Integration of Faith and Learning: An Incidental or Intentional Approach?

In recent decades the ‘Integration of Faith and Learning’ (IFL) concept and its application have prompted research, dialogue and deliberation amongst SDA academics, researchers and educators (Akers & Moon, 1980a; Korniejczuk, 1994; Nwosu, 1999; Rasi, 2013; Roy, 2001; Taylor, 2012). It is the IFL concept that makes Christian education unique. Yet, despite all the research and information available about IFL, the author has discovered that an ‘Intentional’ or an ‘Incidental’ approach to integrating faith and learning in the Christian classroom is still a topic of discussion and debate among teachers. Therefore, in this article, the author proposes that both ‘Incidental’ and ‘Intentional’ IFL approaches are complementary and indispensable if a balanced and realistic engagement with Christian education is to be experienced by the students. The application of this thesis in the elementary school setting is then discussed and practical suggestions for its implementation outlined and explored