DESCRIPTION:

This introduction to Christian ethics aims to identify and compare fundamental assumptions that shape how Christians exercise 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.

Christian ministers teach Christians to be disciples and to make disciples, 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 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. Each topic will have a focus on practices of Christian churches, and not only on individual decision-making.

Lectures and discussion. Class will meet twice a week for two-hour sessions.

Clark, David K. and Robert V. Rakestraw. Readings in Christian Ethics, Vol. 2: Issues and Applications. Baker, 1996.

King, Martin Luther, Jr. Why We Can't Wait. Harper & Row, 1964.

Sider, Ronald. Rich Christians in an Age of Hunger. Word, 1990, any edition. (Out of Print).

Smedes, Lewis. Mere Morality. Eerdmans, 1983.

Stassen, Glen. Just Peacemaking: Transforming Initiatives for Justice and Peace. Westminster/John Knox, 1992.

Reading and analyzing assigned texts; class participation; scheduled brief-essay quizzes and short reflection papers.

None.

Meets M. Div. core requirement in Ethics (ETH).

None.