Attempts to explain spirituality by describing epistemological and metaphysical dimensions of four world views: modern, postmodern, mystical, and theistic. Outlines a Christian approach to management and ways in which spirituality rooted in Christian tradition can influence management education. (SK)

Philip Pullman's popular fantasy series "His Dark Materials" is sure to arouse the ire of Christian parents if it ever gets used in public schools. Pullman's books contain direct attacks upon Christianity, and Pullman himself admits that his writing attempts to "undermine the basis of Christian belief." Educators must realize that this kind of…

As Christian educators we must take seriously the gospel command to "go, and teach them all that I have commanded you." But how are we to proclaim the ancient faith in a relativistic, image-driven, post-modern age that long ago abandoned modernism's holy crusade to either prove or disprove the orthodox faith through reason? Using the example of…

How should Christians address our often ambiguous and increasingly postmodern world? The article explores some of the ways cultural postmodernity is affecting Christian communities. The tendency to trivialize understandings of meaning and value is highlighted as one of the greatest challenges posed by the negative aspects of postmodernity. It is…

This article evaluates the portrait of faith development theory and research in James Fowler's article,"Faith Development at 30." Questions are raised: Does Fowler's emphasis on the practical-theological and pastoral focus of faith development contradict its aspiration and disposition for empirical scrutiny? Does Fowler's principal concern with…

Christian missionaries have played a crucial role not only in assisting past and current forms of colonialism and neocolonialism, not only in attacking and destroying other ways of being, but also in terms of the language effects their projects have engendered. The choices missionaries have made to use local or European languages have been far…

Today deep theological differences threaten to divide Protestant denominations. In turn, these differences often mute church education and block mission. This article seeks to offer glimpses for addressing that theological controversy. It is an exercise in historical retrieval examining a generative period in the history of Christian religious…

For over 30 years official disapproval of confessional approaches to religious education in community (formerly county) schools has been the norm. However such forms of religious education persist. Some arguments put forward in favour of non- confessional religious education are now shown to be weak. Confessional religious education is now thought…

This article reviews and explores the links between Chet Bowers' recent book on constructivist theories of learning and the paper by Gormas, Koole, and Vryhof on learning for reconciliation published in this journal (Spring 2006). The reviewer holds that Bowers' critique of constructivism has merit, but that his emphasis on eco-justice leaves gaps…

Many African Americans experience low-grade depression, referred to as dysthymia in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (4th ed., text rev.; American Psychiatric Association, 2000). After more than 250 years of enslavement, prejudice, and discrimination, dysthymia is reflected in chronic low-grade sadness, anger, hostility,…

This article provides a summary of the Cuban Revolution and its implications and consequences for Christian higher education in Cuba. Christian institutions experienced the same oppression from the communist revolution as the rest of the evangelical denominations during the sixties and seventies. The worst period for Protestantism began in 1965…

This study addresses eight models for "doing" ecclesial adolescent ministry in the United States from both a Catholic and ecumenical perspective. The article offers youth ministers in the field with creative insights to further enhance their ministry with adolescents. The eight models represent an inclusive theological and pastoral…

This article examines the dramatic increase in poverty in the United States of America. An analysis of data from the U.S. Census Bureau for 2004 reveals the extent of poverty. The official poverty threshold is lower than what is needed for a person or family to provide for the necessities of life. The effects of poverty on women and children are…

In 2001, more than 1.2 million worshipers in over 12,000 congregations in four countries participated in the International Congregational Life Survey (ICLS). The ICLS was an expansion and revision of previous surveys conducted in Australia (the National Church Life Survey) to include congregations and worshipers in New Zealand, England and the…

Issues like faith and Church, religion and religiousness are not valued particularly highly among the young. At the same time a search for the meaning of life and an orientation in one's own behaviour still seem to be significant and transcendent focal points are being sought to deal with these issues. This article questions the value that…