Theology of religious education program seeks to provide students
A theology of religious education program seeks to provide students with the knowledge necessary to develop meaningful faith-based convictions and values. With this effort, students learn how to embrace faith as a way of life, while also learning the importance of building meaningful relationships and communities. Through this program, students also develop a rich understanding of the history of religious education and develop a set of highly individualized teaching styles and methodologies. Here, an integrated team of renowned teaching scholars have come together to produce an innovative introductory text which provides a unique and creative contribution to the field of religious studies.
“Broadening Your Horizons: Reflections on theological foundations for teaching” by Bill Dennison and Lee Routledge (eds.) is the product of over twenty years of experience as teachers and administrators of religious education programs throughout the United States. The book rightly sets forth the need to consider more than just a basic framework for a solid Christian education. The authors rightly claim, “A solid Christian education must take into account both developments in the broader culture and developments within the church at the time of the teacher.” They also claim, “No system of faith can exist successfully without an accurate assessment of what its potential implications are for the people who teach it.”
The book rightly begins with a review of current developments in the history of theology. The editors then offer a sound explanation of what the new testament really means and how that applies to our contemporary moment. They then critically examine the implications of some prominent trends, including parsonservatives, traditionalist tendencies, and postmillennialist agendas. The final chapter considers three important interventions aimed at developing an effective theology of religion.
The book rightly claims that there is a rupture between the New Testament worldview and those of our day. While it is true that many churches have adopted a “postmodern” perspective, the book maintains that such a rupture has produced certain consequences that need to be examined. For example, some of the most prominent voices on the New Testament interpretation of the new testament have denied the humanity of Christ or the universal message of salvation. Theologies that deny humanity and concentrate only on a personal relationship with God have often failed people over the course of history.
Likewise, contemporary religious movements have tended to focus exclusively on individual sin and punishment rather than on a community of love and grace. When we speak of a broken Christ, this immediately implies a rejection of the theological fundamentals of the Christian faith. Theological foundations must offer a vision of reconciling Christ with the Father and submitting to His rule as found in the New Testament. All too often, proponents of reformed theology have denied that the saving work of Christ has ever involved the complete and permanent coming of the Messiah. Reconciling Christ with the Father requires that we adopt a “readjustment” view of the early Christian faith.
At the same time, contemporary interpretations of the Bible have tended to reduce the role of God in daily life and substitute personal worship with an abstract form of ceremonialism. Though this change was bound to occur sooner or later, it hastened the loss of fundamental beliefs that once grounded in the Christian religion. Many modern Christians have abandoned their historic affirmation of an integral role for God in our lives as grounds for rejecting reformed theology.
Theological foundations must provide a rich understanding of how and where our theological beliefs were forged in the life of Jesus. Without this, there is no way to contextualize the teachings of Christ and determine their meaning today. In addition, these arguments should offer an appropriate interpretation of scripture, as well as explaining the role that God plays in our lives. This understanding must also have a sound basis in scriptural interpretation. Theologies that have no basis in scriptural interpretation or exegetical argument have little chance of ever becoming a core principle of Christianity.
As I articulated earlier, I believe that reformed theology is based on fundamentalism. However, while this criticism is valid, I do not think it is sufficient to discount reformed theology as a valid form of religious belief. Just as fundamentalism provided the intellectual foundation for many of the great religions of the past, so too will it prove important in building upon our modern understanding of scripture. As a result, those who criticize my use of scripture are necessarily engaging in a self-referential argument against their own position. That does not make them any better than those who do not accept biblical truth, which they clearly do.
“Broadening Your Horizons: Reflections on theological foundations for teaching” by Bill Dennison and Lee Routledge (eds.) is the product of over twenty years of experience as teachers and administrators of religious education programs throughout the United States. The book rightly sets forth the need to consider more than just a basic framework for a solid Christian education. The authors rightly claim, “A solid Christian education must take into account both developments in the broader culture and developments within the church at the time of the teacher.” They also claim, “No system of faith can exist successfully without an accurate assessment of what its potential implications are for the people who teach it.”
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| Theological Foundations: Concepts and Methods for Understanding – theological foundations | theological foundations |
The book rightly claims that there is a rupture between the New Testament worldview and those of our day. While it is true that many churches have adopted a “postmodern” perspective, the book maintains that such a rupture has produced certain consequences that need to be examined. For example, some of the most prominent voices on the New Testament interpretation of the new testament have denied the humanity of Christ or the universal message of salvation. Theologies that deny humanity and concentrate only on a personal relationship with God have often failed people over the course of history.
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| Theological Foundations 5: PDF Download – Bethlehem College and – theological foundations | theological foundations |
At the same time, contemporary interpretations of the Bible have tended to reduce the role of God in daily life and substitute personal worship with an abstract form of ceremonialism. Though this change was bound to occur sooner or later, it hastened the loss of fundamental beliefs that once grounded in the Christian religion. Many modern Christians have abandoned their historic affirmation of an integral role for God in our lives as grounds for rejecting reformed theology.
Theological foundations must provide a rich understanding of how and where our theological beliefs were forged in the life of Jesus. Without this, there is no way to contextualize the teachings of Christ and determine their meaning today. In addition, these arguments should offer an appropriate interpretation of scripture, as well as explaining the role that God plays in our lives. This understanding must also have a sound basis in scriptural interpretation. Theologies that have no basis in scriptural interpretation or exegetical argument have little chance of ever becoming a core principle of Christianity.
As I articulated earlier, I believe that reformed theology is based on fundamentalism. However, while this criticism is valid, I do not think it is sufficient to discount reformed theology as a valid form of religious belief. Just as fundamentalism provided the intellectual foundation for many of the great religions of the past, so too will it prove important in building upon our modern understanding of scripture. As a result, those who criticize my use of scripture are necessarily engaging in a self-referential argument against their own position. That does not make them any better than those who do not accept biblical truth, which they clearly do.
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