Courses

This course approaches the theological questions of contemporary life from the perspective of a Christian worldview. Rather than seeing ethical dilemmas as the basis for Christian thought, the course outlines a framework for thinking theologically about ethical conduct and the moral life. Many struggle to know what it means to be a follower of Jesus in the midst of overwhelming social fragmentation. This course will enable interested participants to develop mature moral imaginations, refine their skills of ethical discernment, and deepen their vocational commitments in the service of God and neighbour. The course will explore the ethical insights of key theologians who have outlined aspects and dimensions of the ethical life from Augustine, Aquinas and Luther to Reinhold Niebuhr, Paul Ramsey, Dietrich Bonhoeffer and Stanley Hauerwas.

Knowing…

• To root ethical reflection within the Christian worldview
• To appreciate the general framework of ethical thought.
• To become familiar with some of the major thinkers in the field.

Being…

• To integrate biblical reflection and Christlike, incarnational approach to moral decision-making.
• To recognize and appreciate the application of moral imagination as expressed by those with divergent approaches.
• To develop an ethical lens for evaluating the world in which we live.

Doing…

• To apply theological categories to ethical thought.
• To pursue a growing moral vision as one means Christian discipleship.
• To develop skills of ethical reflection against the background of real-life contexts.