Student Resources

Learning Objectives

Chapter 1

1. Recall the meaning of ethics, Christian ethics, and morals.
2. Compare teleological and deontological approaches to ethics.
3. Analyze the assumptions that impact Christian ethics.
4. Understand why knowledge can be more important to ethicists than behavior.

Chapter 2

1. Compare the beliefs of Christians, Jews, and Muslims.
2. Define objectivism, humanism and behaviorism
3. Understand the meaning of “the moral life” in various faith traditions.
4. Consider whether varying philosophies can lead to the same conclusions.

Chapter 3

1. Understand the spectrum of ideas that make up Christian ethics.
2. Identify the major alternative thinkers and their arguments.
3. Explain the meaning and historical impact of liberation theology.
4. Recall the importance of personal decision making in Christian ethics.

Chapter 4

1. Identify sources of Christian moral authority.
2. Understand different ways of interpreting the authority presented in the Bible.
3. Analyze the role of the church in community and individual religious life.
4. Recall the importance of personal conscience in Christian ethics.

Chapter 5

1. Understand the basis of Hebrew morality.
2. Compare Hebrew and Christian moral teachings.
3. Recall the significance of Paul to Christian ethics.
4. Analyze Jesus’s ethical teachings.

Chapter 6

1. Identify the main theological premises for Christianity.
2. Analyze the meaning and importance of faith.
3. Understand the significance of worship and its link to morality.
4. Evaluate the forms and meanings of love.

Chapter 7

1. Recall how sexual expression and morality has changed in modern times.
2. Understand the Christian perspective on sex.
3. Explain how marriage is perceived in Christianity.
4. Evaluate whether Christianity is inclusive and affirming to homosexuals.

Chapter 8

1. Understand the role of biomedicine in reproduction.
2. Explain the emergence of cloning as a new technology.
3. Analyze the moral questions that advancements in reproductive technology create.
4. Evaluate how society can care for the dying in keeping with Christian morality. 

Chapter 9

1. Recall the difference between stereotypes, prejudice, and discrimination.
2. Explain the historical events in the last century that significantly impacted minority groups.
3. Evaluate how the Bible deals with minorities generally and race specifically.
4. Understand the power of social change.

Chapter 10

1. Analyze the contemporary outlook on women’s roles.
2. Identify the roles and importance of women in scripture.
3. Explain the viewpoints of various forms of feminism.
4. Understand the impact of the feminist movement.

Chapter 11

1. Explain the meaning of democracy for Christians.
2. Understand the importance of justice to democracy.
3. Recall the scriptural teachings about government.
4. Analyze how Christians can contribute to and help improve the state.

Chapter 12

1. Understand the basis of the American justice system.
2. Recall the reasons why we punish people who commit crimes.
3. Evaluate the rights of the victims of crime.
4. Describe the ethical quandary presented by capital punishment.

Chapter 13

1. Explain the historical instances in which Christianity has engaged in war.
2. Understand how the Christian perspective on warfare changed in modern times.
3. Analyze how the development of nuclear and chemical weapons has changed the ethical questions presented by war.
4. Recall the meaning of preemptive warfare in modern times.

Chapter 14

1. Define capitalism and explain how it operates.
2. Understand the broad social issues of our time that relate to economic conditions.
3. Evaluate the significance of what we do for work to the larger Christian ethical perspective.
4. Recall Jesus’s perspective on economics and ethics.

Chapter 15

1. Evaluate the problem of balancing a growing population with limited resources.
2. Identify the factors that are involved in the ecological crisis.
3. Analyze why and how we can treat animals ethically.
4. Understand the perspectives of the main Christian ethicists who have addressed the ecological problem.