Towards Vital Wholeness in Theological Education , livre ebook

God’s truth is holistic, impacting all aspects of his creation. So also is his will and agenda for his world. Therefore his ministers in the world should be trained holistically through an integrated program in a wholesome community. That is the challenge that is posed before us in this masterful work by one of India’s most innovative theological teachers. It calls for courage to totally transform, not just patch up, our method of training and assessment in our efforts in the formation of candidates. Its ideas and guidelines are profound, perceptive and practical arising from an earnest mind and a heart passionate for more effective theological education. For all those who have a hunger for the renewal of theological education, this work is an invaluable and indispensable resource.
Saphir Athyal, PhD
Formerly President of Union Biblical Seminary, Pune, India
Director, Christian Commitments, World Vision International
Deputy Chairman, Lausanne Committee
Founder-Chairman, Asia Theological Association
Towards Vital Wholeness in Theological Education by Jessy Jaison is a prophetic call to nothing less than the “conversion” of the contemporary world of seminary training. Jaison’s call to “wholeness” is a frank acknowledgment that much of what happens today in ministerial formation is fragmented and lacks many of the key features necessary for vitality and health. This book patiently surveys the entire landscape of higher education and, in the process, gives us a much-needed call for spiritual awakening and for a dramatic reassessment of what has heretofore been called theological education.
Timothy C. Tennent, PhD
President, Asbury Theological Seminary, USA
A new benchmark in theological education has arrived! Towards Vital Wholeness is a must-read for all linked with theological education in this twenty-first century who seek a comprehensive approach to the equipping of men and women for Christian ministry. Jessy writes with both a burden and a passion – to see lives changed and transformed as they walk through the portals of any theology school – so that the church might be strengthened in her witness and service at large. Absolutely well done!
Dr Alexander Philip, MBBS
Director, New India Evangelistic Association
South Asia Facilitator, Transform World Movement
Global theological education has suffered compartmentalization and the fragmentation of learning since the Enlightenment. This has resulted in an emphasis on academia rather than on formation for the wholeness of students in our educational pursuit of theology. Dr Jessy Jaison brings a breath of fresh air of wholeness to the very core of theological education. Her emphasis on the students’ learning, faculty’s involvement in formation and assessment of the community life of the seminary breaks new ground for integral theological education.
Ashish Chrispal, PhD
Regional Director, Asia, Overseas Council
Dr Jessy Jaison’s book touches on training philosophy, governance, curriculum, faculty formation, teaching and learning, community, assessment and much more, but it has a unified aim: to help theological schools understand and deliver wholeness in theological education. Nothing could be more vital. It is easy to read, clear as to theory and summarizes key discussions and issues in useful tables and diagrams. But, fundamentally, it is a book of practical wisdom. It wants to help schools deliver wholeness in their calling by explaining the best theory, inculcating the right attitudes and indicating the best ways forward. Every chapter, every main issue, has a self-assessment guide for schools and a list of suggested activities to realize the goals. Above all, it pulses with a passion for a wholeness in theological education built around the goal of mission, the needs of the church and the transformation of students.
Teachers, staff and governors, you need this book.
Graham Cheesman, PhD
Founder, Centre for Theological Education (CTE), Belfast, UK
Formerly Principal of Belfast Bible College, Northern Ireland
Council Member, European Evangelical Accrediting Association (EEAA)
All trustees, administrators and faculty in theological education ought to consult this book regularly in order to be reminded about the important questions that we need to return to again and again. This will ensure that our efforts in this important vocation are continuously recalibrated according to the most important commitments that should drive our endeavors – for these matters Dr Jessy Jaison leaves no stone unturned and will repeatedly probe our work and prod us to educational excellence in light of our higher calling!
Amos Yong, PhD
Professor of Theology & Mission
Director of Center for Missiological Research
Fuller Theological Seminary, USA

Towards Vital Wholeness in Theological Education
Framing Areas for Assessment
Jessy Jaison
ICETE Series

© 2017 by Jessy Jaison
Published 2017 by Langham Global Library
An imprint of Langham Publishing
www.langhampublishing.org
Langham Publishing and its imprints are a ministry of Langham Partnership
Langham Partnership
PO Box 296, Carlisle, Cumbria CA3 9WZ, UK
www.langham.org
ISBNs:
978-1-78368-293-5 Print
978-1-78368-294-2 ePub
978-1-78368-296-6 PDF
Jessy Jaison has asserted her right under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act, 1988 to be identified as the Author of this work.
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the publisher or the Copyright Licensing Agency.
All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan.
British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data
A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library
ISBN: 978-1-78368-293-5
Cover & Book Design: projectluz.com
Langham Partnership actively supports theological dialogue and an author’s right to publish but does not necessarily endorse the views and opinions set forth, and works referenced within this publication or guarantee its technical and grammatical correctness. Langham Partnership does not accept any responsibility or liability to persons or property as a consequence of the reading, use or interpretation of its published content.

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Contents

Cover


Foreword


Acknowledgments


Introduction The Vital Wholeness in Theological Education


The Vision and Contents of the Book


Understanding Wholeness


From Fragments to Wholeness


Assumptions That Immobilize an Effective Practice of Theological Education


Facilitating Wholeness in Theological Education


A School’s Self-Assessment Guide on Wholeness in Theological Education


Practical Recommendations: Wholeness in Theological Education


1 Wholeness in the Goal, Mission and Training Philosophy


Varied Notions of Theological Training


Knowing the Goal of the Theological Institution


The School’s Mission as Serving and Strengthening the Church


The Inevitable Crisis: Defining, Establishing and Pursuing the Goal and Mission


A School’s Self-Assessment Guide on Goal, Mission and Training Philosophy


Practical Recommendations: Goal, Mission and Training Philosophy


2 Wholeness in Theological Curriculum


The Curriculum


Theological Curriculum: A Hurdle


Fourfold Dimensions of Curriculum


Assessing the Implicit and Null Curricula


The Traditional and the Holistic Curricula


Contextually Designed Curriculum or Syllabus Given?


Wholeness in Curriculum by Centering on the Core Vision


Wholeness in Curriculum by Suiting Learning to the Context


Foundational Curriculum for Real-life Experience


A School’s Self-Assessment Guide on Curriculum


Practical Recommendations: Curriculum


3 Wholeness in the Formation of Faculty


Ongoing Formational Predicament for Faculty


Faculty as the Owners, Designers and Improvisers of the Curriculum


Faculty as Role Models Exemplifying Humility and Hospitality


Faculty as Living Documents of Theology and Theological Wisdom


Faculty as Steadfast Worshippers and Persons of Prayer


Faculty as Integrative Practitioners and Trend-Setters in Mission


Faculty Employing Adult Education Principles in Training


Faculty as Mentors


A School’s Self-Assessment Guide on Faculty


Practical Recommendations: Formation of Faculty


4 Wholeness in the Overall Learning Experience


Thinking Integration when Priorities Clash


The Vitality of Knowing and Centering on God’s Word


The Formal, Informal and Non-formal Learning Domains


Developing a Learning Climate Conducive to Holistic Formation


A School’s Self-Assessment Guide on Overall Learning Experience


Practical Recommendations: Overall Learning Experience


5 Wholeness in the Community Life of the School


Community That Balances Love and Discipline


Growing into an Accepting, Loving and Caring Community


Managing and Developing Individual Talents of Students


Physical Care and Hospitality in a Genuine Community Climate


A School’s Self-Assessment Guide on Community Life


Practical Recommendations: Community Life


6 Wholeness in the Interworking of Departments


The Dilemma of Departmental Disconnect


Lack of Research Fostering Inter–Intradepartmental Connectedness


Unhealthy Divide between Academic and Ministerial Formation


Focus Shifting Away from God-Centeredness


Inadequate Vision of Interdisciplinary Collaboration in Teaching


Absence of Collaborative Course Designs


Neglect of Live-Action-Reflection Model in Edu