Ethics II – ST3423: The Doctrine of Vocation Marc Kolden Spring 2008 Instructor
Course Description:
A study of Christian understandings of vocation, esp. in the theology of the Protestant reformers and in the twentieth century. The relations of vocation to the distinctions between God’s creative and redemptive work, law and gospel, justification and sanctification, and the two kingdoms concept are considered in working out the implications of vocation for Christian ethics. Half-course.
This course meets on
Mondays from 2:10 – 5:00 p.m. in BH 116.
Objectives:
· To understand the idea of vocation as the Christian’s divine calling in the world as this was articulated by the sixteenth-century reformers, esp. Luther and Calvin.
· To understand the ethics of vocation that developed from the above.
· To learn about some of the history of the idea of Christian vocation and its ethical implications both prior to and especially since the 16th century reformation.
· To become familiar with some of the 20th century thinking on this topic.
· To achieve an informed critical perspective in thinking about vocation.
· To construct a theological an ethical position on Christian vocation and vocational ethics in response to the above.
·
To think
about one’s own calling(s)
from God for service in the world.
·
To
relate one’s prayer life to one’s
calling(s).
Means of addressing
the objectives:
· Class presentations and discussions (attendance at all sessions is expected)
· Writing assignments/exams
Required
Gustaf Wingren, Luther on Vocation
Douglas Schuurman, Vocation
Marc Kolden, The Christian’s Calling in the Word
Recommended:
Marc Kolden, pamphlets/papers/articles on vocation (handouts & reserve)
See his homepage: www.luthersem.edu/mkolden/
J. O. Nelson, ed., Work and Vocation; chapter by Calhoun
on “Work and Vocation in Christian History” (on desk reserve)
Lee Hardy, The Fabric of This World, chapters 2-3 (on desk reserve)
Paul Ramsey, Basic Christian Ethics, chapter 5 (on e-reserve)
George Forell, Faith Active in Love, chapters V-VI (in library stacks)
Jean Larson Hurd, A Spirituality of Vocation (M.Th. thesis) (on desk reserve)
AND
Martin Luther, selected writings (see “Additional Bibliography” on p. 4, below)
Exams and Written Assignments:
Mid-course short-answer
exam in class on April
28, at 4:10 p.m., on your understanding of Gustaf Wingren, Luther on Vocation.
Final paper of 8-10 pages (longer for post-M.A./M.Div. students) based on some aspect of the idea of vocation as it relates to ethics. This should involve use of the course readings on vocation as well as other knowledge you have of theological ethics. This is not intended to be primarily a research paper but rather an informed discussion of your approach to and understanding of the topic(s) in question. This paper is due on Tuesday, May 13, at 10:00 a.m. This date is the morning following the last day of class on Monday, May 12. Receiving your paper earlier would be helpful, especially if you are a graduating senior.
April 7 Introduction to the course and the topic. Read in preparation for class: The Christian’s Calling in the World, by Marc Kolden
April 14 Read ahead of time Gustaf Wingren, Luther on Vocation, pp. 1-77. Be prepared to discuss it by bringing written comments, questions, and criticisms. This is slow reading, so give yourself time. Try to figure out the meanings of key terms and concepts, and try to see how the whole chapter is organized. Be sure to notice that the title of this section, “Earth and Heaven,” is not spatial but eschatological.
April 21 Read Wingren, Luther on Vocation, pp. 78-161. Note how Wingren (Luther) thinks about God ruling in the present age, in which God struggles with sin, death, and the devil over persons and offices. Notice what he says about prayer and about humans as God’s co-workers. Be alert to how the distinctions from the previous chapter continue to function in this one.
Also, by this time you should have chosen a paper topic; this should be reported to the instructor in written form during class.
April 28 Read Wingren, Luther on Vocation, pp. 162-251. This final chapter looks at the individual Christian person in light of the first two chapters—as righteous and sinful simultaneously and as involving the death of the sinful self precisely in one’s callings.
At
4:10, Exam on Wingren, Luther on Vocation
May 5 Read
NOTE: Since this is a six-week course it is very important that you begin work immediately and not fall behind. There is reading assigned for most class periods, including the first one! The reading should be done prior to class so that discussion will be based on knowing the reading and will be able to involve all persons present. It is important that the course assignments be completed on schedule. No Incompletes will be allowed except in those cases where the instructor asks that some work be re-done or in cases where a student has a major emergency.