Christian Ethics and Contemporary Moral Issues (DT9109T)

Content

In this unit students will explore Christian ethics as a way to understand and critically engage with the world and humankind in the light of the creedal affirmations of the Christian faith. Students will explore the way Christian convictions shape engagement with particular ethics issues facing society and our world, while also discussing weakness and confusions within some popular Christian approaches.

Students will focus on particular current social and ethical issues and will explore these at depth from a chosen approach to Christian ethics or moral theology from among: • Ecclesial Ethics • The Anglican Moral Tradition • Feminist Ethics • Liberation Ethics • Catholic Moral Tradition

Learning outcomes

Unit sequence

CT8100T Creeds (or equivalent) and one other CT or Field B unit

Pedagogy

Lectures, seminars, class discussion

Indicative Bibliography

• Biggar, N. The Hastening that Waits: Karl Barth's Ethics. Rev. ed. Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1995.
• Black, R. Christian Moral Realism. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2000.
• Finnis, J. Natural Law and Natural Rights. Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1980.
• Hauerwas, S. and S. Wells, eds. The Blackwell Companion to Christian Ethics .Oxford: Blackwell, 2004. (recommended for purchase)
• Hauerwas, S. The Peaceable Kingdom: A Primer in Christian Ethics. Notre Dame: University of Notre Dame Press, 1983.
• Hauerwas, S. A Community of Character: Toward a constructive Christian social ethic. Notre Dame: University of Notre Dame Press, 1981.
• Hays, R.B. The Moral Vision of the New Testament—Community, Cross, New Creation: A Contemporary Introduction to New Testament Ethics. Harper: SanFrancisco, 1996. (recommended for purchase)
• Holmgren, S. Ethics after Easter. Cambridge, Mass.: Cowley, 2000.
• Hoose, B., (ed.) Christian Ethics: An Introduction. London: Cassell, 1998.
• Keenan, James F. Virtues for Ordinary Christians. Kansas: Sheed & Ward, 1996.
• Parsons, S.F. Feminism and Christian Ethics. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1996.
• Porter, Jean. The Recovery of Virtue. London: SPCK, 1994.
• Spohn, W. What are they Saying about Scripture and Ethics. New York: Paulist Press 1995.

Assessment