• Paul Althaus, The Ethics of Martin Luther (Philadelphia: Fortress, 1972).
• Karen L. Bloomquist and John R. Stumme, eds., The Promise of Lutheran Ethics (Minneapolis: Fortress, 1998).
• Hans Küng , A Global Ethic:   The Declaration of the Parliament of World Religions (New York: Continuum, 1994).
• William H. Lazareth, Christians in Society: Luther, the Bible, and Social Ethics ( Minneapolis:   Fortress, 2002).
• Timothy F. Lull, editor, Martin Luther’s Basic Theological Writings (Minneapolis: Fortress, 1989).
• John R. Stumme and Robert W. Tuttle, eds., Church and State: Lutheran Perspectives ( Minneapolis: Fortress, 2003).

DAILY SCHEDULE

Day      Date           Theme                                                                    Readings

T           9-12            Life Coram Deo                             Luther, pp. 2-17, 70-74 (1-6, 63-68)
Sec       9-12            The Church in Society:   A Lutheran Perspective
Th         9-14            God’s Law                               Luther, pp. 124-132, 141-146 (135-148)

T           9-19            Authority of Scripture for Ethics                    Luther, pp. 75-92 (74-103)
Sec       9-19            Living the Faith: A Lutheran Perspective on Ethics
Th         9-21            Scripture Shaping Ethical Agency                   Luther, pp.93-97 (104-111)

T           9-26            Human Nature:   Created by God                           Lazareth, Ch 2
Sec       9-26            For Peace in God’s World (Group 1)
Th         9-28            Human Nature: Fallen                                              Lazareth, Ch 3

T           10-3            Evolution & Ethics                                                   Nessan Essay
Sec       10-3            The Death Penalty (Group 2)
Th         10-5            Experience and Reasoning                                       Lazareth, Ch 4

T           10-10          Research and Study Day                                          Lazareth, Ch 5
Th         10-12          Worship & Ethics                                               Hauerwas & Wells 3-27

T           10-17          Luther’s Two Kingdoms                                          Lazareth, Ch 6
Sec       10-17          Case Study
Th         10-19          Misinterpreting the Two Kingdoms                           Lazareth, Ch 7

T           10-24          Sexual Ethics                                 Sexuality: Some Common Convictions Sec       10-24          Abortion (Group 3)                                                
Th         10-26          Homosexuality                                          Luther, pp. 386-411 (585-629)

T           10-31          Christian Freedom                                    Luther, pp. 386-411 (585-629)
Sec       10-31          Christian Freedom                                                
Th         11-2            Law and Gospel: Dynamics of Justification               Lazareth, Ch 8

T           11-7            Ethics of the Cross                                               Solberg, pp. 125-138
Sec       11-7            Freed in Christ (Case Study)
Th         11-9            Liberation Ethics                 Luther, pp. 57-58, 134-140, (43-44, 155-172)

T           11-14          Moral Development Theory                                     Paper One Due
Sec       11-14          Caring for Creation:   Vision, Hope, and Justice (Group 4)
Th         11-16          Vocation and Stations           Luther, pp. 62-69, 412-417 (50-62, 630-637)

T           11-21          Film: Weapons of the Spirit                                      Hallie, Ch 1-4

T           11-28          Leadership                                                              Hallie, Ch 5-11
Sec       11-28          Health and Wellness (Group 5)
Th         11-30          Community                                                             Hallie, Ch 12

T           12-5            How Does Goodness Happen?                                Final Paper
Sec       12-5            Sufficient, Sustainable Livelihood for All (Group 6)
Th         12-7            Moral Deliberation in the Church                          Moe-Lobeda, pp. xii-40

T           12-12          Advocacy                                                          Moe-Lobeda, pp. 41-75
Sec       12-12          Talking Together as Christians about Tough Social Issues
Th         12-14          Agenda                                                                   Küng, pp. 11-39

EVALUATION:

15%            Attendance and active participation in class
15%            Demonstrated knowledge from assigned readings in class and written assignments
15%            Group Presentation
25%            Paper One
30%            Final Paper

GRADING:

Grading in this course takes into consideration what has been assigned (tasks), reasoning and substance (content), and matters of expression (form). Generally speaking, letter grades represent the following evaluation:

A    Exceptional in most or all ways.   Such work completes all tasks, is creative and even original in content, and displays clear expression.

B    Exceptional in some ways.   One part of assignment is slighted, reasoning has some minor weaknesses, and the work is not completely clear in form.

C    Adequate (but only that) in all ways.  More than one task is slighted, the content is more often problematic, and expression is competent yet not compelling.

D   Inadequate in some ways.  Fails to address significant tasks, showing weak or erroneous content, and expression that obstructs understanding.

F    Wholly inadequate. Ignores or misunderstands the assignment, contains major errors of substance, and is generally inept in expression.

 

A  “credit” grade for this course under the credit / no credit option requires the equivalent of “C” level work or above.

GROUP PRESENTATION:

Students are assigned to small groups that will meet under the direction of the instructor on Tuesdays.   Each group will have one 45-minute class session to present one of the ELCA Social Statements for discussion.   Groups are encouraged to employ sound pedagogy in accordance with the Educational Ministry course.

 

PAPER ONE :       

Articulate the ethical significance of the following categories in Lutheran theology: law, Gospel, freedom, reason, vocation, and 2 kingdoms.   Make special reference to Lazareth’s interpretation of Luther’s social ethic.

 

FINAL PAPER :          

Articulate in detail your method of moral deliberation.   Explain each step of the process.   Demonstrate that method by discussing a particular issue.  

 

ACCOMODATIONS POLICY :  

It is Seminary policy to provide, on a flexible and individualized basis, reasonable accommodations to students who have documented disability conditions that may affect their ability to participate in course activities or to meet course requirements.