RT Article
T1 The postmodern context: teaching integration in a changing culture
JF Journal of psychology and christianity
VO 35
IS 2
SP 113
OP 124
A1 White, Scott A.
A1 Entwistle, David Nelson
A1 Eck, Brian E.
LA English
YR 2016
UL https://ixtheo.de/Record/1647632234
AB As professors, the authors share a passion for teaching about the integration of psychology and Christianity. Over time, a growing awareness has emerged that students have changed in important ways, [...]Millennial students are a new generation of learners, and they bring a very different background to classes that seek to integrate psychology with the Christian faith. The integration movement largely developed during the late modern era, reflecting the perspectives on psychology, Christianity, and integration that were typically rooted in modernity. Students of this era were also heavily influenced by modernity's impact on the culture and the church. However, today's students are increasingly influenced by a postmodern culture and perspectives that include the acceptance of many narratives and the view that truth is relative to culture and language, is embedded in power, and is used to oppress the powerless. Research on millennials reveals a decreased interest in and disaffiliation with religion, a higher level of biblical illiteracy, a desire to form their faith unconstrained by traditional religious denominations, and a rejection of many traditional values. Differing views on Christianity, the church, and truth bring new challenges to professors teaching a course on integrating psychology and the Christian faith. Furthermore, today's students, as digital natives, approach learning in new ways. Research also reveals that millennials display characteristics such as feeling special and pressured, and being sheltered, confident, team-oriented, conventional, and achieving. After reviewing these trends, we conclude by making recommendations on class content and pedagogy to faculty teaching courses on the integration of psychology and the Christian faith as they adjust to this new reality.
K1 Christianity - Study and teaching
K1 College teaching - Methods
K1 Psychology and religion - Study and teaching