ETHICS WORKSHOP
Christianity
STUDIES OF RELIGION
2010
Artworks by Dominic Ferrante
Workshop Outline
• How do we define Christian ethics?
• Where does ethics ‘fit’ into the HSC course?
• Some worthwhile study activities
• Developing an ethics response
• Examination tips
Christian Ethics HSC Focus Day 2010
What defines Christian ethics?
Ethics are a demonstration of a person’s beliefs in action.
Christian ethical teachings are founded on an
understanding of who the human person is and the belief
that every person is capable of discovering and embracing
goodness and truth.
Christian ethical actions are focused on maintaining
right relationship with God, one’s
neighbour and oneself.
How do Christians determine what is right action?
Christian Ethics HSC Focus Day 2010
Christian ethics
Christian ethical teachings are founded on
FAITH and REASON, PHILOSOPHY and NATURAL LAW
Protestant Churches would emphasise the authority of
the Bible. Anglican, Orthodox and Catholic ethical
authority is also found through the Church leadership
-the Pope, Archbishops, Bishops or Patriarchs .
What is the balance of these sources of teaching for
adherents of Christianity?
Christian Ethics HSC Focus Day 2010
Christian ethics
Traditional Christian ethical teaching based on natural
law or bible-based result in moral absolutes.
Situation ethics considers the context more closely.
The model of Christ as giving his life in service is a key
guide to action.
Which approaches are relevant to your response?
Christian Ethics HSC Focus Day 2010
Scriptural sources
All Christians would hold that teachings found in the Bible
are the key sources for determining ethical behaviour. This
is the revealed law.
Exodus 20: 2-17
The Ten Commandments
Matthew 5:3-10
The Beatitudes
Luke 10:25-27
Jesus Commandment of Love
What other Biblical sources are
relevant to your ethical area?
Christian Ethics HSC Focus Day 2010
Christian ethics-sources
Environmental
Ethics
Bioethics
Christian Ethics HSC Focus Day 2010
Sexual Ethics
Christian ethics- sources
Environmental
Ethics
STEWARDSHIP
Bioethics
STEM CELL
RESEARCH
Sexual Ethics HOMOSEXUALITY
Creation Stories
Genesis 1-2
Genesis 1 and 3
Job 31:15
Psalms 139:13-16
Genesis 1:26-27.
Genesis 18-19
Leviticus 22, 25
Isaiah 49:1
Jeremiah 1:5
Leviticus 18:22
Leviticus 20:13
Job 39-41
Romans 1: 26-27
1 Corinthians 6:9-10
2 Peter 2:9-10
Christian Ethics HSC Focus Day 2010
Where does ethics fit in the SOR course?
SOR Outcomes: A student
• explains aspects of religion and belief
systems
• describes and analyses the influence of
religion and belief systems on individuals
and society
• describes and analyses how aspects of
religious traditions are expressed by their
adherents
• evaluates the influence of religious
traditions on the life of adherents (p10)
Christian Ethics HSC Focus Day 2010
Where does ethics fit in the SOR course?
Preliminary (learn to)
• explain why Jesus is the model for
Christian life
• outline the principal ethical teachings
in the the Ten Commandments
• the Beatitudes and
• Jesus’ commandment of love
• describe the importance of ethical
teaching in the life of adherents (p21)
Christian Ethics HSC Focus Day 2010
Where does ethics fit in the SOR course?
HSC Religious Tradition Depth Study Overview
The purpose of this section is to develop a
comprehensive view of religious traditions as living
religious systems that link directly with the life of
adherents…. In a Religious Tradition Depth Study, the
particular focus is on the ways in which a religious
tradition, as an integrated belief system provides a
distinctive answer to the enduring questions of
human existence. The study of a particular religious
tradition enables students to demonstrate an
appreciation of the diversity of expression within, and
the underlying unity of, the whole religious tradition.
Christian Ethics HSC Focus Day 2010
(p 37)
Where does ethics fit in the SOR course?
HSC (learn to)
• Describe and explain Christian
ethical teachings on bioethics OR
environmental ethics OR sexual
ethics
Christian Ethics HSC Focus Day 2010
Planning your study of Christian ethics
•
•
•
•
Definitions
Matrix
Practice questions
Research beyond your
textbook
Christian Ethics HSC Focus Day 2010
Definitions – Visual Aid
Definition of
ethics
Definition of
ethical area
Key sources of
teaching
Approach of
different variants
to the issue
Significance of
ethical issue to
the adherents
Christian Ethics HSC Focus Day 2010
Matrix/ Essay outline
ETHICAL TEACHING ON BIOETHICS/ENVIRONMENTAL
ETHICS/SEXUAL ETHICS
Ethical issue for Christians
Key Biblical Sources
Examples of the bioethical issue and response of Christians in
those examples
Differences demonstrated by variants- use additional sources
Relevance to the tradition and core beliefs
Christian Ethics HSC Focus Day 2010
Matrices- Ethical authority
CHRISTIAN VARIANT
SOURCE OF ETHICAL AUTHORITY
ANGLICAN
CATHOLIC
ORTHODOX
PENTECOSTAL
PROTESTANT
Christian Ethics HSC Focus Day 2010
Matrices- Ethical authority
CHRISTIAN VARIANT
SOURCE OF ETHICAL AUTHORITY
ANGLICAN
The Bible, Episcopal authority, prayer and
conscience
CATHOLIC
The Bible, the Magisterium – including
the Pope and Bishops, informed
conscience*
ORTHODOX
The Bible, Divine Tradition, church
authority- Patriarchs
PENTECOSTAL
The Bible, guidance of the Holy Spirit,
authority of the pastor
PROTESTANT
The Bible and prayer, theological writings
Christian Ethics HSC Focus Day 2010
Matrices- Sources of authority
CHRISTIAN
VARIANT
DOCUMENTS PARTICULAR TO VARIANT
ANGLICAN
CATHOLIC
ORTHODOX
PENTECOSTAL
PROTESTANT
Christian Ethics HSC Focus Day 2010
Matrices- Sources of authority
CHRISTIAN
VARIANT
DOCUMENTS PARTICULAR TO VARIANT
ANGLICAN
Lambeth Conference (every 10 years) to debate
issues of doctrine
CATHOLIC
Writings of the Early Church Fathers, Encyclicals,
Vatican Council Decrees
ORTHODOX
Canon law, documents from the Patriarchs
PENTECOSTAL
Congregational documents
PROTESTANT
Synod, Council and Conventions
Christian Ethics HSC Focus Day 2010
Sample questions
HSC 2009 Studies of Religion
Section II
(b) Explain how Christian ethical teachings, in ONE of
the following areas, reflect Christian beliefs.
bioethics
environmental ethics
sexual ethics
Section III
Question 2 — Christianity (20 marks)
With reference to Luke’s post-resurrection account in
the quotation (Luke 24: 30-32) assess Christianity as a
living religious tradition in the life of its adherents.
Christian Ethics HSC Focus Day 2010
Sample questions
HSC 2008 Studies of Religion
Section II
(c) Explain the reasons for Christianity’s ethical teachings
on ONE of the following areas:
bioethics environmental ethics sexual ethics.
Section III
NA
Christian Ethics HSC Focus Day 2010
Sample questions
HSC 2007 Studies of Religion
Section II
(c) Explain how Christian ethical teachings influence the
lives of adherents. Choose an aspect from ONE of the
following areas:
bioethics environmental ethics sexual ethics.
Section III
NA
Christian Ethics HSC Focus Day 2010
Sample questions
Studies of Religion Heinemann
Outline the ethical teachings of Christianity on ONE of
the following
bioethics environmental ethics sexual ethics.
Demonstrate how the teachings of Christianity are
applied to ONE area of ethics chosen from
bioethics environmental ethics sexual ethics.
Christian Ethics HSC Focus Day 2010
Sample questions
Studies of Religion Excel
Analyse ONE ethical teaching of Christianity
Assess the significance in the lives of Christian believers
of ONE of the following ethical issues:
bioethics environmental ethics sexual ethics.
Christian Ethics HSC Focus Day 2010
Sample questions
Studies of Religion Oxford
Explain how Christian ethical teaching influences the
lives of adherents. Choose an aspect from one of the
following areas:
bioethics environmental ethics sexual ethics
Describe Christian ethical teachings on bioethics,
environmental ethics or sexual ethics.
Christian Ethics HSC Focus Day 2010
Sample questions
•Describe or outline Christian ethical teachings on the issue
•Explain the relevance of Christian beliefs to the ethical issue
•Analyse the impact of the Christian approach to ethics on the
lives of adherents
•Demonstrate how Christian teachings on the ethical issue reflects
Christianity as a living tradition with a diversity of expression
•How does the Christian approach to ethics demonstrate a
distinctive response to the enduring questions of life
•Respond to a scripture quote
Christian Ethics HSC Focus Day 2010
Sample questions- consider this
LINK TO LIVES OF ADHERENTS
REFLECTS CHRISTIANITY AS A LIVING
TRADITION
Christian Ethics HSC Focus Day 2010
Sample questions
LINK TO LIVES OF ADHERENTS
Provides a practical link between an adherent’s
beliefs and their actions
For some adherents it provides certainty in a morally
neutral world
Relates to important life events such as birth and
death
REFLECTS CHRISTIANITY AS A LIVING TRADITION
Sources of authority in scripture guide the adherent’s
actions
Christ’s life provides the model for living as a Christian
in a changing world
Ethical response may change as the variant
reconsiders its place in the world
Each variant provides support to the adherent to
respond to ethical issues
Christian Ethics HSC Focus Day 2010
Research tips to improve your response
•Use internet research from authorised sites
•Resources from the library
•Ask your teacher for additional sources
•Look at other textbooks
•Study guides for additional information and
skills- don’t overload on the content
Christian Ethics HSC Focus Day 2010
Developing your ethics response
• Describe and explain
the sources of Christian
ethical teaching
• GOOGLE this
Christian Ethics HSC Focus Day 2010
Examination tips
• Plan your response before
beginning (even short answer)
• Keep aware of the glossary
term- use synonyms
• Tailor your response to the
question- use the wording of
the question
• Use the matrices, tables and
practice essays to prepare
Christian Ethics HSC Focus Day 2010
Examination tips
• Topic sentences are very
important to guide the
marker
• Using scripture to support
your argument
• Using variants where
relevant and specific
documents/events
• Highlight if you have time
Christian Ethics HSC Focus Day 2010
Examination questions
Section II: Religious Tradition Depth Study 15 marks each
• Each question is worth 15 marks.
• Each question will be in three short answer parts
• Students will complete TWO questions (SOR II) and ONE
question (SOR I) in this section.
• Removed the no part worth more than 6 marks and non
dependent parts
Section III: Religious Tradition Depth Study 20 marks
• Each question is worth 20 marks.
• Students will complete ONE question from
Section III with expected length 800 words.
Christian Ethics HSC Focus Day 2010
Feedback from BOS
• Lindsay Swan aware of the concerns raised regarding
the 2009 exam.
• Look at the exam report and examples of high quality
scripts on BOS site
• SOR Answer booklet modified to provide more
flexibility
• Move away from the syllabus words and be confident
to look at the bigger picture. In your answer you will be
assessed on how well you: demonstrate knowledge
and understanding relevant to the question
incorporate significant aspects of religion to illustrate
your answer communicate using language and
terminology appropriate to the study of religion
present ideas clearly in a cohesive response.
Christian Ethics HSC Focus Day 2010
Board of Studies webpage
Christian Ethics HSC Focus Day 2010
Quick Quiz on the syllabus
1. What were the two changes to Section II?
2. What was the extra information about
Section III word length?
3. What was the additional information
about the kinds of questions asked?
4. What is the website for BOS?
5. What additional information is there for
HSC 2010?
Christian Ethics HSC Focus Day 2010
Quick Quiz on the syllabus
1. Removed the no part worth more than 6 marks
and non dependent parts
2. 800 words
3. In your answer you will be assessed on how well
you: demonstrate knowledge and understanding
relevant to the question incorporate significant
aspects of religion to illustrate your answer
communicate using language and terminology
appropriate to the study of religion present ideas
clearly in a cohesive response
4. http://www.boardofstudies.nsw.edu.au/
5. Sample responses, assessment information,
more detail on rubrics.
Christian Ethics HSC Focus Day 2010
Glossary Terms
ANALYSIS AND CRITICAL THINKING
Analyse, distinguish, examine, explain, extract,
Investigate
APPLICATION AND PERFORMANCE
Demonstrate, discuss, apply, construct
KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING
Define, describe, account for, outline, recall, recount
EVALUATION
Appreciate, assess, evaluate, justify, account for
Christian Ethics HSC Focus Day 2010
Sources
Artwork with permission by Dominic Ferrante
Studies of Religion Syllabus (2005)
BOS website: http://www.boardofstudies.nsw.edu.au/
Oxford Studies of Religion (2009)
Heinemann HSC SOR Study Guide (2007)
Christian Ethics HSC Focus Day 2010