Corporation, Classroom, or Congregation: The Role of Metaphor in Theological Education.

STEPHEN WOODWORTH
Rev. Dr. Stephen L. Woodworth
Associate Director, ITEN (International Theological Education Network)

Seminar title: Corporation, Classroom, or Congregation: The Role of Metaphor in Theological Education.
Research in the area of cognitive linguistics has slowly expanded our understanding of metaphors and their role in conceptual mapping and the subconscious framework they establish within our everyday lives. This has key implications for the work of theological educators as a myriad of cultural and historical metaphors compete for the definition of theological education. With influence from businesses, the academy, and the church, institutions dedicated to the task of theological education must recognize and evaluate the current metaphors that are inherently shaping their mission, outcomes, and values. Through the exploration of current research in cognitive linguistics, this seminar will interact with the most common metaphors employed by theological educators and the potential they hold for clarifying or distracting our future role in the world.