ET501
Stassen
ET501: CHRISTIAN ETHICS. Glen Stassen.
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.
RELEVANCE FOR MINISTRY:
- 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.
COURSE FORMAT:
- Lectures and discussion. Class will meet twice a week for two-hour
sessions.
REQUIRED READING:
- 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.
(Mentor reprint.)
- Sider, Ronald. Rich Christians in an Age of Hunger. Word, 1990, any
edition. (Out of Print).
- Stassen, Glen. Just Peacemaking: Transforming Initiatives for Justice
and Peace. Westminster/John Knox, 1992.
- Class reader available in Bookstore.
ASSIGNMENTS:
- Reading and analyzing assigned texts; class participation;
scheduled brief-essay quizzes and short reflection papers.
PREREQUISITES:
- None.
RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM:
- Meets M. Div. core requirement in Ethics (ETH).
FINAL EXAMINATION:
- None.