Education for Human Flourishing: A Christian Perspective

by Paul D. Spears, Steven R. Loomis

Education is arguably the foundation for human flourishing within any society. What do distinctively Christian educators have to contribute within the broad framework of public education found in pluralist societies of the West? How can Christian teachers make their voices heard within an increasingly hostile environment where technique and pragmatism are firmly entrenched and religious views are often suspect? Far from offering a thin patina of "niceness" spread over standard educational philosophy, Steven Loomis and Paul Spears set forth a vigorous Christian philosophy of education that seeks to transform the practice of education. Beginning with a robust view of human nature, they build a case for a decidedly Christian view of education that still rightfully takes its place within the marketplace of public education. After surveying the history of educational philosophy, they offer a stimulating analysis of the information economy and its implications for education. This is followed by a concrete proposal for the teaching of social ethics, and finally by a delineation of issues and questions for educational practice, policy and leadership. A must-read for all who are concerned for human flourishing through education. The Christian Worldview Integration Series, edited by J. P. Moreland and Francis J. Beckwith, seeks to promote a robust personal and conceptual integration of Christian faith and learning, with textbooks focused on disciplines such as education, psychology, literature, politics, science, communications, biology, philosophy, and history.

Genres: Education, Nonfiction

251 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2009

Reviews

[Bendick Ong · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not an easy book to read but worth scrutinization if you are serious about this subject. The first few chapters should be a cruise for most as they highlight the rationale of the book: we should not be compartmentalizing our lives and disassociating the secular education we received with our Christian walk. The key word is integration - a holistic education based on foundations of Christian truths.

Chapter 4 onwards can be quite a challenge for the uninitiated as it links up with education models on social ethics, info economy, leadership as well as philosophical concepts, trying to establish connection with ethics, epistemology, ontology etc.

Insightful but can be more than a handful.

[Robbie Burns · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hm.

Lots of great ideas here but not particularly well-held together.

I like the critique of current education systems and their tendency to lock down knowledge and strangle autonomy….but I don’t see how this is explicitly ‘Christian’.

I like the discussion of ethical approaches to the work of education but again do not see what makes the arguments made here particularly ‘Christian’.

I really liked the framework for how the Christian can understand the nature of their work in a range of market sectors.

Most of all, I thought this book would provide clarity about what flourishing is and means to Spears and Loomis and how education can be driven towards this.

I am, after 250 pages, not any clearer about this idea. This book is worth reading but don’t think it’ll do what it says on the tin, or should I say cover.

[Phillip Nash · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! Should have read this years ago. Spears and Loomis write a scholarly work seldom found amongst Christian educators. They attack the descent into technicism that infects education and challenge Christian educators to focus on an ascent into wisdom. Highlighting the dangers of information restriction, they call for a widening of access by students to information so as to stimulate creativity and critical thinking. As a person interested in a more personalised approach to education, they provide excellent ideas and philosophical justification for a new approach to human flourishing and formation through Christocentric education. A book to go back to many times.

[Ian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Probably the only book on Christian education I have seen that pitches itself primarily at public school teachers, which makes the perspective here different, helpful, and thought-provoking. Very philosophical in the good and bad way -- excellent ideas about education in general terms, but deliberately very little practical material. Could be a very useful "gateway drug" for getting conventional educators who are Christians to start thinking more biblically and even classically about their profession, and to start the process of breaking down the barriers of guild assumptions.

[Diane · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don't have training in education and this was a slog. Valuable and important and I agreed with most of the book, but I had to work very hard to understand all the theory.

I hope Christian University Schools of Education will read, debate and take the propositions seriously and look at what they are trying to do with their students (future teachers) and act accordingly.

[Mike · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not a perfect book - I struggled through chapter 4 - but a very good one. Chapter 5 is excellent as it explores the ethics of education.