Fall 2005/Pasadena
ET501
Dufault-Hunter


ET501: CHRISTIAN ETHICS. Erin Dufault-Hunter.


DESCRIPTION: While overly simplistic in some sense, the popular Evangelical phrase "WWJD" captures an important truth about Christian morality. Yet we live in a radically different time and place than Jesus, and sincere believers often disagree about how to follow him today. An examination of how one interprets the Sermon on the Mount, in many respects, helps us understand these divergent theological convictions and their evidence in our ethics. Using this teaching as a starting point, the course also offers an opportunity to reflect together on the current challenges we face as disciples in all aspects of our lives, from the personal to the political.

COURSE OBJECTIVES/LEARNING OUTCOMES: First, students will analyze the reasoning underlying our own and others' convictions regarding ethics. Second, they will be ready to dialogue in an informed, thoughtful way with believers and nonbelievers about pressing social and personal moral issues. Third, students will be encouraged to engage in practices that display a mature and compassionate Christian faith in the 21st century that is rooted in the teachings of Jesus.

RELEVANCE FOR MINISTRY: As disciples, we are called to not only articulate our faith clearly but to display the gospel in our life. By examining our convictions as well as the assumptions that support them, we can be better equipped to persuade others to follow after Christ. In addition, the body of Christ needs to thoughtfully engage the Word of God and one another so that we can better witness in our personal and common life to God's truth and grace.

COURSE FORMAT: Class will meet twice a week for two-hour sessions and follow a lecture format that will depend heavily on contributions from class members, with occasional small group discussions in class, guest speakers, movies, and documentaries.

REQUIRED READING:

Cahill, Lisa Sowle. Family: A Christian Social Perspective. Augsburg Fortress, 2000.

Clark, David K. and Robert V. Rakestraw, eds. Readings in Christian Ethics. Volume 2: Issues and Applications. Grand Rapids: Baker, 1996.

De LaTorre, Miguel. Reading the Bible from the Margins. Orbis Press, 2002.

Humes, Edward. No Matter How Loud I Shout: A Year in the Life of the Juvenile Court. Simon & Schuster, 1997.

Stassen, Glen and David Gushee. Kingdom Ethics: Following Jesus in Contemporary Context. Downers Grove, IL : InterVarsity Press, 2002.

"Forgiveness" booklet. Center for Christian Ethics, Baylor University. Available at <http://www.baylor.edu/christianethics>. (Some hard copies will also be available from the bookstore.)

Course reader/CD.

RECOMMENDED READING:
Hauerwas, Stanley. The Stanley Hauerwas Reader. Duke University Press, 2001.

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

Takaki, Ronald. A Different Mirror: A History of Multicultural America. Back Bay Books, 1994.

ASSIGNMENTS: A 5 page theological reflection on Humes's book (25%); an 8-10 page research paper on an ethical issue (30%); an 8-10 page presentation on an ethical issue designed for use as a Sunday school course (30%); bi-weekly short quizzes on the readings (15%).

PREREQUISITES: None.

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Meets MDiv core requirement in Christian Ethics (ETH).

FINAL EXAMINATION: None.