Will Our Children Have Faith?

by John H. Westerhoff III

The revised edition of a classic in Christian education Originally written in 1976, this classic critique of Christian education is back in a revised edition. Christian education, according to Westerhoff, has modeled itself on the schooling-instructional paradigm of our secular schools. Instead of expecting faith formation to happen within a variety of contexts -- the family, church, school, and the church school -- religious education has been relegated entirely to Sunday morning classes. There children learn the facts about religion, but will they learn or experience faith? How can we be communities that nourish and nurture the faith of children, instead of only teaching them facts? This revised edition includes a new foreword that summarizes Westerhoff's own faith journey that led him to write this book, and even to rethink portions of it today. Each of the original chapters concludes with notes that reveal some of Westerhoff's rethinking of the material since 1976. A new Afterword explores the context in which we live currently, and its implications for catechetical ministry.

Genres: Education, Theology, Family

176 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1976

Reviews

[Aldo]

This is a bit more of an intellectual book but I still enjoyed it. He challenges congregations to incorporate the ministry to children and worship into the ' normal' flow of the service as much as possible.

[Norman Falk · Rating 4 out of 5]

Westerhoff offers a powerful critique of the "schooling instruction model" upon which, in his view, many of the church's educational programs are based. He argues that we need a paradigm shift in Christian education that will involve the entire community of faith. He calls it the "community of faith-enculturation paradigm".

"Our children will have faith if we have faith and are faithful. Both we and our children will have Christian faith if we join with others in a worshipping, learning, witnessing Christian community of faith. To evolve this sort of community where persons strive to be Christian together is the challenge of Christian education in the years ahead" (126).

First written in 1976, the book still seems very relevant...

[Matthew Hilbert · Rating 3 out of 5]

Westerhoff's main point, which was groundbreaking at the time, is that the traditional schooling-paradigm in which we attempt to educate the minds of children is insufficient. While intellectual knowledge is important, growing in spirituality is holistic, involving much more than just the mind. This seems obvious and yet many of our American churches put an almost exclusive focus on the mind. Information = Transformation. If we give them the right information, they'll think rightly and therefore feel and act rightly. However, as human beings, we are not quite that straightforward. Westerhoff believes that in order to help children grow holistically spiritually, they must be taught in the context of Christ-centered community.

[Crimson Sparrow · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting conglomeration of inspiration and frustration! In this thought-provoking read, expect to vacillate between encouragement and abject disagreement - both of which mark a good text, in my opinion, challenging readers to consider what they really think and believe. Be sure to get the 3rd edition as its updates make the entire text worthwhile.

Of particular value to me was an almost sidebar articulation of the vocation of the church in:
* Healing unhealthy images of God
* Healing unhealthy perceptions of self
* Developing Christian character and
* Developing the ability to discern God's will and action in our lives

In our current global climate and cultural milieu, that is gold.

[Tom Marsan · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's clear to see why this was a seminal, and foundational work for many in Christian Ed, but I'm not convinced the style is accessible enough for me to really make use of in ministry.

[Jonah Wilson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Though parts of this book are dense and a little outdated, it is a helpful book that considered holistic growth as Christians in the context of the Church. I found chapters 4 and 5 especially helpful, discussing various "pathways" of faith that are particularly relevant in different seasons of our lives and practical ideas of how to enact "enculturation" in faithful, creative ways.

[Nick Metler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Still incredibly relevant.

Ministry, faith, education must become more creative and actually address the challenges we all face.

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a generically Christian analysis of why the children of churchly people keep looking away from THE FAITH.

I had to read this for my "Lutheran Catechesis" class, and found much of worth in it. I can't just wholesale recommend it, though. Definite mixing of Law & Gospel, as well as left-hand, right-hand Kingdoms.

[Kyle Horton · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read for seminary, a couple great chapters.