HT 267W ETHICS IN LUTHERAN PERSPECTIVE
Wartburg Theological Seminary

Instructor:   Craig Nessan
Fulfills WTS ethics distribution requirement
3 credits
Grade or credit/no credit

DESCRIPTION:

This course will offer an introduction to the field of Christian ethics, paying particular attention to distinctively Lutheran themes.    Lectures and readings will examine how the Lutheran theological tradition shapes ethical reflection for the church in its mission today.   How do the Word of God, law and gospel, sacraments, liturgy, reason, theology of the cross, Christian freedom, vocation, and two kingdoms teaching shape and condition ethical deliberation? Together we will consider how to give constructive leadership in order that congregations become communities of moral deliberation.

OBJECTIVES:

1.   To introduce basic ethical terms and concepts
2.   To examine the core themes of a Lutheran perspective on Christian ethics
3.   To understand how these core themes shape ethical reflection
4.   To develop a method of ethical reflection
5.   To consider how to lead communities of moral deliberation

PROCEDURE:

The course will consist of interactive lectures, discussion of readings, and case studies.

EVALUATION:

1.   Attendance and active participation in class
2.   Completion of assigned readings
3.   One paper, employing Lutheran themes to articulate an ethical method.

BIBLIOGRAPHY:

• 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:

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.