Andragogy of the Oppressed: Emancipatory Education for Christian Adults

In most churches, Bible and other religious instruction is based on an evangelical model structured on a teacher-centered, lecture-oriented approach that involves treating adults as children and that is thus more consistent with unregenerate human nature than with the born-again nature of Christians. An emancipatory model of Christian adult education is needed that includes consideration for the principles of andragogy. Andragogy, the science of adult learning, is based on the belief that the ways in which adults and children learn differ from five standpoints: self-concept, life experience, readiness to learn, time perspective, and orientation to learning. Each component of andragogical philosophy holds important insights for adult Christian education. The works of Walter Ong, Malcolm Knowles, and Paulo Freire present an alternative, more participative modality through which educators and clergy can transmit theological processes and principles. A model process called a praxis cycle has been developed based on principles proposed by Ong, Knowles, and Freire and has been suggested as a model for delivering emancipatory education for Christian adults. According to the model, teachers/facilitators use dialogue to help students/disciples develop the competencies required to become biblically literate, critically conscious, and actively involved Christian citizens. (Contains 28 references.) (MN)