This course introduces Christian dogmatics and ethics, exploring key theological themes and their biblical foundations. Dogmatic topics are presented individually, with an emphasis on their scriptural basis and interconnectedness. Core themes include the doctrine of revelation, the nature of God, the fall and salvation, the church, and the means of grace. Students will also examine various interpretations and denominational perspectives on select doctrinal issues.
In the study of Christian ethics, students will explore the biblical foundations of moral teaching, with a focus on human dignity, family, and societal responsibilities. The course also examines the relationship between Christian ethics and general ethical principles, providing a broader framework for ethical reasoning.
The teaching is session-based and amounts to 30 hours of instruction divided between two gatherings, one on campus and one digital.
Knowledge
The students have:
- knowledge of the core tenets of the Christian faith, with a focus on the Evangelical Lutheran tradition.
- knowledge of the connections between key aspects of Christian doctrine.
- knowledge of the main principles of Christian ethics and evaluate their relationship to general ethical theories.
- knowledge of main topics in Christian ethics, their biblical foundations and how they relate to contemporary ethical reasoning.
Skills
The students can:
- present some of the most significant interpretations of the central aspects of the Christian faith as expressed in confessions other than the Lutheran tradition.
- argue for their views on dogmatic and ethical issues and justify them.
- critically reflect on their understanding of the Christian faith and ethics.
- plan and carry out teaching sessions about the Christian faith and ethics in various settings.
- develop ethical arguments in response to complex issues and case studies.
General Competence
The students can:
- communicate knowledge about Christian beliefs and ethics in various settings, both orally and in writing.
All course requirements and exams are individual and are submitted digitally.
Course Requirements:
To receive final assessment, you must:
- Attend the two gatherings and a minimum of 70 % of the lectures (cf. chap. 5.4) *
- Pass a digital quiz.
- Participate in a group discussion on an ethical case and write a report (500 words).
- Submit a reflection paper discussing the relevance of dogmatics or ethics in a chosen ministry task (750 words).
Deadline for submission is given at the start of the semester but notice that the requirements must be completed not later than two weeks before the exam date.
* See the document “Absence and Attendance at Fjellhaug International University College” for more details.
Final Assessment:
| Form of assessment | Duration | Grading scale | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oral Exam | 20 minutes | A-F | Online |
Final assessment is based on the oral exam. The course and written exam will be graded A-E for pass and F for fail.
Some readings are available digitally on the school’s learning management system (LMS) and are marked with *.
Dogmatics:
Hegstad, H. (2018). God, the World, and Hope. Wipf & Stock Publishers. (300 pp.)
Selected readings from the Lutheran Confessions (The Three Universal Creeds, The Augsburg Confession, Small Catechism). https://thebookofconcord.org/ (50 pp.)
Ethics:
Rae, S. (2009): Moral Choices: An Introduction to Ethics (3rd Edition). Zondervan Publishing House. (350 pp.)
Stott, J. (2006): Issues Facing Christianity Today. (4th Edition). Zondervan Publishing House, pp. 23-70, 442-499. (100 pp.)
