Christian Ethics Study Guide
REL260 / Final Exam / Prof. Michael Andres
Define IVF, AIH, and AIH. Specify the central ethical issues involved in use of reproductive technologies. Summarize relevant biblical material and principles.
Summarize key biblical passages and principles on sexuality. Define adultery, fornication, and porneia. Describe Christian views on sexuality in church tradition. What is the significance of the following to contemporary views of sexuality: Darwinism, Margaret Sanger, Margaret Mead, Birth-control Pill, Modern Adolescence, Risk Taking Culture, and Sexually Transmitted Diseases.
Summarize and interpret key passages of Scripture on divorce and remarriage, including exception clause and Pauline privilege. Summarize teaching on divorce and remarriage in church tradition.
Explain significance to the ethics of homosexuality on the difference between being and doing? Be prepared to explain permissivist interpretations of key biblical passages on homosexuality (e.g. Gen 19; Lev 18; Rom 1; 1 Cor 6; etc.). What are some objections to this method of interpretation (include discussion of purity laws, personhood, mutual consent, and pedophilia)? Explain Countryman’s interpretation of Rom 1. What are some objections to Countryman’s argument and interpretation?
What are three affirmations in Gen 1-2 about human sexuality? Give reasons for interpreting that the sin of Sodom was sexual sin? Give three arguments for interpreting Lev 18:22 and 20:13 as pertaining to immorality rather than merely impurity. What is some evidence that Scripture does not merely condemn coercive homosexual unions? Do modern psychological knowledge make obsolete Scripture’s condemnation of homosexual practice? Are changes in views on slavery and women analogous to the issue of homosexuality? How common is same-sex practice (give an approximate percentage)? Summarize scientific findings for the following sexual/behavioral practices and health within the male homosexual community: frequency of sex outside long-term relationships, alcohol and drug use, mental health, non-HIV/AIDS health problems, and HIV/AIDS.
Define and explain the five Christian approaches to the ethics of homosexuality: Welcoming-Affirming, Redemptive Accommodation, Pastoral Concession, Consistent Witness, and Purity of Church. What has been the traditional view of the Christian Church (e.g. Turtullian, Chrysostom, Luther, Calvin, etc.)? What was the primary reason the Patristics rejected homosexual practice?
What have been some positive results of American material wealth? Define consumerism. How did the American consumer society originate? List and explain the effects of consumption on the following: population, hunger, biodiversity, deforestation, water, land, waste, energy, air and climate. How specifically does consumerism affect American lifestyles and values? What effect does consumerism have on global distribution of resources? Describe traditional and contemporary Christian views on material possessions (include feudal system, monasticism, St Francis, Calvinism/Puritanism, socialism, and capitalism). Accurately summarize the teaching on material possessions of the following sections of Scripture: OT historical books, wisdom literature, prophetic literature, Jesus’ parables and teaching (include Sermon on Mount) and other NT teaching. List Blomberg’s five conclusions regarding Scripture on material possessions. Define and give reasons for and against capitalism and socialism. What is simple living, according to Simon? What are some practical aspects to simple living (e.g. community, giving, reduce, restore, recycle, reuse)?
What are some recent positive signs in American racial relations? What are some indications that there are still serious problems in racial relations in America? What has been the Church’s history with race relations? Cite and explain passages in Scripture that address race relations. What are ethical responses on personal, pastoral, and societal levels?
Define and explain the criteria for just war theory, jus ad bellum, jus in bello, and pacifism.
Essay Question: Professor will choose one of the following four issues.
Be prepared to produce a detailed moral argument (from tradition, reason, experience, Scripture) for your view of the following moral issues. Make sure it is clear you are following the '10 easy steps" of ethical reflection. Be very specific (e.g. give accurate statistics, informed biblical interpretation, etc.). If needed, indicate if act would be moral in one context, and not in another.