Title

Cogent Bodies, Self-Aware Souls: An Apologetic for Theater in Christian Higher Education

School/Department

Rosemead School of Psychology

Publication Date

9-2012

Abstract

Mission statements of Christian institutions of higher education often include the purpose of forming individuals to live out their Christian commitments in larger society. This article presents the case that including theater in Christian higher education prepares students to further God's kingdom in this world after graduation—whether or not they do so through the medium of theater. Specifically, the argument is that training in theater serves two primary and interrelated goals in students' development: cogent bodies, capable of representing God to others through relationships, and self-aware souls, foundational for the development of character. The conclusion offers a case example of a successful theater program at Wheaton College.

Keywords

Education, Higher--Social aspects; Theater

Publication Title

Journal of Research on Christian Education

Volume

21

Issue

3

First Page

265

Last Page

280

DOI of Published Version

10.1080/10656219.2012.733330.

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