Religious Education for Participatory Action

The current debate over immigration in the United States, understood in light of the on-going crisis of global migration, establishes the social context and relevance of this study. This dissertation maps for Christian religious educators and pastoral agents the theological and educational foundations of Religious Education for Participatory Action (REPA), an intentional, effective, and comprehensive strategy for educating in faith toward a multicultural church and society, particularly among new immigrants. This strategy is rooted in a universal mission: to promote the inherent dignity and protect the inalienable human rights of all persons, created in the image and likeness of God (Gen 1:26--28).;REPA is grounded in the premise that (a) the church must be genuinely multicultural; (b) a multicultural church requires authentic inculturation; and (c) one crucial strategic locus for effective inculturation is in the area of religious education. It critically addresses the following questions: (1) What is inculturation and how does one proceed with this process in the United States? (2) What are the implications of inculturation for shaping the content, methodology, environment, and purpose of religious education among immigrants from diverse backgrounds? (3) What is the role of religious education in building and promoting a multicultural church, toward the full inclusion and participation of immigrants in U.S. society?;This dissertation contributes to the current theory and practice of religious education. It distinctly utilizes an interdisciplinary conceptual framework, including immigration history, race and ethnic studies, community psychology, contextual theology, social ethics, multicultural education, congregation studies, as well as current literature in the field of religious education.