Bringing Out Old Treasures: The Function of Christian History for a Pedagogy of Spiritual Formation

Abstract

Why might the domains of Christian history and spiritual formation need to overlap in pedagogical contexts? By exploring this question, this article contends for a renewed dialogue between the study of Christian formation and Christian history in, particularly, the classroom. The centering of history—in both biblical and theological history—has played a functional role in spurring Christ-followers not only toward a deepened understanding of their own sanctification and formation; but also in awakening possible means of embodying faithfulness in their given age and context. The author proposes a renewal of this dialogue can and will bear visible fruit in the church’s maturity in a post-Christian, Western world.