COS 424 Ethics
Syllabus and Assignments
Upper Midwest Course of Study School
Morningside College, Sioux City, Iowa
Spring 2016
March 4, 5 and April 8, 9
Instructors:
Dr. Dennis Tevis
Dennis.Tevis@gtevis@aol.com
319 572-1940
John Riessen
Riessen.rojo@mchsi.com
This course introduces the biblical and theological bases for Christian behavior,
emphasizing the pastoral skills needed for moral leadership in the congregation and
community.
Course Objectives
Students will be able to:
1. Articulate a biblical and theological basis for ethical thinking and moral behavior,
and distinguish major approaches to ethical reasoning.
2. Comprehend the relationship between their personal stories, pastoral vocation,
local contexts, and responsibility as moral leaders.
3. Develop a Christian framework for moral reason and action, and apply it to the use
of power and the setting of boundaries in ministry.
4. Demonstrate familiarity with and make use of the Social Principles of the United
Methodist Church as a source for ethical reflection and action.
Books (used books are acceptable)
The Book of Discipline of the United Methodist Church. (2012). United Methodist
Publishing House. ISBN-13: 978-1426718120
Hays, R. (1996). The Moral Vision of the New Testament. HarperOne.
ISBN-13: 978-0060637965
Jung, P.B., & Stephens, D.W., eds. (2013). Professional Sexual Ethics. Fortress Press.
ISBN-13: 978-0800699437
Lovin, R. (2011). An Introduction to Christian Ethics: Goals, Duties, and Virtues.
Abingdon Press. ISBN-13: 978-0687467365
Answer the following questions from An Introduction to
Christian Ethics by Robin Lovin (one-half to three-quarters
of a page each)
1. Write a brief account of the origin of ethics including the major schools.
2. What is a “stance” and why is it important in terms of understanding and making
ethical choices?
3. What are Charles Curran’s key points in summarizing Catholic moral theology
and what are the implications of each?
4. Where did Augustine come down on the question of whether faith allowed a
Christian to participate in the public life of city government?
5. What influence did Augustine have on Christian ethics?
6. Explain the four variations of the Christian stance found in chapter three and
explain the differences.
7. What is moral reasoning?
8. Describe the three different ways of thinking about choices.
9. Define in some detail: deontology, teleology, and aretology.
10. What set Augustine apart from Aristotle in terms of the goal of teleology and
how is it acquired?
11. What is moral realism?
12. What are the limitations of teleology and how has it developed in the modern
period?
13. What is the problem for deontological ethics?
14. What is the significance of Thomas Aquinas for Christian ethics?
15. For Thomas Aquinas, what is natural law and how do you determine what it
requires in any given situation.
16. Contrast the Lutheran and Anabaptist understanding of political duty.
17. What is Calvin’s third use of Biblical law?
18. What is Kant’s Categorical Imperative? Give several examples. What is the
problem with it?
19. What is casuistry?
20. What is proportionalism and why is it important?
21. How are Martin Luther King’s and Liberationists’ arguments for choosing right
actions similar?
22. What are the problems with Liberationists hermeneutics?
23. For modern ethicists, what is the tension between Synergy and Integrity?
24. List and explain the cardinal virtues.
25. Contrast Aristotle and Aquinas on how virtue is acquired.
26. What are the theological virtues for Thomas Aquinas and how are they
acquired?
27.What is the importance of Thomistic Synergy?
28. What are the ethical problems with rules and goals in today’s world?
29. Describe Charles Curran’s approach to virtue ethics.
30. For Stanley Hauerwas, what are the virtues essential to Christian community
and how are they acquired?
31. What virtues do liberationist ethicists believe are most important?
32. What does Reinhold Niebuhr’s realism contribute to the discussion of ethics and
responsibility?
33. What is Robin Lovin’s suggestion as to how to make the best ethical decisions?
Answer the following questions from Moral Vision of the
New Testament by Richard B. Hays (one to two pages each)
1. Defend Hays’ choice of the three images he proposes to focus and guide the
reading of the New Testament texts with respect to ethical issues (community,
cross, and new creation). Then critique Hays’ choice of these sane three images. Be
sure to make reference to the visions contained in the New Testament texts in Part
One of Hays’ book.
2. How do ethicists use scripture? ( from Part Three)
3. Summarize the approach to theological ethics of one of the five scholars Hays
discusses. (from chapter 12)
4. Put in your own words each of the ten guidelines that Hays proposes for New
Testament Ethics. (on p.310)
5. Summarize Hays conclusion on one of the following topics and indicate how he
arrives at his conclusion: Divorce and Remarriage or Homosexuality or Abortion
(from chapters 15, 16, 18)
How do the United Methodist Social Principles function for
you in making moral choices? (one page)
Read at least ten of the essays in Professional Sexual
Ethics. Summarize orally one of the essays, and lead a
class discussion of that essay. (Email Dennis Tevis with your first and
second choice of essays—essays will be assigned in order of choices requested.)