ethics workshop christianity

ETHICS WORKSHOPChristianity

STUDIES OF RELIGION 2010 Artworks by Dominic Ferrante

Workshop Outline

• How do we define Christian ethics?

• Where does ethics ‘fit’ into the HSC course?

• Some worthwhile study activities

• Developing an ethics response

• Examination tipsChristian Ethics HSC Focus Day 2010

What defines Christian ethics?Ethics are a demonstration of a person’s beliefs in action. Christian ethical teachings are founded on an understanding of who the human person is and the belief that every person is capable of discovering and embracing goodness and truth. Christian ethical actions are focused on maintaining

right relationship with God, one’s

neighbour and oneself.

How do Christians

determine what is right action?Christian Ethics HSC Focus Day 2010

Christian ethicsChristian ethical teachings are founded on FAITH and REASON, PHILOSOPHY and NATURAL LAWProtestant Churches would emphasise the authority of the Bible. Anglican, Orthodox and Catholic ethical authority is also found through the Church leadership-the Pope, Archbishops, Bishops or Patriarchs .

What is the balance of these sources of teaching for adherents of Christianity?

Christian Ethics HSC Focus Day 2010

Christian ethics

Traditional Christian ethical teaching based on natural law or bible-based result in moral absolutes. Situation ethics considers the context more closely. The model of Christ as giving his life in service is a key guide to action.

Which approaches are relevant to your response?


Scriptural sourcesAll Christians would hold that teachings found in the Bible are the key sources for determining ethical behaviour. This is the revealed law. Exodus 20: 2-17 The Ten Commandments Matthew 5:3-10 The BeatitudesLuke 10:25-27 Jesus Commandment of Love

What other Biblical sources are

relevant to your ethical area?


Christian ethics-sourcesEnvironmental Ethics

Bioethics Sexual Ethics


Christian ethics- sourcesEnvironmental EthicsSTEWARDSHIP

BioethicsSTEM CELL RESEARCH

Sexual Ethics - HOMOSEXUALITY

Creation Stories Genesis 1-2

Genesis 1 and 3Job 31:15Psalms 139:13-16

Genesis 1:26-27. Genesis 18-19

Leviticus 22, 25 Isaiah 49:1Jeremiah 1:5

Leviticus 18:22 Leviticus 20:13

Job 39-41 Romans 1: 26-271 Corinthians 6:9-102 Peter 2:9-10


Where does ethics fit in the SOR course?

SOR Outcomes: A student• explains aspects of religion and belief

systems• describes and analyses the influence of

religion and belief systems on individuals and society

• describes and analyses how aspects of religious traditions are expressed by their adherents

• evaluates the influence of religious traditions on the life of adherents (p10)Christian Ethics HSC Focus Day 2010


Preliminary (learn to)• explain why Jesus is the model for

Christian life• outline the principal ethical teachings

in the the Ten Commandments • the Beatitudes and• Jesus’ commandment of love• describe the importance of ethical

teaching in the life of adherents (p21)


Where does ethics fit in the SOR course?HSC Religious Tradition Depth Study Overview

The purpose of this section is to develop a comprehensive view of religious traditions as living religious systems that link directly with the life of adherents…. In a Religious Tradition Depth Study, the particular focus is on the ways in which a religious tradition, as an integrated belief system provides a distinctive answer to the enduring questions of human existence. The study of a particular religious tradition enables students to demonstrate an appreciation of the diversity of expression within, and the underlying unity of, the whole religious tradition. (p 37)



HSC (learn to)• Describe and explain Christian

ethical teachings on bioethics OR environmental ethics OR sexual ethics


Planning your study of Christian ethics

• Definitions• Matrix• Practice questions• Research beyond your

textbook


Definitions – Visual Aid

Definition of ethics

Definition of ethical area

Key sources of teaching

Approach of different variants

to the issue

Significance of ethical issue to the adherents


Matrix/ Essay outline


ETHICAL TEACHING ON BIOETHICS/ENVIRONMENTAL ETHICS/SEXUAL ETHICS

Ethical issue for Christians

Key Biblical Sources

Examples of the bioethical issue and response of Christians in those examples

Differences demonstrated by variants- use additional sources

Relevance to the tradition and core beliefs

Matrices- Ethical authority


CHRISTIAN VARIANT SOURCE OF ETHICAL AUTHORITY

ANGLICAN

CATHOLIC

ORTHODOX

PENTECOSTAL

PROTESTANT

Matrices- Ethical authority


CHRISTIAN VARIANT SOURCE OF ETHICAL AUTHORITY

ANGLICAN The Bible, Episcopal authority, prayer and conscience

CATHOLIC The Bible, the Magisterium – including the Pope and Bishops, informed conscience*

ORTHODOX The Bible, Divine Tradition, church authority- Patriarchs

PENTECOSTAL The Bible, guidance of the Holy Spirit, authority of the pastor

PROTESTANT The Bible and prayer, theological writings

Matrices- Sources of authority


CHRISTIAN VARIANT

DOCUMENTS PARTICULAR TO VARIANT

ANGLICAN

CATHOLIC

ORTHODOX

PENTECOSTAL

PROTESTANT

Matrices- Sources of authority


CHRISTIAN VARIANT

DOCUMENTS PARTICULAR TO VARIANT

ANGLICAN Lambeth Conference (every 10 years) to debate issues of doctrine

CATHOLIC Writings of the Early Church Fathers, Encyclicals, Vatican Council Decrees

ORTHODOX Canon law, documents from the Patriarchs

PENTECOSTAL Congregational documents

PROTESTANT Synod, Council and Conventions

Sample questions


HSC 2009 Studies of ReligionSection II (b) Explain how Christian ethical teachings, in ONE of the following areas, reflect Christian beliefs.bioethics environmental ethics sexual ethics

Section IIIQuestion 2 — Christianity (20 marks)With reference to Luke’s post-resurrection account in the quotation (Luke 24: 30-32) assess Christianity as a living religious tradition in the life of its adherents.

Sample questions


HSC 2008 Studies of Religion Section II (c) Explain the reasons for Christianity’s ethical teachings on ONE of the following areas:bioethics environmental ethics sexual ethics.

Section IIINA

Sample questions


HSC 2007 Studies of Religion Section II (c) Explain how Christian ethical teachings influence the lives of adherents. Choose an aspect from ONE of the following areas:bioethics environmental ethics sexual ethics.

Section IIINA

Sample questions


Studies of Religion Heinemann

Outline the ethical teachings of Christianity on ONE of the followingbioethics environmental ethics sexual ethics.

Demonstrate how the teachings of Christianity are applied to ONE area of ethics chosen frombioethics environmental ethics sexual ethics.

Sample questions


Studies of Religion Excel

Analyse ONE ethical teaching of Christianity

Assess the significance in the lives of Christian believers of ONE of the following ethical issues:bioethics environmental ethics sexual ethics.

Sample questions


Studies of Religion Oxford

Explain how Christian ethical teaching influences the lives of adherents. Choose an aspect from one of the following areas: bioethics environmental ethics sexual ethics

Describe Christian ethical teachings on bioethics, environmental ethics or sexual ethics.

Sample questions


• Describe or outline Christian ethical teachings on the issue

• Explain the relevance of Christian beliefs to the ethical issue

• Analyse the impact of the Christian approach to ethics on the lives of adherents

• Demonstrate how Christian teachings on the ethical issue reflects Christianity as a living tradition with a diversity of expression

• How does the Christian approach to ethics demonstrate a distinctive response to the enduring questions of life

• Respond to a scripture quote

Sample questions- consider this


LINK TO LIVES OF ADHERENTS

REFLECTS CHRISTIANITY AS A LIVING TRADITION

Sample questions


LINK TO LIVES OF ADHERENTS

REFLECTS CHRISTIANITY AS A LIVING TRADITION

Provides a practical link between an adherent’s beliefs and their actions

For some adherents it provides certainty in a morally neutral world

Relates to important life events such as birth and death

Sources of authority in scripture guide the adherent’s actions

Christ’s life provides the model for living as a Christian in a changing world

Ethical response may change as the variant reconsiders its place in the world

Each variant provides support to the adherent to respond to ethical issues

Research tips to improve your response


• Use internet research from authorised sites

• Resources from the library

• Ask your teacher for additional sources

• Look at other textbooks

• Study guides for additional information and skills- don’t overload on the content

Developing your ethics response


• Describe and explain the sources of Christian ethical teaching

• GOOGLE this

Examination tips

• Plan your response before beginning (even short answer)

• Keep aware of the glossary term- use synonyms

• Tailor your response to the question- use the wording of the question

• Use the matrices, tables and practice essays to prepare


Examination tips

• Topic sentences are very important to guide the marker

• Using scripture to support your argument

• Using variants where relevant and specific documents/events

• Highlight if you have time


Examination questionsSection II: Religious Tradition Depth Study 15 marks each • Each question is worth 15 marks.• Each question will be in three short answer parts• Students will complete TWO questions (SOR II) and ONE

question (SOR I) in this section.• Removed the no part worth more than 6 marks and non

dependent parts

Section III: Religious Tradition Depth Study 20 marks• Each question is worth 20 marks.• Students will complete ONE question from

Section III with expected length 800 words.


Feedback from BOS• Lindsay Swan aware of the concerns raised regarding

the 2009 exam. • Look at the exam report and examples of high quality

scripts on BOS site• SOR Answer booklet modified to provide more flexibility • Move away from the syllabus words and be confident to

look at the bigger picture. In your answer you will be assessed on how well you: demonstrate knowledge and understanding relevant to the question incorporate significant aspects of religion to illustrate your answer communicate using language and terminology appropriate to the study of religion present ideas clearly in a cohesive response.


Board of Studies webpage


Quick Quiz on the syllabus

1. What were the two changes to Section II?2. What was the extra information about

Section III word length?3. What was the additional information

about the kinds of questions asked?4. What is the website for BOS?5. What additional information is there for

HSC 2010?


Quick Quiz on the syllabus

1. Removed the no part worth more than 6 marks and non dependent parts

2. 800 words3. In your answer you will be assessed on how well

you: demonstrate knowledge and understanding relevant to the question incorporate significant aspects of religion to illustrate your answer communicate using language and terminology appropriate to the study of religion present ideas clearly in a cohesive response

4. http://www.boardofstudies.nsw.edu.au/5. Sample responses, assessment information, more

detail on rubrics. Christian Ethics HSC Focus Day 2010

http://www.boardofstudies.nsw.edu.au/

Glossary TermsANALYSIS AND CRITICAL THINKING

Analyse, distinguish, examine, explain, extract, Investigate

APPLICATION AND PERFORMANCEDemonstrate, discuss, apply, construct

KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDINGDefine, describe, account for, outline, recall, recount

EVALUATIONAppreciate, assess, evaluate, justify, account for


SourcesArtwork with permission by Dominic Ferrante

Studies of Religion Syllabus (2005)

BOS website: http://www.boardofstudies.nsw.edu.au/

Oxford Studies of Religion (2009)

Heinemann HSC SOR Study Guide (2007)


http://www.boardofstudies.nsw.edu.au/

ethics workshop christianity

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