Reading and spiritual formation : toward a place for literature within parent-child, domestic church and body of Christ relationships for raising children in Christian faith

This thesis explores how and why literature and reading, as a practice within Christian families, can play an influential role in the spiritual formation of children. The first part presents a picture of Christian parenting, drawn from three theologians: Karl Barth on parents and children, based in the doctrines of creation and Christology, and the I/Thou relationship; the Roman Catholic doctrine of family as ‘domestic church’, as discussed by Florence Caffrey Bourg; and Stanley Hauweras, largely concerning his emphases of a Christian ethic, the narrative structure of life, and the Body of Christ as essential for raising children. The second part moves to investigate philosophy and literary theory, in order to show how literature is formative, from three philosophers: Richard Eldridge sees it as intellectually educational as one moves between autonomy and embeddedness in moral personhood; Martha Nussbaum argues that it is emotionally experiential, returning emotions, imagination and particulars to a central part of the search for a good life; and Wayne C. Booth presents it as an educating experience, in which one should fully engage with the work, reflect upon it, and share one’s assessments in discussion. In the last chapter and conclusion, four major themes are discussed—individuals in community, narrativity, the good life of faith, and open closure—in order to bring into clearer focus the ways literature and its formative nature can enhance the raising of children in faith, the task of Christian parents.EThOS - Electronic Theses Online ServiceGBUnited Kingdo