Christian Faith and Christian Learning - A Theological Action Research Account

Following a critical analysis of the pedagogical theology and practice of Christian learning, this book develops a radical alternative account of 'faith learning' through close engagement with the practicalities of one declining denomination (British Methodism).

List of contents

Introduction; PART 1 - The problem with Christian learning and a theological action research response; 1. Decline, discipleship, and doctrina. The contemporary churches' valorisation of teaching and learning; 2. Learning from the longer Christian tradition: a different kind of teaching and learning - a different kind of knowing?; 3. Uncovering hidden faith-learning today: a theological action research response; PART 2 - Faith-learning, agency and eschatology: a theological action research journey with sites of practice; 4. Faith is for practice. What's the point of learning?; 5. "Deep conversation" as a (the?) everyday practice for faith learning; 6. The dangers of "the Christian teacher": agency and service in faith-learning; 7. Faith-learning and the challenge of its 'resourcing'; 8. Interruption, interconnectedness, and presence: the place of trust in faith learning; 9. The Holy Spirit and discernment: the need for a spirituality for faith learning; 10. Holiness, wisdom, and the ends of learning; 11. Faith learning and commissioned ministries: questions of church; PART 3 - Re-figuring church for God's teaching: a call for a radical reimagining of Christian teaching and learning; 12. Faith-learning as everyday mystery: a theological-epistemological account; 13. Enabling the mystery of divine pedagogy: re-imagining church for faith-learning; Postscript: methodological learning for theological action research.

About the author

Clare Watkins is a Professor in the Centre for Catholic Studies at Durham University, UK.
James Butler is a post-doctoral researcher at the University of Roehampton, London, UK and MA lecturer at the Church Mission Society, Oxford, UK.

Product details

• Authors: James Butler, Butler James, Clare (University of Roehampton) Butler Watkins, Watkins Clare
• Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd.
• Languages: English
• Product format: Hardback
• Release: 25.07.2025
• EAN: 9781032575582
• ISBN: 978-1-0-3257558-2
• No. of pages: 320
• Series: Explorations in Practical, Pastoral and Empirical Theology
• Subjects: Humanities, art, music > Religion/theology > General, dictionaries; Non-fiction book > Philosophy, religion > Religion: general, reference works; RELIGION / Christian Ministry / General, Religion / Christian Church / General, RELIGION / Education, RELIGION / Christian Theology / General, RELIGION / Christianity / Methodist, Religion: general, Theology, RELIGION / Christian Living / General, Protestantism & Protestant Churches, Protestantism and Protestant Churches