Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary Boston Campus Center for Urban Ministerial Education (CUME)

Transcription

1 Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary Boston Campus Center for Urban Ministerial Education (CUME) SE 571: CHRISTIAN ETHICS AND SOCIAL ISSUES FALL, 2012 Rev. Eldin Villafañe, Ph.D. (617) I. Course Objectives: The Student: A. Develops his or her biblical, theological, ethical, and socio-ecclesiological reflection on social issues. B. Develops skills for the analysis of social issues through critical interaction with: (1) class lectures, (2) current literature on the issues, and (3) fellow students (Task Force). C. Develops an understanding of and describes types of action which the Christian and Church can take for ministry to the issues. II. Textbooks A. Required: - McLaren, Brian, Elisa Padilla, and Ashley Bunting Seeber. The Justice Project (Baker Books, 2009) - Mott, Stephen C. Biblical Ethics and Social Change, Second Edition (Oxford University Press, [1982], 2011) - Stassen, Glenn H. and David P. Gushee. Kingdom Ethics: Following Jesus in Contemporary Context (InterVarsity Press, 2003) - Stearns, Richard. The Hole in Our Gospel (Thomas Nelson, 2009) - Villafañe, Eldin. Beyond Cheap Grace: A Call to Radical Discipleship, Incarnation, and Justice (Wm. B. Eerdmans, 2006) B. Recommended: - Balswick, Jack O., and Morland, J. Kenneth. Social Problems: A Christian Understanding and Response (Baker Book House, 1990) - Davis, John Jefferson. Evangelical Ethics: Issues Facing the Church Today, 2 nd ed. (Presbyterian and Reformed Publishing Co., 1993)

2 - Hunter, James Davison. To Change the World: The Irony, Tragedy, and Possibility of Christianity in the Late Modern World (Oxford University Press, 2010) - Niebuhr, H. Richard. Christ and Culture (Harper & Row, 1951) - Villafañe, Eldin. The Liberating Spirit: Toward an Hispanic American Pentecostal Social Ethic (Wm. B. Eerdmans, 1993) III. Course Requirements A. Common Reading: As background for course and class lecture/discussion the student should complete assigned reading by the following day: October 11: - Mott, Biblical Ethics and Social Change, pp ; - Stassen & Gushee, Kingdom Ethics, pp ; October 25: - Mott, pp ; - Stassen & Gushee, pp November 1: - Mott, pp. 3-17; ; - Stassen & Gushee, pp B. Critical Analysis and Reflection on three Required Texts: Provide a brief three-page analysis of each of the following books: Beyond Cheap Grace by Villafañe, The Hole in Our Gospel by Stearns, and The Justice Project by McLaren, et al. Include a brief synopsis of each book s content. Select two key themes/ideas in each book that will be helpful to your ministry, explaining why and how you would utilize it. Beyond Cheap Grace due October 11 The Hole in Our Gospel due October 25 The Justice Project due November 1 C. Required Further Reading: Each student is required, in addition to the common reading and critical book review/reflection, to read at least 200 pages in areas relevant to Task Force assignment. List due November 3 2

3 D. Issue Report: Each student will write a 8-10 page report* on the issue (see appendix I) assigned. Respond to the following: 1. Clarification: What is the nature of the problem of the issue assigned? What are the major positions defining/analyzing the issue? 2. Conceptualization: What are the biblical and theological bases for a Christian response to the issue? 3. Confrontation: In what ways can the Christian and the Church respond concretely to the issue? (Identify program ministries and models) *Integration: Integrate class lectures and course required readings (McLaren, Mott, Stassen & Gushee, Stearns, Villafañe) where applicable. Issue Report due November 3 E. Task Force Groups: Whether in the church, para-church, or other institution in our society one may be called upon to participate in a task force researching a particular issue. The objective of the Task Force Groups are (1) to give students an hands on experience in cooperative exploration of one social issue; and (2) to develop skills for doing ethical analysis and research on social issues. 1. Each student will participate in an assigned task force group which will research a particular social issues. 2. Each task force group will give a class presentation of findings on November 3. Class Presentation: (a) (b) (c) Will be 30 minutes in length, with an additional 15/20 minutes for class discussion. Format for presentation may include: lecture, film (or other media), panel discussion, etc. Presentation should contain at least: (1) Clarification, nature of the problem investigated, the major positions encountered during the course of the research and conclusions reached to date; (2) Conceptualization, biblical and theological warrants for position taken; and (3) Confrontation, practical methodology to address 3

4 issue by Christian/Church. IV. Evaluation The course will be evaluated as follows: Issue Report = 50% Critical book review/reflection = 30% Task Force Class Presentation = 20% Minus any penalty for unfulfilled requirements (e.g., reading list, regular attendance). 4

5 Christian Ethics and Social Issues (Course Outline) Introduction: A. Knowing each other B. Scope, Objectives, Methods and Requirements of Course C. Social Ethics: Nature, Limitations and Challenges D. Task Force Groups The Hermeneutic Circle in Social Ethics: A Paradigm I. Clarification: Social Analysis and Faith A. The Social Context of Ministry B. Social Analysis as Social Discernment II. Conceptualization: Scriptural and Theological Norms A. Scriptures in Theological & Ethical Construction B. The Twin Pillars of Ethics: Love & Justice C. Other Theological Themes in Social Ethics III. Confrontation: Social Spirituality The Public Witness of the Church A. The Church and Its Public Ministry: Lessons from Jesus B. The Witness of Dietrich Bonhoeffer: DVD/Discussion 5

6 Task Force Groups Presentation APPENDIX I Social Issues for Task Force 1. Amos - Poverty and the Church 2. Epaphroditus Racism and Xenophobia in post-september 11 America 3. Mary - Immigration and the Church in the U.S.A. 4. Job - The Plight of Urban Public Education 5. Esther - Globalization and the Church APPENDIX II Suggested Procedure for Task Force 1. Select a Chairperson and a Secretary. 2. Select three or four future dates for meeting of groups to: a. Delegate assignments for research. b. Give progress report on status of research and plan class presentation. c. Meet to finalize plans for class presentation. 3. Class presentation of Task Force 6

7 Selected Bibliography Balswick, Jack O. and Morland, J. Kenneth. Social Problems: A Christian Understanding and Response (Baker Book House, 1990) Barth, Karl. Ethics ( T&T Clark, Ltd. 1981) Berger, Peter and Thomas Luckmann. The Social Construction of Reality (Doubleday, 1966) Betsworth, Roger. Social Ethics: An Examination of American Moral Traditions (Westminster/John Knox Press, 1990) Birch, Bruce C. and Rasmussen, Larry L. Bible and Ethics in the Christian Life, Revised and expanded (Augsburg, 1989) Boff, Leonardo and Boff, Clodovis. Introducing Liberation Theology (Orbis, 1984) Bonhoeffer, Dietrich. The Cost of Discipleship (Macmillan, 1963). Ethics (Macmillan, 1965) Brunner, Emil. The Divine Imperative (Westminster, 1947) Cerillo, Jr., Augustus, and Dempster, Murray W. Salt and Light: Evangelical Political Thought in Modern America (Baker Book House, 1989) Chilton, Bruce, and J.I.H. McDonald. Jesus and the Ethics of the Kingdom (Wm. B. Eerdmans, 1987) Christenson, Larry A. A Charismatic Approach to Social Action (Bethany Fellowship, 1974) Clouse, Robert G. Wealth & Poverty: Four Christian Views of Economics (Intervarsity Press, 1984) Cone, James H. A Black Theology of Liberation (Lippincott, 1970) Costas, Orlando E. The Church and Its Mission: A Shattering Critique from the Third World (Tyndale, 1974). Liberating News: A Theology of Contextual Evangelization (Eerdmans, 1989) 7

8 Davis, John Jefferson. Evangelical Ethics: Issues Facing the Church Today, rev. ed. (Presbyterian and Reformed Publishing Co., 1993) Dorrien, Gary. Soul in Society: The Making and Renewal of Social Christianity (Fortress Press, 1995) Dudley, Roger and Hernandez, Edwin. Citizens of Two Worlds: Religion and Politics Among American Seventh-day Adventists (Andrews University Press, 1992) Elizondo, Virgilio. Galilean Journey: The Mexican American Promise (Orbis, 1983) Escobar, Samuel and Driver, John. Christian Mission and Social Justice (Herald Press, 1978) Fahey, Sheila Macmanus. Charismatic Social Action (Paulist Press, 1977) Feinberg, John S. and Feinberg, Paul D. Ethics for a Brave New World (Crossway Books, 1993) Forell, George W. Christian Social Teachings (Augsburg, 1971) Frankena, William. Ethics (Prentice-Hall, 1973) Furnish, Victor. Theology and Ethics in Paul (Abingdon, 1968) Galilea, Segundo. The Way of Living Faith: A Spirituality of Liberation (Harper and Row, 1988) Gonzalez, Justo. Faith & Wealth: A History of Early Christian Ideas on the Origin, Significance, and Use of Money (Harper and Row, 1990) Greer, Peter and Phil Smith. The Poor Will be Glad: Joining the Revolution to Lift the World out of Poverty (Zondervan, 2009) Gutierrez, Gustavo. Theology of Liberation (Orbis, 1973) Hauerwas, Stanley. The Peaceable Kingdom: A Primer in Christian Ethics (University of Notre Dame Press, 1983) Hays, Richard B. The Moral Vision of the New Testament (Harper, 1996) Henry, Carl F. H. Aspect of Christian Social Ethics (Baker Books) Hessel, Dieter. Social Ministry (Westminster, 1982) Holland, Joe and Peter Henriot. Social Analysis: Linking Faith and Justice (Orbis & Center of Concern, 1980) 8

9 Hollinger, Dennis P. Choosing the Good: Christian Ethics in a Complex World (Baker Academic, 2002) Hunter, James Davison. Culture Wars: The Struggle to Define America (Basic Books, 1991). To Change the World: The Irony, Tragedy, and Possibility of Christianity in the Late Modern World (Oxford University Press, 2010) Isasi-Diaz, Ada Maria. En La Lucha/In the Struggle: A Hispanic Women s Liberation Theology (Fortress Press, 1993) Kaiser, Jr., Walter. Toward Old Testament Ethics (Academic Books/Zondervan, 1983) Kerans, Patrick. Sinful Social Structures (Paulist, 1974) Kysar, Robert. Called to Care: Biblical Images for Social Ministry (Fortress Press, 1991) Ladd, George Eldon. Jesus and the Kingdom (Harper & Row, 1964) Lebacqz, Karen. Six Theories of Justice (Augsburg, 1986) Lehmann, Paul. Ethics in a Christian Context (Harper & Row, 1963) Lewis, Hunter. A Question of Values: Six Ways We Make the Personal Choices that Shape Our Lives (Harper & Row, 1990) Lindberg, Carter. Beyond Charity: Reformation Initiatives for the Poor (Fortress Press, 1993) Linthicum, Robert C. Empowering the Poor: Community Organizing Among The City s rag, tag and bobtail (Monrovia, CA: MARC, 1991) Long, Edward Jr. A Survey of Christian Ethics (Oxford Univ., 1967) Macmanus, Sheila. Community Action Sourcebook: Empowerment of People (Paulist, 1982) Magnuson, Norris. Salvation in the Slums: Evangelical Social Work (Baker Book House, 1977) Mannheim, Karl. Idealogy and Utopia: An Introduction to the Sociology of Knowledge (Harvest Book, 1936) 9

10 McAffe Brown, Robert. Spirituality and Liberation: Overcoming the Great Fallacy (Westminster, 1988) McAlpine, Thomas H. Facing the Powers: What are the Options? (MARC, 1991) McLaren, Brian, Elisa Padilla and Ashley Bunting Seeber. The Justice Project (Baker Books, 2009) Moberg, David. Inasmuch: Christian Social Responsibility in the 20 th Century (Eerdmans, 1965) Mott, Stephen C. Biblical Ethics and Social Change (Oxford Univ., 1982) Mouw, Richard J. Politics and Biblical Drama (Eerdmans, 1976) Nicholls, Bruce, ed. In Word and Deed: Evangelism and Social Responsibility (Eerdmans, 1985) Niebuhr, Reinhold. Moral Man and Immoral Society (Scribner s Sons, 1932) Niebuhr, H. Richard. Christ and Culture (Harper & Row, 1951) Nolan, Albert. Jesus Before Christianity (Orbis Press, rev. ed., 1992) O Keefe, Mark. What are They Saying about Social Sin? (Paulist Press, 1990) Perkins, John. A Quiet Revolution (Word Books, 1976) Pierce, Gregory. Activism that Makes Sense: Congregations and Community Organization (Paulist Press, 1984) Pinson, William M. Applying the Gospel: Suggestions for Christian Social Action in a Local Church (Broadman, 1975) Rakoczy, Susan. Great Mystics and Social Justice: Walking on the Two Feet of Love (Paulist Press, 2006) Rauschenbusch, Walter. A Theology for the Social Gospel (Macmillan, 1917) Ringe, Sharon. Jesus, Liberation and the Biblical Jubilee (Fortress, 1985) Ryan, W. Blaming the Victim (Pantheon, 1971) Samuel, Vinay and Sugden, Christopher. The Church in Response to Human Need (Eerdmans, 1987) 10

11 Sider, Ronald. Rich Christians in an Age of Hunger (Word Publishing, 1997 ed.). The Scandal of the Evangelical Conscience: Why Are Christians Living Just like the Rest of the World? (Baker Books, 2005) Simon, Arthur. Christian Faith & Public Policy (Eerdmans, 1987) Skillen, James. The Scattered Voice: Christians at Odds in the Public Square (Zondervan, 1990) Smedes, Lewis B. Mere Morality (Eerdmans, 1983) Stassen, Glenn H. and David P. Gushee. Kingdom Ethics: Following Jesus in Contemporary Context (Wm. B. Eerdmans, 2003) Stearns, Richard. The Hole in Our Gospel (Thomas Nelson, 2009) Stott, John. Involvement Vol. I: Being a Responsible Christian in a Non-Christian Society (Fleming H. Revell, 1984). Involvement Vol. II: Social and Sexual Relationships in the Modern World (Fleming H. Revell, 1984) Stringfellow, William. An Ethic for Christians and Other Aliens in a Strange Land (Word Books, 1973) Troeltsch, Ernst. The Social Teachings of the Christian Church (Harper & Row, 1960 (1911)) Verhey, Allen. Remembering Jesus: Christian Community, Scritpure, and the Moral Life (Wm. B. Eerdmans, 2002) Villafañe, Eldin. The Liberating Spirit: Toward an Hispanic American Pentecostal Social Ethic (Eerdmans, 1993). Seek the peace of the City: Reflections on Urban Ministry (Eerdmans, 1995). A Prayer for the City: Further Reflections on Urban Ministry (AETH, 2001). Beyond Cheap Grace: A Call to Radical Discipleship, Incarnation, and Justice (Wm. B. Eerdmans, 2006) 11

12 Volf, Miroslav. A Public Faith: How Followers of Christ Should Serve the Common Good (Brazos Press, 2011) Walker, Jr., Theodore. Empower the People: Social Ethics for the African-American Church (Orbis Books, 1991) Wallis, Jim. The Soul of Politics (The New Press, Orbis Book, 1994) Warren, Roland L. Studying Your Community (N.Y., 1965) Webber, Robert E. The Secular Saint: A Case for Evangelical Social Responsibility (Zondervan, 1979) Weber, Max. The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism (Scribner s Sons, 1958) Wells, David F. Above All Earthly Pow rs: Christ in a Postmodern World (Wm. B. Eerdmans, 2005) White, R.E.O. Biblical Ethics (John Knox Press, 1979) Whitehead, James D., and Whitehead, Evelyn Eaton. Method in Ministry: Theological Reflection and Christian Ministry (The Seabury Press, 1980) Wilson, James Q. The Moral Sense (The Free Press, 1993) Wink, Walter. The Powers that Be: Theology for a New Millennium (Doubleday, 1998) Winter, Bruce W. Seek the Welfare of the City: Christians as Benefactors and Citizens (Eerdmans, 1994) Wogaman, J. Philip. Christian Ethics: A Historical Introduction (Westminster/John Knox Press, 1993) Wright, Christopher J. H. Old Testament Ethics for the People of God (InterVarsity Press, 2004) Yoder, John Howard. The Politics of Jesus (Eerdmans, 1972) 12