Assessing research trends in spiritual growth: The case for self-determined learning.

Article


Hukkinen, Esa, Lütz, Johannes M. and Dowden, Tony. 2023. "Assessing research trends in spiritual growth: The case for self-determined learning." Religions. 14 (6). https://doi.org/10.3390/rel14060809
Article Title

Assessing research trends in spiritual growth: The case for self-determined learning.

ERA Journal ID211287
Article CategoryArticle
AuthorsHukkinen, Esa, Lütz, Johannes M. and Dowden, Tony
Journal TitleReligions
Journal Citation14 (6)
Article Number809
Number of Pages19
Year2023
Place of PublicationSwitzerland
ISSN2077-1444
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/10.3390/rel14060809
Web Address (URL)https://www.mdpi.com/2077-1444/14/6/809
Abstract

A review of the contemporary Australian church reveals a spiritual malaise in which passive learning has become the main staple for many church members or attendees. This sense is heightened by demographic trends over the last fifty years that reflect a sustained decline in Australians identifying as religious. Although commitment to Christianity is seemingly softening, this sociodemographic picture is contraindicated by other research that reflects a growing hunger for spirituality among many Australians. Given this disparity, there is an opportunity to re-examine pertinent understandings of spiritual growth. In the literature, notions of spiritual growth are conceptualised by a variety of definitions and operationalised by a range of tools and practices. Analysis suggests that many models are limited by linearity, passivity, and reductionism and do not adequately resonate with the complexities inherent in spiritual growth. This literature review extends previous research by examining the state of the art in relation to spiritual growth. The paper converges around the synthesis that heutagogy and coaching are effective twin strategies that may direct self-determined learning towards enhanced spiritual growth. This paper conceptualises opportunities for future research and thereby lays the foundation for an important emergent research agenda. This article charts pertinent perspectives and prospects.

Keywordsspiritual growth; literature review; heutagogy; coaching; theory and practice; research agenda
Contains Sensitive ContentDoes not contain sensitive content
ANZSRC Field of Research 20203999. Other Education
Byline AffiliationsAlphacrucis University College, Australia
University of the Sunshine Coast
University of New South Wales
School of Education
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