Having faith in our faith in god: Toward a critical realist epistemology for Christian education

The postmodern era poses significant challenges to Christian faith in god. For many, a subterranean question lies just beneath their tenuous faith: "I s there an objective reality upon which faith in god is based?" This essay argues that, in addition to other important factors, a dominant worldview o r epistemology within postmodern culture conceals the multidimensional natu re of reality and discredits religious faith. Critical realism is introduce d as an epistemological framework of both science and theology in which Chr istian faith makes sense. Significant implications are drawn for teaching a nd learning and pastoral ministry in Christian congregations.