Aotearoa New Zealand Association for Mission Studies

Transformative Learning for Theological Education

 Transformative learning is an adult learning theory which outlines how students go through a process of examining some of their inner assumptions regarding their world view, and how integrating changes of these assumptions leads to positive adaptations in attitude and behaviour.

 Insights from transformative learning can be applied to our practice of theological education, to assist students in recognising some of their own assumptions (for instance their concept of God, of salvation, their own self-esteem, questions of gender equality and variance) and examine them in the light of their ongoing theological learning and experience, so as to reach an integrated status vis á vis their inner assumptions and theological understandings. In this way concern for student’s sustained spiritual growth within the context of theological education can be addressed.

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