Vulnerability, Perfection and Christian Education

Abstract

The reflections in this article answer two related questions. First, is perfection compatible with the “imperfection” of being vulnerable? Second, what role does vulnerability play in the Christian educational paradigm? To address these questions, the concept of vulnerability will be discussed. Then the concept of perfection will be discussed, from the perspective of Christian theology. Lastly, brush strokes of a Christian educational proposal will be offered, that incorporates vulnerability into the classical educational paradigm (paideia) of virtue education. If we consider perfection as communion, then vulnerability does not represent an obstacle to perfection but the condition for flourishing. Vulnerability as an expression of affectivity is not deprivation but perfection. The Christian educational model supposes a correction and improvement of the Greek educational model.