Christian Ethics ET 501 Fall 2013 Dennis P. Hollinger, Ph.D. President & Colman M. Mockler Distinguished Professor of Christian Ethics

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1 Christian Ethics ET 501 Fall 2013 Dennis P. Hollinger, Ph.D. President & Colman M. Mockler Distinguished Professor of Christian Ethics Description An exploration of how Christian leaders can make good ethical choices and develop moral character in the midst of a complex, postmodern society. The course will examine: (1) the foundations of Christian Ethics; (2) the contexts of contemporary ethical choices; (3) the methods of moral decision-making; and (4) the relationship of biblically informed norms, values and virtues to culture and society, and (5) the Church s role therein. Lectures, case studies, and discussion will be employed in an attempt to gain wisdom, understanding, character, and a prophetic voice relative to the moral issues in church and society. Course Objectives 1. To gain a working knowledge of the various ethical theories and concepts utilized in grounding and making ethical decisions and developing Christian character. 2. To understand and appreciate the ways that the Bible and a Christian worldview (i.e. Theology) can guide our moral judgments and actions. 3. To understand the contemporary contexts in which Christians make ethical decisions, and how those contexts can shape our thought and response for good or ill. 4. To personally develop a Christ-culture stance for applying Christian ethics in a complex, changing world. 5. To develop sensitivity to issues of justice, compassion and righteousness in our world. 6. To develop an understanding of the church s role in society and culture. 7. To develop wisdom in being able to make wise moral decisions in the pastoral context, including attention to one s own pastoral responsibilities. 8. To gain a grasp of how the above concepts can provide guidance in several of the pressing issues of our time. 9. To develop an in-depth understanding of one issue through research on the issue. Textbooks Greer, Peter. The Spiritual Danger of Doing Good. Minneapolis: Bethany House, Gushee, David P. The Sacredness of Human Life: Why an Ancient Biblical Vision Is Key to the World s Future. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, Hollinger, Dennis. Choosing the Good: Christian Ethics in a Complex World. Grand Rapids: Baker Books, Hunter, James Davison. To Change the World: The Irony, Tragedy and Possibility of Christianity in the Late Modern World. New York: Oxford University Press, Wright, Bradley R.E. Upside: Surprising Good News about the State of Our World. Minneapolis: Bethany House, Optional for Extra Credit: Gill, David. Doing Right: Practicing Ethical Principles. Downers

2 Grove: Intervarsity Press, 2004; or Kunhiyop, Samuel Waje. African Christian Ethics. Nairobi: Hippo Books, Course Requirements 1. Read and reflect on the readings. With final exam also turn in a 3x5 card indicating the % of reading completed for each book. 2. Faithfully attend class and participate in case studies and class discussion. 3. Take the mid-term exam on October 22 and the final exam covering the entire course, on December 10. The two exams will focus primarily on class material with a few questions from the reading. They will involve multiple choices questions and 1 essay for each exam. 4. Write an 8-10 page paper (double spaced with 12-point font) on an ethical issue of your choice. (Please note: 10 pages is the limit!!) The paper should clearly set forth the (1) nature of the issue, (2) various positions, (3) a defense of your own view, and (4) how the church should address this issue. You should attempt to apply as many concepts from the course and readings as possible (minimum of four) to demonstrate your grasp of significant ethical concepts. You should consult at least six different sources from a variety of sources (books, journals, internet articles) and use endnotes with proper citations. Due: November 19. Late papers will be docked 4 points for the first week and 10 points thereafter. Alternate in place of above: Write an 8-10 page sermon or lesson (double spaced with 12-point font: 10 pages is the limit!!) on an ethical issue of your choice. The sermon/lesson should reflect the same amount of research as the paper. It should attempt to translate ethical theory and concepts into everyday language, a pastoral context, and be appropriate for preaching/teaching in a church setting. Note: This is not an easier way out, for the same research and care should go into this sermon or lesson as a formal paper. It can be topical or expository in nature. At the end of the sermon/lesson list all books and articles consulted in a bibliography. Due: November 19. Late papers will be docked 4 points for the first week and 10 points thereafter. Note: A detailed rubric for both papers is at the end of the syllabus. Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary like all academic institutions expects student research to reflect integrity and specifically prohibits plagiarism, taking others ideas and passing them off as your own. Thus proper documentation is necessary. 5. Additional credit assignment: You may add 2 points to your overall final grade (ex. an 87 final grad would become an 89) by reading David Gill s Doing Right or Kunhiyop s African Christian Ethics, and writing a two page review of the book. The review should include what you found to be the most helpful concepts as you think about ethics and your future ministry. Due: December 3. Grading (Note: All grading is done by an accomplished ethicist and graduate of GCTS, Dr. Esther Bruland) Major Paper (or sermon/lesson)- 40%; Final Exam- 30%; Mid-term exam- 30%.

3 A ; A ; B ; B 84-87; B ; C ; C 74-77; C-71-73; D ; D 60-67; F below 60 3 Course Outline 1. Introduction: The Nature of Ethics (Hollinger Intro.; Gushee Intro.) Foundations of Ethics (Hollinger 1-2; ) 9-10, A Christian Worldview Foundation for Ethics (Hollinger 3; Gushee 1-4) 9-17, The Contexts of Christian Ethics: (Modernity and Postmodernity (Hollinger 4-5; Gushee 7-8) Historic Approaches in the Church to Decision Making (Hollinger 6;) How Should We Use the Bible in Ethical Decisions? (Case issue: Homosexuality) (Hollinger 7) Judging the Facts in Ethical Decisions (Case issue: hunger-poverty) (Hollinger 8; Wright 1-7) (2 nd part of evening after mid-term exam) 8. Christ and Culture: How Do We Put Them Together? (Hollinger 9; Hunter; Gushee 5-6) The Call to do Justice (Case issue: Racism) (Hollinger 10; Gushee 9) Christian Ethics and Pluralism (Hollinger 11) Models of Christian Influence (Case issue: Church and State) (Hollinger 12) Application to issues: Environmental Ethics, Reproductive Technologies, (Gushee 10-12; Wright 8-10) Spiritual Formation for Ethics (Greer) Selected Bibliography Adeney, Bernard T. Strange Virtues: Ethics in a Multicultural World. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, Anderson, Terrence. Walking the Way: Christian Ethics as a Guide. Toronto, Ontario: The United Church Publishing House, Barth, Karl. The Christian Life. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, Beckwith, Francis and Koukl, Gregory. Relativism: Feet Firmly Planted in Mid-Air. Grand Rapids: Baker, Berkhof, H. Christ and the Powers. Scottdale, PA: Herald Press, Biggar, Nigel. Behaving in Public: How to do Christian Ethics. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2011.

4 4 Birch, Bruce and Rasmussen, Larry. Bible and Ethics in the Christian Life. Louisville: Westminster/John Knox, Birch, Bruce. Let Justice Roll Down: The Old Testament, Ethics and Christian Life. Louisville: Westminster/John Knox, Bloesch, Donald G. Freedom for Obedience. San Francisco: Harper and Row, Boyd, Gregory. The Myth of a Christian Nation: How the Quest for Political Power is Destroying the Church. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, Browning, Don. Christian Ethics and Moral Psychologies. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, Brunner, Emil. Justice and the Social Order. London: Lutterworth Press, The Divine Imperative. Phila: Westminster, Budziszewski, J. Written on the Heart: The Case for Natural Law. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, What We Can t Not Know. Dallas: Spence Publishing, Burridge, Richard. Imitating Jesus: An Inclusive Approach to New Testament Ethics. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, Carter, Craig. Rethinking Christ and Culture: A Post-Christendom Perspective. Grand Rapids: Brazos, Darrien, Gary. Social Ethics in the Making: Interpreting an American Tradition. Oxford: Wiley-Blackwell, Davis, John J. Evangelical Ethics. Phillipsburg, NJ: Presbyterian and Reformed, Dayton, Donald. Discovering an Evangelical Heritage. New York: Harper & Row, DeYoung, Rebecca Konyndyk. Glittering Vices: A New Look at the Seven Deadly Sins. Grand Rapids: Brazos, Eliot, T.S. Christianity and Culture. New York: Harcourt, Brace and World, Ellul, Jacques. The Ethics of Freedom. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, The Presence of the Kingdom. Philadelphia: Westminster, Fedler, Kyle D. Exploring Christian Ethics: Biblical Foundations for Morality. Louisville: Westminster-John Knox Press, Feinberg, John S. & Paul D. Ethics for a Brave New World. Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books, Forell, George. Christian Social Teachings. Garden City: Anchor, Foster, Greg. Sin, Structure and Responsibility. Bramcote: Grove Books, Frankena, William. Ethics. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall, Gaede, S.D. When Tolerance is No Virtue: Political Correctness, Multiculturalism & the Future of Truth & Justice. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, Gay, Craig M. The Way of the Modern World: Or, Why It s Tempting to Live as if God Doesn t Exist. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, Geisler, Norman L. Christian Ethics: Options and Issues. Grand Rapids: Baker, Gill, David. Becoming Good: Building Moral Character. Downers Grove: Intervarsity Press, Doing Right: Practicing Ethical Principles. Downers Grove: Intervarsity Press, Gilligan, Carol. In a Different Voice: Psychological Theory and Women s Development. Cambridge: Harvard University Press, Grenz, Stanley. The Moral Quest: Foundations of Christian Ethics. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, Gustafson, James. Ethics from a Theocentric Perspective. Vol. 1. Theology and Ethics.

5 5 Chicago: University of Chicago Press, Ethics from a Theocentric Perspective. Vol. 1I. Theology and Ethics. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, Gutierrez, Gustavo. A Theology of Liberation. Maryknoll, NY: Orbis, Hare, John. Why Bother Being Good?: The Place of God in the Moral Life. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, Hays, Richard. Moral Vision of the New Testament. San Francisco: Harper, Hengel, Martin. Christ and Power. Phila: Fortress, Henry, Carl F.H. Aspects of Christian Social Ethics. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, Christian Personal Ethics. Grand Rapids, Eerdmans, Hauerwas, Stanley. A Community of Character. Notre Dame: University of Notre Dame Press, Christian Existence Today: Essays on Church, World, and Living in Between. Durham, NC: Labyrinth Press, The Peaceful Kingdom: A Primer in Christian Ethics. Notre Dame, IN: University of Notre Dame Press, With The Grain of the Universe: The Church s Witness and Natural Theology. Grand Rapids: Brazos, Higginson, Richard. Dilemmas: A Christian Approach to Moral Decision Making. Louisville: Westminster/John Knox Press, Hollinger, Dennis. Choosing the Good: Christian Ethics in a Complex World. Grand Rapids: Baker, Head, Heart & Hands: Bringing Together Christian Thought, Passion and Action. Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, Individualism and Social Ethics. Lanham, MD: University Press of America, Hunter, James Davison. The Death of Culture: Moral Education in an Age Without Good or Evil. New York: Basic Books, To Change the World: The Irony, Tragedy and Possibility of Christianity in the Late Modern World. New York: Oxford University Press, Janzen, Waldemar. Old Testament Ethics: A Paradigmatic Approach. Louisville: Westminster/John Knox, Kaiser, Walter. Toward Old Testament Ethics. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, Kaye, Bruce and Wenham, Gordon (eds.). Law, Morality and the Bible. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity, Keller, Timothy. Generous Justice: How God s Grace Makes Us Just. New York: Dutton, Kirk, Andrew. The Good News of the Kingdom Coming: The Marriage of Evangelism and Social Responsibility. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, Koyzis, David T. Political Visions and Illusions: A Survey and Christian Critique of Contemporary Ideologies. Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, Kraybill, Donald. The Upside Down Kingdom. Scottdale: Herald, Kreeft, Peter. Making Choices: Practical Wisdom for Everyday Moral Decisions. Ann Arbor: Servant Books, Kunhiyop, Samuel Waje. African Christian Ethics. Nairobi, Kenya: Hippo Books, Lebacqz, Karen. Justice in an Unjust World: Foundation for a Christian Approach to Justice. Minneapolis: Augsburg, Litfin, Duane. Word Versus Deed: Resetting the Scales to a Biblical Balance. Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2012.

6 6 Long, Edward L. A Survey of Christian Ethics. New York: Oxford University Press, A Survey of Recent Christian Ethics. New York: Oxford University Press, To Liberate and Redeem: Moral Reflections on the Biblical Narrative. Cleveland: Pilgrim Press, MacIntyre, Alasdir. After Virtue: A Study in Moral Theory. Notre Dame: University of Notre Dame Press, Magnuson, Norris. Salvation in the Slums: Evangelical Social Work, Metuchen, NJ: Scarecrow, Marxsen, Willi. New Testament Foundations for Christian Ethics. Minneapolis: Augsburg/Fortress, William Mattison III. Introducing Moral Theology: True Happiness and the Virtues. Grand Rapids: Brazos, Meilander, Gilbert. Faith and Faithfulness: Basic Themes in Christian Ethics. Notre Dame, IN: University of Notre Dame Press, The Way That Leads There: Augustinian Reflections on the Christian Life. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, Mott, Stephen C. Biblical Ethics and Social Change 2 nd edition. Oxford: Oxford University Press, Mouw, Richard. The God Who Commands. Notre Dame, IN: University of Notre Dame Press, Politics and the Biblical Drama. Grand Rapids: Baker, Uncommon Decency: Christian Civility in an Uncivil World. Downers Grove: Intervarsity Press, When the Kings Come Marching In. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, Neuhaus, Richard. The Naked Public Square. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, Niebuhr, H. Richard. Christ and Culture. New York: Harper & Row, The Responsible Self. New York: Harper & Row, Niebuhr, Reinhold. An Interpretation of Christian Ethics. London, SCM Press, Moral Man and Immoral Society. New York: Scribners, Nullens, Patrick and Michener, Ronald. The Matrix of Christian Ethics: Integrating Philosophy and Moral Theology in a Postmodern Context. Denver: Paternoster, O Donovan, Oliver. Common Objects of Love: Moral Reflection and the Shaping of Community. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, Resurrection and Moral Order: An Outline for Evangelical Ethics. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, Paris, Peter. The Spirituality of African Peoples: The Search for Common Moral Discourse. Minneapolis: Fortress Press, Perkins John. With Justice for All. Ventura, CA: Regal, Pohl, Christine. Making Room: Recovering Hospitality as a Christian Tradition. Grand Rapids: Eerdman s, 1999). Rachels, James (ed.). The Right Thing to Do: Basic Readings in Moral Philosophy (3 rd edition). Boston: McGraw-Hill, Rae, Scott B. Moral Choices: An Introduction to Ethics. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, Rauschenbusch, Walter. Christianizing the Social Order. New York: Macmillan, Sanders, Cheryl J. Empowerment Ethics for a Liberated People: A Path to African American Social Transformation. Minneapolis: Augsburg Fortress, Schubeck, Thomas L., S.J. Liberation Ethics. Minneapolis: Augsburg/Fortress, Schultze, Quentin J. Habits of the High-Tech Heart: Living Virtuously in the Information Age. Grand Rapids: Baker, 2002.

7 7 Sider, Ronald. Evangelism, Salvation and Social Justice. Bramcote; Grove Books, The Scandal of the Evangelical Conscience: Why Are Christians Living Just Like the Rest of the World? Grand Rapids: Baker, Smedes, Lewis. Mere Morality: What God Expects from Ordinary People. Grand Rapids, Eerdmans, Smith, Timothy. Revivalism and Social Reform. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins, Stackhouse, John. Making the Best of It: Following Christ in the Real World. New York: Oxford University Press, Stassen, Glen. A Thicker Jesus: Incarnational Discipleship in a Secular Age. Louisville: Westminster/John Knox, Stassen, Glen and Gushee, David. Kingdom Ethics: Following Jesus in Contemporary Culture. Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, Storkey, Alan. Jesus and Politics: Confronting the Powers. Grand Rapids: Baker, Stott, John. Human Rights and Human Wrongs: Major Issues for a New Century. Grand Rapids: Baker, Our Social and Sexual Revolution: Major Issues for a New Century. Grand Rapids: Baker Books, Swartley, Willard. Slavery, Sabbath, War and Women: Case Issues in Biblical Interpretation. Scottdale, PA: Herald Press, Thomas, Cal and Dobson, Ed. Blinded by Might: Can the Religious Right Save America. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, Verhey, Allen. The Great Reversal: Ethics and the New Testament. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, Remembering Jesus: Christian Community, Scripture, and the Moral Life. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, Wallis, Jim. The Great Awakening: Reviving Politics in a Post Religious Right America. New York: Harper, God's Politics: Why the Right Gets it Wrong, and the Left doesn t Get it. New York: Harper Collins, Webb, William J. Slaves, Women and Homosexuals: Exploring the Hermeneutics of Cultural Analysis. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, Wells, David F. Losing Our Virtue: Why the Church Must Recover Its Moral Vision. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, Wilkens, Steven. Beyond Bumper Sticker Ethics: An Introduction to Theories of Right and Wrong. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, Wilson, Jonathan. Gospel Virtues: Practicing Faith, Hope and Love in Uncertain Times. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, Wogaman, J. Philip. Christian Ethics: A Historical Introduction. Louisville: Westminster/John Knox Press, A Christian Method of Moral Judgment. Revised. Philadelphia: Westminster, Readings in Christian Ethics: A Historical Sourcebook. Louisville: Westminster/John Knox Press, Wolterstorff, Nicholas. Justice: Rights and Wrongs. Princeton: Princeton University Press, Wright Christopher J.H. Old Testament Ethics for the People of God. Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, Yoder, John H. The Politics of Jesus. 2 nd edition. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, The Priestly Kingdom: Social Ethics as Gospel. Notre Dame, IN: University of Notre Dame Press, 1984.

8 8 Journals to consult on Ethics and Society: Christianity Today Evangelical Review of Theology First Things Journal of Religious Ethics Journal of the Society of Christian Ethics Sojourners The Third Way Transformation Dictionaries and Encyclopedias on Ethics (Good places to start for paper) Atkinson, David et. al. (Eds.). New Dictionary of Christian Ethics and Pastoral Theology. Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, Becker, Lawrence and Becker, Charlotte (eds.). Encyclopedia of Ethics (2nd edition, 3 vols. New York: Routledge, Childress, James and MacQuarrie, John(eds.). The Westminster Dictionary of Christian Ethics. Philadelphia: Westminster Press, Encyclopedia of Applied Ethics (4 vols.). San Diego: Academic Press, Henry, Carl (ed.). Baker s Dictionary of Christian Ethics. Grand Rapids: Bakers, Suggested Web Sites

9 9 Rubrics for Ethics Paper 2013 Rubrics or Criteria Nature of the Issue: What is this issue all about? What are the ethical considerations? What are the facts (empirical judgments) surrounding the issue? Potential Points 10 points Various Ethical Positions on the Issue: What are the different perspectives on this issue? Why do proponents hold these perspectives? Be as faithful as you can to the proponents arguments even though you may disagree with them. 20 points Your Own View: Clearly state your own ethical position on the issue. Why do you hold it? What are the compelling arguments biblically, theologically, rationally? 20 points The Church Addressing this Issue: How should the church address this issue within the Church? Within society? What are the pastoral and tactical approaches the Church should use? In reflecting on this, set forth your own Christ-culture position with rationale. 20 points Concepts from the Course: Use at a minimum 4, and hopefully more, specific concepts from the course in your overall analysis. 4 concepts well utilized gives 13 points, 5 concepts 14 points, and 6 concepts. Writing, Sources and Documentation: Write clearly, concisely and with a clear road map. Proper grammar and correct spelling is expected. Use at least 6 varying sources, and use proper citation, either endnotes with bibliography or (Smith, 1998, p. 35, with bibliography at end). Total Points and Grade:

10 10 Rubrics for Ethics Sermon/Lesson 2013 Rubrics or Criteria Clearly focused purpose: The sermon should be clear in purpose, main ideas and major arguments Potential Points Clear understanding of the ethical issue: In popular, sermonic style present a clear overview of what the issue is all about. What is at stake in this issue? Why is it important for Christians? 20 points Ethical theory and concepts behind the sermon: While the sermon should not present ethical theory per se, it should reflect familiarity with various positions on the issue and the arguments (and ethical theories) employed by those positions, including your own. Appropriate use of Scripture: The sermon should be built from a single biblical text (expository) or several biblical texts and themes (topical). It should show clear understandings of the text, good interpretation and presentation of the text(s), and a clear big idea on the ethical issue addressed. 20 points Pastoral Context: The sermons should reflect appropriateness to the setting, the nature of the issue addressed, and the potential pastoral implications for the church and for the church s involvement with society on the issue. Writing and Sources: Write clearly and concisely and with a style that is appropriate for a Sunday morning sermon. Use at least 6 sources listed at the end with appropriate bibliographical detail. Accurate grammar and spelling is expected, along with good movement of ideas.

11 Total points and grade: 11