Theological Ethics Seminar 1 - RETA5011

• Title: TEP-Theological Ethics Seminar 1
• Guaranteed by: Katedra církevních dějin a systematické teologie (27-CT)
• Faculty: Protestant Theological Faculty
• Actual: from 2024
• Semester: winter
• Points: 6
• E-Credits: 6
• Examination process: winter s.:
• Hours per week, examination: winter s.:0/2, C [HT]
• Capacity: unknown / unknown (unknown)
• Min. number of students: unlimited
• 4EU+: no
• Virtual mobility / capacity: no
• State of the course: taught
• Language: English
• Teaching methods: full-time
• Note: course can be enrolled in outside the study plan; enabled for web enrollment
• Guarantor: doc. Jindřich Halama, Dr.
• Is pre-requisite for: RETA5100

Annotation

The course will present some of the most influential perspectives of Christian moral thinking throughout the history
medieval (Augustine, Aquinas, Luther) and modern (Bonhoeffer, Fletcher)
and analyse some basic moral categories and attitudes in Christian moral thought,
their historical development and their present relevance.

Last update: Halama Jindřich, doc., Dr. (06.09.2025)

Aim of the course

By the end of this course, students will be able to:

(1)   approach primary and secondary literature in a critical manner and consider particular texts in a broader ethical context;

(2)   comprehend the nature of the moral questions dealt with in the course, analyze its general structure, logical coherence, and historical significance in the context of other related issues and thinkers;

(3)   articulate their comprehension and analysis in oral communication;

(4)   express acquired knowledge in writing that is materially adequate, logically coherent, and clearly communicated.

Last update: Halama Jindřich, doc., Dr. (06.09.2025)

Course completion requirements

Students are required to:

(1) read the assignment for each class and actively participate in the discussion;

(2) attend classes regularly - they should not be absent more than three times (in the case of more than three absences, the student will be required to prepare an additional paper on a selected topic in order to successfully complete the seminar);

(3) prepare at least once a short oral presentation for the class (approximately 10 - 15 minutes).

(4) write a research seminar paper of some 7 to 10 pages (2500 to 3500 words) on a topic related to the readings and issues of the course. The topic must be consulted with the instructor of the course in advance. The paper must be clearly and logically structured and include a treatment of selected secondary literature; deadline for submission is January-February 2026.

Last update: Halama Jindřich, doc., Dr. (06.09.2025)

Literature

Basic literature:

Gill, Robin. A Textbook of Christian Ethics. T&T Clark, Edinburgh 1995.

Gill, Robin (ed.). The Cambridge Companion to Christian Ethics. Cambridge University Press 2001.

Lovin, Robin W. Christian Ethics. An Essential Guide. Nashville: Abingdon Press 2000

Meilaender, Gilbert; Werpehowski, William (eds.). The Oxford Handbook of Theological Ethics. Oxford University Press 2005.

 

 

 

 

 

Last update: Halama Jindřich, doc., Dr. (06.09.2025)

Syllabus

Introduction – sharing experience with ethical themes and courses, introducing basic literature used in the course, distributing assignments and presentations.

Introduction to Augustine, Aquinas and Luther

Augustine - City of God

Aquinas - Theological summa

Luther - On Christian freedom

Bohnhoeffer - Ethics

Fletcher - Situation Ethics

Ethical categories: Moral Decisions; The Authority of the Scripture; Divine Commands; Natural Law Teaching; Virtue Ethics.

Last update: Halama Jindřich, doc., Dr. (06.09.2025)