Richard Hayes - Birmingham Theological Seminary



BTS Mission:Providing sound Biblical and practical theological training to equip leaders for Christ’s Church.2200 Briarwood Way? Birmingham, Alabama 35243?(205) 776-5650 Semester:Spring 2021Course:ST3655 Ethics Day & Time:January 7-9Room:A209 Professor:Matthew Aernie Ph.D.Credits:2 Hours E-mail:maernie@Phone:205-901-4445COURSE DESCRIPTIONThis course is a study of the philosophical and theological foundations for the understanding of Ethics. This is a study of the basis for and the responsibilities of the personal ethical conduct of the Christian, including the goal, motive, and norm of Christian life. Attention will be given to current ethical issues such as authority, life, sexuality, property, and truthfulness. COURSE LEARNING OUTCOMESUpon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:The student will be better informed regarding the history of ethics and the church’s role in the ethical realm.The student will be better informed regarding the issues that surround the ethical task.The student will be better equipped to answer contemporary ethical questions in a manner that is consistent with historic Christian confession and practice.REQUIRED COURSE TEXTS AND MATERIALSRequired:John M. Frame, The Doctrine of the Christian Life: A Theology of Lordship, Presbyterian and Reformed, 2008. Recommended (but not required):Richard Hayes, The Moral Vision of the New Testament: Community, Cross, New Creation, A Contemporary Introduction to New Testament Ethics, San Francisco: HarperOne, 1996. John and Paul Feinberg, Ethics for a Brave New World 2d ed. Wheaton: Crossway, 2010. Wayne Grudem, Christian Ethics: An Introduction to Biblical Moral Reasoning, GrandWheaton: Crossway, 2018. COURSE EXPECTATIONSAll work must be submitted on the prescribed due dates. Carefully proofread your work before submitting, all submissions must be error free. This class will meet weekly students are expected to set aside a minimum of 2-3 hours each weekin preparation for the 2-hour class time. That figure includes readings, writing assignments, and work on your final paper. Note that each lesson may not require the same amount of time designated for coursework. Read the syllabus thoroughly; Proper Prior Planning Prevents Poor Performance Class attendance: More than two unexcused absences drops final grade one letter grade.Textbook Readings: The lectures and readings complement one another and do not, for the most part, repeat material. For students to get the most out of the class, reading is crucial. Students will find the readings to be helpful where the lectures will not be. Active participation in class discussion Four Summary Papers (3-5 pages each; 12-point font, Times New Roman, double-spaced, with 1-inch margins; see course schedule for due dates). The intent of these papers is to provide students with an opportunity to thoroughly examine various ethical issues/topics. These reviews must deal critically with the issues involved and outline a proper Christian response. At the minimum, these reviews must have the following: What are the various views on the ethical issue?Why is this consistent or inconsistent with a Christian view of the issue? Provide an argument for why the view you provide is the Biblical view on the issue. *Certificate students will submit two article reviews of 2-4 pages. Textbook Readings. Due to the nature of an intensive course, it is strongly encouraged that you begin reading the textbook immediately and read as much of it as possible prior to our first meeting. Class lectures and discussions will supplement the textbook readings. Students are expected to accomplish all the required reading for the course. You will be asked to submit a reading report on April 23rd at 11:59 pm central time.Participation in class discussions. At the graduate level courses are typically conducted in a seminar style format. This means that the professor initiates and facilitates the discussion. Students are expected to actively participate in the class discussion. Failure to engage in class dialogue will be reflected in the student’s final course grade. Four Summary Papers (3-5 pages each; 12-point font, Times New Roman, double-spaced, with 1-inch margins; All papers are due Friday April 23rd at 11:59 pm central time). The intent of these papers is to provide students with an opportunity to thoroughly examine various ethical issues/topics. These reviews must deal critically with the issues involved and outline a proper Christian response. At the minimum, these reviews must have the following: What are the various views on the ethical issue?Why is this consistent or inconsistent with a Christian view of the issue? Provide an argument for why the view you provide is the Biblical view on the issue. GRADING WEIGHT & COMMENTSCOURSE REQUIREMENTGRADE WEIGHTCOMMENTSTextbook Readings 20 pointsThere will be a reading report due on February 19, 2021 at 11:59 pm central timeParticipation in class discussions20 pointsFour summary papers60 pointsTotal100 pointsCOURSE SCHEDULE (Tentative)DAYDATEAGENDA / TOPICThursday5:00-8:00 pm1/7In Class Lecture and Discussion: Introduction to the courseReview SyllabusIntroduction to EthicsGod, Ethics and the Old Testament Introduction to Decalogue Commandments 1-2 Friday9:00am-5:00 pm1/8In Class Lecture and Discussion Ethics and Commandment 3Ethics and Commandment 4Ethics and Commandment 5Ethics and Commandment 6Ethics and Commandment 7*There will be a ten-minute break every hour and an hour for lunch 12:00-1:00pm.Saturday9:00am –12:00pm1/9In Class Lecture and Discussion Ethics and Commandment 8Ethics and Commandment 9Ethics and Commandment 10Final thoughtsThere will be a ten-minute break every hourBTS FORMAT, STYLE, AND WRITING STANDARDSBTS has adopted Turabian as the standard form and style for writing formal papers. However, professors retain discretion in determining how “formal” a paper must be. Students should reference Kate Turabian’s A Manual for Writers of Research Papers, Theses, and Dissertations, 9th Edition. A Turabian Supplement is available through the seminary. Students should also refer to the BTS Student Handbook on academic integrity/plagiarism. Below is a Paper Grading Rubric for formal papers:A to A-B to B-C to C-D to D-Correct spelling and grammar/punctuationMinor errors in spelling or grammar/punctuationMany errors in spelling or grammar/punctuationDifficult to read due to English writing errorsSmooth writing that provides for effective and efficient readingWriting is acceptable, but not as organized and coherentWriting is not smooth, sometimes confusing and inconsistentWriting lacks clarity, focus, structure, and is incoherentPerson and format are proper for assignmentPerson and format are inconsistentPerson and format are not appropriatePerson and format are totally inappropriateScripture, paraphrases, quotes, and summaries are appropriately used, cited, and clearly supports main argumentScripture, paraphrases, quotes, and summaries are appropriate but need more depth and use of critical thinkingScripture, paraphrases, quotes, and summaries are inadequate for main argument and do not reflect understandingScripture, paraphrases, quotes, and summaries are improperly used, overused, under used, or cited in errorPaper completely conforms to Turabian’s Manual for WritersPaper generally conforms to Turabian’s Manual for WritersPaper somewhat conforms to Turabian’s Manual for WritersPaper does not conform to Turabian’s Manual for WritersATTENDANCE POLICYStudents are expected to demonstrate punctuality and attend all class sessions. Any absences should be communicated to the professor and/or seminary office prior to the absence. In the absence of professor approval, a student will be permitted two absences per semester in a course. Tardiness may be recorded and three unexcused tardies will be counted as one unexcused absence. Unexcused absences and tardies exceeding the allowance may result in the student being dropped from the course with an “F” grade.CLASS POLICIES & PROCEDURESRefer to Student Handbook: SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHYAquinas, T. Summa Theologica.Banner, Michael C. Christian Ethics and Contemporary Moral Problems. Cambridge ;; New York: Cambridge University Press, 1999. Barth, K. and D. Braun, Ethics. T. & T. Clark, 1981.Bonhoeffer, D. Ethics. SCM, 1955.Bonhoeffer, D. Discipleship. Fortress Press, 2001.Brown, David,1948 July 1-. Choices : Ethics and the Christian. Oxford: B. Blackwell, 1983. For the “official” Roman Catholic perspective. See Part Three, Section One and Two of: Catechism of the Catholic Church (1999). Geoffrey Chapman. Colwell, J. E. Living the Christian Story: the distinctiveness of Christian ethics. T & T Clark, 2001.Dominian, Jack, and Hugh Montefiore. God, Sex, & Love: An Exercise in Ecumenical Ethics. London; Philadelphia: SCM Press; Trinity Press International, 1989. Gill, Robin. Christian Ethics in Secular Worlds. Edinburgh: T & T Clark, 1991. Grenz, Stanley J. The Moral Quest: Foundations of Christian Ethics, InterVarsity Press, 2000. Grisez, G. G. and R. B. Shaw, Fulfillment in Christ: a summary of Christian moral principles. University of Notre Dame Press, 1991.Hauerwas, Stanley. The Peaceable Kingdom: a primer in Christian ethics. SCM, 1984.Hefling, Charles C. Our Selves, our Souls, and Bodies : Sexuality and the Household of God. Cambridge, Mass: Cowley Publications, 1996. Holmgren, Stephen. Ethics After Easter. Cambridge, Mass: Cowley Publications, 2000. Keeling, Michael. The Mandate of Heaven: The Divine Command and the Natural Order. Edinburgh: T&T Clark, 1995. Rae, Scott B. Moral Choices: An Introduction to Ethics. 4th ed. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2018. Ramsey, P. Basic Christian Ethics. SCM, 1953.Sedgwick, P. H. The Market Economy and Christian Ethics. Cambridge, 1999. Sedgwick, Timothy F. The Christian Moral Life: Practices of Piety. Eerdmans, 1999. Sedgwick, Timothy F. Sacramental Ethics: Paschal Identity and the Christian Life. Fortress Press, 1987. Sedgwick, Timothy F., and Philip Turner. The Crisis in Moral Teaching in the Episcopal Church. Morehouse, 1992. Turner, Philip. Sex, Money & Power: An Essay in Christian Social Ethics. Cambridge, MA: Cowley Publications, 1985. Twesigye, Emmanuel K. Religion & Ethics for a New Age: Evolutionist Approach. Lanham, MD: University Press of America, 2001. Verhey, A. Remembering Jesus: Christian community, Scripture, and the moral life. Eerdmans, 2002.Williams, Rowan. Writing in the Dust: After September 11, Eerdmans, 2002. Winter, Gibson. Liberating Creation: Foundations of Religious Social Ethics. New York: Crossroad, 1981. Dictionaries and Encylopedias Atkinson D. and D. Field, New dictionary of Christian ethics & pastoral theology. IVP, 1995.Childress, J. F. and J. Macquarrie, A New Dictionary of Christian Ethics. SCM, 1990.Clarke, P. A. B. and A. Linzey, Dictionary of Ethics, Theology and Society. Routledge, 1996. BTS Mission:Providing sound Biblical and practical theological training to equip leaders for Christ’s Church.2200 Briarwood Way? Birmingham, Alabama 35243?(205) 776-5650 Semester:Spring 2021Course:ST3655 Ethics Day & Time:Jan 7-9Room:TBD Professor:Matthew Aernie Ph.D.Credits:2 Hours E-mail:maernie@Phone:205-901-4445STUDENT SIGNATUREYour signature below indicates that you have read this syllabus, understand it, and willing accept the requirements and responsibilities for successfully completing this course.Student Signature:Date: ................
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