Holistic Religious Education: Toward a More Transparent Pathway from Philosophy to Practice

avondale-bepress-to-dspace.facultyEducation & Science
avondale-bepress.abstract<p>The challenge to match philosophy with practice is an age-old concern. For Seventh-day Adventist Education, the challenge is no different. Within this context rests religious education. In this more specific realm, this challenge has been impeded in a number of different ways. Two are relevant to this study. The Adventist religious education classroom could well be considered a nexus for the purposes of Adventist educational philosophy. It holds much potential for holistic, authentic faith formation. There is evidence to suggest however, that in recent years, instruction in religious education within the context of Adventist Education has been somewhat paralysed by the dichotomies emerging from enlightenment and modernism; the fracturing of reason and emotion, thinking and acting. This has lead to practice that has been typified by a predominantly cognitive, information-driven emphasis. Such a characterization has had implications for the nurture of holistic faith, and the purposes of Adventist education have been compromised as a result. In addition to this, as with any educational practice, there exists within the teaching of religious education the propensity to divorce what is philosophically valued from what is practically applied. The invasion of expedient concerns can obscure what is deemed important, and the result is one of idealistic erosion. It is believed that a tool that can remind the teacher of holistic, aspirational goals can be of benefit to both pedagogy and student experience. The pathway between philosophy and practice can then be viewed with more transparency and authenticity. Recent decades have brought forth much enlightenment in the areas of best educational practice as it relates to holistic, authentic learning, and the crucial ingredients of faith formation for the young. The researcher believes that multiple spheres of influence, not only from the realms of education and faith formation, but also brain research, sociology and psychology have much to offer a holistic approach to religious education that will assist movement towards a personal and established faith. This study seeks to fuse what is relevant from these disciplines and forge ingredients of best practice into a practical tool that can not only make vision and purpose accessible, but holistic religious education, and ultimately spiritual formation more possible. The resulting<em> Transformational Planning Framework</em> offers a re-centering of the focus and modus operandi of religious education. It serves to protect what is valued in Adventist educational philosophy, and propel it towards the ultimate goals it so highly esteems.</p>
avondale-bepress.articleid1001
avondale-bepress.authorsLanelle Cobbin
avondale-bepress.context-key3300095
avondale-bepress.coverpage-urlhttps://research.avondale.edu.au/theses_masters_coursework/2
avondale-bepress.document-typethesis
avondale-bepress.field.advisor1Dr. Barry Hill
avondale-bepress.field.comments<p>Used by permission: the author.</p> <p>A print copy of this thesis is held in the Avondale College Library (SC Theses 268 C63).</p>
avondale-bepress.field.custom_citation<p>Cobbin, L. (2010). <em>Holistic religious education: Toward a more transparent pathway from philosophy to practice</em> (Master's thesis, Avondale College, Cooranbong, Australia). Retrieved from https://research.avondale.edu.au/theses_masters_coursework/2/</p>
avondale-bepress.field.degree_nameMaster of Education (Honours) MEd (Hons)
avondale-bepress.field.departmentEducation & Science
avondale-bepress.field.embargo_date2012-01-19T00:00:00Z
avondale-bepress.field.publication_date2010-01-01T00:00:00Z
avondale-bepress.field.schoolsEducation
avondale-bepress.fulltext-urlhttps://research.avondale.edu.au/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1001&amp;context=theses_masters_coursework&amp;unstamped=1
avondale-bepress.keywordsreligious education
avondale-bepress.keywordsSpiritual formation through religious education
avondale-bepress.keywordsSpiritual transformation through religious education
avondale-bepress.keywordsFaith development in religious education
avondale-bepress.label2
avondale-bepress.publication-date2010-01-01T00:00:00Z
avondale-bepress.publication-titleTheses Masters Coursework
avondale-bepress.statepublished
avondale-bepress.submission-date2012-09-06T17:38:50Z
avondale-bepress.submission-paththeses_masters_coursework/2
avondale-bepress.titleHolistic Religious Education: Toward a More Transparent Pathway from Philosophy to Practice
avondale-bepress.typearticle
dc.contributor.authorCobbin, Lanelle
dc.date.accessioned2023-11-01T00:27:20Z
dc.date.available2023-11-01T00:27:20Z
dc.date.issued2010-01-01
dc.date.submitted2012-09-06T17:38:50Z
dc.description.abstract<p>The challenge to match philosophy with practice is an age-old concern. For Seventh-day Adventist Education, the challenge is no different. Within this context rests religious education. In this more specific realm, this challenge has been impeded in a number of different ways. Two are relevant to this study. The Adventist religious education classroom could well be considered a nexus for the purposes of Adventist educational philosophy. It holds much potential for holistic, authentic faith formation. There is evidence to suggest however, that in recent years, instruction in religious education within the context of Adventist Education has been somewhat paralysed by the dichotomies emerging from enlightenment and modernism; the fracturing of reason and emotion, thinking and acting. This has lead to practice that has been typified by a predominantly cognitive, information-driven emphasis. Such a characterization has had implications for the nurture of holistic faith, and the purposes of Adventist education have been compromised as a result. In addition to this, as with any educational practice, there exists within the teaching of religious education the propensity to divorce what is philosophically valued from what is practically applied. The invasion of expedient concerns can obscure what is deemed important, and the result is one of idealistic erosion. It is believed that a tool that can remind the teacher of holistic, aspirational goals can be of benefit to both pedagogy and student experience. The pathway between philosophy and practice can then be viewed with more transparency and authenticity. Recent decades have brought forth much enlightenment in the areas of best educational practice as it relates to holistic, authentic learning, and the crucial ingredients of faith formation for the young. The researcher believes that multiple spheres of influence, not only from the realms of education and faith formation, but also brain research, sociology and psychology have much to offer a holistic approach to religious education that will assist movement towards a personal and established faith. This study seeks to fuse what is relevant from these disciplines and forge ingredients of best practice into a practical tool that can not only make vision and purpose accessible, but holistic religious education, and ultimately spiritual formation more possible. The resulting<em> Transformational Planning Framework</em> offers a re-centering of the focus and modus operandi of religious education. It serves to protect what is valued in Adventist educational philosophy, and propel it towards the ultimate goals it so highly esteems.</p>
dc.identifier.citation<p>Cobbin, L. (2010). <em>Holistic religious education: Toward a more transparent pathway from philosophy to practice</em> (Master's thesis, Avondale College, Cooranbong, Australia). Retrieved from https://research.avondale.edu.au/theses_masters_coursework/2/</p>
dc.identifier.urihttps://research.avondale.edu.au/handle/123456789/03300095
dc.language.isoen_us
dc.rights<p>Used by permission: the author.</p> <p>A print copy of this thesis is held in the Avondale College Library (SC Theses 268 C63).</p>
dc.subjectreligious education
dc.subjectSpiritual formation through religious education
dc.subjectSpiritual transformation through religious education
dc.subjectFaith development in religious education
dc.titleHolistic Religious Education: Toward a More Transparent Pathway from Philosophy to Practice
dc.typeThesis
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