Inspiring Faith in Schools (Explorations in Practical, Pastoral and Empirical Theology) PDF
Preview Inspiring Faith in Schools (Explorations in Practical, Pastoral and Empirical Theology)
INSPIRING FAITH IN SCHOOLS Inspiring Faith in Schools addresses the privileging of secularism that appears to affect RE in countries influenced by modern western thought. The authors argue that a more engaging form of RE would emerge if religious life were to inhabit centre stage. Currently religious faith is made to hover in the wings awaiting the call to face the inquisitorial challenge of the modern day enquirer. The consequent relationship between pupil and the Divine as the purpose of study is then already intrinsically irreligious, as indicated in the Book of Job by putting God in the dock, whereas it is the pupil who should be (cross-)examining his or her life. What are the ways of exciting and engaging the young so that they begin to entertain the possibility of religious life as a genuine option for themselves? Leading scholars in philosophy and theology from the UK, Australia, Canada and the USA come together to address these questions together with RE experts. Marius Felderhof writes an Afterword summing up the challenges faced by such a re-visioning of RE. Explorations in Practical, Pastoral and Empirical Theology Series Editors: Leslie J. Francis, University of Wales, Bangor, UK and Jeff Astley, Director of the North of England Institute for Christian Education, UK Theological reflection on the church’s practice is now recognised as a significant element in theological studies in the academy and seminary. Ashgate’s new series in practical, pastoral and empirical theology seeks to foster this resurgence of interest and encourage new developments in practical and applied aspects of theology worldwide. This timely series draws together a wide range of disciplinary approaches and empirical studies to embrace contemporary developments including: the expansion of research in empirical theology, psychological theology, ministry studies, public theology, Christian education and faith development; key issues of contemporary society such as health, ethics and the environment; and more traditional areas of concern such as pastoral care and counselling. Other titles in the series include: The Bible and Lay People An Empirical Approach to Ordinary Hermeneutics Andrew Village 978-0-7546-5801-6 Deaf Liberation Theology Hannah Lewis 978-0-7546-5524-4 Theological Reflection and Education for Ministry The Search for Integration in Theology John E. Paver 978-0-7546-5754-5 Renewing Pastoral Practice Trinitarian Perspectives on Pastoral Care and Counselling Neil Pembroke 978-0-7546-5565-7 Engaging with Contemporary Culture Christianity, Theology and the Concrete Church Martyn Percy 978-0-7546-3259-7 Inspiring Faith in Schools Studies in Religious Education Edited by MARIUS FELDERHOF University of Birmingham, UK PENNY THOMPSON Freelance Writer and Researcher in Religious Education DAVID TOREVELL Liverpool Hope University, UK © Marius Felderhof, Penny Thompson and David Torevell 2007 All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise without the prior permission of the publisher. Marius Felderhof, Penny Thompson and David Torevell have asserted their moral right under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act, 1988, to be identified as the editors of this work. Published by Ashgate Publishing Limited Ashgate Publishing Company Gower House Suite 420 Croft Road 101 Cherry Street Aldershot Burlington, VT 05401-4405 Hampshire GU11 3HR USA England Ashgate website: http://www.ashgate.com British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data Inspiring faith in schools : studies in religious education. – (Explorations in practical, pastoral and empirical theology) 1. Religious education 2. Religious education – Teaching methods I. Felderhof, M. C. II. Torevell, David III. Thompson, Penny 200.7’1 Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Inspiring faith in schools : studies in religious education / [edited by] Marius Felderhof, David Torevell, and Penny Thompson. p. cm. – (Explorations in practical, pastoral, and empirical theology) ISBN 978-0-7546-6031-6 (hardcover : alk. paper) 1. Religious education. I. Felderhof, M. C. II. Torevell, David. III. Thompson, Penny. BL42.I57 2007 207’.5–dc22 2006103257 ISBN 978-0-7546-6031-6 Printed and bound in Great Britain by MPG Books Ltd, Bodmin, Cornwall. For Terry McLaughlin This page intentionally left blank Contents List of Figures ix List of Contributors xi Foreword xv Acknowledgements xix PART 1 1 1 Secularism, Schools and Religious Education 3 Brenda Watson 2 Understanding, Belief and Truth 17 Joe Houston 3 Confession and Reason 25 Ieuan Lloyd 4 Religious Education and Committed Openness 35 Elmer Thiessen 5 Religious Education in Australia and New Zealand 47 Grant Maple PART 2 61 6 Religious Education from Spens to Swann 63 Penny Thompson 7 Religious Education and the Misrepresentation of Religion 75 Philip Barnes 8 Religious Education, Atheism and Deception 87 Marius Felderhof 9 Can ‘Skills’ Help Religious Education? 99 William K. Kay 10 Is there Anything Religious about Religious Education Any More? 111 Joe Fleming viii Inspiring Faith in Schools PART 3 125 11 Dismembering and Remembering Religious Education 127 John Sullivan 12 On the Grammar of Religious Discourse and Education 139 David Carr 13 Religious Education through the Language of Religion 151 Iris Yob 14 Religious Education and Liberal Nurture 163 Andrew Wright 15 Crossing the Divide? 175 Jeff Astley Afterword 187 M.C. Felderhof Index 193 List of Figures 1 A six-fold approach to valuing, capable of being shared by all 11 2 The circle and the orb, permitting the six-fold approach to valuing to be seen from a secularist or a religious perspective without loss of integrity 12
The list of books you might like
