Christian Ethics
August - November 2026
PE001-512, PE001-812 and CCE
A Biblical framework for complex ethical issues
As Christians, we are constantly faced with complex decisions. And it's not just the big ethical questions of life we're dealing with. How do we apply a Christian ethic to everyday questions such as what job to take, what kind of school to pick for our kids or how to care for ageing parents?
This subject will give you the opportunity to engage with Scripture on a range of issues, equipping you to develop a solid framework for making ethical decisions in an ever-changing world.
How this unit can help your ministry
Gain a coherent Biblical framework that can be applied to any complex ethical issue such as gender or sexuality
Through expert lectures, Q & A and small group discussion find answers to scenarios you've faced in your own life and ministry
Grow in personal faith as you mine the depths of Jesus' call to love God and neighbour.
What makes Mary Andrews College different?
We're the only theological college in Australia focused on equipping women.
We specialise in pastoral care and mental health.
Our units are geared to practical theology and ministry that is just as useful for volunteers as those in vocational ministry.
Our students consistently tell us we're a lovely community to be part of.
Our lecturers are world-class, with a wealth of pastoral and teaching experience.
And, you can be confident that everything we offer is firmly grounded in God's word.
In this unit we'll be learning about...
01
Introduction | Ethical Theories | Obligation | Deontology
What are ethics?
Why do we need an ethics?
What are the different types of ethics?
02
Teleology | Consequentialism | Virtue
Understanding key ethical concepts: Consequentialism, Teology, Virtue ethics and Situation ethics.
03
The Bible and Ethics
Appreciate a range of Christian approaches to using the Bible in ehtics
The framework of creation, sin, covenant, prophecy and wisdom in the Old Testament
04
Jesus’ ethics
How does the life and teaching of Jesus cause us to consider how we view ethics
05
Paul’s ethics
How does the life and teaching of Paul cause us to consider how we view ethics
06
Five poles approach to ethics
Developing a cohesive ethical framework
The relationship between Christian ethics and secular culture
Three models for consideration
07 - 12
Applied Ethics
In weeks 7 to 12 we will consider ethics as they apply to various contemporary issues such as
Singleness, sex and marriage
Beginning of life - ART and abortion
Sexuality, gender and transgender
Euthenasia
The environment
* These are a sample of the ethical issues we might cover, we may not consider all of these issues.
The above is indicative: lecture content may vary year to year
What to expect in class
We're a friendly bunch: students have mixed ministry and life experiences
This unit will be delivered as a 3 day intensive with 7 hours of lectures per day plus an additional 15 hours of online learning across the semester. Each lecture day runs from 9am to 5pm and is divided into 7 x 50 minute lectures with a 10 minute break between each session plus a lunch break.
You can attend in person at ADM offices at Town Hall, Sydney or on Zoom
Classes are a mixture of upfront teaching, Q & A and small group work
Meet your lecturer
Naomi Escott
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What our students say…
“Suffering the loss of someone I loved... was a catalyst for me to grow deeper in my understanding of the Bible and our great God. I wanted to understand more deeply the wonderful God who had remained faithful to me in the hardest periods in my life and I wanted to understand more about what the Bible says about suffering.”
“I loved studying so much so I’m doing a Diploma of Ministry ... to further deepen my knowledge of pastoral care and ministry to the aged.”
Fees
As part of our wider ACT courses
With FEE-HELP* $0
Diploma Level $2940
Graduate Level $3288
*FEE-HELP available for eligible students enrolled in a whole Diploma or Graduate course
36 class hours - 12 weekly classes - 12 credit points - online only
Currently this unit is not offered at the MAC Certificate level
March - June 2026
Audited
$750
36 class hours - 12 weekly classes
No assignments
March - June 2025
How does this unit fit with our course offerings?
This course can be studied at 2 levels:
Diploma and Advanced Diploma level. For those without an undergraduate degree wanting a course with a large breadth of units. These are courses of the Australian University of Theology: 0.5-1 yr full time, max 8 yrs part-time, 36 class hours per unit, 11-16 units per course.
Graduate Certificate and Graduate Diploma level. Higher level assignments than diploma level. Requires a previous bachelors degree. These are courses of the Australian University of Theology: 0.5-1 yr full time, max 2-4 yrs part-time, 36 class hours per unit, 4-8 unit per course.
