We make two interventions in two evolving scholarly literatures. First, we show how fractal metaphors escape a recurring dichotomy in Christian pedagogical scholarship, the either/or of alienation from one's object of study versus union with it in "an act of love." Second, we try to replace recent interdisciplinary work's emphasis on…

This study emphasises the need to empower spirituality within the framework of environmental education, and demonstrate its value as a vital component in the human-nature relationship. This is proposed through utilizing the meaning, content and practice of mindfulness. The examination of mindfulness, as a pedagogical philosophy as well as…

The composer, author, and teacher, John Cage, was exercised by our 'inability' to truly listen when approaching sound. In exploring the influences on Cage's avant-garde style, specifically the spiritual discipline found in both Zen Buddhism and Chance operations, this paper attempts to distinguish his philosophy (and use) of "silence"…

A focus on the spiritual dimensions of childhood has been included in many early childhood education guidelines worldwide. However, understanding the nature of children's spirituality, and how a spiritual pedagogy can be enacted in practice is still to be understood across the sector. This paper draws on van Manen's phenomenology of practice to…

Traditionally, children have generally been considered as developmentally immature and unable to experience spirituality. However, more recent studies seem to indicate the opposite. This article aims to: (1) explore how religiosity and spirituality evolve in the developing person; (2) describe the perceptions of children about God; (3) explore how…

Mystagogy has long been known as a catechesis to help the newly initiated deepen their understanding of sacramental experiences. In the ancient world, mystagogy was the way in which elders, that is mystagogues, helped candidates to identify and reflect on the hidden mysteries within their experience and the practices of their community.…

Given the pervasive influence of patriarchy in politics, women in the political arena must be equipped to address the various challenges that come with it. Therefore, there is a need for political education tailored to their specific needs. Women's political representation plays a vital role in advancing democracy. This study investigated…

First-Year Seminars (FYS) are a high-impact practice (Keup & Young, 2018; Skipper, 2017). However, outcomes of pedagogical approaches linked to those seminars have not been as well researched. An expectation of Christian higher education is to consider what kind of spiritual and personal formation is happening through classroom assignments and…

The introduction of mindfulness into schools and its potential effects on health and wellbeing promotion have received substantial attention among scholars. However, the implications and consequences thematised by critics of school-based mindfulness have yet to receive the same analytical scrutiny. One side has praised mindfulness as a useful…

Christian colleges and universities offer a unique teaching and learning experience grounded in spiritual formation. However, current scholarship addressing spiritual formation has been mostly isolated to rational epistemologies or narrow applications of practice. A holistic model of pedagogical practice that can be applied across disciplines and…

The participant-centered, discipleship-focused train-the-trainer prototype identifies the changes discipleship requires of us and correlates those with various techniques and approaches used in effective participant-centered andragogy. The result is a train-the-trainer curriculum that teaches Christian leaders more effective training skills while…

This article aims to recover the foundational importance of training in ascesis for Christian education. For early Christian pedagogues such as Basil of Caesarea and John Chrysostom, education was seen not so much as the transmission of information as it was an invitation to a life of virtue and faith; to this end they especially encouraged…

This article presents the challenges and possibilities of integrating spiritual modeling as an approach to religious education. Spiritual modeling is an emerging concept in the field of religious development, specifically in the social cognitive theory of Albert Bandura. A systematic literature review of the principles and concepts of spiritual…

The work of numerous authors discussing the integration of Christian faith and practice in higher education has been presented in the scholarly conversation to date. Simultaneously, literature abounds regarding the Association of College and Research Libraries' (ACRL) "Framework for Information Literacy for Higher Education," its…

This article focuses on ancient Daoist wisdom, together with its associated principle of "yin-yang," and their contemporary significance in terms of how they might be applied within today's classrooms as foundations for a harmonious world. It does so by illustrating the significance of Daoism and "yin-yang" from both historical…