Most sources from Christian Evangelical sources (Christian Ethics) balanced with secular ethics aimed for a Christian audience. I will provide my own cover page.
Assignment: Write 3000-4000-word paper guided by Grudem’s approach to Christian ethics. Choose one of the topics listed in Grudem Chapters 9 to 42. Describe why that issue is important to contemporary Christianity. Present the arguments for and against that topic using various ethical approaches. Example: How would ethical relativism and Biblical ethics approach a specific topic? Compare and contrast as applicable. Utilize Biblical references, theological references, philosophical models, and historic references to substantiate your “Christan ethics” arguments. Be sure to cite major ethicists for the opposing ethics argument. If possible, describe how an oppositional argument could be made using specific scriptural/theological references. The instructor will provide a rubric for the paper to help guide you. This paper must be submitted no later than 11:59 PM Saturday.
For general guidance, a full page of text is usually 250 words. This is a 12-16-page paper (New Times Roman 12-point text). 1 page is typically 1.5 paragraphs. No paragraph should be 1 page in length (250 words). A paragraph for this type of paper should be 5 to 8 sentences (depending on the length of the sentence). No more than 2 quotes of 15 words or less on any page. More than 2 quotes on a page or more than 15 words in a quote receive an automatic 5-point reduction on the paper. A plagiarism checker will be used. Plagiarism is an automatic failure.
The following is the rubric/guideline for the paper. Paragraph counts are suggestions, you may need more than what is suggested in some areas. The format (outline) should be followed.
Section – Suggested # of Paragraphs (Point Value for the section)
Introduction – 2-3 Paragraphs (10)
Elements:
- Describe which Grudem chapter will form the basis for the paper.
- Explain why you chose this topic. (Personal)
- Explain why this topic is important to contemporary Christianity. (Global)
Statement of the problem – 1-2 Paragraphs (10)
Elements:
- Clearly state the problem in a contemporary context.
A Christian approach to resolving the problem – 4-6 Paragraphs (20)
Elements:
- Biblical references (Scriptures).
- Theological references (Church laws, codes of ethics, church doctrine, famous Christian authors).
- Philosophical models (think forms of absolutism).
- Historic references (how church bodies have responded to this issue).
Secular Ethics approach to resolving the problem – 4-6 Paragraphs (20)
Elements:
- Application of a specific ethical theory to the problem.
- Ethical theory references: may include professional codes of ethics, works of major ethicists.
- Historic references.
Compare and contrast the two approaches – 4-6 Paragraphs (20)
Elements:
- Do the two approaches have any commonalities?
- What are the differences of the two approaches?
- Do the two approaches achieve a satisfactory outcome for the person facing the problem?
- If not, why is one outcome acceptable and the other is not?
- If they do, which outcome is morally preferable?
- Base the evaluation on your own personal Scriptural and Theological understanding.
Summary – 1-2 Paragraphs (10)
Elements:
- Tell the reader what you just told them in 100 words or less.
- Convince the reader why it is important to integrate the Christian faith and understanding when addressing contemporary ethical issues instead of a purely theoretical approach (philosophy of ethics) to resolve ethical problems.
Thesis statement: what you’re going to prove/argue for.
Organizing Principle: how you’re going to get about it.