The students are given a general introduction to Lutheran vocation ethics, law and gospel and the doctrine of the two kingdoms. Relevant Bible texts are studied. On this background students are given knowledge of issues related to church, family, work, society and are challenged to reflect on how to live out one’s different vocations. By reading different source texts, the abilities to read and reflect critically on the use of source texts are also developed.
Teaching amounts to 30 hours of classroom instruction and is mainly given through lectures and/or seminars. The classroom experience aims to stimulate the students to independent reflection.
Knowledge
The students have:
- knowledge about the Lutheran understanding of vocation ethics, law and gospel, the two kingdoms.
- knowledge about the Christian life in relation to family, work, and state/social life.
- knowledge about the biblical foundation for ethical issues related to family, work and state/social life.
Skills
The students can:
- use knowledge to discuss/reflect on ethical issues related to family, work and state/social life.
- use the knowledge to teach and give advice about these issues in a relevant way.
- Read and critically use source texts in their theological work and reflection.
To be eligible for final assessment you must:
- Attend a minimum of 70 % of the lectures (cf. chap. 5.5)
Students who don’t complete the attendance requirement, must retake the course the next time it is offered.
See the document “Attendance Regulations for Fjellhaug International University College” for more details.
All course requirements and exams are individual.
Course Requirements:
To receive final assessment, you must:
- Submit two papers, 1500 words each with a discussion of a given case.
Final Assessment:
| Form of assessment | Duration | Grading scale | Comment |
| Portfolio Assessment – Two papers, each with a discussion of a given case. | 1 semester | A-F | Each paper must be passed. Final grade is based on both papers assessed together. |
Final assessment is based on the two submitted papers in the portfolio. They will be assessed together but both must be passed to receive the final grade. The course and the two papers will be graded A-E for pass and F for fail.
In case of “fail”, the students are allowed to revise and resubmit their essay in the period for new/postponed exams.
Some readings are available digitally on the school’s learning management system (LMS) and are marked with *.
Keller, Timothy (2014): Every Good Endeavor: Connecting Your Work to God’s Work. New York: Penguin Books, pp. 73-150. (87 pages)
Lohse, Bernhard (2001): Martin Luther’s Theology. Fortress Press, pp. 267-276 (Law and Gospel); 314-324 (The Doctrine of the Two Kingdoms). (20 pages)
Veith, Gene (2002): God at Work. Wheaton, IL: Crossway. (165 pages)
Veith, Gene and Mary J. Moerbe (2012): Family Vocation: God's Calling in Marriage, Parenting, and Childhood. Wheaton, IL: Crossway. (235 pages)
Veith, Gene (2016): Working for Our Neighbor: A Lutheran Primer on Vocation, Economics, and Ordinary Life. Wheaton, IL: Crossway. (100 pages)
Primary Source Texts:
Bible: Rom 13; Acts 4:13-20; 1 Cor 7, Eph 5:21-6:9; Col 3:18-4:1; 1 Pet 3:1-7 (10 pages)
Martin Luther: “The Ten Commandments”. Luther’s Larger Catechism (50 pages). Available at http://bookofconcord.org/lc-3-...
Martin Luther: “Trade and Usury” (45 pages). Available at http://www.lutherdansk.dk/Mart...
