DESCRIPTION:

Ethics is the study of the goals which motivate human conduct and the principles which form and guide our behavior. The classical Greeks understood ethics as the search for "the good". A distinctively Christian ethics will link "the good" with the mind and heart of God. Furthermore, this ethic will describe its goals and principles for human conduct in accordance with the Biblical witness. In this witness, Jesus Christ is at the same time teacher, model par excellence and the source of power for the life of integrity.

In this course we will learn key ethical concepts and models from the tradition of philosophical ethics and we will explore the various ways in which Christians have utilized the Bible as a source for ethical goals and principles. We will also pursue conversations about specific ethical issues of the day.

The church of Jesus Christ should present and promote with integrity and consistency the goals and values of the Reign of God in this broken world. Therefore, Christian ministers are responsible for proclaiming, teaching and modeling personally these goals and values, and thus encouraging the formation of disciples. Toward this end, we must continually examine and refine our own processes of ethical deliberation, so that they might become clearer, more consistent and more self-conscious. We are called to be the consciences of our congregations and our ever more secular cultures.

Lectures by the professor and discussion. Consideration of specific ethical issues. The class meets once a week for three-hour sessions.

García, Ismael. Introducción a la Etica Cristiana. Abingdon, 2003.

Giles, James E. Bases Bíblicas de la Etica. Casa Bautista de Publicaciones, 1994.

Mott, Stephen Charles. Etica Bíblica y Cambio Social. Nueva Creación (Eerdmans), 1995.

Sider, Ronald J. Rich Christians in an Age of Hunger. Word, 1997.

Midterm examination (essay questions) to be done at home, independent research project chosen in consultation with the professor, and final examination (practical dilemmas) to be taken in class.

Ability to speak and read Spanish.

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

Yes.