Spring 2007/Pasadena
ET501
Dufault-Hunter

ET501: CHRISTIAN ETHICS. Erin Dufault-Hunter.


DESCRIPTION: While overly simplistic, 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 the Sermon on the Mount helps us understand 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 intimate sphere of sexuality and family to politics and social justice.

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 also 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, and films.

REQUIRED READING:

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

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. InterVarsity Press, 2002.

Volf, Miroslav. Free of Charge: Giving and Forgiving in a World Stripped of Grace. Zondervan, 2006.

Course reader/CD.

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

Hays, Richard. The Moral Vision of the New Testament. Harper San Francisco, 1996.

Niebuhr, Reinhold. Moral Man and Immoral Society. Westminster John Knox, 2002.

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

Zinn, Howard. A People's History of the United States. Harper Perennial, 2005.

ASSIGNMENTS: Bi-weekly short quizzes on the readings (25%); a 5-page theological reflection on Humes's book (15%); an 8-10 page in-depth critical review of Stassen/Gushee (30%); a final exam requiring analysis of an ethical issue (30%).

PREREQUISITES: None.

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

FINAL EXAMINATION: Yes.