Vision and Character

""Craig Dykstra has done it: he has written a readable, engaging book which does justice to the complex texture of moral existence as we experience it. His exposition shows the real but limited usefulness of cognitive theories of moral development and education. In a simple, penetrating prose, rich in narrative quality, he sets forth an account of visional ethics and a corresponding ethics of character. After helping us see clearly what moral growth means, he offers one of the most truly humane and inspiring approaches to Christian moral education you will encounter. This is a superb book for any thoughtful reader. No professional in ministry or religious education can afford to be without it."" --James W. Fowler, Emory University ""For Christian educators this book is going to mark the end of the Lawrence Kohlberg era in moral education and open up a fresh understanding of how repentance, prayer, and service nourishes moral development."" --C. Ellis Nelson, Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary ""Dykstra emphasizes the formative role of revelation and imagination, of the spirit of repentance, prayer, and service, as well as the intentional direction of the Church community and the teacher in the dynamic of Christian education. Drawing on insights from literature, psychology, and experience, his work is at once informative and inspirational."" --Berard L. Marthaler, Catholic University of America ""Vision and Character is a book for which I have been waiting and longing. Character, value, and moral education have long been concerns of religious educators. Today's literature is dominated by developmentalism and the work of Kohlberg. . . . Here, at last, in this thoughtful, readable, useful book is a true alternative. Dykstra has provided us with the best foundation for Christian moral education to date."" --John H. Westerhoff III, Duke University ""Dykstra is one of today's new group of brilliant young Christian education thinkers, and this is his first book. Dykstra is a person to hear carefully both now and in the future."" --D. Campbell Wyckoff, Princeton Theological Seminary Craig Dykstra is Vice President for Religion for the Lilly Endowment, Inc. He previously taught Christian education at Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary (1977-84) and served as Thomas W. Synnott Professor of Christian Education at Princeton Theological Seminary (1984-89), where he was also editor of the journal Theology Today. An ordained minister in the Presbyterian Church (USA), Dykstra is a graduate of the University of Michigan (BA) and Princeton Seminary (MDiv, PhD). Dykstra is also the author of Growing in the Life of Faith: Education and Christian Practices (1999, 2005), and has published over 100 monographs, chapters of books, articles, editorials, and other commentaries.