This is a new edition of the classic 1976 critique of Christian education by John H. Westerhoff. Westerhoff argues that for too long Christian education has modeled itself on the instructional model that exists in schools and that has been a major reason for the failure of Christian education. He argues for a paradigm shift towards a model that sees faith formation happening in a variety of contexts – family, church community, school, church school. In the book, he argues that it because Christian education has been relegated to Sunday morning classes, Christian education has become focused on learning facts about religion rather than experiencing and learning faith. The book provides some answers to the questions around how we can be faith communities that can nourish and nurture faith development, instead of just teaching facts.
“I am convinced that the very foundations upon which we engage in Christian education are shaking. And while a host of builders attempt with varying degrees of success to shore them up, there is a dearth of architects engaged in designing new structures. The church’s educational problems rests not in its educational programs, but in the paradigm or model which undergirds its educational ministry – the agreed-upon frame of reference which guides its educational efforts.” Pg. 5
This new edition includes a new foreword, updates at the end of each chapter and an afterword that provides some insight into where Westerhoff’s thinking stands at present and how it continues to develop.
This book is highly recommended, it raises some interesting and important questions around how and why we communicate our faith to children and young people.