ORIGINAL RESEARCH

 

Another look at education from a Christian stewardship perspective

 

Nog 'n kykie na Christelike rentmeesterskapsopvoeding

 

 

Johannes L. van der Walt

Faculty of Education Sciences, Potchefstroom Campus, North-West University, South Africa

Correspondence

 

 

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ABSTRACT

Despite the current postmodern aversion to large-scale philosophies, another look at Christian stewardship education has become necessary. Christian educators need a reminder in the prevailing socio-political conditions in South Africa about the intricacies of their calling and duties towards the upcoming generation. The article commences with a discussion of education in general and then goes on to argue that the 'thin', minimalist and universalist language of modern day secular pedagogical theory should be augmented, or preferably replaced, by the 'thick', maximalist and particularist language of education theory rooted in the Bible. The article highlights a number of key concepts associated with Christian stewardship education and concludes by observing that, whilst an entire book (once again) could have been written on the subject, the discussion of a few key issues with regard to Christian stewardship education can serve as a reminder to Christian educators about their pedagogical responsibilities.

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OPSOMMING

Ten spyte van die hedendaagse postmoderne bevraagtekening van grootskaalse filosofieë het nog 'n kykie na Christelike rentmeesterskapsopvoeding in Suid-Afrika noodsaaklik geword. Christelike opvoeders moet in die heersende sosio-politieke omstandighede herinner word aan die ingewikkeldheid van hulle roeping en taak teenoor die opkomende geslag. Die artikel begin met 'n bespreking van opvoeding in die algemeen en daarna word geredeneer dat die 'dun', minimalistiese en universalistiese taalgebruik van hedendaagse sekulêre opvoedingsteorie aangevul, of verkieslik vervang moet word deur die 'dik', maksimalistiese en partikularistiese taal van opvoedingsteorie geanker in die Bybel. Die artikel belig 'n aantal sleutelbegrippe wat met Christelike rentmeesterskapsopvoeding saamhang. Aan die einde word tot die slotsom gekom dat hoewel daar (weer eens) 'n hele boek oor die onderwerp geskryf sou kon word, die bespreking van enkele kernvraagstukke rakende Christelike rentmeesterskapsopvoeding kan dien om Christelike opvoeders aan hulle pedagogiese verantwoordelikhede te herinner.

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Full text available only in PDF format.

 

Acknowledgements

Competing interests

The author declares that he has no financial or personal relationships which may have inappropriately influenced him in writing this article.

 

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Correspondence:
Johannes van der Walt
18 The Vines
Luneville Road
Lorraine
Port Elizabeth 6070
South Africa
Email: hannesv290@gmail.com

Received: 14 Mar. 2012
Accepted: 27 Sept. 2012
Published: 10 Dec. 2012