Dr. Fletcher: Additional Publications

Contributions to Reference Works

“Communism,” in Campbell Campbell-Jack, Gavin McGrath, and C. Stephen Evans, eds., New Dictionary of Christian Apologetics (Intervarsity Press UK and US), release 3/06)

“Professional Ethics,” “Population Policy,” “Dehumanization,” Professional Ethics," "Karl Marx," "Alienation," "Reproductive Technology," "Sterilization," "Birth Control," "Medical Malpractice," "Martin Luther King, Jr.," and "Surrogate Mothers." in David J. Atkinson, David F. Field, Arthur Holmes, and Oliver O'Donovan, eds; New Dictionary of Christian Ethics and Pastoral Theology (Intervarsity Press, 1995).

“Abortion and American Christianity” and “Protestant Personal Ethics” in Daniel Reid, Robert D. Linder, Bruce L. Shelley, and Harry S. Stout, eds., Dictionary of Christianity in America, (Intervarsity Press, 1990)

“Utilitarianism,” “Polytheism,” “Philosophy of Religion,” “Unbelief,” “Metaphysics,” “Monism,” “Understanding,” and “Voluntarism,” in Walter Elwell, ed., Evangelical Dictionary of Theology, (Grand Rapids, Baker, 1984, revised 1997)


Refereed Journal Articles

“The Future of Biotechnology,” Christian Living Quarterly Vol 2, No.2 (May 2004), 21-27 (English), 44-48 (Chinese).

“Holy Living, Assisted Dying: an Anglican Perspective on Assisted Suicide,” Ethics and Medicine vol. 20, No. 1 (Spring 2004)3:5-42

“Gambling and Character,” International Journal of Applied Philosophy, Vol 17, No 1 (Spring 2003):1-15. (Published Fall 2003)

“Autonomy and Polygamy,” Ethics and Medicine, vol. 17, No. 2 (Fall 2001).

"Response to Nigel de S. Cameron's Bioethics and the Challenge of a Post-Consensus Society," Ethics and Medicine, Spring 1995 (11:1).

"The Difference that Family Makes," (On the Bioethics Front), Second Opinion April, 1993

“Christian Social Justice and Rawls’ Liberalism,” Christian Scholar’s Review 19:3 (March 1990): 231-242

“Must Wolterstorff Sell His House?” Faith and Philosophy 4(2) (April, 1987): 187-197

“Is There a Right to Health Care?” Christian Scholar’s Review 16(3) (March, 1987): 283-299.

“Oral Language and the Language Arts Teacher.” ERIC/RCS Report, Language Arts 58 (2) February 1981) : 219-224.

“Interdisciplinary Perspectives in Teaching High School English.” ERIC/RCS Report: English Journal v69 n2 p81-84 Feb 1980.


Other Scholarly Articles

“The Ethics of Bioethics,” Dignity, Summer, 2001.

“Assisted Suicide and the Supreme Court,” Ethical Spotlight, Center for Applied Christian Ethics Website, January 18, 2005, http://www.wheaton.edu/CACE/ resources/spotlight.htm

“The Teri Schiavo Case,” Ethical Spotlight, Center for Applied Christian Ethics Website, December, 2003 http://www.wheaton.edu/CACE/resources/spotlight.htm

“The Stem Cell Controversy,” Ethical Spotlight, Center for Applied Christian Ethics Website, August, 2001, http://www.wheaton.edu/cace/

“The Dutch Legalization of Euthanasia, ” Ethical Spotlight, Center for Applied Christian Ethics Website, June, 2001, http://www.wheaton.edu/CACE/ resources/spotlight.htm

Contributing author, “The Covenental Nature of Health Care: Is There a Right to Health Care with Personal Responsibility?” Resolutions and Supporting Paper, National Association of Evangelicals, 2001.

“A Call to Courage,” Wheaton Magazine, Spring, 1999.

"More Reading on Euthanasia," Discernment 1:3 (Fall 1992): 6-7.

Book Reviews

Erik J. Wielenberg, Value and Virtue in a Godless Universe, Faith and Philosophy, forthcoming.

Jodi Picoult, My Sister’s Keeper: A Novel, , Ethics and Medicine, vol 20, No 1. (Spring 2005).

Seeking Understanding: The Stob Lectures 1986-1998, Calvin College
and Seminary, Faith and Philosophy, vol 21, No. 2 (July 2005)

Gordon Preece, ed., Rethinking Peter Singer: A Christian Critique, Ethics and Medicine, vol 19, No. 3. (Summer 2003).

J. B. Schneewind, The Invention of Autonomy, Ethics and Medicine.,vol. 17, No. 2 (Fall 2001).

Denis R. Janz, World Christianity and Marxism, Christian Scholar’s Review, vol. 30, No. 2 (Winter 2000): 244-246.

Robert Audi, Nicholas Wolterstorff, Religion in the Public Square : The Place of Religious Convictions in Political Debate (Point/Counterpoint), Ethics and Medicine, vol 16, No. 2: 64

H. Tristram Engelhardt, Jr. The Foundations of Bioethics, second edition, Ethics and Medicine, vol 17, No. 1 (Spring 2001): 62-63.

John Hare, The Moral Gap, Christian Scholar’s Review, 28 (3) (Spring 1999) :489-491.

Hilde Lindemann Nelson and James Lindemann Nelson, The Patient in the Family: An Ethics of Medicine and Families, Ethics and Medicine 15(1) (1999) 28-29.

George B. Connell and C. Stephen Evans, eds., Foundations of Kierkegaard's Vision of Community, International Kierkegaard Commentary, No. 29, April 1994.

Lewis Smedes, Choices, Eternity Magazine, November, 1987

William Hasker, Metaphysics: Constructing a World View, Journal of the American Scientific Affiliation, June, 1986

Thomas Shannon, What Are They Saying About Genetic Engineering? Christianity Today, February, 1986

Martin E. Marty, Health and Medicine in the Lutheran Tradition, Christian Scholar’s Review 15(3): 296-8

Kenneth Vaux, Health and Medicine in the Reformed Tradition, Christian Scholar’s Review 15(3): 296-8

Philip E. Hughes, Faith and Works, Christian Scholar’s Review 14(2): 183-5, 1985.

Mary Drahos, To Touch the Hem of His Garment. Christian Scholar's Review, 14(4) 1985, pp. 381.

Guy Stroh, American Ethical Thought, Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society, September, 1981

Alasdair MacIntyre, After Virtue, Eternity, August/September, 1983



Papers Presented

“Neurological Enhancement and Social Bonds,” Neuroethics: The New Frontier, Center for Bioethics and Human Dignity, July 15, 2006

“Biomedical Ethics and the Physician Assistant,”,Midwestern University, Downers Grove, IL, March 20, 27, 2006.

“Ethical Issues in Senior Care,” Fairview Ministries, April 18, 2006.

“Stem Cell Research within Moral Limits: Line Drawing in a Pluralistic Society,” Stem Cell Research Seminar Series, Wheaton College Science Symposium 2006, February 8, 2006.

“Unsociable Cyborgs,” 50th Anniversary Wheaton College Philosophy Conference: Bioethics and Christian Philosophy, October 30-November 1, 2003.

“Is ‘Futility’ Futile?” 11th Annual Bioethics Summer Conference: Conflict and Conscience in Healthcare, July 15-17, 2004, Deerfield, Illinois

“Why Embryonic Stem Cell Use and Fetal Research are Unethical,” April 3, 2003, Trinity Law School, Santa Ana, California.

“Public Reasons and Christian Moral Argument,” Society of Christian Philosophers Conference, September 29, 2000, Boulder, Colorado.

"Ethics and the Culture of Violence and Death," Wheaton College Faith and Learning Seminar, March 3, 1999-2003 (Presented component of required curriculum for new Wheaton College faculty).

"The Right to Health Care and Personal Responsibility," Social Action Commission, National Association of Evangelicals, Orlando, Florida, March 1, 1999.

“Health Care Today: A Different (Postmodern) World, “The Changing Face of Health Care, Center for Bioethics and Human Dignity, Bannockburn, IL, July 14, 1997.

"Ethical Issues at the End of Life," ACCA Fall Seminar Series in Bioethics, Dominican University, October 6, 1998.

"The Responsibility to Promote Multicultural Flourishing," Being Responsible in an Irresponsible Age, Center for Applied Christian Ethics Program, November 12, 1998, Wheaton College.

“Ethical Principles,” The Changing Face of Health Care, Center for Bioethics and Human Dignity, Bannockburn, IL, July 14, 1997.

“Rawlsian Justice and Economic Efficiency,” Illinois Economic Association, Chicago, Illinois, October 6, 1995.

“How are we to Think about Bioethics?” Fourth Chicago Conference on Ethics in Healthcare Institutions, August, 1995.

"The Future of Bioethical Method," 1995 Intermountain Regional Conference, Society of Christian Philosophers, University of Colorado, March 24-25, 1995.

"The Future of Bioethical Method," “The Christian Stake in Bioethics,” Center for Bioethics and Human Dignity, Bannockburn, IL, May 19-21, 1994.

"Is There a Moral Right to Health Care?" Ethics Center Forum, Wheaton College, November 18, 1991.

“Can There be an Ethic of Respect for Persons,” Illinois Philosophical Assoicaiton, November 13, 1987.


Other Presentations and Lectures

“Bioethics: Current Controversies,” Fairview Ministries, April18, 2006.

“Japanese Religious Philosophies,” Wheaton Warrenville South High School, March 29, 2006.

“End of Life Issues,” Women’s Group, St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, November 9, 2005.

“The Terri Schiavo Case,” At Issue, radio panel discussion hosted by Craig Dellimore, WBBM Radio, Chicago, April 27, 2005. This program was aired on the Easter weekend and heard over its large listening area. Along with myself, the panel included Laurie Zoloth of the Department of Medical Humanities and Bioethics, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, and Howard C. Eglit of Chicago-Kent College of Law.

“Suffering, Death and Dying,” Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, November 18, 2004. This was a presentation on end of life issues to medical students at Northwestern.

“Receiving the Lambeth Report: Managing Divergent Moral Perspectives,” presentation to Bishop and clergy, Episcopal Diocese of Chicago, September 16, 2004. I was invited to address the Bishop of Chicago and the assembled clergy of the diocese about the then-awaited Windsor Commission Report of the Anglican Communion, and its implications for the diocese and its parishes. The diocese has made my presentation available as a resource at http://www.epischicago.org/diocese/offices/GroupResourcesDtl.cfm?GroupID=30&CatID=02&RecID=115

Interviewed for article, “Religious Americans Changing Minds on Stem Cell Research,” G. Jeffrey Macdonald , Religion News Service 6/07/05

"Bioethical Principles," Ethics Committee, Central DuPage Hospital, Winfield, IL, February 2004.

“Christians and Business Ethics,” Park Ridge Community Church, January 12, 2003.

“Thinking like a Leader: Making the Tough Calls,” Alumni Symposium, Wheaton College Alumni Association and Center for Applied Christian Ethics, (appeared with President Litfin, C. William Pollard, April Carlson, Larry Poland, and Donald Holt), May 4, 2001.

“Shalom or ‘Shove Off:’ Caring for the Elderly in a Culture of Death, Keynote Address, National Association of Evangelicals (Life Care Commission), Dallas, TX, March 4, 2001.

“Gattaca: Is this Where We’re Going, and How Soon?” presentation, Christ Church of Oakbrook (Reel to Reel Discussion Group), March 9, 2001.

“Bioethics and Long-Term Care Issues,” Fairview Ministries (retirement/ nursing facility), Downers Grove, Illinois, January 16, 2001.

“The Method of Principilism” and “Postmodernism and Bioethics,” Intensive Bioethics Institute and Advanced Bioethics Institute, “Bioethics in the New Milennium,” 2000 Summer Conference, Center for Bioethics and Human Dignity, Bannockburn, IL, July 10-14, 2000.

“The Method of Principilism” and “Postmodernism and Bioethics,” Intensive Bioethics Institute and Advanced Bioethics Institute, “Making a Difference,” 1999 Summer Conference, Center for Bioethics and Human Dignity, Bannockburn, IL, July 12-17, 1999.

“Who’s in Charge Here? Autonomy, Community, and Physician Assisted Suicide,” Christ Hospital medical staff, Oak Lawn, IL, September 24, 1999.

"The Right to Health Care and Personal Responsibility," Social Action Commission, National Association of Evangelicals, Orlando, Florida, March 1, 1999.

"Healing the Healer: Ethical Considerations and Compassionate Care," Central Du Page Health Systems, November 13, 1998 (primary presenter at all staff, one-day educational program).

"Ethical Issues at the End of Life," ACCA Fall Seminar Series in Bioethics, Dominican University, October 6, 1998.

“The Method of Principilism” and “Postmodernism and Bioethics,” Intensive Bioethics Institute and Advanced Bioethics Institute, “Genetics and Ethics,” 1999 Summer Conference, Center for Bioethics and Human Dignity, Bannockburn, IL, July 13-17, 1998.

"The Responsibility to Promote Multicultural Flourishing," Being Responsible in an Irresponsible Age, Center for Applied Christian Ethics Forum, November 12, 1998, Wheaton College.

"The Moral Maze: What’s a Christian to Do?"; "Begotten Or Made? Christian Responses to Reproductive Technology, Genetic Control, and Cloning"; How Shall I Die? Physician Assisted Suicide." Teaching Series at the Cathedral Church of St. Luke, Orlando, Florida, March 22-23, 1998

"Thinking About Ethics," LaSalle St. Church, March 15, 1998.

"A Matter of Ethics," presentation at the meeting of the CPCU Society (Chartered Property Casualty Underwriters), Oakbrook, IL, March 25, 1998. Lecture on business ethics in the insurance industry, offered for continuing education credit towards professional certification.

Invited participant in Roundtable Discussion, Third Annual Kuyper Lecture featuring Senator Dan Coats, “Mending Fences: Renewing Justice Between Government and Civil Society,” sponsored by the Center for Public Justice and by Wheaton College, October 30-31, 1997.

“Cloning,” television program The Journal, May 12, 1997, MediaOne, Chicago.

Interviewed on ethics of multiple birth pregnancy by the Chicago Tribune, November 25, 1997 issue.

Interviewed on cloning for U. S. News and World Report (March 10, 1997 issue) and the Chicago Sun Times (March 1, 1997).

“Aging: Cognitive Considerations,” Marianjoy Health Systems, February 21, 1997.

“Ethics and the Christian,” Arlington Heights Evangelical Free Church, February 10, 17, 1997.

"Approaches to Bioethics," ACCA Bioethics Lecture Series, Argonne National Laboratory, February 22, 1994.

"Ministerial Options for Women," Gender and Ethnic Studies Conference, Wheaton College, Spring 1994.

"Bioethical Methods," Ethics Committee, Central DuPage Hospital, Winfield, IL, October 15, 1992.

Program Faculty, First Chicago Conference on Ethics in Healthcare Institutions, August 20-21, 1992, Chicago.

"Ethics, Morals, and Values," Elmhurst Hospital, August 12, 1992.

"The Right to Choose to Die," Bioethics Case Presentation, Edward Hospital, Naperville, IL, January 23, 1991 (with Don Shaw of Hemlock Society)

"Ethics and Access to Health Care," University of Illinois Medical School (Christian Medical Society), November 5, 1991.

"Ethical Issues in Nuclear Deterrence," School of St. Helen and St. Katharine,
Abingdon, England, February, 1991.

Produced and wrote play, "Shut Out at the Clinic," performed at Ethics Center Forum: "Is There a Moral Right to Health Care,?" Wheaton College,
November 18, 1991.

Participant and presenter, "Ethics and Access to Health Care," Faculty Workshop, Wheaton College, July 1991.

"Christian Ethics," sermon delivered at St. Nicholas' Church, Abingdon, England, June 1991

"Euthanasia," First Baptist Church of Elmhurst, August 15, 1993.

“Bioethics and the Christian” (six-week series), First Presbyterian Church, Glen Ellyn, Illinois, Fall 1990

“Ethics and AIDS,” Naperville Presbyterian Church, February 28, 1988

Invited Responses

To Michael B. Gill, “Relative Unimportance of Hutcheson’s Arguments against Moral Rationalism,” American Philosophical Association, Chicago, April 30, 2005.

To Paul Ayala, “Kant on Science and Religion,” Illinois Philosophical Association, November 4-6,1999, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

To John Danley, “Kleinig’s ‘Morality of Life:’ Narcissism and the Mirror of Nature” Illinois Philosophical Association, November 15-16, 1996, SIU-Edwardsville Illinois.

To Daryl Koehn, "Is Caring for Others a Professional Virtue?" Illinois Philosophical Association, Illinois State University, November 5, 1993.

To Patricia Sayre, "The Dialectics of Trust and Suspicion," 39th Annual Wheaton College Philosophy Conference, October 22-24, 1992.

To Kathleen A. Nolan, Hastings Center, "Ethics and the International Genome Project," Wheaton College, March 19, 1992.

To Dorothy Coleman, "Hume's Internalism," Illinois Philosophical Association, November 8, 1991.

To Philip Wogaman, “Christianity and Economic Justice,” Conference on Economics and Christianity, Wheaton College, Fall, 1988.

To Mark Stohs, “Rights, Justice, and Liberalism,” Wheaton College Philosophy Conference, October, 1987.

To Jonathan Schonscheck, “Joel Feinberg’s ‘Boundary Situations,’” American Philosophical Association Central Division, April, 1988.

To Gene Outka, “Equality and Religiousness ‘B,’” Conference on Kierkegaard and Contemporary Philosophy, St. Olaf College, October 4, 1985.

To David Hoekema, “Hermeneutics and Theories of Punishment,” Wheaton College Philosophy Conference, October, 1982.

To Robert W. Fogel, (University of Chicago Nobel Prize winning economist), “The Moral Problem of Slavery,” Aldeen Lecture, Wheaton College, April, 1984

To Arthur Dyck, Harvard University ethicist, "World Population," Wheaton College, 1981


Sessions Moderated

“Virtue Theory and Supererogation,” American Philosophical Association, May, 2002.

"The Genetics of Race and Class: A Futurological Perspective," by James Hudson, Illinois Philosophical Association, November 6-7, 1998.

"Ethical Dilemmas: A Game-Theoretical Model with Economic and Ethical Interpretations," by Louis Corriveau, American Philosophical Association, May 8, 1998.

Session at the Society of Christian Philosophers, 1997 Midwestern Regional Meeting, Grand Rapids, Michigan, April 10-12, 1997.

"Putnam and Three Relativists," Illinois Philosophical Association, DePaul University, November 4-5, 1994

Theses Directed

Co-directed a masters thesis in bioethics at Trinity International University for Sarah Flashing, H. Tristram Engelhardt on Christian Participation in the Public Square: A Van Tilian Philosophical Critique, successfully defended April 2005.

Co-directed a masters thesis in bioethics at Trinity International University for Daniel McConchie, Redefining the Active/Passive Euthanasia Debate: Introducing New Categories to Aid Proper Moral Contemplation (received the Professor C. B. Bluge Award "for the student who has presented to the faculty an acceptable thesis as evidence of creative scholarship in the field of Biblical and Systematic Theology"); successfully defended April, 2001.