Vision and Character: A Christian Educator's Alternative to Kohlberg

Craig Dykstra has done it: he has written a readable engaging book which does justice to the complex texture of moral existence as we experience it. His exposition shows the real but limited usefulness of cognitive theories of moral development and education. In a simple penetrating prose rich in narrative quality he sets forth an account of visional ethics and a corresponding ethics of character. After helping us see clearly what moral growth means he offers one of the most truly humane and inspiring approaches to Christian moral education you will encounter. This is a superb book for any thoughtful reader. No professional in ministry or religious education can afford to be without it. --James W. Fowler Emory University For Christian educators this book is going to mark the end of the Lawrence Kohlberg era in moral education and open up a fresh understanding of how repentance prayer and service nourishes moral development. --C. Ellis Nelson Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary Dykstra emphasizes the formative role of revelation and imagination of the spirit of repentance prayer and service as well as the intentional direction of the Church community and the teacher in the dynamic of Christian education. Drawing on insights from literature psychology and experience his work is at once informative and inspirational. --Berard L. Marthaler Catholic University of America Vision and Character is a book for which I have been waiting and longing. Character value and moral education have long been concerns of religious educators. Todays literature is dominated by developmentalism and the work of Kohlberg. . . . Here at last in this thoughtful readable useful book is a true alternative. Dykstra has provided us with the best foundation for Christian moral education to date. --John H. Westerhoff III Duke University Dykstra is one of todays new group of brilliant young Christian education thinkers and this is his first book. Dykstra is a person to hear carefully both now and in the future. --D. Campbell Wyckoff Princeton Theological Seminary Craig Dykstra is Vice President for Religion for the Lilly Endowment Inc. He previously taught Christian education at Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary (1977-84) and served as Thomas W. Synnott Professor of Christian Education at Princeton Theological Seminary (1984-89) where he was also editor of the journal Theology Today. An ordained minister in the Presbyterian Church (USA) Dykstra is a graduate of the University of Michigan (BA) and Princeton Seminary (MDiv PhD). Dykstra is also the author of Growing in the Life of Faith: Education and Christian Practices (1999 2005) and has published over 100 monographs chapters of books articles editorials and other commentaries.