Ecologies of Faith in a Digital Age - by Stephen D Lowe & Mary E Lowe (Paperback)

About the Book

Many Christian institutions have embraced new technologies, especially online education. But is it possible for us to grow spiritually through our digital communities? Steve Lowe and Mary Lowe, longtime proponents of online education, trace the motif of spiritual growth through Scripture and consider how students and professors alike might foster digital ecologies in which spiritual transformation can take place.

Book Synopsis

Many Christian institutions have embraced new technologies, especially online education. But is it possible for us to grow spiritually through our digital communities? Steve Lowe and Mary Lowe, longtime proponents of online education, trace the motif of spiritual growth through Scripture and consider how students and professors alike might foster digital ecologies in which spiritual transformation can take place.

Review Quotes

"A theologically-rich resource for faculty and administrators, this work provides the necessary theological underpinning of online education and the spiritual formation possible therein."

"Can spiritual formation take place through disembodied online education? Ecologies of Faith answers this question by developing a biblically informed approach to interconnectivity of human relationships that foster spiritual formation. Building on research in the social sciences, the authors illustrate that digital communities can provide an ecology of spiritual connection and growth. This book is a must-read for educators and administrators who are concerned about Christian formation in a digital age."

"For doubters of Christian distance education, I recommend this book; it may discredit some myths about online learning. If you are already practicing online learning, this book will challenge you to see the interconnection of elements and people in your courses."

"In this ubiquitously connected and networked age, Steve Lowe and Mary Lowe have offered a thought provoking, ecological perspective of spiritual formation and how we grow as Christians. Their ecology-of-faith model can provide keen insight to providers of Christian, online education and may contribute to meaningful conversations regarding how the mission of Christian education aligns with online delivery. I believe this is a must-read!"

"Mary Lowe and Stephen Lowe have long been trailblazers in the work of online theological education. In this volume they bring together their passion for spiritual formation, faithful pedagogy, and online learning. Those who doubt if these things can be brought together will find a well-informed, illuminating, and creative apologetic for faith formation in a digital age. Theological educators and students will be challenged, helped, and encouraged by the work of Mary Lowe and Stephen Lowe. It is a privilege to recommend this fine volume."

"Online and other forms of distance education are growing rapidly in Christian higher education and leaders and teachers in these settings rightly wonder about the opportunities or loss of opportunities for spiritual formation in these formats. Stephen and Mary Lowe provide us with a thoughtful and challenging 'ecological' model of spiritual growth to consider, exploring its presence in Scripture and potential benefit for thinking about and carrying out online teaching in ways that can promote reciprocal spiritual growth as we are mutually connected with Christ. This book is helping me think in new ways about how we can grow together spiritually, even when we are apart, and it has potential benefit for both Christian higher education and mission and local ministry settings. If you are involved in online teaching or ministry, it's a must-read."

"Theological education is so much bigger than what happens in the classroom. In our increasingly interconnected world we're just now beginning to realize how much that truth impacts every aspect of teaching and learning. Nowhere is that more important than online. This rich resource helps distance educators think about their work less as information download and more as sowers of seed, cultivating and nurturing both soil and plant in a holistic ecosystem of transformative learning."

"This is a thorough and insightful depiction of the potential for online learning to promote significant transformation in the lives of your learners. If your institution is looking into the future of spiritual formation in digital worlds, this book will be instrumental in guiding you."

"When I began teaching seminary in 1996, we offered no online courses or programs; today nearly half of our student course load is online. Ecologies of Faith in a Digital Age provides a much-needed theological framework for those of us trying to understand spirituality in our 'brave new digital world.' I have known Steve and Mary Lowe for about twenty-five years and have watched their thinking blossom and reach maturity; I look forward to learning much from them about the ecology of spiritual formation!"

About the Author

Stephen D. Lowe (PhD, Michigan State University) is graduate chair of doctoral programs and professor of Christian education at Rawlings School of Divinity at Liberty University.

Mary E. Lowe (EdD, Nova Southeastern University) is associate dean for online programs and professor at Rawlings School of Divinity at Liberty University.