Evangelical & Baptistic Ethics: Contemporary Issues (Master)

This course introduces student into a narrative approach to ethics and intends to invite them into the complexity of moral questions and debates in the Christian community amidst a secular environment. It does so from the perspective of the evangelical and baptistic tradition, engaging in particular its ‘quest for holiness’ and a number of the consequent and related dynamics (e.g. how the bible is read, the stance towards culture, a high demand on the individual (idealism) and a particular view on revelation and authorities).

During classes, contemporary ethical cases are discussed and elaborated. The cases will range from everyday ethics (such as giving and finances), to divisive issues around sexual ethics and power. Through the case studies a number of lenses are provided, that show a number of tensions and perspectives particular to the evangelical & baptistic tradition operative (biblically, hermeneutically, socially). At the same time, the discussions in class also serve as reflexive exercise, to practice moral dialogue in diversity. It is about the virtues required to do ethics well, engaging topics such as listening well, patience, not-knowing, justice and humility. Thus, the module engages the ‘quest for holiness’ not merely on a theoretical level, but also on an embodied and formative level: what moral wisdom is required in a broken, secular and superdiverse context?

Doel vak:

After finishing this course:

1. Students can describe and reflect on the evangelical and baptistic moral tradition, its ‘quest for holiness’, and the particular related perspectives and tensions (e.g. biblical interpretation and biblicism, revelation and sources of authority, the stance towards culture, communal discernment and the construction of the individual as moral agent)
2. Students are able to ‘read’ case studies in contemporary (ecclesial) practices, recognize the above mentioned perspectives and tensions and formulating carefully and intelligibly what is at stake, theologically, existentially and relationally.
3. Students are aware of their own normative position within a diverse community of people, can reflect on and be accountable for their particular situatedness (reflexivity), and draw upon the Christian moral traditions in order to find practical wisdom in providing leadership.

Literatuur:

Required reading consists of the following books (or sections of these books):

• Luke Bretherton, A Primer in Christian Ethics: Christ and the Struggle to Live Well (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2023)
• Lina Toth, Singleness and Marriage after Christendom (Eugene: Cascade Books, 2021)

Additional book chapters and articles will be announced in the course syllabus

Overige informatie:

The course can be followed as an elective, or as a part of the master’s study route Evangelical and Baptistic Leadership. It is offered by the Baptist Seminary, and classes are held in the Baptist House, Postjesweg 150, 1061 AX in Amsterdam (a 15-minute journey from the VU). In addition to VU students, it is possible that other students (doing a post-graduate study at the Seminary) will follow the course in the same, shared learning environment.

When registering for the course, we kindly request you to send an additional email to: Dit e-mailadres wordt beveiligd tegen spambots. JavaScript dient ingeschakeld te zijn om het te bekijken.

Overige informatie:

Participative lectures

Toetsvorm

Active participation during class sessions, including the preparation of both an ethical biography and a case study related to one of the course topics, is compulsory. These components are assessed through formative feedback and do not contribute to the final grade.

The final assessment consists of a summative essay in which students offer a critical and integrative reflection on an assigned case study, engaging biographical, pastoral and practical wisdom, as well as historical and theological perspectives. This essay constitutes 100% of the final grade.

The course is assessed based on the following components and their respective weightings: i. cultural analysis (10%), u. (ana)baptist hermeneutics (5%), s. current ecclesial issues (10%), l. practical questions and complexity (15%), j. narrative hermeneutics (25%), q. communal hermeneutics (15%), d. self-awareness and self-correction (10%), and e. professional identity and ethics (10%). The corresponding indicators and assessment rubrics can be found in the study guide of the Baptist Seminary.

Indicatoren:

Weging

☒ d. Zelfinzicht en zelfcorrectie

10%

☒ e. Professionele identiteit en ethiek

10%

☒ i. Cultuuranalyse

10%

☒ j. Narratieve Hermeneutiek

25%

☒ l. Praktijkvragen en complexiteit

15%

☒ q. Communale hermeneutiek

15%

☒ s. Kerkelijke actualiteit

10%

☒ u. (ana)Baptistische Hermeneutiek

5%

AI-gebruik:

AI mag uitsluitend gebruikt worden voor controle van taalgebruik en spelling.

Aanwezigheidsplicht:

Aanwezigheid bij colleges op het Seminarium is verplicht. Op het Seminarium vinden we het belangrijk dat je goed voorbereid bent op de lessen die je volgt. Hier wordt in de colleges dan ook vanuit gegaan. Vanwege de snelheid waarmee vakken elkaar opvolgen is het dan ook sterk aanbevolen om de collegeschema’s nauwkeurig te volgen om achterstand te voorkomen. 

Cesuur:

5,5 of 55 punten

Overige informatie toetsing:

Klik of tik om tekst in te voeren.

Literatuur

96 uren

Opdrachten

50 uren (essay and required reading)

Lesuren

18 uren

Integratie-uren

4 uren

Totaal:

168 uren (6 EC)