PE001-812

Christian Ethics

Credit Points 12 Credit Points (CPs)

Learning Outcomes

A. Know and understand

Demonstrate Advanced knowledge and understanding of biblical and philosophical ethics.

B. Be able to

  1. Analyse the major themes of biblical ethics.
  2. Demonstrate skills of Christian ethical reasoning and decision making in relation to a selection of contemporary ethical issues.
  3. Evaluate evidence-based perspectives on Christian ethics.

C. Be in a position to

  1. Apply knowledge, Critical thinking skills and perspectives from Christian Ethics to contemporary Christian living and ministry practice as a reflective practitioner.

Content

Section A: Philosophical and Theological Ethics

  • Introducing Ethics as a discipline: its nature and function.
  • Types of Ethical Theories:
    i. Theories of Obligation: deontological & teleological.
    ii. Theories of Virtue: traits, character, motivation, disposition.
    iii. The relationship between obligation and virtue.

Section B: Ethics and Scripture

  • Using the Bible in Ethics:
    i. Methodological issues raised in moving from the Bible to contemporary ethical issues.
    ii. A brief survey of how the Bible has been used in ethics.
  • Ethical themes in Scripture - both Old Testament and New Testament themes should be covered. These may include, but are not limited to:
    i. The framework of creation, sin, covenant, prophecy and wisdom.
    ii. Kingdom and eschatology.
    iii. righteousness/justice.
    iv. love command.

Section C: Ethics in Contemporary Context

  • Moral discernment in the church today.
  • The relationship between Christian ethics and secular culture

    • Note: The topics in Section C may be taught and assessed alongside the issues studied in Section D.

Section D: Applied Ethics

Students synthesise insights from the first three sections and apply them to at least two issues that may include, but are not limited to:

  • Gender, sexuality, and marriage (including divorce & remarriage)
  • Beginning and end of life issues (assisted reproduction technologies, voluntary assisted dying)
  • Privilege and power (race, culture, wealth and poverty)
  • Ecological sustainability and consumerism
  • Technology