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Shaping Character: Moral Education in the Christian College
The teaching of ethics and the transmission of values once performed an integrative function in the Christian college curriculum; however, they have gradually become relegated to a subspecialty status within the philosophy or religion department.
Arguing that ethics is everybody's business, Arthur Holmes presents in this book a concise survey of moral education—its goals and methods—in the Christian college. Arising out of a three-year Christian College Consortium project, Shaping Character reflects the insights of a rich variety of experts, writers, and faculty members. Holmes first orients his readers to the present ethical climate, to theological dimensions and distinctive in ethics, and to moral development theory. He then poses three overall objectives of ethics education—forming the conscience, making moral decisions, and developing character—and fleshes out each objective with particular goals.
Throughout the book Holmes makes suggestions about the role of faculty and staff, paying special attention to teaching methods and noting the context and dynamics of college life in general. The final chapter summarizes how the Bible functions in ethics. Shaping Character is meant for all Christian college teachers, professors, and administrators concerned about student values and the moral condition of our society. The book will serve as a valuable and practical guide for teaching ethics in every department.
Richard J. Mouw (Fuller Theological Seminary): "Arthur Holmes has written a profound book on a timely topic. It ought to be widely read. More importantly, its wise insights and prescriptions ought to be put into practice wherever people care about faithful and effective Christian higher education."
Arguing that ethics is everybody's business, Arthur Holmes presents in this book a concise survey of moral education—its goals and methods—in the Christian college. Arising out of a three-year Christian College Consortium project, Shaping Character reflects the insights of a rich variety of experts, writers, and faculty members. Holmes first orients his readers to the present ethical climate, to theological dimensions and distinctive in ethics, and to moral development theory. He then poses three overall objectives of ethics education—forming the conscience, making moral decisions, and developing character—and fleshes out each objective with particular goals.
Throughout the book Holmes makes suggestions about the role of faculty and staff, paying special attention to teaching methods and noting the context and dynamics of college life in general. The final chapter summarizes how the Bible functions in ethics. Shaping Character is meant for all Christian college teachers, professors, and administrators concerned about student values and the moral condition of our society. The book will serve as a valuable and practical guide for teaching ethics in every department.
Richard J. Mouw (Fuller Theological Seminary): "Arthur Holmes has written a profound book on a timely topic. It ought to be widely read. More importantly, its wise insights and prescriptions ought to be put into practice wherever people care about faithful and effective Christian higher education."
- GenresEducation
91 pages, Paperback
First published December 1, 1990
10 people want to read
About the author
Arthur F. Holmes
24 books15 followersArthur Frank Holmes (March 15, 1924 – October 8, 2011) was Professor of Philosophy at Wheaton College, Illinois (1951–1994). Before his retirement in 1994, he had served for several decades as Chairman of Wheaton's Department of Philosophy. Thereafter, he held the title of Professor Emeritus. After his retirement, he returned and taught half of the yearlong history of philosophy sequence, particularly the medieval (Augustine to Ockham) and the modern (Descartes to Quine) quarters in 2000-2001.
He became widely known for his body of work on topics related to philosophy, including ethics, philosophy applied to Christian higher education, and historical interactions between Christianity and philosophy. Holmes also has served as a guest lecturer at many colleges, universities, and conferences on these topics.
Holmes was a graduate of Wheaton College, where he earned an undergraduate degree in philosophy. He earned the Ph.D. in philosophy from Northwestern University in Chicago. Reportedly, before he immigrated to the United States in 1947, he had flown for the Royal Air Force in England during World War II.
Holmes died in Wheaton, Illinois, on October 8, 2011, at age 87.
He became widely known for his body of work on topics related to philosophy, including ethics, philosophy applied to Christian higher education, and historical interactions between Christianity and philosophy. Holmes also has served as a guest lecturer at many colleges, universities, and conferences on these topics.
Holmes was a graduate of Wheaton College, where he earned an undergraduate degree in philosophy. He earned the Ph.D. in philosophy from Northwestern University in Chicago. Reportedly, before he immigrated to the United States in 1947, he had flown for the Royal Air Force in England during World War II.
Holmes died in Wheaton, Illinois, on October 8, 2011, at age 87.
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June 7, 2015
As always, Holmes is on the mark. After surveying the work of Kohlberg and Rest, Holmes deftly explains the process of character development. Although his subtitle is "Moral Education in the Christian College," the principles could -should- be applied in every Christian school.
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November 2, 2016Pro Rege review here.
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