An investigation into spiritual formation programmes at selected Theological Institutions in Kwa-Zulu Natal
type: CreativeWork
description: This research is an investigation into spiritual formation programmes available at different theological institutions in Kwa-Zulu Natal with the aim of finding out how spiritual formation is being intentionally or specifically pursued and whether these programmes are meeting the spiritual needs of the students. The research is based on the hypothesis that spiritual formation should have a legitimate place in theological education in spite continuing disagreements about the nature and place of spiritual formation. If it is imperative that theological graduates be people of competence and character, then spiritual formation must be as much a part of the agenda of the institution as academic competence. Curricular standards for theological education involves concern about intellectual, professional and spiritual formation. Unfortunately the current dominant structure of theological curricula tends to favour academic instruction, tolerate the practical and compartmentalize the spiritual. The average Protestant theological institute suffers from the perception that spiritual formation is not necessary. A reason for this can be traced to a belief that the church is the proper environment for spiritual formation. Cognitive instruction is thought of as the province of the curriculum, with spiritual formation happening implicitly, informally and on a personal basis. The present study contributes empirical data to the growing literature on the relationship between spiritual formation and theological education. Research was conducted at five selected theological institutions to reveal an imbalance in the nature of theological education where the focus is on the academic aspects of learning. This study shows that attempts to take spiritual formation seriously were met with resistance. The field-work revealed that only one of the selected theological institutions has an intentional spiritual formation programme. In the main, the majority of theological institutions did not have …
abstract: This research is an investigation into spiritual formation programmes available at different theological institutions in Kwa-Zulu Natal with the aim of finding out how spiritual formation is being intentionally or specifically pursued and whether these programmes are meeting the spiritual needs of the students. The research is based on the hypothesis that spiritual formation should have a legitimate place in theological education in spite continuing disagreements about the nature and place of spiritual formation. If it is imperative that theological graduates be people of competence and character, then spiritual formation must be as much a part of the agenda of the institution as academic competence. Curricular standards for theological education involves concern about intellectual, professional and spiritual formation. Unfortunately the current dominant structure of theological curricula tends to favour academic instruction, tolerate the practical and compartmentalize the spiritual. The average Protestant theological institute suffers from the perception that spiritual formation is not necessary. A reason for this can be traced to a belief that the church is the proper environment for spiritual formation. Cognitive instruction is thought of as the province of the curriculum, with spiritual formation happening implicitly, informally and on a personal basis. The present study contributes empirical data to the growing literature on the relationship between spiritual formation and theological education. Research was conducted at five selected theological institutions to reveal an imbalance in the nature of theological education where the focus is on the academic aspects of learning. This study shows that attempts to take spiritual formation seriously were met with resistance. The field-work revealed that only one of the selected theological institutions has an intentional spiritual formation programme. In the main, the majority of theological institutions did not have …
author: Naidoo, Marilyn
keywords: Spiritual formation, Spirituality--Study and teaching (Higher), Spiritual direction, Theological seminaries--South Africa--KwaZulu-Natal
license: https://devspace.unizulu.ac.za/bitstreams/6204e9f6-0bd8-42fc-b869-301f0540aa2c/download
date published: 2005
date modified: 2026-07-24T06:16:55Z
provider: University of Zululand
publisher: Networked Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations
type: WebPage
source organization: University of Zululand