How can a holistic approach reinforce the Christian citizenship formation of trainee teachers in a modern society that bears the traits of fragmentation? Investigating this question, this PhD study leads to the conclusion that subjectifying education is necessary to strengthen social justice practices in the life and work of the trainee teacher. These practices need to be supported by a relational epistemology and an underlying attitude of service and presence. This requires a holistic, intregrated formation process that aims simultaneously at the hands, the head and the heart of the student. To fulfill their duty in a modern, fragmented society Christian (trainee) teachers need to combine critical faithfulness and critical openness. In this way, they can teach children to deal with the diversity and complexity of society while remaining true to their own religious upbringing. To achieve this, it is necessary to go back to the historically correct interpretation of the life slogan of the father of Christian education in the Netherlands, Mr Guillaume Groen van Prinsterer. With his ‘in our isolation lies our strength’, he did not mean social or geographical isolation, but daring to stand alone in connection with society. That is what Faithfully Connected describes. Through theological action research these notions are already impacting teacher training at Driestar Christian University in Gouda (the Netherlands). The research was facilitated by Porticus Foundation and by Driestar, where Peter works as a teacher trainer. The study is illustrated with art works by Martijn Boer and Thomas van Olst.
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