Andrews University Digital Commons @ Andrews University Dissertations Graduate Research 2008 The Historical Development, Philosophical Foundation, and Mission of the Religious Education Program at Andrews University Jorge E. Rico Andrews University Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.andrews.edu/dissertations Part of the Christian Denominations and Sects Commons, and the Education Commons Recommended Citation Rico, Jorge E., "The Historical Development, Philosophical Foundation, and Mission of the Religious Education Program at Andrews University" (2008). Dissertations. 658. https://digitalcommons.andrews.edu/dissertations/658 This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by the Graduate Research at Digital Commons @ Andrews University. It has been accepted for inclusion in Dissertations by an authorized administrator of Digital Commons @ Andrews University. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Thank you for your interest in the Andrews University Digital Library of Dissertations and Theses. Please honor the copyright of this document by not duplicating or distributing additional copies in any form without the author’s express written permission. Thanks for your cooperation. ABSTRACT THE HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENT, PHILOSOPHICAL FOUNDATION, AND MISSION OF THE RELIGIOUS EDUCATION PROGRAM AT ANDREWS UNIVERSITY by Jorge E. Rico Co-Chairs: John V.G. Matthews Brian E. Strayer ABSTRACT OF GRADUATE STUDENT RESEARCH Dissertation Andrews University School of Education Title: THE HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENT, PHILOSOPHICAL FOUNDATION, AND MISSION OF THE RELIGIOUS EDUCATION PROGRAM AT ANDREWS UNIVERSITY Name of researcher: Jorge E. Rico Name and degree of faculty co-chairs: John V.G. Matthews, Ph.D. Brian E. Strayer, Ph.D. Date completed: June 2008 Topic This study focuses on the evaluation of the historical development and philosophical foundation of the Religious Education program at Andrews University. The program has been instrumental in training individuals as Bible instructors, church and educational leaders, and overseas missionaries. Its challenges and advantages have led leaders to define the program and implement a biblical philosophy of religious education. Purpose The purpose of this study is to evaluate the development, challenges, and attempts to define the Religious Education program from its inception to the present. The investigation also analyzes the biblical basis, philosophical framework, mission, and contribution of the Religious Education program to the mission of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Sources Historical-documentary research for this study focused on published and unpublished sources. The majority of primary sources used in this study were school bulletins, board minutes, letters, and numerous documents in archives and files located in the Center for Adventist Research, School of Education, and Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary at Andrews University. Secondary sources were consulted for the biblical and historical background, context, and philosophical framework. Conclusions The Religious Education program was founded in 1960 as an M.A. concentration in the Department of Education at Andrews University. Its history can be arranged into four distinct periods: foundation, growth, crisis, and redefinition. From the beginning, the mission and philosophy of the program were shaped by the Adventist philosophy of education which views the home, church, and school as pivotal agencies for religious instruction and the Bible as the primary source for religious learning. These four sources for religious training comprised a scriptural model employed by believers in biblical times to transmit the covenant relationship to future generations. As the Religious Education faculty faced structural and administrative challenges, the implementation of this biblical model in the program became problematic and the integrity and mission of Religious Education eroded. Starting in 1996, a series of events spared the program from complete elimination, and the process of redefining Religious Education at Andrews University began. Although this process is not fully complete, the program philosophy is once again centered in the biblical model, preparing candidates for service in the home, church, and school settings through the roles of a religious educator. Andrews University School of Education THE HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENT, PHILOSOPHICAL FOUNDATION, AND MISSION OF THE RELIGIOUS EDUCATION PROGRAM AT ANDREWS UNIVERSITY A Dissertation Presented in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree Doctor of Philosophy by Jorge E. Rico June 2008 © Copyright by Jorge E. Rico 2008 All Rights Reserved THE HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENT, PHILOSOPHICAL FOUNDATION, AND MISSION OF THE RELIGIOUS EDUCATION PROGRAM AT ANDREWS UNIVERSITY A dissertation presented in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree Doctor of Philosophy by Jorge E. Rico APPROVAL BY THE COMMITTEE: _______________________________ ______________________________ Co-Chair: John V. G. Matthews Dean, School of Education _______________________________ Co-Chair: Brian E. Strayer _______________________________ Member: O. Jane Thayer _______________________________ ______________________________ External Examiner: Raymond J. Ostrander Date approved To my beloved wife, Elizabeth, whose selfless support and comprehension allowed me to engage in this research To my lovely children, Michelle E. and Jorge E. III, for filling my life with joy and satisfaction To my dear parents, Jorge E. Rico and María Nelly Muñoz, whose earnest prayers during this process reminded me of my dependence on God To my late grandparents, Rafael Antonio and Julia María Muñoz, whose unsophisticated example and instructions taught me the rudiments of education and service All of you add a fresh meaning to my life, ministry, and relationship with the Lord. iii TABLE OF CONTENTS LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS.. vii ACKNOWLEDGMENTS. ix PREFACE. xi Background of the Problem. xi Statement of the Problem.. xv Purpose of the Study. xvi Research Questions. xvi General Methodology.. xvii Delimitations of the Study. xviii Definition of Terms. xviii Ecclesiastical Terms.. xviii Educational Terms. xix Theological Terms. xxi Survey of Literature. xx Review of Published Sources.. xxi Review of Unpublished Sources. xxvi Chapter I. THE RELIGIOUS EDUCATION MOVEMENT.. 1 Philosophical Foundations of Religious Education. 2 History of Religious Education. 15 Religious Education in Biblical Times. 16 Historical Survey of Religious Education. 20 The Sunday School Movement. 44 The Sunday School Movement in Great Britain. 45 The Sunday School Movement in Europe and Other Parts of the World. 52 The Sunday School Movement in America. 55 The Religious Education Association. 64 Seventh-day Adventist Foundations of Religious Education.. 83 Conclusions. 98 iv II. THE RELIGIOUS EDUCATION PROGRAM AT ANDREWS UNIVERSITY: THE EARLY YEARS. 100 History of the Program: Initial Master’s Degree. 101 History of the Program: Doctoral Degree. 111 Collaboration with the Seminary. 125 Program Evaluation. 141 Conclusions. 148 III. THE RELIGIOUS EDUCATION PROGRAM AT ANDREWS UNIVERSITY: THE CHALLENGING YEARS.. 151 Governance and Cross-Campus Strains.. 152 The Identity of Religious Education in the SED. 164 Conclusions. 181 IV. THE RELOCATION OF THE RELIGIOUS EDUCATION PROGRAM TO THE SEMINARY. 183 Redefining Religious Education at Andrews University. 184 Moving the Program to the Seminary. 203 The Preliminary Meetings. 203 The Involvement of the Deans.. 210 Rationale for the Location of Religious Education. 217 The Contributions of Religious Education. 235 The Presentation of the Proposal. 239 The Process of Moving the Program. 244 The Contribution of the Program to the Mission of the Church. 255 Conclusions. 259 V. CONCLUSIONS. 261 Summary. 261 Conclusions. 271 Recommendations for Further Study. 273 Appendix A. MAJOR CURRICULAR EMPHASES OF THE RELIGIOUS EDUCATION DEGREES.. 278 v B. COMPARISON OF REQUIREMENTS BETWEEN DOCTORAL PROGRAMS. 289 C. COMPARATIVE TABLE OF THE GROWTH OF THE ADVENTIST CHURCH.. 292 D. LIST OF ROLES AND COMPETENCIES. 296 E. BENEFITS OF HAVING RELIGIOUS EDUCATION IN THE SED. 299 F. BENEFITS OF HAVING RELIGIOUS EDUCATION AS AN INTERSCHOOL PROGRAM. 304 G. BENEFITS OF HAVING RELIGIOUS EDUCATION IN THE SEMINARY. 307 H. RECORD OF ACHIEVEMENT OF RELIGIOUS EDUCATORS. 314 BIBLIOGRAPHY. 326 VITA. 371 vi LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS APRRE Association of Professors and Researchers in Religious Education ASSU American Sunday School Union ATS Association of Theological Schools AUC Atlantic Union College AUSS Andrews University Seminary Studies CAR Center for Adventist Research CARE Department of Graduate Studies in Curriculum, Administration and Religious Education CEJ Christian Education Journal C&I Curriculum and Instruction EDCE Evangelical Dictionary of Christian Education EDT Evangelical Dictionary of Theology HERE Harper’s Encyclopedia of Religious Education ICRE International Council of Religious Education ISSA International Sunday School Association LSSU The London Sunday School Union NAD North American Division NADBHE North American Division Board of Higher Education vii NAPCE North American Professors of Christian Education NCACS North Central Association of Colleges and Schools NCATE National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education NCFR National Council on Family Relations NIDCC The New International Dictionary of the Christian Church NIDNTT The New International Dictionary