Spring 2009/Pasadena
ET501
Phillips

ET501: CHRISTIAN ETHICS. Justin Phillips.


DESCRIPTION: "The Kingdom of God" is an oft-used expression to describe God's active presence in the world, as well as an eschatological vision of God's full reign. Christian ethics is a discipline that helps us understand how to participate in God's kingdom by following the way of Jesus through costly discipleship. Specifically, we will look to Jesus Christ's largest teaching--The Sermon on the Mount--to understand the Triune God's purpose for humanity in all spheres of life (i.e., Church, family, government, etc.) and our witness in those spheres.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: First, the student will demonstrate familiarity with the ethical import of both the Old and New Testaments. Second, the student will discern and articulate a moral vision of God's kingdom concerning contemporary ethical issues. Third, the student will learn practical skills for teaching Christian ethics in the student's contextual ministry setting. Fourth, the student will demonstrate the ability to discern the ethical arguments of others.

RELEVANCE FOR MINISTRY: Christ calls disciples, not admirers, and since all Christians are called to be ministers within their myriad vocations (e.g., ministers, therapists, missionaries, teachers, social workers, etc.), this course will pay special attention to practical ways one can serve others, particularly through one's vocational calling or setting. In this way, Christians can enter into the increasingly fragmented existence of a secularized culture--including consumerism, imperialism, racism, sexism, and other threats to community--in order to love and promote an "ethic of the everyday." Together, we seek to discern those practices (e.g., prayer, peacemaking, reconciliation, hospitality, etc.) which form the identity of those who bear the name of Christ.

COURSE FORMAT: Class will meet twice weekly for two-hour sessions and will primarily be a lecture format. Students will be encouraged to participate, through corporate and small group discussion. This course will also potentially utilize guest speakers and multimedia presentations.

REQUIRED READING:

Clark, David K., and Rakestraw, Robert V. Readings in Christian Ethics, Vol. 2: Issues and Applications. Baker, 1996. (200 pages; these readings, when possible, will favor perspectives not represented by other required readings.)

King, Martin Luther, Jr. Strength to Love. Fortress, 1981. (141 pages.)

McCarthy, David Matzko. The Good Life: Genuine Christianity for the Middle Class. Brazos, 2004. (161 pages.)

Stassen, Glen, and David Gushee. Kingdom Ethics: Following Jesus in Contemporary Context. InterVarsity Press, 2002. (480 pages.)

Parallel Track Reading: Student should choose one additional work according to their interest (approximately 175 pages of the parallel track readings will be assigned):
Dawn, Marva. Sexual Character. Eerdmans, 1993.

De La Torre, Miguel. Doing Christian Ethics from the Margins. Orbis, 2004.

Roberts, Samuel K. African American Christian Ethics. Pilgrim, 2001.

Sider, Ronald J. Just Generosity: A New Vision for Overcoming Poverty in America. Baker, 2007.

Smedes, Lewis B. Mere Morality: What God Expects from Ordinary People. Eerdmans, 1983.

ASSIGNMENTS: Five short, in-class essays on the readings (40% - lowest grade dropped); 5-page sermon/lesson on one of the Sermon on the Mount triads, showing how the transforming initiative of the triad relates to a pressing ethical issue in your particular context (25%); 8-10 page analysis paper (35%).

PREREQUISITES: None.

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)