Theological Education Research Articles

After the Graded Sermon: “Ungrading” as Theo‐Ethical Practice for Homiletics

ABSTRACTThis article considers how the practice of “ungrading” in the homiletics classroom can function not merely as a pedagogical technique, but as a theo‐ethical practice. Grounding ungrading in theological ethics in addition to critical pedagogical theory can lead us toward a pedagogical practice that builds anti‐racist and decolonial spaces in theological education. Drawing on Willie James Jennings' After Whiteness and Keri Day's Notes of a Native Daughter, the article seeks to name how ungrading in the homiletics classroom can operate as a small measure by which we might move theological education into that which “follow[s] God in building toward life” and “opens the joy of not knowing inside the joy of learning together”.

Knowledge bloats, love builds: Paul on how we are (not) to know things

Abstract Paul's epistemology was famously mapped onto his eschatology by J. Louis Martyn, but it must be mapped also onto his ecclesiology. For Paul, knowing is bound always and indissolubly to living with others. To understand how Paul would have us know things, then, we must focus not on knowledge as such, but on epistemic practices in ecclesial communities. Whereas the Corinthians’ use of wisdom and knowledge made for fragmentation and dissolution in the body of Christ (1 Cor 1–4; 8–10), Paul would have practices with knowledge instantiate communion and care for one another, as is proper for Christ's body. Integral to theological knowing is a sense of what and whom theology is for, a sense being critically explored in recent evaluations of theological education.

Integration: A Conversation Between Theological Education and the Letters to Timothy and Titus

Integration: A Conversation Between Theological Education and the Letters to Timothy and Titus

Ontstaan en groei van ’n seminarium aan die Fakulteit Teologie Stellenbosch en ander ontwikkelinge in die teologiese opleiding van die Ned Geref Kerk in die Sinode van Wes-Kaapland.

The article focuses on the developments of theological training in die Western Cape Synod of the Dutch Reformed Church (DRC) in the last decade. In this era a Seminary was founded to facilitate ministerial formation for the DRC; Uniting Reformed Church and the Evangelical Lutheran Church of South Africa (ELCSA). The article unpacks the historical, demographic, and especially pedagogical complexities of theological education that aims to build missional leadership capacities. The theology and missional ecclesiology, rhetorical pedagogy and capacity theories are some of the building blocks that the synod utilise to build a new era for theological education.

English-Language Education at the Faculty of Theology of Cardinal Stefan Wyszyński University

Abstract: In the age of globalization, English-language education at theological faculties in Poland is playing an increasingly important role, especially in the context of international academic cooperation and the integration of foreign stu¬dents. This paper presents an analysis of English-language education at the Faculty of Theology of Cardinal Stefan Wyszyński University (UKSW), taking into account the importance of English-language programs for the development of theology in an intercultural and interreligious context. The impact of these programs on the spiritual and academic training of students and on the promotion of intercultural dialogue is discussed. Special attention is paid to good teaching and organizational practices that facilitate the adaptation of international students and support their academic and spiritual development. The methodology encompasses descriptive methods, along with participant observation and external observation techniques. The article is both practical and methodological in nature, highlighting best practices within academic communities in Poland, particularly in the context of university education in English-language theology, and addressing the nuances of intercultural communication. Keywords: English-language education, theology, Cardinal Stefan Wyszynski University, UKSW, education in Poland, foreign students, interculturalism, inter¬religious dialogue, English-language programs.

How to Make a Theologian: Theological Education and the Life of Discipleship

How to Make a Theologian: Theological Education and the Life of Discipleship

Comparative Studies of the Oral and Literary Culture in the First Century and Its Implications for African Christianity Today

This study explores the interplay between oral and literary traditions in early Christianity and contemporary African Christian practices. While early Christian communities relied heavily on oral traditions, the transition to written texts significantly shaped the formation of Christian theology and scripture. However, contemporary African Christianity continues to preserve oral traditions, particularly in worship and evangelism. By comparing these two contexts, the study highlights how Reader-Response Theory helps bridge historical and modern interpretive practices. Methodologically, the study employs textual analysis of early Christian writings and fieldwork observations of African Christian communities. Key findings show that oral traditions remain crucial for biblical engagement and theological discourse in low-literacy settings. The study recommends incorporating oral traditions into African Christian theological education to enhance faith practice.

Evaluating Theological Education in The Apostolic Church Nigeria

Evaluating Theological Education in The Apostolic Church Nigeria

Post-conservative: A proposal for theological polarisation in Indonesia

Indonesia, as a country with rich diversity, faces a significant challenge in the form of polarisation, which occurs not only in the political sphere but also in religion and belief. In the context of Christian theological education in Indonesia, polarisation also occurs between conservative and liberal views. Conservatives adhere to literal interpretations and established doctrines, while liberals are more flexible and open to contextual interpretations. To address this polarisation, an approach that transcends both extremes is needed. This article proposes post-conservative thought as a conceptual solution for theological education in Indonesia. Postconservatism positions itself in the middle between conservative and liberal, recognising the importance of fundamental principles of faith while also being open to change and dialogue. This article employs a literature review method to analyse and develop a theoretical framework supporting the application of post-conservatism in Christian theological education in Indonesia. The analysis shows that postconservative theological education needs to be transformative, constructive-creative and liberating to break down polarisation and create inclusive, relevant and impactful education for society.Contribution: This study helps in integrating postconservative theology within theological education, fostering a more nuanced and transformative approach to interpreting Scriptures and addressing ethical and social issues. Interdisciplinary implications involve collaboration with social sciences, education, peace studies and health sciences to develop comprehensive strategies for community engagement, conflict resolution and holistic well-being.

The Implementation of Repentance, Confession, and Penance in the Sacrament of Reconciliation at Stasi Santo Thomas Onan Rihit

The Sacrament of Reconciliation, central to Catholic doctrine, facilitates the restoration of relationships between the penitent, the community, and the divine. This study examines the implementation and experiences of the sacrament through the essential acts of repentance, confession, and penance, highlighting their roles in spiritual and moral transformations. Employing a qualitative approach, the research gathered data through observations, in-depth interviews, and documentation at Stasi Santo Thomas Rasul Onan Rihit. The findings reveal that repentance initiates spiritual renewal while confession promotes transparency and humility, thereby strengthening communal bonds. Penance, tailored to individual transgressions, not only addresses past wrongs but also fosters spiritual growth and community harmony. Challenges remain in fully engaging penitents with the sacrament, pointing to the need for enhanced pastoral support and theological education. This study underscores the sacrament's enduring relevance and its capacity to facilitate profound spiritual life within the contemporary Catholic context.

Teaching truths, twists, and takeaways: insights from public theological education for times of transition

ABSTRACT Theological education finds itself in the midst of transition. In this article, I probe the primary causes of this transition and the possible responses that scholars and practitioners of theological education identify. I then turn to a case study analysis of a public theological education initiative, The Candler Foundry, and argue that community-based theological education has insights to offer theological schools today. By centering attention to truth, twists, and takeaways, public theological education as practiced by my case site models one way of responding to the urgent tasks facing theological education: rethinking the relationship between theological schools and the church, reckoning with the ongoing legacies of slavery and systemic oppression, and reimagining formation. Learning from public theological initiatives like The Candler Foundry can support theological schools and educators in the challenging yet necessary work of shifting away from a posture of crisis management and towards one of discernment, care, and imagination.

Suicide Risks and Protections in Religious Communities: Two Exploratory Studies

It is imperative to understand possible protections against suicide because of the steadily climbing U.S. suicide rate. Religion has been associated with fewer suicidal behaviors. This study sought to explore the perspective of congregants experiencing suicidal behaviors (CESBs) on the risks and protections that they experience in their religious communities (RCs) in two separate studies. Study One included a purposive sample of 15 Christian congregants yielding seven codes: routine practices and deliberate suicide prevention efforts were inconsistent both before and during the pandemic lockdown, though RCs continued to operate. Cultures provided participants both protections and risks, while the pandemic amplified deep cultural divides already present before the pandemic. Study Two included a purposive sample of 20 congregants yielding six codes, core protections of a routinely provided worldview and deliberately provided theological teachings, risks of absent protections, aspirational tasks for faith leaders and RCs, inspiring stories of recovery, and some consistency with human flourishing with caution. CESBs in some RCs that have a norm of well-being hide their norm violation and expect rejection. RCs need training in order to provide deliberate suicide prevention protections and CESBs may provide counter-narratives to stigma in RCs and cultures.

An Open Declaration [Openlike Verklaring] concerning the Presbyterian Church government system

The challenge posed by 18th-century rationalism to the 16th-century Reformed doctrine, initiated a trajectory in which Reformed churches assumed the responsibility of preserving the essence of the Reformation. The emergence of the Open Declaration [Openlike Verklaring] as a response to rationalism served as a call to unity and a reaffirmation of adherence to the Presbyterian Church government system established in 1618–1619. The objective of this study was to examine the significant contributions of the Open Declaration to Church Polity [Kerkreg] and the Reformed Churches of South Africa (RCSA)[Gereformeerde Kerke van Suid-Afrika (GKSA)] by focusing on three key elements: the declaration of faith and commitment; the acknowledgement of liturgical practices and ecclesiastical governance; and the plea for unity and ecclesiastical communion [Kerkverband]. Drawing on scholarly literature and relevant church documents, the analysis explores the role of the Open Declaration in shaping the identity and practices of the RCSA/GKSA within the broader context of Reformed church history. As a result of completing this study, it is discovered that the Open Declaration should be interrogated at local level and Article 48 should be read in the light of Article 29. Major assemblies should be understood from the local Church Council, Classis, regional Synod, and General Synod – not only Classis, regional Synod and General Synod.Contribution: The proposed shared understanding of the Open Declaration aims to foster a sense of unity among delegates, emphasising the importance of aligning and binding decisions made by the Church Council, Classis, Regional Synod, and General Synod during meetings. In conclusion, local churches should revisit the Public Declaration, engage in local church dialogues to promote ongoing cooperation, prioritise theological education and training to foster unity, upholding the 16th-century Reformational theology, celebrate Holy Communion in one church building, pursue Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR), seeking biblical ways to address and resolve conflicts between local churches, and supplementing the mechanism provided by Article 31 of the Church Order.

The Construction of the Image of Italy in the 19th Century on the Example of Travelogues Published in the Slovak Period Press

The paper analyses how Italy is depicted in selected 19th-century Slovak travelogues. We chose this period because the travelogue genre was established in Slovak literature in the 19th century. Second, the travel reports to Italy that appeared in the Slovak context in the 17th century had a different nature since the Counter-Reformation and the condemnation of Protestants to the Spanish galleys in Naples conditioned the journeys. These accounts focused more on personal suffering than the peculiarities of the countries. 19th-century travel writings had a different character. Magazinestried to meet readers’ interests by publishing documentary and factual literature. We chose the travelogues of two important cultural figures who visited Italy during the same period and had the opportunity to perceive the same cultural, social, and other circumstances. The emphasis is on the travellers ́ interests, the construction of their image and how nature, climate, and other characteristic country features are reflected in their landscape image. In addition to a re-examination of the text-creation mechanisms and the different rendering methods of the same aspect, the description of natural, cultural and social realia, the paper reveals their relationship to the depicted country and how their interest was influenced by their theological education and involvement in the Church. The paper outlines the genre form widespread in 19th-century Slovak journalism considering the then atmosphere and cultural events. After studying subject-related period documents and scientific works, we used the interpretive method, which pointed outways of depicting the visited country and its specifics. This is reflected in how the issue is treated: from a generalising view of the period, the significance of the period press, and the place of the authors to an interpretation of their works. In the conclusion, we seek to generalise the existing parallels and differences in the modes of imagery.Keywords:19th century, Slovak period press, travel writing, Italy, Venice, religious symbolism

God[ly] teacher in Kierkegaard: towards a theology of education

This article provides a reading of the figure of the God[ly] teacher who has become aware of the paradox of the nature of the relationship of the teacher and student, where God is the relation between them. It points towards a theology of education that is based on the Incarnation of Jesus Christ and rests in the logic of education that learns of and from the paradox of this relation. The article invites the teacher to reconsider their practice from seduction and lover categories, to giving the gift of education in fear and trembling.

The End of Theological Education by Ted A. Smith (review)

The End of Theological Education by Ted A. Smith (review)

The Role of the Circle of Concerned African Women Theologians in Engendering Theological Higher Education in Africa

This article explores the transformative role of the Circle of Concerned African Women Theologians in engendering higher theological education in Africa. Grounded in African Women’s theology, the study analyses initiatives in championing gender equality, inclusivity, and intersectional solidarity within theological academia. The study highlights the historic journey of the Circle of Concerned African Women Theologians in promoting the integration of gender-sensitive curricular and nurturing a new generation of African women theologians. Methodologically, I adopt a qualitative design and use African Women’s Theology as a lens to understand the transformative strides made by the Circle of Concerned African Women Theologians towards engendering theological higher education in Africa.

The Effectiveness of Church Social Media in Teaching Theology to Generation Z

This study explores the effectiveness of social media use by churches in theological teaching, particularly among Generation Z. Through a literature review, the research identifies the impact of social media on congregation engagement and compares the effectiveness of digital teaching methods with traditional approaches. The findings reveal that social media plays a crucial role in enhancing congregation involvement, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic when many churches transitioned to digital platforms to continue their services. Additionally, social media use allows churches to reach a broader and younger audience while strengthening communication and collaboration among congregants. However, churches also face challenges such as technological gaps and the need to train staff in social media usage. This study concludes that social media can improve the effectiveness of theological teaching and recommends that churches integrate digital strategies into their ministries. Further research is needed to explore the long-term impact of church digitalization and to assess the effectiveness of social media across different religious contexts.

Communal reception of the spirit’s gifts of grace: re-imagining a decolonised Church of England theological education

ABSTRACT In this article, I examine the three classical models of theological education: paideia, Wissenschaft, and professional training within the context of the Church of England’s expectations for theological education as expressed through the new Formation Framework. Drawing on the publications from Eerdman’s series ‘Theological Education Between the Times’, I critically examine the three models through the lens of whiteness and argue that the classical models can each be used to oppress and exclude people of colour. In response, I offer a re-imagining of how the Church of England might think about a de-colonised theological education as the communal reception of the Spirit’s gifts of grace. I use this descriptive and teleological account to offer a renewed vision for the three classical models, showing how professional training might be re-orientated by a theological education focused on the Spirit’s grace; Wissenschaft might be re-purposed through the concept of receiving gifts; and paideia might be revived through the intentional formation of racially, socially, vocationally and denominationally diverse communities.

The Concept of ``Shema'' in Deuteronomy 6:4-5 as an Application of Educational Theology

Educational theology provides the basis for religious education by integrating religious values into the curriculum and teaching methods. Through the authors’ literature research, it was determined that the biblical concept of Christian religious education for children has significant value. This discipline is steeped in Bible teachings and aims to cultivate a personal relationship with God, which ultimately glorifies His name. Those who are responsible for teaching in the field of Christian religious education play an important role. The Israel Shema, or Jewish Creed, found in Deuteronomy 6:4-5, serves as the basis for teaching God’s teachings to children. The authors provide a qualitative analysis of the text and its contextual background, which is closely related to Israeli beliefs and their relationship to educational theology. Shema, as a declaration of faith for the nation of Israel, is a manifestation of personal commitment and determination to the one true God and is used in the practice of teaching faith education in both the family and church circles. Keywords: Deuteronomy 6:4-5, education, Shema, theology