Overview
A systematic examination of the meaning of morality and the foundations of ethics in Scripture; an analysis of Christian conceptions of morality from various perspectives; an examination and analysis of particular ethical issues surrounding Christian involvement in and responses to war and violence.
In this paper, attention is given to the way violence is understood within the Biblical narrative and broader Christian history. The paper explores the ethical traditions of 'just war' and non-violence/pacifism and focuses on how theological responses to the issue of violence are outworked in practices of martyrdom, holy war and non-cooperative resistance.
About this paper
| Paper title | Christianity, War and Violence |
|---|---|
| Subject | Christian Thought and History |
| EFTS | 0.15 |
| Points | 18 points |
| Teaching period | 1st Non standard period (10 November 2025 - 13 December 2025) (Distance learning) |
| Domestic Tuition Fees ( NZD ) | $1,040.70 |
| International Tuition Fees | Tuition Fees for international students are elsewhere on this website. |
- Prerequisite
- 36 100-level points
- Restriction
- CHTH 331, CHTX 231, CHTX 331
- Schedule C
- Arts and Music, Theology
- Eligibility
- Any student can study Theology, whether they are of the Christian faith, another faith or of no religious faith at all. Theology is an examination of the scriptures, history, content and relevance of the Christian faith, but it presupposes or requires no Christian commitment from students. All it requires is an inquiring mind and an interest in those skills that can be gained through the study of any subject in the Humanities.
- Contact
Dr Andrew Shepherd - andrew.shepherd@otago.ac.nz
- More information link
View more information on the Theology Programme’s website
- Teaching staff
Lecturer: Dr Andrew Shepherd
- Paper Structure
The paper is comprised of three modules:
- Texts: Humanity, Violence, and the Bible
- Tradition: Christian Pacifism, Just War, Holy War, Liberation, Martyrdom
- Today: Total War & Technological Violence, Christian Protest & Peace-making, Laws & Limits
- Teaching Arrangements
Distance with in-person assessment components.
10 x 3-hour classes (2 classes per week during 5-week PXSS)
- Textbooks
All readings are available on Blackboard.
- Graduate Attributes Emphasised
- Global perspective, Scholarship, Communication, Critical thinking, Ethics.
View more information about Otago's graduate attributes. - Learning Outcomes
Students who successfully complete the paper should be able to:
- Demonstrate an understanding of the distinctive features of a Christian approach to ethics.
- Describe the different approaches within the Christian tradition to the ethical issue of war and violence.
- Discuss the strengths and weaknesses of Christian ethical approaches as it pertains to the contemporary challenges of war and violence.
- Demonstrate analytical and interpretative by engagement with scholarly texts.
- Assessment details
- Online/Class Discussions (20%)
- Essay (30%)
- Final Exam (50%)