Vision and Character: Christian Educators' Alternative to Kohlberg Dykstra, Craig

Craig Dykstra takes aim at Lawrence Kohlberg's stage-based moral development theory and argues that Christian education needs something more than cognitive frameworks. His alternative? A vision-centered approach where moral formation happens through participation in communities shaped by biblical narratives and practices. Dykstra contends that character isn't built through abstract reasoning about ethical dilemmas, but through being formed by stories, rituals, and relationships that shape how we see the world. Written for educators, pastors, and parents wrestling with how faith communities actually form people, this is philosophical theology with practical stakes. It's dense but accessible, rooted in both educational theory and theological tradition. If you've ever felt that faith formation can't be reduced to developmental stages or moral reasoning exercises, this makes the case for why.