PE021-812 - Theories of Ethics and their Implications for Contemporary Christians

  • 2,976 Standard Tuition Fee
  • 12
    Credit Points
  • 0.125 EFT 
  • 8
    AQF level
  • Category advanced unit
    C
  • philosophy ethicsUnit Discipline

Prerequisites

12cps TH/CH/PE

Exclusions

Prior to 2020, this unit content was delivered under the unit code PE779-4. Unit exclusions: PE002-612, PE002-712, PE002-812

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, students will

A. Know and understand

1. Demonstrate Advanced knowledge and understanding of, and the research underlying, approaches to moral reasoning and their contemporary applications

B. Be able to

1. Examine recent scholarship in its bearing on approaches to moral reasoning and their contemporary applications

2. Demonstrate skill in utilising diverse scholarship in investigating approaches to moral reasoning and their contemporary applications

3. Present Research-Aware evidence-based perspectives on approaches to moral reasoning and their contemporary applications
 

C. Be in a position to

1. Applying Advanced perspectives and skills from ‘Theories of Ethics and the Implications for Contemporary Christians’ to ministry practice and Christian living as a reflective practitioner

Content

  1. Overview and evaluation of major ethical theories, including utilitarianism, social contract, deontological, teleological and virtue ethics;
  2. Overview and evaluation of major approaches to Christian moral reasoning, including divine command ethics, natural law, responsibility, and the use of Scripture in ethics;
  3. Foundational principles of theological ethics: God, trinity, incarnation & Spirit; humanity as imago Dei: will, sin & conscience; law & gospel; salvation: justification, sanctification, vocation; justice, liberty, love; ecclesiology & eschatology; 
  4. The challenges of living as a Christian in a pluralistic late-modern society;
  5. Critical assessment and evaluation of select contemporary ethical issues.

Set Readings

Prescribed:

Grenz, S. J., The Moral Quest (Downers Grove: IVP, 1997)

Holmes, A. F., Ethics: Approaching Moral Decisions Second edition (Leicester: IVP, 2008)

Reuschling, W. C., Reviving Evangelical Ethics: The Promises and Pitfalls of Classic Models of Morality (Grand Rapids: Brazos, 2008)

 

Recommended:

Baker-Fletcher, G. K., Dirty Hands: Christian Ethics in a Morally Ambiguous World (Minneapolis: Fortress, 2000)

Cahill, L. S. / Childress, J. F. (Eds.), Christian Ethics. Problems and Prospects (Cleveland: Pilgrim Press, 1996)

Clark, D. K. & Rakestraw, R. V. (Eds.), Readings in Christian Ethics Volume 1: Theory and Method (Grand Rapids: Baker, 1994)

Clark, D. K. & Rakestraw, R. V. (Eds.), Readings in Christian Ethics Volume 2: Issues and Applications (Grand Rapids: Baker, 1996)

Cosgrove, C. H., Appealing to Scripture in Moral Debate: Five Hermeneutical Rules (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2002)

Gill, R. A. (Ed.), Cambridge Companion to Christian Ethics (Cambridge: CUP, 2001)

Green, J.B. et al (Eds.), Dictionary of Scripture and Ethics (Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2011)

Hays, R. B., The Moral Vision of the New Testament (San Francisco: Harper, 1996)

Hollinger, D. P., Choosing the Good: Christian Ethics is a Complex World (Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2002)

Neville, D. & Matthews, P. (Eds.), Faith and Freedom: Christian Ethics in a Pluralist Culture Adelaide: ATF, 2003)

O’Donovan, O., Self, World, and Time: Ethics as Theology Volume 1 (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2013)

O’Donovan, O., Finding and Seeking: Ethics as Theology Volume 2 (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2014)

Stassen, G. H. & D. P. Gushee, Kingdom Ethics: Following Jesus in Contemporary Context (Downers Grove: IVP, 2003)

Stivers, L. A., C. E. Gudorf & J. B. Martin-Schramm (eds), Christian Ethics: A Case Method Approach (4th ed; Maryknoll, NY: Orbis, 2012)

Verhey, A., Remembering Jesus: Christian Community, Scripture and the Moral Life (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2002)

Wolterstorff, N., Justice in Love (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2011)

Wright, C. J. H., Old Testament Ethics for the People of God (Leicester: IVP, 2004)