in others' ethics. We will study how biblical and theological faith are integrated with experiential information in growing character and in confronting moral problems faced by church members and other folks. Each topic will have a focus on practices of Christian churches, and not only on individual decision-making.

COURSE FORMAT:

Students will study at their own pace over a ten-week period. Audio lectures will be provided, along with .lecture outlines, a study guide, and supplementary materials.

REQUIRED READING:

· De La Torre, Miguel A. Doing Christian Ethics from the Margins. Orbis, 2004.

· King, Martin Luther, Jr. Strength to Love. Fortress Press, 1963, 1981.

· Sider, Ronald. Just Generosity: A New Vision for Overcoming Poverty in America. Baker Books, 1999.

· Stassen, Glen and David Gushee. Kingdom Ethics: Following Jesus in Contemporary Context. Grand Rapids: InterVarsity Press, 2002.

· Wallis, Jim. God’s Politics: Why the Right Gets It Wrong and the Left Doesn’t Get It. Harper, San Francisco, 2005.

ASSIGNMENTS:

1. Two written 4-5 page response papers

2. A 12-page ethical analysis paper

3. A midterm exam

4. A final exam

PREREQUISITES:

None

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM:

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

FINAL EXAMINATION:

Yes

Updated August 2008