DESCRIPTION: This introduction to Christian ethics aims to identify and compare
fundamental assumptions that shape how Christians practice 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.
COURSE OBJECTIVES/LEARNING OUTCOMES: The first course objective is that you
understand and dialogue with some of the key variables in different ways of
reasoning besides your own. Second, that your own ethics grows in its relation
with biblical faith, especially Jesus' kingdom ethics, and in your ability to
explain your ethics to someone else. Third, that you increase your skill in
teaching or communicating your Christian ethics in your present and future
places of ministry, and in helping others live Christian ethics. Fourth, that
you be able to reason articulately in relation to several contemporary ethical
issues that we will study. Fifth, that the course's holistic method, with its
variables, could help you identify key ingredients in reasoning ethically about
other issues beyond those we can study in this one term.
RELEVANCE FOR MINISTRY: Christian ministers teach Christians to be disciples
and to make disciples, and to do the teachings of Jesus, 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 in
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. We will include a focus on practices of Christian churches, not
only individual decision-making.
COURSE FORMAT: Lectures and discussion. Class will meet twice a week for
two-hour sessions.
REQUIRED READING: