( 2 reviews )
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( 0 of 1 found this review helpful ) Posted: Jul 22 2006
The authors strive to make this book a very practical tool. They look upon the past to gather valuable insights to better equip the future servant. Having learned valuable lessons from those who have gone before them, the readers will be better prepared to meet the challenges that lay ahead. Each chapter has three major emphases that are very helpful: 1.Historical context- Each chapter is introduced with a section titled "What in the World?" to introduce the reader to what else was happening in the world in the era being reviewed, beyond the scope of the particular chapter. 2.Frequent Summaries- The authors make frequent use of text boxes to provide a summary of the material being discussed. This is a very useful tool to refer back to in the future. 3.Contemporary relevance- Each chapter concludes with a section labeled "So What? Lessons from the past for 21st Century Christian Education" These sections draw out principles or lessons derived from the particular historical era. In the final chapter the authors encourage the reader to develop a Personal Philosophy of Ministry divided up into seven categories and to support their view with scripture. The categories include the Role and Nature of the Teacher, Role and Nature of the Learner, Pupose and Goals of the Lesson, and Outcomes Assessment. This will help the servant to apply theory to practice. The book ends with an Epilogue, which attempts to pull together the lessons learned from this study. It is broken down in seven summarizing points. It has an 8-page textbox titled "So What? Cumulative Lessons from the Past for 21st Century Education" which contains seven points. Among those summarizing points are that Ministry leaders should lead the way in demonstrating servant leadership (point 2), God's Word is preeminent (point3), and that change is necessary (point 7). I definitely recommend the book as it is a very helpful tool in looking at the history and philosophy of Christian Education. As the authors state "The emphasis of this history book is the future." We will be able to learn from the lessons of the past and apply it to our future ministry.
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( 5 of 6 found this review helpful ) Posted: Mar 25 2005
It is always gratifying to see attention paid to the perennial ideas and ideals, the importance of understanding the events and lessons of history, and to the appreciation of the classics in any educational enterprise. Perhaps more so today, it is cause to celebrate when that attention happens in the context of theological education. An informal survey of courses of study in theological schools will reveal a diminishing opportunity for being introduced in any systematic way to the history and philosophy of educational thought and Christian education.
