Ts 505Di Christian Social Ethics Di

TS 505DI CHRISTIAN SOCIAL ETHICS DI

Course Syllabus

BETHEL SEMINARY SAN DIEGO SUMMER TERM 2011 June 20 – August 26 Transregional Distance

PROFESSOR: André Ong, Ph.D. COURSE WEIGHT: 1 unit of credit (4 quarter hours) PREREQUISITES: BI 101 recommended, but not required.

DESCRIPTION:

This is an introductory course on ethics or moral philosophy that covers meta-ethics, normative ethics, descriptive and applied ethics from an Evangelical perspective. This is a study of the ethical vision of the Christian faith. The qualifier of “social” emphasizes the Christian engagement with both Christians and non-Christians in our pluralistic world. The qualifier of “Christian” indicates looking at the same ethical and materials conditions of life from a distinctively Biblical and Christian worldview. This class will briefly cover the history of ethical thought from both Christian and non-Christian sources, and then review the distinctive motivation supporting evangelical ethical concern, as well as basic ethical terms and methodology. Attention is then given to the discipline of developing biblically-faithful responses to a number of specific contemporary ethical issues that is persuasive in both the Christian and non-Christian environment.

OBJECTIVES:

That upon completion of the course, the student will have:

1. A grasp of the ethical vision of the Christian faith, and an appreciation of the distinctive motivation supporting evangelical ethical concern

2. A working knowledge of basic Christian ethical theory, methods and terms

3. An increased ability to apply biblical principles through ethical reasoning to contemporary moral issues, and

4. Enhanced skills for self-directed ethical research, and effective written and oral communication.

REQUIRED TEXTS:

The Bible (TNIV recommended) Clark, David and Robert Rakestraw, eds. Readings in Christian Ethics, Volumes 1 & 2. Grand Rapids: Baker, 1994-1996. Grenz, Stanley J. The Moral Quest: Foundations of Christian Ethics. Downer’s Grove: Intervarsity Press, 1997

RECOMMENDED RESOURCES:

Adeney, Bernard T. Strange Virtues: Ethics in a Multicultural World. Downer’s Grove: Intervarsity Press, 1995 Atkinson, David J., & David H. Field, eds. New Dictionary of Christian Ethics and Pastoral Theology. Downers Grove: IVP, 1995. Budziszewski, J. Written on the Heart: The Case for Natural Law, Downers Grove: IVP, 1997. Davis, John Jefferson. Evangelical Ethics: Issues Facing the Church Today, Phillipsburg: P & R Publishing, 2004 Grenz, Stanley, & Jay Smith. Pocket Dictionary of Ethics. Downers Grove: IVP, 2003. “Guide to Writing Quality Research Papers.” Unpublished paper, Bethel Seminary San Diego, 2006.

1 Hollinger, Dennis. Choosing the Good: Christian Ethics in a Complex World. Grand Rapids: Baker, 2002. Reuschling, Wyndy Corbin. Reviving Evangelical Ethics: The Promises and Pitfalls of Classic Models of Morality. Grand Rapids: Brazos Press, 2008 Smedes, Lewis B. Mere Morality: What God Expects from Ordinary People. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1983. Strunk, William, Jr., & E. B. White. The Elements of Style, 4th ed. Boston: Allyn & Bacon, 2000. Turabian, Kate. A Manual for Writers, 6th ed. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1996. DVD Movie – ‘Gattaca” Webb, William J, Slaves, Women & Homosexuals (Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2001)

OTHER NOTABLE REFERENCE AND SURVEY WORKS:

Childress, James, & John Macquarrie, eds. The Westminster Dictionary of Christian Ethics. Philadelphia: Westminster, 1986. Feinberg, John S., and Paul D. Feinberg. Ethics for a Brave New World. Wheaton: Crossway, 1993. Grenz, Stan, and Jay Smith. Pocket Dictionary of Ethics. Downers Grove: IVP, 2003. Harrison, R. K., ed. Encyclopedia of Biblical and Christian Ethics, rev. ed. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1992. Hays, Richard. The Moral Vision of the New Testament. San Francisco: HarperSF, 1996. Henry, Carl F. H., ed. Baker’s Dictionary of Christian Ethics. Grand Rapids, 1973. Stassen, Glen, & David Gushee. Kingdom Ethics: Following Jesus in Contemporary Context. Downers Grove: IVP, 2003. Stoeckle, Bernhard, ed. Concise Dictionary of Christian Ethics. New York: Seabury, 1979. Roman Catholic. Stott, John. Human Rights and Human Wrongs: Major Issues for a New Century, 3d ed. Grand Rapids: Baker, 1999. Stott, John. Our Social and Sexual Revolution: Major Issues for a New Century, 3d ed. Grand Rapids: Baker, 1999.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS:

Students should plan their schedules in order to invest not less than 120 hours in reading, composition and examination preparation (i.e., on average about 12hours per week over the course of the 10-session summer.

The course requirements are as follows:

1. Listening, Reading and Discussion Report (30 % due July 24th and August 28th)

Students will be asked to write one a 1 to 1.5 page (12 font, double-spaced Times Roman) reflection for the readings of the week. This reflection should capture what stands out in your personal reflection of the readings. This is not a summary of the readings but your critical personal reflections. This compiled personal reflection is to be turned twice: one at the end of week five and the second compilation at the end of the last week of the summer quarter. (10%)

Students are also to engage in four different discussion forums over the quarter. They have been divided over the course of the quarter to coincide with primarily the MP3s and secondarily with the readings (they do, however, overlap). Here are the expectations for the discussion forums found in Moodle:

1. The discussion questions will serve to initiate thoughtful and critical discussions with one another on the assigned readings. 2. To that end, engage the readings and MP3s first, and then respond individually to the questions posed. I will be looking for thoughtful responses and your critical reflections. 3. Second, I will be looking for thoughtful counter-responses to one another’s responses – whether you agree or disagree based on the assigned readings, why you agree or disagree using textual, theological, Biblical and rational reasons. Since this is the main source of interaction, I will especially be focusing on your counter-responses. This is intended to be a platform where we can learn a good deal from one another. Thoughtful counter-responses and come-backs are expected to be of reasonable length, as with verbal responses to be at least more than a sentence long! 4. Secondarily, I will be looking at discussions that integrate your ministry experiences with the assigned readings. Since the goal of this course is to become better equipped at both the theological and practical level, issues of practice should be discussed more theologically while theological issues

2 should be discussed more pragmatically. We want to welcome your ministry experiences as guided by the assigned readings. 5. First postings can begin before the assigned start dates (for early listeners) but should not go beyond the assigned due dates. In other words, late posts are accepted but not recommended. An expected discussion minimum would be a posting to respond to the questions and at least two counter-responses. 6. To facilitate the direction of the discussion, an outline of the main points of the MP3 lectures will be posted. In addition, a summary of observations at the end of the discussions will also be posted. (20%)

When you come across unfamiliar names or terminology, consult the Pocket Dictionary of Ethics and (if necessary, the more substantial) New Dictionary of Christian Ethics and Pastoral Theology. See also http://www.bethel.edu/~rakrob/#Bibliographies for Robert Rakestraw’s extensive bibliography of Evangelical theological resources.

Students are also encouraged to explored the innumerable articles online for further study of the various ethical issues and positions. More in-depth articles will be provided along the way to supplement the direction of the student’s interest in specific topics on ethics. These supplementary material will be part of the required reading as they are included in Moodle.

2. Ethics Position Paper (50%, due August 14th)1

Each student is expected to write a personal position paper on an ethical issue or topic (see suggestions below). The assignment is to state and defend one’s position well. The paper should reflect a breadth of research, an awareness of others’ opinions, strong arguments of one’s own, familiarity with ethical categories covered in the lectures, responsible engagement with Scripture, and clarity of thought and expression. The paper is to be approximately 10-12 pages in length, not counting endnotes and bibliography. 10 books or journal articles (including the assigned books and articles) should be cited for this paper. Note that if the student is required to do an IP project, the grades and requirement for this paper will be reduced by half. Students who began their degree program fall 2008 or since are required to keep an Integrative Portfolio (IP). If you are unsure of your requirement contact your registrar.

If there are topics outside of the syllabus that the student is interested in, please consult with the professor for approval regarding those topics. Students are encouraged to explore topics they have a particularly strong interest in, even if they are topics outside the syllabus.

Ethics Updates and Resources: http://ethics.sandiego.edu/ (I recommend that students peruse this site, especially “Applied Ethics” to get a “feel” of the pressing ethical issues and contemporary responses. An acquaintance with the issues early in the course will help shape a better response to the required position paper.) There are also journal resources in the “Course Documents” section of Moodle.

3. Final Examination (20%)

The final 2 ½ hour examination will cover the content of lectures and readings over the course of the entire term. Emphasis will be placed on the content of class lectures and discussion. The exam will test factual recall, demonstration of biblical bases for ethical convictions, and ability to “do ethics.” This is a closed book exam. Bibles are allowed for the exam.

Students will be provided with a framework of the kind of questions to expect and how to prepare for them during the second or third week of this course.

The final examination will be available on Moodle and e-mailed to you on the night of the 24th of August. You will have until the night of the 28th (PST) to respond to the essay questions and upload them to the assignment link found on the assignment page.

1 This grade and requirement will change if student is required to do an IP project. See #4 for more information. 3 4. Integrated Portfolio Project (25% if Applicable)

All student who began seminary at Bethel beginning Fall 2008 and on are required to keep and complete an Integrative Portfolio. Several courses have been identified as requiring an IP assignment. Presently TS505 is designated as the course where students are required to draw on their work, and credo papers, from TS501, TS502 and TS503 to write a summative credo paper as an IP requirement.

This project is the summative project of your Systematic Theology Credo papers, and is to be included in your IP portfolio. Having written your credo papers in TS501-503, the goal of this project is to take your theological foundations and apply them to a particular ethical issue. The student will select an ethical case study and will then think theologically about the case. The goal isn’t simply to come out with an ethical position, but to engage the case study from the various loci of theology covered in the TS501-503 sequence. Your paper should be organized as follows:

Part I: Presentation of the case study What are the issues raised by this case?

Part II (the most substantial section): Theological analysis of the case study, which will include sections on

1. Trinity

2. Christology

3. Ecclesiology

4. Pneumatology

How do each of these branches of theology speak to the case? As such, you are to approach the ethical case study from each of the theological branches listed above.

Part III: Conclusions This paper should be 2500 words, with the bulk of that being given to Part II.

Grades For students who began at Bethel beginning Fall 2008 and need to write this IP project, this will count for 25% of the total grades, in which case, the grades for the ethics position paper will be reduced to 25%. Also, the number of pages for the ethics position paper will be reduced by half. The combined grades for the IP project and the Ethics Position Paper will be 25% and 25%.

5. Due Dates This course will assume a weekly flow of Monday to Sunday (PST). Assignments should be turned in by midnight of the due date.

CALCULATION OF GRADES:

Reflection Reflections and Discussion Forums 30% (30 % due July 24th and August 29th) Ethics Position Paper 50% (or 25% if IP project required, due August 14th) Integrated Portfolio Project (If Applicable) 25% (if required, due August 28th) Final Exam 20% (due August 28th) ------Total 100%

INTERACTIVITY:

This course will be driven by MP3 Lectures. They are located in the MULTIMEDIA section of Blackboard.

4 These lectures can be listened to online or copied to portable audio devices like the Ipod and other MP3 players. The benefit of this course is that students can pace themselves according to their own schedules. The instructor will upload as much supplementary audio and visual resources as it is possible. However, it is understandable that students will want to interact with the instructor to maximize their learning experience. The instructor will be glad to schedule meetings and conversations through Skype or phone conversations. This interaction will be made available throughout the quarter.

POLICY ON LATE WORK:

Students unable to complete work by the due date must arrange an extension with the professor in advance. Otherwise a penalty of 2% will be imposed for each day, or part of a day, an assignment is late. After Friday, August 26, however, there will be no further extensions for work in this class, except for extenuating circumstances, family emergencies or medical reasons. In such exceptional cases, an Incomplete Contract, obtained from the Associate Registrar (Sherry Stockton), must be drawn up and dated prior to the end of the course.

BETHEL POLICY ON DISABILITY:

Please contact the instructor as soon as possible if disability-related accommodations are needed. Accommodations for students with documented disabilities are set up through the office of Disability Services. Contact Kathy McGillivray, director of Disability Services, at (651) 635-8759 or by email at [email protected]. Please also visit www.bethel.edu/disability for detail information about related policies and procedures.

BETHEL POLICY ON ACADEMIC INTEGRITY:

All written material submitted must be the original work of the student. Academic dishonesty constitutes a serious violation of scholarship standards at Bethel and can result in denial of credit and possible dismissal from the school. Any act that involves misrepresentation regarding the student's academic work is forbidden. Academic dishonesty includes cheating on assignments or exams, plagiarism, fabrication of research, multiple submissions of work in different courses, misrepresentation of academic records, the facilitation of academic dishonesty, and depriving others of necessary academic resources. Students charged with academic dishonesty have the right to appeal any disciplinary action. Contact the Associate Dean for details on the appeal process. Please read the Student Handbook, pp. 19, 23.

TENTATIVE SCHEDULE OF ASSIGNMENTS AND LECTURES:

Week #1 (Week of June 20 – 26)

Ethical Theory and Method 1

Reading: Grenz, 22-94 Rakestraw and Clark: Theory and Method, 17-49

Listening: MP3 Lectures: Introduction and Syllabus Introduction and Devotional to Christian Social Ethics I Introduction to Christian Social Ethics II

Participate: Week 1 – 3 Discussion Forum

Week #2 (Week of June 27 – July 3)

Reading:

5 Grenz, 95-164 Rakestraw and Clark: Theory and Method, 67-106

Listening: MP3 Lectures: Situating Christian Ethics in Our Contemporary World Critical Theological-Ethical Reflection and Abortion

Week #3 (Week of July 4 - 10)

Listening: MP3 Lectures: Ethical Application in a Multicultural Context Ethics in a Pluralistic World: Esther, Ruth and Naomi

Week #4 (Week of July 11 – 17)

Listening: MP3 Lectures: Ethics in a Pluralistic World: The Example of Bribery and Wisdom

Week #5 (Week of July 18 – 24)

Assignment Due: Reading Reflections

Listening: MP3 Lectures: The Category of Wisdom in a Pluralistic World I

6 Participate: Week 4 – 6 Discussion Forum

Week #6 (Week of July 25 – Jul. 31)

Christian Social Ethics – Application 1

Reading: Rakestraw and Clark: Issues and Applications Wealth and Economics (339-276) Care of the Environment (381-416)

Listening: MP3 Lectures: The Category of Wisdom in a Pluralistic World II

Week #7 (Week of Aug. 1 – 7)

Reading: Rakestraw and Clark: Issues and Applications: Choose Two of the Following Issues Abortion (21-51) Reproductive Technologies and Genetics (57-89) Euthanasia (95-131)

Listening: MP3 Lectures: Virtue Ethics

Assignment Due: Ethics Position Paper

Reading: Rakestraw and Clark: Issues and Applications: Choose Two of the Following Issues Sexuality, Marriage and Singleness (139-172) Homosexuality (177-218) Divorce and Remarriage (225-254)

Listening: MP3 Lectures: Social Ethics as a Theological Possibility because of Christ

7 Week #9 (Week of Aug. 15 – 21)

Reading: Rakestraw and Clark: Issues and Applications: Choose Two of the Following Issues Race Relations (261-287) Gender Issues (293-331) Civil Disobedience (423-446) Capital Punishment (451-485) Peace and War (489-520)

Listening: MP3 Lectures: Application of Christian Social Ethics

Assignments Due: Final Exam Reading Reflections Integrated Portfolio Project

8 SOME SAMPLE POSITION PAPER TOPICS:

Requests to do position papers on topics not listed here require prior approval from the professor. Topics covered in class are indicated with a (#) sign; papers on these are expected to go beyond the class lectures and readings.

*Establishing Moral Norms # *The Multi-Racial Dream # *Moral Absolutes: Fact or Fiction? *Gambling *Using the Bible as a Moral Authority # *Capital Punishment *Moral Dilemmas: When Norms Seem to Conflict # *Reproductive Technologies *Psychological Maturity and External Moral *Genetic Engineering Authority *Cloning *Human Dignity in Moral Responsibility *Suicide *Ethical Decision-Making # *Refusal of Medical Treatment *Gender Differences in Moral Decision-Making *Work & Leisure *Situation Ethics # *Unemployment *Ethics in a Multi-Cultural World # *Welfare *Virtue Ethics # *Human Rights *Truth-Telling and Honesty # *Business Ethics *Remembering the Sabbath *Whistle-Blowing *Forgiveness and Justice *The Ten Commandments for Today *Domestic Violence *Abortion # *Punishment of Children *Birth control *Ethics and Disability *Euthanasia # *Animal Rights *Civil Disobedience # *Vegetarianism *Peace and War # *Gender and Justice # *Torture *Divorce and Remarriage # *Marriage and Singleness # *Homosexuality # *Cohabitation *Wealth and Poverty # *Sexuality and the Clergy *Capitalism and Social Responsibility *Pornography *The Moral Role of Government See http://ethics.sandiego.edu/ for more examples of *Care of the Environment # applied ethics.