Journal: Faith and Mission
Volume: FM 23:3 (Summer 2006)
Article: Dewey, Comenius, and Jesus: An Examination of Teaching Methods
Author: Scott Gleason

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FM 23:3 (Summer 2006) p. 66

Dewey, Comenius, and Jesus:
An Examination of Teaching Methods

Scott Gleason

Gaylen Leverett

Edward Perusso

Ph.D. Students in Biblical and Theological Studies
Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary
Wake Forest, North Carolina 27587

Introduction

The history of education is replete with examples of influential men and women who shaped the field and the historical context in which they lived. Oftentimes, one can glean significant insight into the various issues surrounding effective education by comparing and contrasting these key figures. Furthermore, one can glean helpful principles by taking key thinkers from various eras and setting them beside one another in order to evaluate their particular approaches. For the Christian educator in particular, an interesting study would compare and contrast the educational approaches of Jesus, Jon Amos Comenius, and John Dewey. While all three men worked in very different settings with very different experiences, one can argue they represent the three most influential educators of their day.

In particular, what would happen if John Dewey were interviewing Jesus and Comenius for a position at his Lab School in Chicago? How would the two men fare under the particular approach to education which has been so influential in American life? Based on such a scenario, the following paper seeks to compare and contrast the approaches to education one finds in Dewey, Comenius, and Jesus. In order to demonstrate the salient features, the paper will first work through the philosophy, methodology, and goals of education for each person. Second, the paper will address both commonalities and distinctions among these thinkers. Finally, the paper will consider if Jesus or Comenius would be hired by John Dewey.

FM 23:3 (Summer 2006) p. 67

John Dewey and Education

In order to compare the educational approaches of Comenius and Jesus to that of John Dewey, one must first consider Dewey’s approach. To understand that approach fully, one must see Dewey as a man of his time. John Dewey’s approach developed in the midst of significant social, political, scientific, and technological changes happening at the beginning of the twentieth century. He was born in 1859, the same year Darwin published Origin of Species.1 By the time of his death in 1952, Dewey had experienced the Civil War, the Depression, the New Deal, and two world wars.2 Such change and turmoil had a significant impact on the development of his concepts of pragmatism and experimentalism. These theories were applied to education most directly while...

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