TFT's principles of instruction

General Principles - for every field of knowledge

(i) adaptation of our capacities in accordance with the nature of the object, and therefore instruction requires a specific adaptation on the part of the learner, a specific mode of rational activity determined by the nature of what is being taught or communicated"

(ii) an attitude, that "reflects the nature of the subject-matter involved"

(iii) asking "the right questions"

(iv) material to think about

(v) holding "together the realm of the image and the realm of idea"

(vi) having "tools with which to think and shape the thoughts in your mind and form your judgements"

(vii) "the community of others" is required

Particular Principles - for knowing Christ

(i) "Jesus Christ is Himself the Truth"

(ii) Jesus Christ "can be communicated only historically" because "The Truth is a historical Person"

(iii) "True Christian instruction requires on the part of the learner or receiver a response of self-denial and self-criticism"

(iv) "Instruction in Christian Truth involves reconciliation with the Truth.

(v) "Christian instruction involves renewal on the part of the learner."

(vi) It requires "the supernatural operation of the Spirit who proceeds from the Father and the Son in order to apprehend the Truth"

(vii) It must be reckoned that Truth "may put the learner at variance with the world"

[Italics original quotations and structure from pp. xxiii-xl, TF Torrance, The School of Faith: The Catechisms of the Reformed Church.]