Christian Formation: An Integrative Approach - B&H Publishing Group

IntroduCtIon
at Trinity International University (Deerfield, Illinois) and wrote the chapter
on adult development and Christian formation. Mark Maddix, Dean of
the School of Theology at Northwest Nazarene University (Nampa, Idaho),
provided the chapter on spiritual formation and Christian formation. He
likewise was a Trinity classmate of James Estep and Jonathan Kim.
Perhaps the hidden agenda of this book is that Christian educators
and other Christian leaders would no longer regard the theologies of the
Church and the theories of the social sciences as independent from one
another or even adversaries but as interdependent in regard to Christian
formation, mutually endeavoring to understand the process and product of
growth in Christ.
James Riley Estep, Jr., Ph.D.
Professor of Christian Education
Seminary at Lincoln
Christian University
Lincoln, Illinois
Jonathan H. Kim,Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Christian Education
Talbot School of Theology, Biola University
LaMirada, California
September 2009
i On several occasions, Scripture poses the question, “What is man . . .” Sometimes it is raised in relation
to divine awe (Job 7:17, Psalm 114:3-4), expressing amazement at the attention God bestows upon them. In other
contexts, it is a phrase used to introduce criticism (Job 15:14) or in Messianic-Christological contexts. (Psalm 8:4-5,
Hebrews 2:6-8)
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