Customer Reviews

Teaching Redemptively: Bringing Grace and Truth Into Your Classroom

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First off, I'm reading this book from the perspective of a MS / HS teacher that works at a christian school and holds a degree in education.

Let's start with the "good" points:
1. It does give you a different theological perspective on "education" in terms of what education is from a christian standpoint. The author does a good job in relating education throughout to God, Jesus in particular, and references those relationships with scripture numerous times.

2. The author does a good job of making you think about what your viewpoint on christian education and its purpose by asking questions of the reader, posing situations and policies, etc.

3. The author gives you a good example of what would not be a good christian school environment (in his opinion) and also an example of how a school purpose / goal statement can be troublesome and /or twisted to be a hinderence in achieving the schools real goals. Also, he brings up the question of "what should a christian school place emphasis on"?

The not-so-good:
1. The majority of the book is based on the "teacher as shepherd" concept and although this works, the concept is used far too often (by the end of the book I was thinking "not the sheep yet again!". Also, another concept that is used throughout (to the point of exhaustion) is that students are "fallen image bearers of God", although I agree, it is used way too much (about 1-2 times per page on average).

2. Although the author gives good concepts / ideas / theological points of view, he does not give ANY real world application... If you're looking for practical "in the class" advice, look elsewhere.

3. The author puts forth concepts about how things would run in the "ideal" christian school and then suggests that we should put these concepts in place in our "not-so-ideal" schools. At times, I wondered if the author has had any actual teaching experience in a k-12 school (long term) christian or not... because I'd say that many of the concepts he puts forth would not work (of would only work with a very few students) in most classroom situations. With college kids (which the author apparently teaches) sure, but not with adolescents. An example...in his ideal school, there would be little emphasis on grades and teachers would not grade many of the students assignments, students would do work only for teacher comments and suggestions on how they could improve and continue to develop their skills... Although this is a lofty goal, many, if not most students want to see some kind of reward / worth in their work...if they do not see that, then they will not do the work. Although I agree with the author that sometimes too much emphasis is placed on the "carrot" the student receives for the work, taking away all tangible signs of progress / rewards would not work in most situations, nor do I believe it would be a good thing.

4. Where are the parents?! The book mentions parents only one time that I can remember and that was in a bulleted statement in which they were included in a list of people... The author places no emphasis on the role of parents in the child's education and /or spiritual development. He also does not mention your role (as the teacher) in relation to student-parent interaction nor how parents can affect the behavior of students in or out of the classroom.

In closing, if you want the authors perspective on bringing grace, forgiveness, and mercy into your classroom, this would be a good book for you, BUT keep in mind that he addresses these topics in a very general manner and does not go into any real life application or "how to". Overall, this was a good book to "contrast" with some of the other books I have read on christian education, but it is by no means my top pick for practicality or realistic advice.

Donovan Graham presents a scholarly and in-depth assessment of the challenges we face as redeemed people acting in the calling to be teachers. It is a call to take up the teaching style that would be most characteristic of a Christian teacher and that would produce children capable of assessing their own situations and responding in appropriate ways. He clearly enunciates the differences between "principles-based" and "systems-based" approaches to education, and why the principles approach is a better style than the behaviorally-focused systems approach, we have been predominantly dedicated to in American education.

I was given this book a few years ago by my school administrators, but I was not motivated to read it until last year when I decided to pursue my ACSI teacher certification. Teaching Redemptively was one of five books I was required to read in order to help me better understand and write about the crucial elements of a Christian philosophy of education. The book challenges Christian teachers to totally embrace a Biblical worldview in all aspects of the teaching profession. Dr. Graham challenges Christian educators to reflect the character of the creative-redemptive God. Biblical ideas are identified, and their implications are discussed. We are reminded to live and teach by the Truth and to show God's grace to our students and colleagues.

This is an excellent book that offers deep insight into a biblical worldview of teaching from a position of grace. I would recommend this book to any person that is in a teaching position; whether Sunday school, Christian or secular, or even for the parent that is considering Christian education.