Christians and the Common Good
Eden Theological Seminary
Instructor: Dr. Paul Stroble
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
Among other things, Christianity is a prophetic religion. Christians are engaged in God’s work of mending the world and helping people’s well-being. To put it another way, Christians can be, in Christ’s name, engaged in the common good.
But how do we know what is the common good in our contemporary pluralistic society? How do we navigate issues related to the common good, when Christians themselves do not agree on the “right answer” to certain social problems? A related question is: How do we as Christians inculcate a sense of social responsibility among the persons we lead?
This course will have a two-fold approach. First, the course will give you the chance to dig into several important contemporary ethical issues---to think critically and biblically about them---so that you will have strong AND well-considered views. You’ll gain a sense of the different facets of these issues and ways of addressing them, including varieties of biblical witnesses that have direct or implied implication on these issues.
The second of the course’s two-fold approach, is to give us a chance to think about how we Christians speak and act prophetically and equip others to engage (with biblically informed positions) key issues of human well-being in a pluralistic context.
TEXTBOOKS:
Mark Timmons, Disputed Moral Issues, third edition.
Miroslav Volf, A Public Faith: How Followers of Christ Should Serve the Common Good
Joel Green (ed.), Dictionary of Scripture and Ethics
Walter Brueggemann, Journey to the Common Good
Paul Stroble (principal author), Faithful Citizen: Living Responsibly in a Global Society (I make no royalties from the sales of this study guide.)
COURSE OUTLINE:
* In this course, we will be looking at different issues from different perspectives (the Timmons textbook), while also (and especially) understanding these issues from a biblical and theological perspective, and gathering (preachable) material from the Bible. WE WILL OFTEN BE WORKING TOGETHER IN CLASS TO MAKE THESE CONNECTIONS. Therefore, we will refrain from being impatient with (and in some cases defensive about) some of these topics. Instead, we will honor differences, uphold one another in our journey of learning, and speak to one another (and to me) with agape and respect.
* I want us to be intentional critical thinkers about the issues presented in this course. You may have strong and ideological views about some of these topics. But that must not prevent you from thinking critically and creatively in this course. If you feel yourself being angry and on the offensive or the defensive, that is normal but at the same time you can ask yourself why are you feeling this way. Identifying the source of our feelings is an aspect not only of thinking critically but engaging topics with our whole selves.
* We will be covering the readings on the dates indicated below, although the schedule allows for some “elbow room” if we want to spend more or less time on particular topics. We’ll alternate among lectures, discussions, group work, and so on.
* Prior to each class: (1) read the assigned readings, (2) summarize the arguments in all the reasings, (3) be prepared to share your summaries in class. We may do additional assignments (either in class or as take-home assignments) to help you continue to engage the topics: e.g., the preparation of sermons, newsletter articles, an article for a magazine, and so on.
* Following each class: write a two-page paper providing a brief statement of how you think the church can provide guidance to “the world” about one or more of the topics we studied that evening.
This syllabus is subject to change and modification at the discretion of the professor in consultation with the class.
COURSE SCHEDULE
Week 1 Introduction to the course.
Ethical theories. Hermeneutical strategies: how do we use scripture to make ethical decisions?
Ethical theories. Hermeneutical strategies: how do we use scripture to make ethical decisions?
Potential discussion question: How do we make ethical decisions? How does scripture inform our ethics, positions, convictions, and opinions? How is the church prophetic in our contemporary time?
Begin reading the Miroslav Wolf book, which we will discuss on Week 4
Week 2 Marriage and Sexuality
Read: Timmons chapter 3 and the entries “Homosexuality,” “Marriage and Divorce,” “Adultery,” and “Sex and Sexuality” in Green’s Dictionary
Potential questions: What are Christian views of marriage and sexuality? How do we minister to persons concerning marriage? How do we consider the biblical material in light of new understandings of sexuality and identity?
Week 3 Drugs, Gambling and Addiction
Readings: Timmons, chapter 5 and the entries “Alcohol,” “Gambling,” “Temperance,” and “Mental Health” in Green’s Dictionary
Potential discussion questions: How does the church speak to these issues? How can the church support persons with addictions, and how can the church do better?
Week 4 Racism and sexism
Readings: Timmons, chapter 6; the entries “Race,” “Racism,” “Sex and Sexuality,” “Sex Discrimination,” “Sexual Abuse,” “Sexual Ethics,” and “Sexual Harassment” in Green’s Dictionary
Discussions: What is the church’s witness in addressing racism and sexism in today’s society? What are those sources of racism and sexism? When has the church failed in its witness? How do we preach justice in issues ?
For this week, have the Miroslav Wolf book read. Write a two-page review of the book, which you will turn in, and which will be the basis of our discussions this evening.
Also begin reading the Walter Bruegemann book, which we will discuss on Week 7
Week 5 Immigration
Readings: Timmons, chapter 7, and the entries “Aliens, Immigration and Refugees” in Green’s Dictionary
Potential discussion questions: what are the current issues concerning immigration? How does the biblical theology of “aliens” and “strangers” apply to our contemporary time?
Week 6 Euthanasia and End-of-Life Issues
Read: Timmons, chapter 8 and the entry “Euthanasia” in Green’s Dictionary
Discussion: what are the church’s witnesses concerning the end of life? How do we preach on these issues? How do we counsel persons concerning these issues?
Week 7 Abortion
Read: Timmons, chapter 10 and the entry “Abortion” in Green’s Dictionary.
Read: Timmons, chapter 10 and the entry “Abortion” in Green’s Dictionary.
Discussion: what are the church’s witnesses concerning abortion today? Are there any possible ways to negotiate the impasse in contemporary views of abortion?
For this week, have the Walter Brueggemann book read. Write a two-page review of the book, which you will turn in, and which will be the basis of our discussions this evening.
Week 8 Cloning, Genetics, and Medicine
Readings: Timmons, chapter 11, and the entries “Body,” “Bioethics,” “Eugenics,” “Infertility,” “Dualism, Anthropological” in Green’s Dictionary
Discussion: what is the current state of medical science on genetics and cloning, and how do the biblical ideas about life and the body teach us concerning contemporary science?
Week 9 Capital Punishment and other justice issues
Read: Timmons, chapter 12 and the entries “Capital Punishment,” “Crime and Criminal Justice; “Enemy,” “Justice, Restorative,” and “Justice, Retributive” in Green’s Dictionary
Discussion: what is the church’s witness and mission concerning our prison system and accompanying justice issues? How do we preach justice to perpetrators and victims? How do we counsel victims of crime?
Week 10 War and Terrorism
Read: Timmons, chapter 13, and the entries “Just-War Theory,” “Pacificism”, “Peace,” “Terrorism,” and “War” in Green’s Dictionary; and Stroble, chapter 4.
Discussion: What role does the church have in society when our nation is contemplating going to war or are involved in a conflict?
Also read: the entries “Authority and Power,” “Cruelty,” “Force, Use of,” “Human Rights,” and “Torture” in Green’s Dictionary, and Stroble, session 4
Discussion: How do we ensure public safety and national security? How does the biblical material (e.g., Isaiah’s oracles against the quest for security via national alliances) speak to today’s international situations (if at all)? As the saying (from Star Trek) goes, do the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few or the one?
Week 11 Poverty, Hunger, and Health
Read: Timmons, chapter 14, the entries “Health,” “Healthcare Ethics,” “Healthcare Systems in Scripture,” “Poverty and Poor” in Green’s Dictionary, and also Stroble, session 5
Discussion: What is the church’s witness concerning poverty and hunger? What can (or should) be the church’s approach to issues of private- and public-funded health care?
Week 12 Environment, Climate Change, Consumption
Read: Timmons, chapter 15, and the entries “Ecological Ethics,” “Creation,” “Creation Ethics,” “Stewardship,” Vegetarianism, and Animals” in Green’s Dictionary; and also Stroble, chapter 3.
Discussion: What is the church’s witness concerning the environment? Is there a distinctively biblical view of the environment, and if so, what is it?
Week 13 Models of the Common Good; Teaching Civic Virtue
Read: Stroble, session 6.
Discussion: How do we teach civic virtue in our congregations? In this last class period of the course, how do you think the church can address issues of the common good?
Final Exam: TBA
Grading Policies and General Policies
Students must complete all necessary course requirements in order to receive a passing grade for the course.
Overall Grading
Evaluation:
Activities, discussion, participation, etc. 50 points
Weekly Assignments 100 total points
Two exams 100 points each
Paper 100 points
Criteria for Evaluating
An “A” is based on a percentage of 93-100, with A- based on a 91-92 percentage. Percentages can be tabulated from points assigned.
A “B” is based on a percentage of 83-90, and a B- 81-82.
A “C” is based on a percentage of 73-80, with a C- 71-72.
A “D” is based on a 63-70 percentage, with a D- in the 61-62 range.
An “F” is based on percentages under 60.
Exams
There will be two major exams, both of which will be essay.
Criteria for Evaluating Exam Essays.
A Essays exhibit excellent grasp of subject; focused; all parts of the question are answered; confident writing style; introduction provides background and a well-defined thesis; well-stated arguments; vivid examples and details based on readings, lectures, and discussion. All-around evidence of understanding and critically analyzing the lecture material and readings.
B Essays come close to above; focused; good grasp of subject but lack certain examples and specifics (such as some identifications, time periods, places, etc.). Essay is organized, but not as well as an A essay.
C Essays display only a tentative grasp of subject; unfocused; common spelling, punctuation, and language errors; lack a sense of time period, places, identities; little or no analysis.
D Essays show little grasp of subject; frequent language, punctuation, and organizational errors.
F Essays don’t meet above requirements.
Attendance and Discussion
Attendance is important if you’re to get the most from the course and also make your contributions to the group’s efforts. If you have to be absent, contact me about your situation and I will help you catch up. As a courtesy to your classmates, you should avoid coming late to class or leaving early, unless you have some unavoidable situation that you tell me about.
Paper
You’ll write one 8-12 page research paper on some topic in contemporary moral issues. This will be due at the time of the final exam.
Criteria for Papers
A papers show an excellent grasp of the subject; evidence of excellent engagement with the subject matter; evidence of both intellectual and emotional engagement with the subject matter (what you thought and how you felt); vivid examples and details; consistent use of style and formatting.
B papers come close to the above; they’re focused and show a good grasp of the subject but lack certain examples and specific, and/or a less active engagement with the subject; less consistent use of style. Paper is organized, but not as well as an A essay.
C papers display only a tentative, superficial grasp of the subject; unfocused; common spelling, punctuation, and language errors; weak analysis; shows evidence of eleventh-hour preparation and completion; mediocre use of style.
D papers show very little grasp of subject; frequent language, punctuation, and organizational and style problems.
F papers don’t meet above requirements or are non-existent.
As with the essay answers on your exams, I’ll look for the following things on your papers. I’ll assign points according to your performance on each and then I’ll average the points.
1. Well-stated arguments and organization
2. Use of illustrative examples in your discussion
3. Grammar, formatting and style, and punctuation
4. Overall writing style (including confidence and clarity of expression)
5. Factual accuracy
Incompletes
I won’t grant an incomplete for the course except for very serious illness or family emergencies cleared with me beforehand.
Academic Dishonesty
Academic dishonesty will not be tolerated. See the guidelines at: http://www.library.webster.edu/luhr_library/citation_guides.html
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