Ecologies of Faith in a Digital Age: Spiritual Growth through Online Education

by Mary E. Lowe; Stephen D. Lowe

Publisher:

IVP Academic

, 2018

Overview

Technological innovation has changed nearly everything about human life, including how we teach and learn.

Many Christian professors and institutions have embraced new technologies, especially online education. But as followers of Jesus Christ, we face the same call to grow in our faith. So how should we think about and approach Christian education in light of new technologies? Is it possible for us to grow spiritually through our digital communities?

Steve Lowe and Mary Lowe, longtime proponents of online education, trace the motif of spiritual growth through Scripture and consider how students and professors alike might foster digital ecologies in which spiritual growth—even transformation—can take place.

Key Features

• Provides an approach Christian education in light of new technologies
• Considers how students and professors can foster digital ecologies in which spiritual growth and transformation can take place
• Traces the motif of spiritual growth through Scripture

Contents

Part 1: A Biblical Theology of Ecology

• God’s Garden Ecology
• The Ecological Motif in Scripture
• The Ecological Power of Parables
• The Ecology of the Body of Christ

Part 2: Spiritual Formation Through Digital Ecologies

• Growing Together Online
• Designing Learning Ecologies
• Digital Ecologies Across the Digital Landscape
• Social Networks and the Power of Reciprocal Influence

Part 3: Ecological Connections to Christ and Community

• Ecological Connection to Christ
• Ecological Connections to Christians
• Ecological Interactions with Other Christians
• Ecological Sanctification
• Thinking Ecologically About Spiritual Growth

Top Highlights

“In God’s ecology, individual things and people do not grow alone. They grow when they connect to and interact with the ultimate Source of Life and other growing people.” (Page 5)

“The simplest definition of ecology or ecosystem we have states that it is the study of the ‘interdependence of all living things, plant and animal, and their environment which makes life possible.’” (Page 14)

“An ‘ecological motif’ then is a repeated pattern of reference in the biblical text that describes creation from an ecological vantage point that stresses nature’s interconnections.” (Page 27)

“Social contagion has to do with our ability to influence others and the ways in which others influence us.” (Page 15)

“Spiritual formation is not a magical occurrence resulting from the presence of Christians gathered together in the same place, whether online or on campus. There must also be intentionality, reflection, engagement, and interaction between and among those gathered.” (Page 85)

Praise for the Print Edition

Mary Lowe and Stephen Lowe have long been trailblazers in the work of online theological education. In this volume they bring together their passion for spiritual formation, faithful pedagogy, and online learning. Those who doubt if these things can be brought together will find a well-informed, illuminating, and creative apologetic for faith formation in a digital age. Theological educators and students will be challenged, helped, and encouraged by the work of Mary Lowe and Stephen Lowe. It is a privilege to recommend this fine volume.

—David S. Dockery, president of Trinity Evangelical Divinity School

Can spiritual formation take place through disembodied online education? Ecologies of Faith answers this question by developing a biblically informed approach to interconnectivity of human relationships that foster spiritual formation. Building on research in the social sciences, the authors illustrate that digital communities can provide an ecology of spiritual connection and growth. This book is a must-read for educators and administrators who are concerned about Christian formation in a digital age.

—Mark A. Maddix, dean of the School of Theology and Christian Ministry, Point Loma Nazarene University, San Diego

When I began teaching seminary in 1996, we offered no online courses or programs; today nearly half of our student course load is online. Ecologies of Faith in a Digital Age provides a much-needed theological framework for those of us trying to understand spirituality in our ‘brave new digital world.’ I have known Steve and Mary Lowe for about twenty-five years and have watched their thinking blossom and reach maturity; I look forward to learning much from them about the ecology of spiritual formation!

—R. J. Gore Jr., professor of Systematic Theology and Ministry, dean of Erskine Theological Seminary

Product Details

• Title: Ecologies of Faith in a Digital Age: Spiritual Growth through Online Education
• Authors: Mary E. Lowe, Stephen D. Lowe
• Publisher: IVP Academic
• Print Publication Date: 2018
• Logos Release Date: 2018
• Pages: 250
• Language: English
• Resources: 1
• Format: Digital › Logos Reader Edition
• Subjects: Christian education; Education › Effect of technological innovations on; Internet in education; Spiritual formation
• ISBNs: 9780830887439, 9780830852055, 0830887431, 0830852050
• Resource ID: LLS:9780830887439
• Resource Type: Monograph
• Metadata Last Updated: 2024-03-06T20:46:06Z