Conference paper
Grace in the educational process
Marijan Steiner
orcid.org/0000-0001-5700-1213
; Filozofsko-teološki institut Družbe Isusove, Zagreb
Abstract
Classical theology considers grace as a supernatural gift of God to human nature, newer theologians emphasize that grace is a personal relationship of friendship with God. Man's life is due to this friendship. The task of Christian educators is to train for a life of grace, i.e. for a lasting friendship with God, for life »in Christ«.
Grace is not only an excellent means of education, but also an inner, godly principle within us. Christian education uses all the conventional pedagogical means and methods but emphasizes the importance of spiritual and supernatural means: meditation, prayers, sacraments, Christian ethics, liturgy, ascesis, catechism, etc.
Christians consider Our Lord Jesus Christ as the supreme educator. He has taught us to consider everything in the light of religion, in relationship with God, thus providing pedagogy with an essential element. The supreme principle of Christian pedagogy is eternal redemption of man. Christian education culminates in sanctity we are all invited to participate in. Sanctity can only spring from the soil of Christian education permeated by grace, and grace is something educators should seriously take into account. Therefore, grace is the foundation of education and of Christian sanctity.
Keywords
Hrčak ID:
51924
URI
Publication date:
20.12.1993.
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