1st Edition
Inspiring Faith in Schools Studies in Religious Education
Inspiring Faith in Schools addresses the privileging of secularism that appears to affect RE in countries influenced by modern western thought. The authors argue that a more engaging form of RE would emerge if religious life were to inhabit centre stage. Currently religious faith is made to hover in the wings awaiting the call to face the inquisitorial challenge of the modern day enquirer. The consequent relationship between pupil and the Divine as the purpose of study is then already intrinsically irreligious, as indicated in the Book of Job by putting God in the dock, whereas it is the pupil who should be (cross-)examining his or her life. What are the ways of exciting and engaging the young so that they begin to entertain the possibility of religious life as a genuine option for themselves? Leading scholars in philosophy and theology from the UK, Australia, Canada and the USA come together to address these questions together with RE experts. Marius Felderhof writes an Afterword summing up the challenges faced by such a re-visioning of RE.
Biography
Marius Felderhof is Senior Lecturer in Systematic and Philosophical Theology at the University of Birmingham, UK. Penny Thompson is a Freelance Writer and Researcher in Religious Education. David Torevell is a member of the Theology, Religion and Philosophy Department at Liverpool Hope University, UK.
’As a qualified teacher and now Christian educator, I found this book not only interesting but also helpful in terms of enhancing my own knowledge of the philosophical background to teaching of RE in the United Kingdom. The debate continues, but this book is a worthy contributor to the ongoing highly politicised and public conversation which affects all children today.’ International Journal of Children's Spirituality ’This is an outstandingly important book at many levels and for many people who care for the future of UK society as a humane, tolerant, educated, liberal and compassionate democracy.’ Theological Book Review