The philosophy of Christian religious education

the long version

This book has been written with the intention that it should be useful to, and therefore usable by, Christian religious educators of widely differing theological and educational outlooks. Part I offers some introductory material about the nature of Christian religious education and what constitutes a philosophical examination of this field of endeavor. Part II approaches the philosophy of Christian religious education through a study of the implications of the term "education": clarifying educational terminology before embarking on the major topics of indoctrination and the role of critical education in Christian religious education. Part III approaches the subject through an analysis of the word "Christianity", particularly with reference to Christian attributes and Christian learning outcomes. Where Part II draws primarily on the literature in the philosophy of education, here the main contribution is from the philosophy of religion. This part includes discussion of the role of reason in religion and of the nature of religious understanding. Part IV deals critically with other philosophical issues of a more complex nature that are raised by reflection on Christian religious education: i.e. the relativism debate and the particular problems posed by discussion about freedom of belief, the nature of morality, moral education, and the emotions and their education. --from the Preface.