The naming of parts: Faith, formation, development and education

Abstract

This chapter explores the meaning of the foundational concepts of faith, formation, development and education, which are employed across a wide variety of contexts where people are educated into Christianity. Astley argues that such clarification is widely ignored, although it is greatly needed. Attention is given to the component elements of the concept of faith and their differing applications, the importance of recognizing a critical dimension within the concept of Christian education and the significant distinction between ‘faith formation’ and ‘faith development’. He contends that something is lost if the powerful metaphor of formation is not balanced by an evaluative element within Christianity’s reception and its learners’ embrace.