Horace Bushnell's Christian Nurture Rediscovered and Its Implications for Contemporary Christian Education - The Case of Susan and Her Son Ji-Hun -

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to explore constructive implications in which Christian nurture of Horace Bushnell (1802-1876) values practical, educational retrieval. Bushnell’s educational approach to Christian nurture has called our attention to the idea that Christian parents have a responsibility to nurture their children to grow up as Christians. In this sense, drawing on an educational incident in the life of a Christian mother, Susan, this article describes a brief overview of Susan’s case and her growing educational concern related to the life of her son, Ji-Hun, in the process of nurture. It also explores central elements of Bushnell’s nurture approach to Christian education, such as nurture, organic connection, educational principles, and church, which are relevant and attainable for Susan’s story. Searching for the application and relevance of Bushnell’s notion of Christian nurture in Susan’s context, it offers five constructive suggestions that help her and her family practice Christian nurture both inside and outside of the home: organic relationship, environment, family rituals of worship and prayer, family prayers, and participation in membership, fellowship, and leadership of the church. Bushnell’s nurture theory provides not only Christian parents but also Christian educators and pastors with an educational way of fostering the faith formation of their children as Christians in Christian education.