Winter 2009/Pasadena
ET501
Dufault-Hunter/García Johnson

ET501: ETICA CRISTIANA [Christian Ethics]. Erin Dufault-Hunter/Oscar García Johnson.


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. In addition, we must also assume that Jesus--the Living Word--not only would do something but is acting in the world; our task in ethics is to discern how to participate in his Spirit's ongoing work. A central text for the course utilizes the Sermon on the Mount to help us understand God's central concerns and provides a good starting point for understanding divergent theological convictions and their evidence in our ethics. The course 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. It will pay particular attention to these issues as they arise in diverse Latino contexts and communities.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: First, students will analyze their own and others' ethical reasoning, particularly the importance of convictions, principles, and rules and their impact on specific moral judgments. Second, students will analyze the social, historical, and cultural context in which they minister, reflect on key ethical issues within it, and articulate how Biblical faith should shape the church's response to them. Third, they will practice communal discernment through discussion during the term on a complex case study as well as individual reflection on the case in a paper due at the end of the term. Fourth, students will develop an approach to theological ethics that enables them to address moral issues not specifically discussed in the course.

RELEVANCE FOR MINISTRY: Ministers and leaders throughout the body of Christ are daily required to lead others and live their lives in a way that models the character of a disciple of Jesus Christ. The Christian tradition consists of a particular way of life in which habits, virtues, practices, beliefs, and convictions are not only inherited, and passed on from one generation to another, but also extended and further developed through the numerous challenges that each generation faces. It is essential that ministers not only take an in-depth look at the way in which Biblically based beliefs shape the ethical life, but also the way in which those beliefs are embodied and testified to through lived practices. Teaching and leading others to be faithful and committed disciples of Jesus Christ requires one to have a firm understanding of the ethical shape and character of the Christian life.

COURSE FORMAT: Class will meet in three weekend (Friday-Saturday) sessions: Jan. 23, 24, Feb. 20, 21, March 6, 7 (30 contact hours), for lectures, small group discussions, video & in-class student presentations.

REQUIRED READING:

Boff, Leonardo. Etica y Moral. Sal Terrae (136 pages).

Flecha, José-Román. Moral social La vida en comunidad. Ediciones Sígueme, 2007 (592 pages).

Stassen, Glen H. and David P. Gushee. La Etica del Reino: Siguiendo a Jesús en un Contexto Contemporáneo. Casa Bautista/Mundo Hispano, 2007 (480 pages).

Villafañe, Eldin. Fe, espiritualidad y justicia: Teología posmoderna de un Boricua en la diáspora. Palabra y más, 2006 (52 pages).

RECOMMENDED READING:
Bonhoeffer, Dietrich. Etica.

Garcia, Ismael. Introducción a la ética cristiana. Abingdon, 2003.

Martínez, J. F. Caminando entre el pueblo Ministerio latino en los Estados Unidos. Abingdon, 2008.

Villafañe, E. El Espíritu Liberador: Hacia una ética social Pentecostal hispanoamericana. N. Creación, 1996.

ASSIGNMENTS: (1) Three critical reflection papers that engage the assigned reading (3 pp. each; 20%; due each Friday class session); (2) In-class presentation (15%); (3) A book report (10%); (4) Written reflection on a case study (8-10 pages; 25%); (5) Ethical analysis of moral issue (8-10 pages; 30%).

PREREQUISITES: Spanish.

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

FINAL EXAMINATION: No.

This ECD is a reliable guide to the course design but is subject to modification. (1/09)