Christian Education

'Take this Normal Class Idea and Carry it Throughout the Land': Sunday School Teacher Training in Ontario, 1870-1890

by Patricia Kmiec

published in Historical Studies in Education, Spring 2012

(2011): Angelo Bottone, The philosophical habit of mind: rhetoric and person in John Henry Newman's Dublin writings (Zeta Series in Christian Theology, 2009), in: Studies: an Irish quarterly review, 100 (2011).

by Benjamin Hazard

Prognosis on the Institutionalization of Vision, Shared Security and Christian Education in the World

by Genard Hajdini

Stand In Awe: A Parable About Love, Youth, & Change

by Horace Columbus Neal II

Draft N: December 9, 2011 - It is finished.

This is a simple three-page short story that calls for a reflection on the core need of today's troubled youth. In 36... more This is a simple three-page short story that calls for a reflection on the core need of today's troubled youth. In 36 CE, a group of rowdy, Cushite-Hebrew youths go to see the Roman crucifixions, hoping to have some fun taunting the victims. Their encounter at one man's cross causes them to stand in awe. Notes and images follow the narrative to aid the readers' conceptualization of some of the story's themes. The story is thematically multilayered to facilitate productive discussions on a number of topics.

Are the Teachings of Jesus Relevant for Today?

by Daniel Keeran MSW

by Daniel Keeran, MSW

In this brief review of the Sermon on the Mount and Sermon on the Plain, the teachings of Jesus are categorized as... more In this brief review of the Sermon on the Mount and Sermon on the Plain, the teachings of Jesus are categorized as Peace and Nonviolence, Psychological Well-Being, and Social Teachings.

The Importance of the Old Testament for our Worldview Today

by Thomas Whitehouse

Presented at the VII National Congress of the National Union of Church Teachers Querétaro, Mexico, July, 2011.

Does Europe Matter? Towards a European Agenda for the Church in the 21st Century

by Raymond Pfister

Published in "The Evangelical Review of Society and Politics", Vol. 3 No 1 March 2009.

Curriculum design and children’s learning at church

by Larry Burton

Burton, Larry D., Paroschi, Eliane E., Habenicht, Donna J., & Hollingsead, Candice C. (2005-2006). Religious Education, 101(1), 4-20

This study investigated the relationship between curriculum design and children's learning in church. Participants in... more This study investigated the relationship between curriculum design and children's learning in church. Participants in this study included 12 six-year-old children attending two different Sabbath school classes in the same Midwestern Seventh-day Adventist church. A traditional curriculum guided instruction in Class 1. GraceLink, a new curriculum, guided instruction in Class 2. Data were collected to document children's attitudes and growth in knowledge of a Bible story. Both classes demonstrated comparable factual and conceptual knowledge growth, although Class 2 achieved these results with fewer storytellers. Children in Class 2 demonstrated more positive attitudes toward Sabbath school and the Bible story.

Refocusing on the Learning in “Integration of Faith and Learning

by Larry Burton

Lawrence, Terry Ann, Burton, Larry D., & Nwosu, Constance C. (2005). Journal of Research on Christian Education, 14(1), 17-50

The purpose of this study was to assess student perceptions of the faith-learning integration process in instructional... more The purpose of this study was to assess student perceptions of the faith-learning integration process in instructional methods courses taught by a single professor. Thirty-one students were asked by the professor to complete an open-ended questionnaire at the end of their course experience. Results indicated that students in this study described or defined the integration of faith and learning in ways reflective of the content of the courses, which was teaching methods. While not all students said integration of faith and learning occurred in the classes, all students did provide examples of integrative moments. Most students described faith-learning integration in terms of teacher actions rather than student actions. Thus, it appears that these students were describing integration of faith and teaching more so than integration of faith and learning. Reprinted by permission of the publisher.

Relationship of Students’ Perceptions of the Teaching and Learning Process and Academic Performance in Science

by Larry Burton

Burton, Larry D., Kijai, Jimmy, & Sargeant, Marcel A. (2005). Journal of Research on Christian Education, 14(2), 177-207

This study investigated student perceptions of the 7th and 8th grade Adventist science education program and their... more This study investigated student perceptions of the 7th and 8th grade Adventist science education program and their relationship to achievement in science as defined by performance on the Iowa Test of Basic Skills. Findings revealed that students held generally poor perceptions of science education. Hierarchical regression analysis revealed 8 significant predictors of science achievement for multigrade and 2-grade classrooms and 5 significant predictors for single-grade classrooms. The 5 predictors shared across all classroom types included "complete assignments," "environment conducive to study at home," "read textbook ahead," "teacher grades fairly," and "subject made interesting."

Instructional Practices in Fifth- Through Eighth-grade Science Classrooms of a Selected Seventh-day Adventist Conference

by Larry Burton

Burton, Larry, Nino, Ruth, & Hollingsead, Candice. (2004). Journal of Research on Christian Education, 13(1), 99-129

This investigation focused on instructional practices within fifth- through eighth-grade science classes of selected... more This investigation focused on instructional practices within fifth- through eighth-grade science classes of selected Seventh-day Adventist schools. Teachers reported regular use of discussion, student projects, and tests or quizzes. Most respondents said they did not feel prepared or had "never heard of" inquiry, the learning cycle, or constructivism. Over half the respondents felt discussion, student-projects, and hands-on laboratory work were effective instructional practices in science classrooms. Learning cycle and constructivism were described by most respondents as "not at all" effective; many respondents had "never heard of" these same two instructional approaches.

Instructional Patterns in Science: An Exploratory Study

by Larry Burton

Burton, Larry. (1998). Journal of Research on Christian Education, 7(1), 37-54.

Student Perceptions of the Integration of Faith, Learning, and Practice in an Education Methods Course

by Larry Burton

Burton, Larry, & Nwosu, Constance. (2003). Journal of Research on Christian Education, 12(2), 101-136.

This article presents the results of a study conducted in a Christian teacher education program that describes... more This article presents the results of a study conducted in a Christian teacher education program that describes students' perceptions of the integration of faith, learning, and practice in one elementary methods class. The study answers the following questions:

1. How did students in this class define the integration of faith and learning?
2. Is there consensus among students as to whether or not faith and learning were integrated in the class?
3. What specific examples of faith-learning integration do students identify from the class?
4. How do students perceive the relative value of different experiences in helping them integrate Christian principles and professional practice?
5. Did the occurrence of faith-learning integration help students outside of the class being studied?

Data were collected from three sections of an elementary teaching methods course taught by the same professor between Fall Semester 1999 and Fall Semester 2000. Data were aggregated for analysis. The student responses help us understand their perceptions of the unity of truth within the context of an elementary education course. The study provides tentative evidence of which types of learning experiences are efficacious in helping students integrate faith and learning.

Baptism Is The Defining Moment

by Daniel Keeran MSW

Compiled by Daniel Keeran, author of related book http://collegemhc.academia.edu/DanielKeeran/Books/446453/Ancient_and_Medieval_Baptismal_Fonts

Relevant scripture passages, with a brief notation, from John the Baptist onward. Was baptism intended for all Israel?... more Relevant scripture passages, with a brief notation, from John the Baptist onward. Was baptism intended for all Israel? What is the purpose and meaning of baptism?

See related book on academia http://collegemhc.academia.edu/DanielKeeran/Books/446453/Ancient_and_Medieval_Baptismal_Fonts and at http://www.amazon.com/Ancient-Medieval-Baptismal-Daniel-Keeran/dp/1441471618

Being Is Believing? Out-of-the-Box (Subversive) Education

by Philip Fountain

Co-authored with Chris Elisara. Published in 2006 in 'The Journal of Education and Christian Belief' 10:2.

THE WOUNDS OF this world—ecological and humanitarian—require a re-thinking of our educational systems. Building upon a... more THE WOUNDS OF this world—ecological and humanitarian—require a re-thinking of our educational systems. Building upon a shalom model of education, the authors argue that questions of space and location are critically important to Christian pedagogies. Our education praxis must move beyond the classroom to engage students empathetically in the world around us. Doing so will necessarily be a subversive endeavor. The Creation Care Study Program in Belize is presented as a case study of "study abroad" and field-intensive education.

Biblical Integration Training for Christian Educators 

by Tim Stafford

Not published, but used for a presentation at an ACSI teacher's event.

The Association of Christian Schools International is an accrediting body for Private Christian Educational Institutions... more The Association of Christian Schools International is an accrediting body for Private Christian Educational Institutions whose accreditation is world renown. Part of their requirements for accreditation is the development of curriculum guides that show developed objectives including the purposed development of curricular Biblical integration. There is no formal training for this and many times instructional staff members are unclear as to the reasoning and practical development and application of such objectives. What training does exist tends to be through convention symposiums that are not well organized for standardized application. The classes are offered by other instructional faculties who have developed some materials, but there is an instructional cohesion problem based on the absence of standardized training in this area.  This paper offers the instructional infrastructure to help train Christian Educators in building curricular modules upon scriptural foundations.

الهويّة بين الانفتاح والانغلاق: مقاربة مسيحيّة

by Georges NAHAS

نحّاس، ج. ن. (2010). الهويّة بين الانفتاح والانغلاق: مقاربة مسيحيّة. حوليّات. جامعة البلمند.

هل الهوّية بالضرورة قيمة باطنة او يمكن اعتبارها تحقيًقا للّذات من ٔاجل "اآلخر" ومن خالله؟ هل هي، انطالًقا من... more هل الهوّية بالضرورة قيمة باطنة او يمكن اعتبارها تحقيًقا للّذات من ٔاجل "اآلخر" ومن خالله؟ هل هي، انطالًقا من مقاربة مسيحّية، سبب انغالق ٔاو فرصة انفتاح؟ هدف هذا المقال هو ٕاظهار ٔا ّن االنتماء الّدين ّي، من وجهة نظر مسيحّية مشرقّية، مح ِّ ر ٌر ٓايانيا، ؤا ّن استخدامه لتحديد هوّية انطوائّية هو تشويه لل ّطبيعة البشرّية، ٕالى جانب ٓاونه مناه ًضا
للّتناغم الكون ّي.
خلفّية هذا الكالم هي في الّنظر ٕالى اإلنسان، نقطة التقاء الالمتناهيين، على حّد قول المفّكر الفرنس ّي باسكال، ٓامخلوق اجتماع ّي بامتياز، ٓااهن الكون؛ وهو في آن مرٓاز ٔاي تواصل يكون مصد ًرا للّتناغم ٔاو توّت ًرا يؤ ّسس لل ّصراع. يتطّلب الّتدريب على هذا المفهوم لإلنسان، ولما هو ٕانسان ّي، ٕاعادة نظر جذرّية في الّنماذج الّتربوّية ال ّسائدة، دينّية ٓاانت ٔام اجتماعّية، مع اإلشارة الى االختالف العميق بين مقاربة "عقيدّية" للّتربية الّدينّية ومقاربة مح ِّ ررةٕ
لإلنسان "ٓاكائن ٓانس ّي".

Growing in the Church

by Georges NAHAS

Nahas, G. N. (28 July - 02 August 2006). Growing in the Church. In Research On Orthodox Religious Education: A sub-conference of Holistic Christian Education. Valamo Lay Academy - Finland.

الجامعة والتربية على المواطنيّة: "جامعيّة" المقاربة المسيحيّة للتربية السياسيّة

by Georges NAHAS

نحّاس، ج. ن. (2007). الجامعة والتربية على المواطنيّة: "جامعيّة" المقاربة المسيحيّة للتربية السياسيّة. دور الجامعات في بناء مستقبل لبنان في وسائل الإعلام وتحديات التربية. معرض الإعلام المسيحي السادس، أنطلياس، لبنان.

في عالم يزداد فيه استعمال الدين كمقوّمة من مقوّمات العمل السياسي، يرد نعت "المسيحي أو المسيحيّة" على عديد من... more في عالم يزداد فيه استعمال الدين كمقوّمة من مقوّمات العمل السياسي، يرد نعت "المسيحي أو المسيحيّة" على عديد من مكوّنات الحياة السياسيّة. تهدف هذه المداخلة إلى وضع أطر تتناسب والمقاربة المسيحيّة للشأن العام ويمكن أن تبنى عليها تنشئة تربوية ملائمة للتربية على السياسة.

Orthodox Theology and Modern Challenges: The Ethical Issues

by Georges NAHAS

Nahas, G. N. (November 15-18, 2010). Orthodox Theology and Modern Challenges: The Ethical Issues. In Life in Christ: Christian Ethics, Ascetic Tradition of the Church and Modern Challenges. Moscow. Russia.

In normal circumstances, the Church is alive in the world within a tensed climate due to the fact that It “exists in... more In normal circumstances, the Church is alive in the world within a tensed climate due to the fact that It “exists in this world without belonging to it” according to the Christ own words. In the twentieth Century, the Church was deeply challenged by many historical, political and cultural factors. The Orthodox Church particularly witnessed extensive pressures that reached persecution, massive exodus that push it to review its hundred years old canonical structures; the Orthodox Church also faced a universal challenge at the philosophical and social levels where the believer started wondering about legitimate issues like:

Is there any contradiction between the Orthodox Theology and Modernity?

Is there any twinge between Tradition and Modern Thinking?

Does the witness of the Orthodox Church go beyond restrictions due to time and space?

By putting the problem in its context and on the basis of what may be considered as the Orthodox Tradition pillars, this article will try to answer these questions, concluding to the following: i) Orthodox Theology is potentially able to have a dialogue with Modernism. It has a specificity that allows it to have an innovating discourse while keeping its conformity with Tradition, ii) The Orthodox Church needs to create forums of discussion among pastors, scientists, men and women of goodwill, young generation, as well as sociologists and pedagogues, in order to elaborate a continuous process for future actions and dialogue with Modernity.