DESCRIPTION: Do you know your ethical tradition? How have various Christian traditions understood what it means to practice the faith in the face of political and moral challenges and responsibilities? This course will examine parts of the Christian ethical landscape, with a particular focus on African-American traditions, some of the traditions that reside under the "evangelical" umbrella (e.g., Anabaptist, Lutheran, Reformed, Pentecostal), and seek to discover the ethical framework associated with emergent church conversation. This course presents students with the opportunity to identify their ethical tradition and a generous understanding of other perspectives.

SIGNIFICANCE FOR LIFE AND MINISTRY: Students will begin to discover and develop a vital aspect of the theological basis for the practice of faithful Christian discipleship. An understanding of various ethical traditions will equip students for the task of engaging moral and sociopolitical responsibilities in the church and the world. It is vital that leaders of the church prepare themselves to present an understanding of the ways that Christians have understood their role in the world and to equip others to engage society.

LEARNING OUTCOMES:

1. To begin understanding a range of Christian ethical traditions, both theologically and practically.

2. To interact critically and sympathetically with the various Christian approaches to ethics.

3. To consider seriously the importance and necessity of Christian engagement in society.

4. To begin developing one's own approach to Christian ethics by carefully identifying with one or more traditions.

5. To begin developing an approach to ministry that recovers or creates ways of shaping Christian life as a practical application of Christian ethics.

Gibbs, Eddie, and Ryan Bolger. Emerging Churches: Creating Christian Community in Postmodern Cultures. Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2005. (352 pp.) ISBN: 978-0801027154. Pub. Price $26.

Heltzel, Peter Goodwin. Jesus and Justice: Evangelicals, Race & American Politics. New Haven: Yale University Press, 2009. (288 pp.) ISBN: 9780300124330. Pub. Price $30.

Sanders, Cheryl J. Empowerment Ethics for a Liberated People: A Path to African American Social Transformation. Minneapolis: Fortress, 1995. (152 pp.) ISBN: 9780800629175. Pub. Price $18.

Stassen, Glen H., and David P. Gushee. Kingdom Ethics: Following Jesus in Contemporary Context. Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2003. (538 pp.) ISBN: 978-0-8308-2668-1. Pub. Price $35.

Additional Readings (e.g., Stanley Grenz and Traci West) to be provided online (100+ pp.).

1. A written analysis and critique of Jesus and Justice (25%).

2. One-paragraph post in response to the weekly reading each week (25%).

3. A presentation posted online. This will help reveal your developing thought about the core questions of the course and provide an opportunity for feedback from the professor and fellow students as each student writes their research/position paper (15%).

4. A research/position paper of 8-10 pages (12 point Times New Roman font, double-spaced, with one-inch margins) that will present your answer to the central question of the course. While the aim is to present the student's perspective, the paper should be conversant with a range of theological perspectives. Due September 7 (35%).