The Possibility of the Christian Religious Education of Adults: Indoctrination, Preaching, Nurture, Education

J S Goodall

Research output: ThesisDoctoral Thesis

Abstract

This thesis sets out to answer a central question: is it possible to engage in the Christian religious education of adults without resorting to indoctrination? It looks first to the concepts in the literature connected to the Christian religious education of adults. This literature deals with education overall, the education of adults in particular, and then education as it relates to faith.
The concepts of indoctrination, preaching and nurture are then examined as they relate to education. A visual representation of the relationship between these concepts is offered, showing that there is a progression from indoctrination, through preaching, nurture, to education understood in a pure sense, which has only the intention of facilitating (any) worthwhile learning.
Alongside this work based on conceptual analysis from the literature, field work undertaken in a Roman Catholic Diocese in England and Wales is used to support the research. The field work is an illustrative snapshot, rather than representative; its purpose is to illuminate the conclusions reached in the first part of the research.
In both the questionnaire and interview section of the field work, data was obtained from three groups of respondents: administrators, tutors and participants. This grouping covers all those involved in the Christian religious education of adults in the diocese, and allows triangulation of data.
The results of the field work is then related back to the chart proposed from the literature review, and conclusions drawn about gaps in the literature and proposals made for further study. Overall, the data from the field work support the conclusions of the first part of the research, with minor adjustments.
Original languageEnglish
QualificationDoctor of Education (EdD)
Awarding Institution
  • University of Nottingham
Supervisors/Advisors
  • Leicester, Mal, Supervisor, External person
Award date6 Jan 2006
Publication statusUnpublished - 2005

Keywords

  • education
  • indoctrination
  • adult education
  • religious education

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