How do Christians think and act faithfully in a complex and often ambiguous world? What models from Scripture and Church history might help us to live “lives worthy of the Gospel” in the 21st century? This eloquent, challenging and inspiring six-week introduction to Christian ethics avoids pat answers and simplistic lists of do’s and don’t’s . The course includes weekly video lectures by Dr. Sondra Wheeler, professor of Christian ethics at Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, D.C. Dr. Wheeler focuses on the formation of Christian character, citing helpful examples both from Scripture and from Church history. She concludes with a test case: the issue of money and consumption. What would Paul, Augustine, Luther and Wesley say to modern Christians about their use of resources?
Lessons Include:
1. Introduction: A Christian Way of Living?
Four Models for Christian Ethics:
2. Scripture: The Story that Forms Us
3. Augustine: Ordering Our Loves
4. Luther: The Spirit of Christian Life
5. Wesley: Transforming Grace
6. Conclusion: Learning from Our Traditions — A Test Case
1.5 CEUs are available.
Quick Info:
Number of weeks: 6
Price: $100
CEUs: 1.5
Required books: No
Blackboard: Yes
Zoom: No
Certification or Series: Yes (Wesley Academy for Advanced Christian Studies)
Read course description for details.
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Price: $100
Past Students Said…
“I deeply respect Darla for her attentiveness to each of us. Per her usual practice, she took time to carefully read our posts and respond with insight, sensitivity and compassion. She’s a class act.”
“One thing I found valuable was the instructor’s participation in the course. By that I mean she posted her reflections to her own questions. Of all the classes I have taken, I have never seen an instructor do that. Her insights, reflections and examples were interesting and enlightening. Her responses to me would usually encourage, to me, a short discussion. I like the way Darla always referred to Scripture.”
“The facilitator was an active participant in the class. This was a HUGE improvement over the last class I took. Darla not only provided excellent feedback for our posts, but she also posted detailed responses to the questions. This was a good class!”
“Darla is a wonderful instructor who deeply cares for each of her students and makes that clear from the get-go. She answers each of the questions herself, which is the mark of an invested teacher who is not afraid of revealing parts of herself. She also invites us to email her any time, even after the course ends, with any questions, concerns or ideas we have. Clearly, she is a woman of deep faith and determination to live the life Jesus points out to us.”
“Darla provided lots of insight, relevant examples, meaningful prayers, knowledgeable replies, connection with scripture. She is very gifted in leading these courses.”
“Darla is an amazing instructor. Her knowledge of and love for Scripture is second to none. She helped us all to apply Scripture more completely to each of our responses. She’s thoughtful and caring and respectful – she’s really wonderful.”
“Weekly and midweek communications from Darla were useful in motivating us. Darla posting her answer as a student added a lot of value. It felt like she provided the key. Her comment on student posts were insightful. I love having Darla as a facilitator.”
“The video lectures were great. The material was thought-provoking and helped me see the topic in a new light.”
“This is one of the best Wesley Academy’s offerings. Part of this is due to the instructor, part to the curriculum, and part to the quality of the class members.”
“I enjoyed Dr. Wheeler’s video presentations. I found them very informative and insightful and I told her presentation style was very engaging. Dr. Wheeler obviously has a passion for the subject matter.”
“I thought the Case Studies, though optional, provided a great opportunity for us to apply what we were learning.”
“I thoroughly enjoyed Dr. Perry as a facilitator and look forward to taking future courses from her. I appreciated Dr. Perry taking the time to share insights and observations on each participants posts. I found her comments to be very valuable.”
About the Instructor
Mrs. Darla M. Thieler is the founder of Remnant Ministries, a multi-faceted outreach ministry founded in 1982. A Local Evangelist and Certified Lay Speaker with the Western Pennsylvania Conference of the United Methodist Church, she serves as a Bible teacher, conference leader, inspirational speaker, praise & worship leader, composer, theater arts performer/director, and much more. She began teaching with BeADisciple in 2017 where she has received certifications in instruction and evangelism, and she has online teaching experience with her local community college. Darla also serves as Director of Music for Calvin United Presbyterian Church (PCUSA).
The heart of Remnant Ministries began with the ministry at the juvenile detention centers. Raised in the United Methodist tradition, Darla’s life changed forever when she attended a Christian concert at a district event at 13. Believing that every person is precious to God, Darla and her husband, George, continue sharing this same message of hope at every opportunity. Darla’s heartfelt desire is to bring glory and honor to God. Her prayer is that through the Living Word of God, others will come to a saving knowledge of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and all God’s children will be encouraged to make a deeper commitment to grow in their relationship with Him.
About the Program Director
Michael Beardslee began working for the Institute for Discipleship and BeADisciple in early 2016, developing and facilitating courses for the new Wesley Lay Academy. This was a natural transition for him: He had been the Institute for Discipleship’s Visiting Scholar Southwestern College, then continued the work he began with BeADisciple.
Michael is currently a Ph.D. candidate at Fuller Theological Seminary (intercultural studies), working under Pentecostal theologian Amos Yong. His doctoral research concerns the way Christians from different cultural locations relate to one another in a globalized Christianity. His writing was featured most recently in “Breaking the Marriage Idol: Reconstructing Our Cultural and Spiritual Norms” (IVP, 2018), and in the Religion and Theology Journal (Brill, 2017).
In additional to his doctoral studies Michael holds a bachelor’s degree in religion and philosophy from Friends University, an M.A. from Pittsburgh Theological Seminary, and a Th.M. in systematic theology from Trinity International University.
