REFLECTION ON FAITH INTEGRATION IN CHRISTIAN EDUCATION

Abstract

Over the past two decades, there has been an ongoing discussion about “faith-learningintegration” in Christian colleges and universities. As Christian academics realized the dangerof becoming secularized, they began to pursue higher education that is firmly groundedin Christian perspectives. Christian institutions, therefore, ask their faculty of all disciplinesto approach their fields within the framework of Christian principles and doctrines. Thus,it is now imperative that Christian faculty be able to integrate their Christian faith intotheir academic vocation. On the surface, this seems an effortless task in the field of Christian education, sinceChristian education is inherently grounded in the faith. However, given that Christian educationneeds to have deliberate, continuous dialogue with other disciplines such as philosophy,theology, and social sciences, Christian educators need to find new connections with thepurpose of advancing His Kingdom. Since the ultimate goal of Christian education istransformation of a person for the work of God, faith integration within the field of Christianeducation must also ultimately aim to transform the individual through right teachings(orthodoxy), right actions (orthopraxy), and a right heart (orthokardia). Creative interactionbetween faith and a given discipline (e.g., Christian education) will enable students to developa Christian worldview and to see the interconnectedness of God’s truth in different disciplines. Christian scholars have practiced faith-learning integration through their lesson plans,assignments, readings, researches, and publications. Yet too often, they have done so withouta clear understanding of academic faith integration – not certain about what faith integrationentails or how it is to be executed. This article offers critical personal reflection on theperception and the practice of faith-learning integration in the academic setting, focusingspecifically on Christian education. I will present my own work in integrating faith withinthe larger disciplines of education and the social sciences, making it reasonable and applicable within the Christian context.