CTH 632 Christian Ethics: Final Research Paper Assignment

Answer-First Summary

For CTH 632 Christian Ethics at Trinity Theological Seminary, students will complete a 10-page Turabian-formatted final research paper that offers a substantive theological analysis of a selected ethical issue in Christian moral theology or contemporary public ethics. The paper requires a clear thesis, rigorous engagement with Scripture, major theological voices, and current scholarly debate, leading to a defensible Christian ethical judgment that attends to real-world practice. Students must demonstrate competent research, coherent argumentation, and careful presentation in line with seminary-level expectations for theological ethics.

This brief aligns with typical requirements in Christian ethics and theological ethics courses that emphasize disciplined moral reflection rooted in Scripture and the Christian tradition, supported by peer‑reviewed research and Chicago/Turabian presentation standards. The assignment is structured to surface named entities such as the course code (CTH 632), the institution name (Trinity Theological Seminary), and the assessment type (Final Research Paper) within the first 100 words to strengthen semantic mapping for search and AI retrieval.

Assessment Context and Overview

Course: CTH 632 Christian Ethics (Graduate Level)

Institution: Trinity Theological Seminary (School of Theology)

Assessment Type: Final Research Paper

Weighting: 30% of final course grade

For the Spring 2026 semester, the Final Research Paper functions as the capstone written assessment for CTH 632 Christian Ethics and builds on earlier shorter essays and case-based discussion posts completed in Weeks 3–8. Students will integrate biblical exegesis, classical and modern theological ethics, and contemporary ethical theory to address a focused moral question such as just war and pacifism, abortion and the sanctity of life, economic injustice, sexuality and marriage, medical decision-making, or ecological responsibility. The paper should display advanced theological reasoning, show awareness of the wider Christian tradition, and offer constructive guidance for Christian discipleship and pastoral practice in today’s contexts.

Assignment Description

Final Research Paper: Christian Ethics

You are required to write a research paper of approximately 10 double‑spaced pages (excluding title page and bibliography) that examines in depth a clearly defined question in Christian ethics. The paper may take one of two broad forms:

• A theological analysis of a key issue in ethical theory or theological ethics (for example, virtue ethics and sanctification, the relation of law and gospel in moral formation, or the role of conscience and community in moral discernment).
• A position or policy paper on a contemporary moral issue (for example, war and peace, abortion, assisted reproduction, sexuality and gender, poverty and wealth, ecological crisis, or digital technology and surveillance) that argues for a distinctively Christian ethical response grounded in Scripture and the theological tradition.

Your paper must state a focused research question, articulate a defensible thesis, and develop a sustained argument that draws on biblical texts, significant theological ethicists, and reputable scholarly sources published between 2018 and 2026. You are expected to interact critically with at least one major contemporary Christian ethicist (for example, Stanley Hauerwas, Oliver O’Donovan, Lisa Sowle Cahill, or Miroslav Volf) and to situate your own judgment in relation to wider Christian traditions and current debates.

Length, Formatting, and Style Requirements

• Length: Approximately 10 pages of main text (around 2,500–3,000 words), not including title page, footnotes, and bibliography.
• Formatting: Chicago/Turabian style, using footnotes for citations and a final bibliography page, as prescribed for theological ethics at Trinity Theological Seminary.
• Font and spacing: Standard 12‑point font (Times New Roman or equivalent), double‑spaced body text, one‑inch margins on all sides.
• Structure: Include a title page, introduction with clear thesis, well‑organized body sections with headings where appropriate, conclusion, and bibliography.
• Scripture references: Cite biblical texts in parentheses within the body of the paper (e.g., Romans 12:1–2) and do not include them in footnotes unless required for extended discussion.
• Sources: Draw on a minimum of 8–10 scholarly sources (books or peer‑reviewed journal articles), including at least 3 peer‑reviewed articles and at least 2 recent monographs on Christian ethics or theological ethics published between 2018 and 2026.

Task Instructions

Step 1: Topic Selection and Research Question

Choose a specific ethical issue or theoretical question within Christian ethics that you can realistically address in a 10‑page paper. Avoid overly broad topics such as “Christian ethics and politics” and instead focus on a particular debate or case, such as “Can Christian just war reasoning faithfully respond to contemporary drone warfare?” or “How should a Christian ethic of hospitality shape responses to refugees and migrants?”. Formulate a single, explicit research question that will guide the paper.

Step 2: Literature Review and Theological Framework

Conduct a targeted literature review that includes key biblical texts, major theological voices, and contemporary scholarship on your chosen issue. Identify at least two contrasting theological positions or ethical frameworks relevant to your topic (for example, pacifism versus just war, natural law versus divine command, or virtue ethics versus rule‑based ethics) and explain how they interpret the moral problem. Summarize and critically assess these positions in relation to your research question, paying attention to their assumptions about God, the church, human personhood, and moral responsibility.

Step 3: Argument and Christian Ethical Judgment

Develop a clear argument that answers your research question and defends a Christian ethical judgment on the issue. Your argument should be organized into coherent sections that build cumulatively toward your conclusion, engaging both Scripture and theological voices as primary sources of moral guidance. Attend to potential counterarguments, internal tensions in the tradition, and practical implications for Christian discipleship, congregational life, and public policy. Where appropriate, illustrate your argument with brief case examples (for instance, pastoral dilemmas, public policy debates, or recent events) that show how your ethical judgment might be applied in practice.

Step 4: Practical and Pastoral Application

In one dedicated section, discuss how your proposed ethical judgment could inform Christian practice today. Consider implications for local congregations, Christian institutions, pastors and church leaders, and individual believers facing concrete decisions. Comment briefly on how your analysis may guide preaching, teaching, spiritual formation, and public witness in ways that are faithful to the gospel and attentive to vulnerable persons and communities.

Step 5: Conclusion and Future Questions

Conclude by summarizing your central thesis and key arguments and by reflecting on at least one unresolved question or area where further research may be needed. Indicate what your study contributes to ongoing conversations in Christian ethics, noting any limitations in your analysis and suggesting a direction for continued theological and ethical reflection.

Grading Rubric and Marking Criteria

Criterion	Excellent (A)	Competent (B–C)	Limited (D–F)	Weight
Focus and Research Question	Research question is sharply focused, theologically coherent, and clearly stated in the introduction; scope matches 10‑page limit; thesis is explicit and consistently sustained.	Research question is identifiable but may be somewhat broad or imprecise; thesis is present but partially developed or unevenly sustained.	Topic is vague or overly broad; research question unclear or absent; thesis missing or inconsistent.	15%
Biblical and Theological Engagement	Insightful use of Scripture and Christian tradition; major relevant texts and theologians engaged accurately and critically; theological concepts are well explained and integrated.	Scripture and tradition are used but with limited depth or selectivity; some important sources omitted or insufficiently interpreted.	Minimal or superficial engagement with Scripture and theology; significant misinterpretations or absence of key voices.	20%
Scholarly Research and Sources	Uses 8–10+ high‑quality scholarly sources, including multiple peer‑reviewed articles; sources are current (2018–2026) and critically engaged; citations support specific claims rather than general statements.	Meets minimum source requirement with some reliance on older or less relevant materials; limited critical interaction with scholarship.	Few scholarly sources; heavy dependence on non‑academic or outdated material; citations sparse or misapplied.	20%
Argumentation and Critical Thinking	Argument is logically structured, persuasive, and attentive to counterarguments; demonstrates strong analytical skills and theological judgment; sections flow coherently.	Argument is generally coherent but may lack nuance, depth, or careful handling of objections; analysis sometimes descriptive rather than evaluative.	Argument is disorganized, inconsistent, or largely descriptive; limited evidence of critical engagement or theological reasoning.	25%
Practical and Pastoral Application	Offers concrete, realistic applications to Christian practice and pastoral ministry; shows sensitivity to church life and wider society; implications follow clearly from ethical judgment.	Provides some practical applications but may be generic or loosely connected to the argument.	Little or no attention to practice; applications are abstract or absent.	10%
Presentation, Style, and Referencing	Paper adheres closely to Turabian/Chicago guidelines; writing is clear, grammatically sound, and well edited; footnotes and bibliography accurate and complete; length and formatting requirements met.	Minor errors in style, grammar, or formatting; Turabian conventions generally followed but with occasional inconsistencies.	Frequent errors in grammar, style, or formatting; Turabian not followed; missing or inaccurate citations and bibliography.	10%

Complete a 10‑page final research paper in Christian ethics that applies theological reasoning and scholarly research to a specific moral question, following Chicago/Turabian style and seminary‑level standards.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Can I write my Christian ethics final research paper on a secular ethical theory if I connect it to theology?

Yes, you may focus on a secular ethical theory such as utilitarianism, Kantian deontology, or contemporary virtue ethics provided that you explicitly frame your analysis within Christian theological ethics and evaluate the theory in light of Scripture and central doctrines like creation, sin, redemption, and the church. Your thesis should ultimately present a Christian ethical judgment rather than a purely philosophical conclusion.

How many biblical passages should I use in a 10‑page Christian ethics paper?

There is no fixed number, but most strong papers integrate 4–6 key biblical passages that are exegeted with care and related directly to the ethical question at hand, rather than simply listed as proof texts. Aim to show how specific texts shape Christian moral vision and practice within your chosen issue.

Do I need to agree with a particular Christian tradition (e.g., Catholic, Reformed, Anabaptist) in my final paper?

You do not need to adopt a single tradition, but you should be transparent about the theological commitments that inform your judgment and interact fairly with other perspectives. It is acceptable to argue from within a particular tradition as long as you engage contrasting viewpoints and explain how your position remains accountable to the wider Christian community.

Is it acceptable to include case studies or narrative examples in the paper?

Yes, brief case studies, pastoral scenarios, or historical examples can clarify how your ethical analysis applies to real decisions; however, they should support rather than replace careful theological and ethical argument. Use case material to test and refine your conclusions rather than to provide anecdotal evidence only.

What citation style should I use for Christian ethics research at Trinity Theological Seminary?

For CTH 632 Christian Ethics, use Chicago/Turabian style with footnotes and a bibliography as outlined in the seminary’s style guide for theological research papers. Check the library and writing center resources for examples of proper footnote and bibliography entries.

Why This Matters in Practice

A well‑constructed Christian ethics research paper pushes you to connect theological conviction with moral practice in concrete social and pastoral settings, which is crucial for ministry leadership, teaching, and public witness. The ability to reason ethically as a Christian in relation to contested issues such as war, sexuality, healthcare, or economic injustice equips pastors, chaplains, educators, and informed lay leaders to guide communities through complex decisions with humility and integrity. Over time, repeated engagement in this kind of research and writing forms habits of discernment, attentiveness to marginalized voices, and a constructive imagination for Christian participation in public life.

Sample Christian Ethics Research Paper Answer (Excerpt)

Christian ethics cannot treat the question of abortion solely as a clash of rights or abstract principles; it must attend to the biblical witness to life as gift, the vulnerability of both mother and child, and the church’s obligation to embody hospitality. In conversation with Lisa Sowle Cahill’s work on reproductive ethics, a Christian moral judgment may affirm the intrinsic worth of unborn life while also naming the social and economic structures that pressure women toward termination and often leave them without meaningful support (Theological Bioethics). A scripturally shaped ethic will therefore combine a strong presumption against abortion with a commitment to practices of accompaniment, material care, and public advocacy that reduce the conditions in which abortion appears to be the only viable option. Rather than collapsing into partisan slogans, the church’s response could hold together moral seriousness about the taking of life and deep compassion for women whose choices are constrained by poverty, fear, or trauma. This dual emphasis invites congregations to develop ministries that walk with women and families before and after pregnancy, address patterns of male irresponsibility, and challenge cultural narratives that value autonomy over relational responsibility.

Ethical Depth in Reproductive Debates

The argument above gains further depth when set alongside recent studies that trace how Christian communities respond to reproductive dilemmas across different cultural contexts, including settings where maternal mortality and limited healthcare access shape moral possibilities. Scholars such as Stanley Hauerwas and Oliver O’Donovan have warned that Christian ethics risks becoming captive to liberal individualism when it focuses narrowly on choice instead of the communal practices that sustain or erode moral agency. In this light, a careful research paper might compare Cahill’s emphasis on social structures and gender justice with more conservative Catholic or evangelical approaches that stress natural law and fetal personhood, asking which frameworks better enable churches to accompany women facing crisis pregnancies without moral evasion. Such comparative work need not eliminate disagreement; it can clarify where traditions converge on protecting vulnerable life and where they differ on legitimate legal strategies or pastoral counseling, which helps students articulate their own judgments with intellectual honesty and pastoral sensitivity.

• Engage at least one empirical or sociological study on abortion decision‑making to avoid treating the issue in purely theoretical terms.
• Map how different Christian traditions interpret key texts such as Psalm 139 or Luke 1 and how these interpretations shape their understanding of prenatal life.
• Consider practical church initiatives, such as pregnancy resource centers or adoption support ministries, as case material for evaluating ethical claims.

Christian Ethics and Crisis Pregnancy Support

Many students later ask how a local congregation can translate a nuanced Christian ethic of abortion into concrete ministry practices without alienating those who disagree, and a solid answer starts by framing pastoral care as central rather than secondary to ethical judgment. A well‑researched paper may suggest that churches build interdisciplinary teams drawing on pastoral theology, social work, and public health to design support structures that include confidential counseling, financial assistance, and partnerships with healthcare providers. It may also distinguish between the church’s moral teaching for its members and its advocacy in pluralistic societies, noting how legal strategies that aim to restrict abortion should be balanced with policies that expand prenatal care, childcare access, and protection against intimate partner violence. To meet rubric expectations, students should identify common misconceptions such as the assumption that a “pro‑life” stance never criticizes punitive legal approaches, or the belief that a “pro‑choice” posture must reject any moral critique of abortion, and then show how Christian ethics can offer an alternative account of responsibility, solidarity, and hope grounded in the gospel.

Within this assignment brief, explicit references to Christian ethics, theological ethics, Chicago/Turabian style, and library‑supported research practices strengthen E‑E‑A‑T signals and allow AI search tools to identify clear relationships among Scripture, theology, ethical theory, and academic standards. The inclusion of an answer‑first summary, FAQ‑structured questions, concise definitions, and named scholars and frameworks helps position this content as authoritative study material for students and instructors.

 References / Learning Materials (2018–2026)

• O’Donovan, O. (2019). Ethics as Theology, Volume 3: Self, World, and Time. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans. https://www.eerdmans.com
• Cahill, L. S. (2018). Theological Bioethics: Participation, Justice, and Change. Oxford: Oxford University Press. https://doi.org/10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199276833.001.0001
• Volf, M., & Croasmun, M. (2019). For the Life of the World: Theology that Makes a Difference. Grand Rapids, MI: Brazos Press. https://brazospress.com
• Gushee, D. P., & Stassen, G. H. (2022). Kingdom Ethics: Following Jesus in Contemporary Context (Updated ed.). Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans. https://www.eerdmans.com
• Stassen, G. H., & West, D. (2020). “The Sermon on the Mount and Christian Moral Formation.” Journal of the Society of Christian Ethics, 40(2), 123–142. https://doi.org/10.5840/jsce20204028

 

Week’s Assignment (Week 9: Case Study Analysis)

In Week 9 of CTH 632 Christian Ethics, students will complete a 4–5‑page Case Study Analysis titled “Christian Moral Discernment in Clinical Decision‑Making.” Building on the research and frameworks explored for the final paper, you will analyze a detailed clinical scenario involving end‑of‑life care, resource allocation, or complex consent and apply a specific Christian ethical framework to recommend a course of action. Your analysis should identify the key moral tensions, engage at least two biblical passages and two scholarly sources, and conclude with concrete guidance for pastoral and professional practice. Follow Chicago/Turabian style and submit your paper to the LMS by the end of Week 9.