Vanderbilt
University
Department of
Religious Studies, College of Arts and Science
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Vanderbilt
University |
M-Aug 23 This Class and the "Commitments" of the Divinity School and GDR (Divinity and Graduate Students only)
3:10-4:00 Lecture: Dealing with ethical issues . Example of the "Commitments" of the Divinity School and GDR (in Catalog, pp. 9 to 11). many possible interpretations of the cause of these problems.
4:10--5:00 many possible interpretations of the biblical teaching about these problems. Using the form together: Roundtable # 1 Analyzing an ethical issue and biblical texts: Anti-Semitism reading of Matt. 27:17-26 (and Matt. 23, "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites!")
5:10-5:30 Roundtable # 2. A first sketch of the understandings of the moral life presupposed in your interpretations. Different views of the "problem"
M-Aug 30 Presentation of the Semester
3:10-4:00 Lecture: The "Ethical Contextual Bible Interpretation Form": Why this approach? A Matter of "Ethics of Biblical Interpretation."
Reading: Ethics of Biblical Interpretation, Chapter 1, pp. 17-30.
Challenge of Discipleship, pp. 3-22.
The Cambridge Dictionary of Christianity: Articles on Anti-Semitism (will be posted on the web page).
4:10--5:00 Roundtable Discussion of different kinds of moral teaching that Matthew 5:1-16 (the beatitudes, etc.) can have for different situations.
ASSIGNMENT: Ethical Contextual Bible Interpretation Report: the present-day situation for which Matthew 5:1-16 has a moral teaching and formulation of this teaching. (A first use, in class [no preparation necessary] of the "Ethical Contextual Bible Interpretation Form")
5:10--5:30 Roundtable # 2. A first sketch of the understandings of the moral life presupposed in your interpretations.In class reading of Challenge of Discipleship, pp. 25-42
M-Sept 6 Matt 5:1-16. Discipleship, Racism and Anti-Semitism
3:10-3:40 Lecture: Why this approach? Example of Racism (for racists and the victims of racism). Racism in the three modes of existence (autonomy [of individual], relationality [society], heteronomy [religious]).
Readings: Cambridge Dictionary of Christianity: Articles on Deontological, Perfectionist and Consequentialist Ethics, and Womanist Ethics of Risk; and on Racism.
Barack Obama's Speech on Racism: Which form of ethics did Barack Obama presuppose? Read full text: http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/03/18/obama.transcript/
Recommended Reading: Rhetoric and Ethic: The Politics of Biblical Studies. Elisabeth Schüssler Fiorenza
3:40-4:00 book review of Rhetoric and Ethic: The Politics of Biblical Studies by Elisabeth Schüssler Fiorenza
A brief oral report with a two page handout: what are for Schüssler Fiorenza the ethical problems that need to be raised in biblical studies and the strategies to address them? Differences with Patte's lecture and book.
4:10--5:00 ASSIGNMENT: Step # 1 Report and Roundtable Discussion
Group # 1: What is the ethical teaching of Matthew 5:3-16 regarding the ethical issue: Racism? For Christian believers in which concrete settings? On the basis of what kind of interpretations? Why not the other kinds of interpretation?
READING: Challenge of Discipleship, 43-63.
ASSIGNMENT: Ethical Contextual Bible Interpretation Report on the above topic. (To be sent by e-mail to Patte)
Group # 2: What is the ethical teaching of Matthew 5:3-16 regarding the ethical issue: Anti-Semitism? For Christian believers in which concrete settings? On the basis of what kind of interpretations? Why not the other kinds of interpretation?READING: Challenge of Discipleship, 43-63.
ASSIGNMENT: Ethical Contextual Bible Interpretation Report on the above topic. (To be sent by e-mail to Patte)
5:10--5:30 Reports of the groups: Roundtables # 2 and # 3. What type of interpretation has the best chance of realistically addressing racism or anti-Semitism in the particular contexts discussed?
M-Sept 13 Matt 5:1-16. Discipleship and Different Views of the Disciples' Ethical Responsibility
3:10-3:40 Lecture: How can we envision a diversity of LEGITIMATE interpretations? Can we envision the legitimacy of each of your very different readings of the Sermon on the Mount?
READING: Patte, Ethics of Biblical Interpretation, pp. 37-65.
Cambridge Dictionary of Christianity: Articles on the diversity of Bible Interpretations
Recommended Reading: Russell Pregeant. Knowing Truth Doing Good: Engaging New Testament Ethics. Pp. 5-71.
3:40-4:00 Book review of Russell Pregeant. Knowing Truth Doing Good: Engaging New Testament Ethics. Pp. 5-71. (Part 1 Madness in the Methods? On learning to Treat the Text as Subject.) a brief oral report with a two-page handout: what are the ethical problems that need to be raised in biblical studies? What are the strategies to address them? Differences with Patte's lecture and book
4:10--5:00 Roundtable Discussion of the situation for which Matthew 5:1--16 has a moral teaching and formulation of this teaching (form to be filled; bring it to class)Group # 1: Report: What is the ethical teaching of Matthew 5:3-16 regarding the ethical issue: Discipleship as Doing God's Will? For Christian believers in which concrete settings? On the basis of what kind of interpretations? Why not the other kinds of interpretation?
READING: Challenge of Discipleship, 64-117.
ASSIGNMENT: Ethical Contextual Bible Interpretation Report on the above topic. (not graded)
Group # 2: What is the ethical teaching of Matthew 5:3-16 regarding the ethical issue: Discipleship as Imitating Christ? For Christian believers in which concrete settings? On the basis of what kind of interpretations? Why not the other kinds of interpretation?READING: Challenge of Discipleship, 64-117.
ASSIGNMENT: Ethical Contextual Bible Interpretation Report on the above topic. (not graded)
5:10--5:30 Reports of the groups: Roundtables # 2 and # 3. Conceiving of contextual choices, conceptual choices, and analytical choices in readings of New Testament texts for their moral teachings.
M-Sept 20 Matt. 5:17-48, and 7:12: Loving One's Enemies and Not Resisting Evil and No Divorce
3:10-3:40 Lecture: Discipleship and their relationship with different conceptualization of the moral life.
READINGS: Challenge of Discipleship, pp. 121-189
Cambridge Dictionary of Christianity: Articles on "Discipleship" and "Kingdom of God"
Recommended: Appealing to Scripture in Moral Debate: Five Hermeneutical Rules, Charles H. Cosgrove.
3:40-4:00 Book review of Appealing to Scripture in Moral Debate: Five Hermeneutical Rules, Charles H. Cosgrove. A brief oral report with a two-page handout: How are Cosgroves's Five Hermeneutical Rules complementing or challenging your readings in Patte's Challenge of Discipleship and in Pregeant's Knowing Truth, Doing Good?
4:10--5:00 Roundtable Discussion of the situations for which Matthew 5:17-48, and 7:12 (in the context of 5:1- 7: 29) has a moral teachingGroup # 1: Report: What is the ethical teaching of Matthew 5:17-48, and 7:12 regarding the ethical issue loving one's enemies and not resisting evil for Christian believers and in which concrete settings? On the basis of what kind of interpretations? Why not the other 4 kinds of interpretation? (Reading: Challenge of Discipleship, 121-189, as above).
ASSIGNMENT: Ethical Contextual Bible Interpretation Report on the above topic. Due before class by e-mail (graded)
Group # 2: Report: What is the ethical teaching of Matthew 5:17-48, and 7:12 regarding the ethical issue divorce for Christian believers and in which concrete settings? On the basis of what kind of interpretations? Why not the other 4 kinds of interpretation? (Reading: Challenge of Discipleship, 121-189, as above).ASSIGNMENT: Ethical Contextual Bible Interpretation Report on the above topic. Due before class by e-mail (graded)
5:10--5:30 Reports of the groups: Roundtables # 2 and # 3. Conceiving of different legitimate teachings about "loving your enemies/not resisting evil" and about "divorce"; "treating the text as subject" rather than as object .
M-Sept 27 Ethics in Honor and Shame societies.
****** DUE By Monday Sept 27 at *** 10 am*** : Preliminary Choice of Your Paper Topic: CHOOSING AN ETHICAL ISSUE FOR YOUR FINAL PAPER. See APPENDIX # 1
3:10-3:40 Lecture: Ethics in Honor and Shame societies. An antiquated perspective (where autonomy of individuals is secondary)? Or a much needed perspective? An ideological/relational perspective? Or a heteronomous perspective?READINGS: Countryman, Dirt, Greed, and Sex: Sexual Ethics in the NT, pp. 11-143
"Honor and Shame" and "Cultural studies" in Cambridge Dictionary of Christianity
Recommended: The Responsible Self: An Essay in Christian Moral Philosophy. By H. Richard Niebuhr
3:40-4:00 Book review of The Responsible Self: An Essay in Christian Moral Philosophy. By H. Richard Niebuhr A brief oral report with a two-page handout: How is Niebuhr's conception of ethics in term of "the responsible self" culturally conditioned as much as a a honor and shame conception of ethics?
4:10--5:00 Roundtable DiscussionGroup # 1: Report: What is ethical purity according to Mark 7:1-30? (Note:1-30. The entire passage) What are comparable ethical issues found in present-day situations? What is the ethical teaching of this text for Christian believers today in a specific context? (Reading: Dirt, Greed, and Sex, especially 83-87, as above).
ASSIGNMENT: Ethical Contextual Bible Interpretation Report on the above topic. (not graded)
Group # 2: Report: What is ethical purity according to Paul in Galatians ch. 1 and 2? (Note: The entire passage) What are comparable ethical issues found in present-day situations? What is the ethical teaching of this text for Christian believers today in a specific context? (Reading: Dirt, Greed, and Sex, especially 98-104, in pp. 97-123, as above).ASSIGNMENT: Ethical Contextual Bible Interpretation Report on the above topic. (notgraded)
5:10--5:30 Reports of the groups: Roundtables # 2 and # 3. Conceiving of different legitimate, plausible, and valid teachings in terms of "purity" and of "honor and shame" for Christian believers in present-day situations.
M-Oct 4 Ethics in Property-Centered Societies.
**** Due Oct. 4 hard copy in class (3-5 double-spaced pages) and by e-mail. YOUR PAPER PROPOSAL. (APPENDIX # 3)
3:10-3:40 Lecture: Ethics in Property-centered societies. Women and children as property in the Ancient Mediterranean World and Family and sexual property in the Gospels and Paul and sexual property. An ideological/relational perspective? Or a heteronomous perspective?READINGS: Countryman, Dirt, Greed, and Sex: Sexual Ethics in the NT, pp. 147-234.
Articles on "Economy" and "Property" in Cambridge Dictionary of Christianity
Recommended: Liberation Ethics. Sources, Models, and Norms By Thomas L. Schubeck ?
3:40-4:00 Book review of Liberation Ethics. Sources, Models, and Norms By Thomas L. Schubeck. A brief oral report with a two-page handout: What is the role of "social analysis" in Schubeck's conception of liberation ethics? To which extent it challenges a property-centered view of ethics? What is the importance of the proper use of power in ethics? How is the liberationist view of ethics challenging the Deontological, Consequentialist, Perfectionist Apprenticeship; Perfectionist Vision views of ethics?
4:10--5:00 Roundtable DiscussionGroup # 1: Report: What is the teaching about family and sexual property according to Matthew 5:27-32, 19:1-12 read in terms of Mathew's teaching about family. What are comparable ethical issues found in present-day situations? What is the ethical teaching of this text for Christian believers today in a specific context? (Reading: Dirt, Greed, and Sex, especially 169-179, as above).
ASSIGNMENT: Ethical Contextual Bible Interpretation Report on the above topic. (not graded)
Group # 2: Report: What is the teaching about family and sexual property according to Paul in 1 Corinthians ch. 5 to ch. 7? (Note: The entire passage) What are comparable ethical issues found in present-day situations? What is the ethical teaching of this text for Christian believers today in a specific context? (Reading: Dirt, Greed, and Sex, especially 196-220, as above).ASSIGNMENT: Ethical Contextual Bible Interpretation Report on the above topic. (notgraded)
5:10--5:30 Reports of the groups: Roundtables # 2 and # 3. Conceiving of different legitimate, plausible, and valid teachings in terms of "property" for Christian believers in present-day situations.
M-Oct 11 The Difference that Interpretive Choices Make
The Morality of Moral Interpretations of Biblical Texts
3:10-3:40 Lecture: Kingdom Ethics
READING: Blount, Then the Whisper Put on Flesh: New Testament Ethics in an African American Context by Brian K. Blount pp. 45-92
Recommended; Welch A Feminist Ethic of Risk
3:40-4:00 Book review of Welch A Feminist Ethic of Risk. A brief oral report with a two-page handout. Why the deontological, consequentialist and perfectionist view of ethic focused on developing a "moral agent" is problematic? Welch's view of ethics as contrasted with Blount's view of "Kingdom Ethics"
4:10--5:30 Roundtable Discussion TOPICS OF PAPERS; CHOSEN BY STUDENTS With Formal RespondentsREADINGS: Biblical text and Pregeant, Knowing Truth Doing Good Engaging New Testament Ethics, TBA (according to the students' topic)
including relevant articles in Cambridge Dictionary of Christianity
M-Oct 18 The Difference that Interpretive Choices Make
The Morality of Moral Interpretations of Biblical Texts
3:10-3:40 Lecture: Ethics of Active Resistance to Evil and the "Cultural Production of Evil".
READING: Blount, Then the Whisper Put on Flesh: New Testament Ethics in an African American Context by Brian K. Blount pp. 93-118 and 158-184
Recommended; Womanist Ethics and the Cultural Production of Evil. By Emilie M. Townes
3:40-4:00 Book review of Womanist Ethics and the Cultural Production of Evil. By Emilie M. Townes. A brief oral report with a two-page handout. Why the critical assessment of culture is essential in ethics? How to do it? Townes's view of ethics as contrasted with Blount's view.
4:10--5:30 Roundtable TOPICS OF PAPERS; CHOSEN BY STUDENTS With Formal Respondents
READINGS: Biblical text and Pregeant, Knowing Truth Doing Good Engaging New Testament Ethics, TBA (according to the students' topic) and relevant articles in Cambridge Dictionary of Christianity
M-Oct 25 The Difference that Interpretive Choices Make
The Morality of Moral Interpretations of Biblical Texts
3:10-3:40 Lecture: Enabling Liberating Ethics
READING: Blount, Then the Whisper Put on Flesh: New Testament Ethics in an African American Context by Brian K. Blount pp. 119-157.
Recommended: Ethics and Infinity, By Emmanuel Levinas
3:40-4:00 Book review of Ethics and Infinity, By Emmanuel Levinas . A brief oral report with a two-page handout. What is the place of "heteronomy" and religious experience (encountering the Other) the essential basis of ethics? How does this compare with an Anabaptist messianic ethic?
4:10--5:30 Roundtable TOPICS OF PAPERS; CHOSEN BY STUDENTS With Formal Respondents
READINGS: Biblical text and Pregeant, Knowing Truth Doing Good Engaging New Testament Ethics, TBA (according to the students' topic) and relevant articles in Cambridge Dictionary of Christianity
(M- Nov 1 - no class)
M-Nov 8
The Difference that Interpretive Choices Make
The Morality of Moral Interpretations of Biblical Texts
3:10-3:40 Lecture: "Messianic ethic"
READING: The Politics of Jesus by John Howard Yoder pp. 1--111
3:45--5:30 Roundtable TOPICS OF PAPERS; CHOSEN BY STUDENTS With Formal Respondents
READINGS: Biblical text and Pregeant, Knowing Truth Doing Good Engaging New Testament Ethics, TBA (according to the students' topic) and relevant articles in Cambridge Dictionary of Christianity
M-Nov 15 The Difference that Interpretive Choices Make
The Morality of Moral Interpretations of Biblical Texts
3:10-3:40 Lecture: The Authority of the State and the Way of the Lamb
READING: The Politics of Jesus by John Howard Yoder pp. 112-247
3:45--5:30 Roundtable TOPICS OF PAPERS; CHOSEN BY STUDENTS With Formal Respondents
READINGS: Biblical text and Pregeant, Knowing Truth Doing Good Engaging New Testament Ethics, TBA (according to the students' topic) and relevant articles in Cambridge Dictionary of Christianity
M-Nov 29, Dec 6 Roundtable # 1, 2, and 3 TOPICS OF PAPERS; CHOSEN BY STUDENTS With Formal Respondents
READINGS: Biblical text and Pregeant, Knowing Truth Doing Good Engaging New Testament Ethics, TBA (according to the students' topic)including relevant articles in Cambridge Dictionary of Christianity