A Theology for Christian Education

by James R. Estep, Michael J. Anthony, Gregg Allison

What is “Christian” about Christian education; how is it different from on-Christian education? A Theology for Christian Education examines this question in depth and argues that the doctrines of systematic theology should drive the content, purpose, and methods of the educational program of the c hurch. The book states:

“Christian education is distinct from other kinds of education in that its aim is the transformation of the whole person into the likeness of Christ (Col. 1 :28). Christian education is the process of accomplishing this aim.”

A Theology for Christian Education dedicates chapters to examining particular doctrines and their implications for Christian education. It is the only serious academic text to offer a systematic presentation of the intersection of theology and Christian education from a conservative evangelical perspective.

Genres: Education, Theology

320 pages, Hardcover

First published September 15, 2008

Reviews

[Viktoriaf · Rating 5 out of 5]

A comprehensive reflection on theology of Christian education as mission of the church.
Also includes reflections on the teacher, student, means and methods.

[Reid Williamson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Third book for E.D.D. A systematic, simple introduction to a theology of education that would serve well as a summer-before-first year teaching text to reflect on. Many of the subjects touched on are further developed elsewhere but here is a successful comprehensive introduction.

[Heidi Creasman · Rating 3 out of 5]

A little dry, but it has a few good nuggets.

[Douglas W · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thoughtful. Fairly robust theologically. Good both for a read-through and for reference.

[Adam Springsteen · Rating 3 out of 5]

A Theology for Christian Education is part systematic theology and part understanding of Christian education. These two ideas are interwoven throughout the text, with chapters discussing theology first and then how it applies to Christian education in the final pages. Expressly stated many times is the idea that theology is at the core of Christian education. With this, I concur. However, the text is heavily focused on systematic theology more than it is on education. I was excited to read this to become more informed on Christian education; however, as I progressed through the text, my excitement diminished. I found, as stated, the text heavy in the area of systematic theology and only a few ideas on Christian education. While ideas such as E. V. Hill’s Model for Education in the Church and learning taxonomies were highly informative, there was only so much one could glean on Christian education. Some of what was discussed was basic and served only as a reminder. Another turn-off was the overemphasis of the author’s beliefs. Instead of taking a neutral standpoint, the author heavily discusses the Trinity. Those who do not ascribe to this belief are left to slog through it, waiting for them to discuss what should be the main focus: Christian education. In fact, they seemingly contradict themselves, stating that the Holy Spirit is a person but later mentioning that spirits are immaterial. A person, made of a material body, cannot be immaterial at the same time. Spirits are not persons; they are, as their name clearly states, spirits. While the blend of theology and Christian education was nicely done, some of it reached, and other points, again, served as reminders. The text was not entirely a waste of time. It provided a refresher on systematic theology and gave me some key things to apply as someone who aspires to be a teacher. A few examples include the need for Christian education to focus on cooperation characterized by love, patience, forbearance, and forgiveness. Christian education is not selective in the sense of weeding out the weak to privilege the strong. Christian educators must live above reproach, living an authentic life as Jesus did. Lastly, Christian educators should create an environment in which such questions and challenges are carried out in an atmosphere of respect and honor rather than quarreling and judging. This text will serve as reference material as I progress in life, but a reread is not something I foresee. A greater focus on Christian education, while being brief on systematic theology, would have served the reader better.

[Terrence D. · Rating 4 out of 5]

A notable quote: "If someone were to observe a Sunday school class at your church, or perhaps a midweek Bible study, or a classroom at a Christian school, would the observer see anything distinctly Christian about it? Would the Christian distinctive be so self-evident that even an unbeliever would detect a qualitative difference in the education? If education in the church is to be qualitatively different, it must be based on educational principles that reflect Christian theological beliefs. Our theology must be incarnated in our approach to education."

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, though there were times that I desired more content. Perhaps the title should be changed to "A Primer to a Theology for Christian Education." I say this because, as an introduction to the concept, I believe this book to be solid. It simply just was not exhaustive enough.

The only problem I truly had was with regards to the authors' belief about the testimony of Jesus' words on page 85. I think it is terribly erroneous to consider Ipsissima Vox over Ipsissima Verba...

Apart from this issue, the philosophy developed by the authors is very worthy of consideration. I also greatly appreciated their concerns for a greater effort in discipleship.

[Jay Miklovic · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought this was a great primer of Christian Education, that was not mired in trite little suggestions for how to make the Education program of your church more relevant. I appreciated the deeply theological approach to the subject.

On the flip side each chapter (essay) in the book was far more detailed than it needed to be. I found the questions at the end of each chapter were a bit trivial in comparison to the depth of the chapters themselves.

All in all, I am glad I read this book (it was required reading), but I am not going to run out and tell others that they should read it.

[Garrett Starr · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is a brief primer on systematic theology with attempts to tie that discipline to education. I found it to be lacking in application as is the case with so many books directed toward educational praxis.

[Margaret Chind · Rating 3 out of 5]

Review coming soon...

[Joshua · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's a textbook. More interesting than some, but, ultimately, it's a textbook.