ST 231 Course at a Glance (2025)

Christian Ethics

Lectures By: Drs. Rob Edwards & Mark Garcia

2 Credits

Course Description

This course focuses on the biblical-theological and confessional contours of Christian ethics together with issues of application in the face of both chronic and contemporary challenges in the context of ministry. Special attention will be given to the role of law in Scripture and particularly the content and application of the Decalogue. We will explore casuistic reasoning in Scripture, as well as in the Reformed confessional tradition, as an approach to proper application of Scripture to current ethical questions.

Books to Purchase

The books listed below are required readings which students should acquire by the start of the term. Additional required readings will be listed in the course syllabus and available electronically in Canvas.

The Ten Commandments: Manual for the Christian Life
by J. Douma
P&R, 1996
ISBN: 9780875522371
Principles of Conduct: Aspects of Biblical Ethics
by John Murray
Eerdmans, 1957
ISBN: 9780802811448
Resurrection and Moral Order: An Outline for Evangelical Ethics, 2nd ed.
by Oliver O’Donovan
Eerdmans, 1994
ISBN: 9780802806925

Estimated Workload

The estimated workload is still being calculated for this course. This will be made available shortly.

Lectures Readings Assignments
0.9 40-60 2.1
Hours Per Week Pages Per Week Hours Per Week

Course Assignments

The assignments listed below are provided for general guidance for students to reference as they plan and register. Please reach out to support@wts.edu if you have any questions.

  • Foundations Checkpoint [1 hr exam]
  • Final Paper [~12-15 pgs]
  • Ethical Dialogs [2 - 30-60 min. dialog exercises]
  • Final Exam [1 hr exam]
  • Retrieval Questions [5 - 15 min. written exercises]

Synchronous Meeting Times

This course offers optional synchronous class meeting(s) through Zoom which will be scheduled during the term based on everyone's availability (a poll will be taken by the instructor for these meetings and they will be recorded for students who are unable to attend live). These meetings will be helpful for the formation your understanding of apologetics as well as provide an opportunity to practice the method live with your instructor.

The meeting times are for the Fall 2025 term:

  • Week 1: Friday, 9/5, 9-10:30am ET
  • Week 3: Monday, 9/15, 9-10:30am ET
  • Week 6: Monday, 10/6, 9-10:30am ET
  • Week 9: Monday, 10/27, 9-10:30am ET
  • Week 11: Monday, 11/10, 9-10:30am ET