“Don’t shove your morality down my throat!” This is a cry often heard from those who hold different standards from us. Yet everyone operates from an ethical base, and seeks to show that their opinions are reasonable. Additionally, for those operating from a religious standpoint, it is important to know that their opinions fit in with the traditions of their faith.
Christian Ethics is defined as the “appropriate application of the Christian Bible to contemporary life issues.” It encompasses the various avenues of approach that have been advocated within the Christian community, historical issues of interpretation of Scripture, and the understanding of the current complexity of living. It touches many of the major issues which Christianity and society jointly address, including such topics as sexual ethics, biomedical issues, capital punishment, war and marriage. Emphasis is placed on the application of Biblical texts and examples to daily living, and the exploration of these issues, rather than offering authoritative, dogmatic solutions.
Each class will be divided into both a lecture and a guided small group discussion session. Students will have the occasion to explore issues through a series of internet-based assignments, survey reading, and one larger assignment due at the end will give the opportunity of formulating an answer to a relevant question. This will be an opportunity to do personal interaction with thorny topics, and formulate individual convictions.
Required Texts: J. Kerby Anderson. Moral Dilemmas: Biblical Perspectives on Contemporary Ethical Issues. Nashville, TN: W. Publishing Group, 1998.; Norman Geisler. Christian Ethics: Options and Issues. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House, 1989.; Structured Notes available from the Instructor; approximately $35.
The Rev. Dr. John Mansfield has been an Adjunct Lecturer in the Religious Studies (Classics) Department since 1990. He holds two Masters degrees in Theology, a Doctor of Ministry degree, and is an ordained minister through The Evangelical Church Alliance. He has served as the Convenor for the U/B Campus Ministries Association, and as Buffalo Area Director for Campus Crusade for Christ, and The EPIC Asian-American Christian Movement.
Rev. Mansfield has had extensive international travel, and has lectured and taught courses in Romania, China, Trinidad, and the Ukraine. Each summer he teaches graduate courses such as Inductive Bible Study Methods, Hermeneutics, or Biblical Communication (Homiletics) through the School of Leadership at either their Ft. Collins CO or Orlando FL location.