Open AccessThe role of relationship in moral formation: An analysis of three tertiary theological education institutions in South Africa
Author(s) -
Louise Kretzschmar,
Ethel Caroline Tuckey
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
in die skriflig/in die skriflig
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2305-0853
pISSN - 1018-6441
DOI - 10.4102/ids.v51i1.2214
Subject(s) - morality , moral development , sociology , environmental ethics , moral education , pedagogy , political science , psychology , social psychology , law , philosophy
This article investigates the teaching and practice of moral formation at three theological education institutions in South Africa. Morality is described in terms of relationship with God, with the self, with others in the church and society and with the environment. Many theological institutions, while acknowledging moral formation in their aims and teaching ethical theory, have difficulty developing and implementing a moral formation programme. The findings of the research suggest that the teaching and practice at the institutions that involve relationships are most effective for moral formation. Hence it is recommended that the institutions foster the students’ relationship with God, with themselves, with others and with the environment. Relational teaching methods and activities are most effective and ways of implementing them are explored, including developing partnerships with local churches