Introduction to Christian Ethics

Introduction to Christian Ethics examines ethics from a Christian philosophical, theological, and biblical perspective. Can Christians offer an account of ethics that would speak to humanity in general? If so, what would this look like – an account that’s grounded in our understanding of God and ourselves as created in the image of God? And would this general account also satisfy an ethics for the church? If not, what other features must be considered according to the New Testament and our discipleship to Jesus Christ?

SIGNIFICANCE FOR LIFE AND MINISTRY:

T: Ethical questions and issues of justice are all around us. How should we respond? What perspectives can we offer to our church communities and to the public square? How are we to contribute constructively to the current moral questions and crises? If the church is to speak and witness positively to a world that’s created and loved by God, what would such speaking and witnessing look like with respect to ethics?

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM:

This course meets a core curriculum requirement for the Graduate Certificate in Trauma and Healing Ministry, can satisfy the Leadership Practicum of the Master of Christian Leadership (MCL) in consultation with the MCL advisor, and can be an elective for the MCL and Graduate Certificate in Christian Leadership.

LEARNING OUTCOMES:

Through the successful completion of this course a student will be able to:

• Understand ethics and justice from a theologically and biblically grounded perspective.

• Articulate for oneself and for one’s community what “Christian Ethics” means and entails.

• Examine and write on an ethical topic that engages either the public at large or the Christian community.

• SLO’s: 1.1.1-2, 1.2.1, 1.4.1, 1.6.2, 2.1.2, 2.2.1, 2.4.1-2, 2.5.2, 3.1.1-2, 3.4.1, 3.5.2

COURSE FORMAT:

This course will meet weekly. Class time will be a combination of lecture and discussion.

REQUIRED READING:

Long, D. Stephen, Christian Ethics: A Very Short Introduction. New York: Oxford University Press, 2010. ISBN 0199568863. Pub. Price $11.74

Wolterstorff, Nicholas, Justice: Rights and Wrongs. Princeton: Princeton University Press, 2010. ISBN 0691146306, Pub. Price $32.95 [Paperback].

Hays, Richard B., The Moral Vision of the New Testament: Community, Cross, New Creation. New York: HarperCollins,1996. ISBN 006063796X, Pub. Price $26.99.

ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT:

• Attendance and Class Participation

• Reading of required materials and weekly written reading response

• One midterm and one final exam

• A term paper (17-19 pages) focused on a relevant ethical issue

PREREQUISITES:

Spiritual Formation and Introduction to Theological Studies

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM:

This course meets a core curriculum requirement for the MDiv, MTS and MCL; elective for GCCL.