Saint Paul’s Pedagogy of Faith

Abstract

The aim of the article is to provide insight into the activity of Saint Paul the Apostle from a pedagogical perspective. The author strives to find grounds for the theory that Paul of Tarsus had a set of traits that built his pedagogical skills, and his methods of work, regarding those who he was sent to, can be classified as pedagogical agents. At the very foundations of actions taken by Paul there are philosophical and theological conceptions constituting a cohesive system and containing a deeper vision of man. God with whom Paul cooperates – as the formation teacher and educator – is in the centre of the vision. The Apostle treats his “pupils” as persons, addresses them respectfully, while the source of the attitudes is pedagogical love. Saint Paul is open, does not hide his feelings, admits his weaknesses. Welfare actions based on charity nature accompany the Apostle’s care about formation of people entrusted to him. It is the methods applied by Saint Paul that prove maturity of his pedagogy. Saint Paul’s maturity of pedagogy is also proved by the following methods applied: difficulty grading, competition, motivation by adequate encouragement and punishment. In his pedagogy the Apostle also applies his original pedagogy of influencing by God’s Word. The ability which he skilfully develops reaching the effect in his disciples’ hearts