Teaching for Spiritual Formation: A Patristic Approach to Christian Education in a Convulsed Age
In Teaching for Spiritual Formation, church historian and experienced Christian educator Kyle R. Hughes advances a fresh vision of Christian teaching and learning by drawing upon the riches of the Christian tradition, synthesizing the wisdom of the early church fathers with contemporary efforts to cultivate a distinctively Christian approach to education. Of interest to a wide range of Christian educators, this book examines how the writings of five significant church fathers can illuminate our understanding of the vocation of teachers, the nature of students, the purpose of curriculum, decisions about pedagogy, and how spiritual formation works. Besides reimagining these aspects of Christian education, Hughes also offers habits and practices that can help bring this vision of Christian teaching and learning to life, challenging Christian educators to sharpen their approach to the integration of faith and learning in practical and accessible ways.
“Kyle Hughes is that rare Christian school teacher who is both a
genuine scholar and guide to his students—in this case, readers of
his new book. Since so few classroom teachers rise to the level of
scholarship in their fields, it is thrilling to discover someone
capable of sharing with others the depths of wisdom gained by close
acquaintance with our church fathers.”
—Bruce Lockerbie, Chairman/CEO, PAIDEIA
“Hughes invites his readers to join a lively discussion with an
unlikely cast of educational philosophers: the early church
fathers. Although the teachings of our early church fathers have
staged a refreshing resurgence in recent decades, they have not yet
found an interested audience with Christian educators. At least,
not until now. With compelling clarity, Hughes demonstrates how the
wisdom of the early church can reshape our vision of a true, good,
and beautiful education.”
—Brett Edwards, Head of School, The Stonehaven School
“In this refreshing and insightful book, Hughes encourages
Christian educators to move ahead by looking back at the wisdom of
church fathers who have gone before. . . . What a
challenge is laid before teachers to develop their own interior
life so that they may have more to give to students. Hughes helps
us reimagine how teachers might better understand their role as
critical disciplers of students in their faith journey.”
—Dan Beerens, Senior Fellow, Center for the Advancement of
Christian Education
“Kyle Hughes is that rare Christian school teacher who is both a
genuine scholar and guide to his students—in this case, readers of
his new book. Since so few classroom teachers rise to the level of
scholarship in their fields, it is thrilling to discover someone
capable of sharing with others the depths of wisdom gained by close
acquaintance with our church fathers.”
—Bruce Lockerbie, Chairman/CEO, PAIDEIA
“Hughes invites his readers to join a lively discussion with an
unlikely cast of educational philosophers: the early church
fathers. Although the teachings of our early church fathers have
staged a refreshing resurgence in recent decades, they have not yet
found an interested audience with Christian educators. At least,
not until now. With compelling clarity, Hughes demonstrates how the
wisdom of the early church can reshape our vision of a true, good,
and beautiful education.”
—Brett Edwards, Head of School, The Stonehaven School
“In this refreshing and insightful book, Hughes encourages
Christian educators to move ahead by looking back at the wisdom of
church fathers who have gone before. . . . What a
challenge is laid before teachers to develop their own interior
life so that they may have more to give to students. Hughes helps
us reimagine how teachers might better understand their role as
critical disciplers of students in their faith journey.”
—Dan Beerens, Senior Fellow, Center for the Advancement of
Christian Education
- Title: Teaching for Spiritual Formation: A Patristic Approach to Christian Education in a Convulsed Age
- Authors: David I. Smith, Kyle R. Hughes
- Publisher: Cascade Books
- Print Publication Date: 2022
- Logos Release Date: 2022
- Language: English
- Resources: 1
- Format: Digital › Ebook
- ISBNs: 9781725281257, 9781725281233, 9781725281240, 1725281252, 1725281236, 1725281244
- Resource ID: LLS:9781725281257
- Resource Type: Monograph
- Metadata Last Updated: 2022-12-22T05:41:18Z
Kyle R. Hughes is history department chair and faith-learning integration coordinator at Whitefield Academy in Atlanta. He also serves as director of catechesis at Christ the King Anglican Church. An accomplished researcher in the field of early Christian history, he is the author of How the Spirit Became God (2020) and The Trinitarian Testimony of the Spirit (2018).