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Theological Studies on Youth: Family, Education and Religion
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Theological Studies on Youth: Family, Education and Religion

A special issue of Religions (ISSN 2077-1444). This special issue belongs to the section "Religions and Health/Psychology/Social Sciences".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (15 February 2025) | Viewed by 4353

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Carl-Mario Sultana

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Faculty of Theology, University of Malta, 2080 Msida, Malta
Interests: catechetics; catholic religious education; catholic school leadership; catholic education; education for the faith; methodology for education for the faith
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue of Religions is dedicated to theological studies focused on youth, with particular attention to family, education, and religion. The study of young people from a theological perspective offers a broad spectrum of possibilities. Traditionally, youth have often been considered “the future”. Yet, their impact is felt very much in the present because their decisions shape the contemporary world in which we all live. Their current choices also have a lasting effect on their own lives and society at large. Moreover, childhood and adolescence have been considered problematic stages in life, times when young people feel increasingly uncomfortable with all that is institutional or fixed. However, this is not the entire picture, since many youth today commit themselves to voluntary work in non-profit organizations and communities.

Consequently, this Special Issue aims to shed light on contemporary youth with attention to their theology and their relationship to major institutions in society, including, but not limited to, family, education, and religion. This call solicits studies that focus on youth from a holistic point of view, in that each and every aspect of the life of young people leaves an effect on all the dimensions of youth as a stage of life. Theology can illuminate aspects of young people’s lives in complex and multi-faceted situations.

This theme will be broadly considered by addressing various dimensions of young people’s lives while seeking relevant answers to their needs. The Special Issue is inclusive of every age of youth, from childhood through late adolescence. Moreover, youth can be studied in different environments and from different points of view, with special reference to family, education, and religion. This focus ensures a multidisciplinary approach to youth and theology.

This Special Issue is open to research on this theme in different countries and from different perspectives and religions. Theologians, youth ministers, historians, and other youth scholars are welcome to contribute to this Special Issue and delve into the intricate interplay between theology, family life, education, and religious formation, with a focus on how these elements shape the faith journeys of youth in contemporary society. Contributors are invited to offer both critical analyses and practical theological insights to parents, educators, and youth ministers, helping them to support young people in their spiritual quest and navigate their way in a very complex world.

Given the importance of this topic, we are pleased to invite you to reflect on these issues in light of your communities and to explore various ways that theology can continue to inform how we nurture and support faith in youth.

In this Special Issue, original research articles and reviews are welcome. Research may include, but is not limited to, the following:

  • Youth from a theological perspective;
  • Youth theology;
  • Theologizing with youth;
  • Positive religious and spiritual development in youth;
  • Biblical perspectives on youth;
  • Youth and parents;
  • Dimensions of youth development and theology;
  • Theological insights on youth;
  • Faith in young people;
  • Influence of the family on youth;
  • Education as a contribution to youth;
  • Young people, faith, and family life;
  • The intersection between theology and pedagogy in youth;
  • Effects of secularization on youth;
  • Digital faith: social media, young people, and faith;
  • Intergenerational education for faith;
  • The family as the cradle for the faith of youth;
  • Education as a source of inspiration to youth;
  • Theological perspectives on youth in different religions;
  • Faith education, catechesis, and youth.

We request that, prior to submitting a manuscript, interested authors first submit a proposed title and an abstract of 200-300 words summarizing their intended contribution. Please send this to the Guest Editor or to an Assistant Editor of Religions. Abstracts will be reviewed by the Guest Editor for the purposes of ensuring proper fit within the scope of this Special Issue. Full manuscripts will undergo double-blind peer review.

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Dr. Carl-Mario Sultana
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a double-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Religions is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 1800 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • youth theology
  • youth, the family, and faith
  • theology of education and youth
  • youth and religion/belief
  • youth ministry
  • youth studies

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Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

21 pages, 276 KiB  
Article
The Future of Religious Education: The Role and Contributions of Youth Theology
by Handan Yalvaç Arıcı
Religions 2025, 16(4), 454; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel16040454 - 1 Apr 2025
Viewed by 413
Abstract
Studies on youth theology, although a relatively new research field, offer various theoretical frameworks and methodological approaches concerning young people’s theological thought structures. These studies not only illuminate the process of religious identity formation among youth but also provide an opportunity to reassess [...] Read more.
Studies on youth theology, although a relatively new research field, offer various theoretical frameworks and methodological approaches concerning young people’s theological thought structures. These studies not only illuminate the process of religious identity formation among youth but also provide an opportunity to reassess the pedagogical and practical dimensions of religious education. In particular, analyses of the intersections of youth theology with family, educational, and religious contexts offer practitioners of this field new perspectives and horizons not only at the theoretical but also at the practical level, contributing to a more inclusive and effective structuring of religious education. The main purpose of this study is to present the contributions of youth theology to the theoretical and practical dimensions of religious education in an analytical framework. In this context, the focus of this study is to examine how the perspectives offered by youth theology on the religious identity construction, spiritual development, and social roles of young individuals can shape the content, methods, and practices of religious education. In this regard, examining the relationship between the pedagogical dynamics of youth theology and religious education aims to provide a theoretical enrichment to the literature and innovative approaches to practical applications. This study was designed with the case study method, which is one of the qualitative research designs, and the document analysis technique was used as a data collection tool. The research data were analyzed using the descriptive evaluation method. This approach enabled the research to be handled in an in-depth and systematic manner and to present the relevant data in a meaningful way. This study, which deals with the phenomena of youth and theology in relation to each other, aims to examine the interactions between these phenomena in depth. In the concluding section, various educational models for religious education targeting young individuals are proposed, offering practical recommendations derived from a theoretical framework. These recommendations aim to highlight the potential contributions of youth theology to religious education, serving as a guiding resource for future research and applications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Theological Studies on Youth: Family, Education and Religion)
13 pages, 232 KiB  
Article
“To Thine Own Self Be True”: A Mystagogical Journey Through Liturgical Experience in Shaping the Christian Identity of Youth
by Dorianne Buttigieg
Religions 2025, 16(4), 407; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel16040407 - 24 Mar 2025
Viewed by 330
Abstract
In the pursuit of an authentic Christian experience, particularly among young people, it is essential to focus on reconfiguring what constitutes a true Christian identity. This entails a deep immersion in the lived experience of faith, with particular emphasis on the liturgical encounter, [...] Read more.
In the pursuit of an authentic Christian experience, particularly among young people, it is essential to focus on reconfiguring what constitutes a true Christian identity. This entails a deep immersion in the lived experience of faith, with particular emphasis on the liturgical encounter, along with the signs and symbols employed in the experience. In the face of innumerable challenges partly precipitated by contemporary society and culture, such an engagement can foster a genuine experience of Christian life, encouraging young people to embrace authenticity while maintaining a focus on core beliefs and identity markers as they are lived and experienced. Consequently, the liturgical experience enhances the mystagogical journey, allowing young people to reflect on their identity as active participants in the faith. This intentional focus enables them to perceive faith as a true and defining marker of their identity as Christians. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Theological Studies on Youth: Family, Education and Religion)
11 pages, 249 KiB  
Article
Youth Being Ignored or Sidelined Is Identity Denied
by Malan Nel
Religions 2025, 16(3), 303; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel16030303 - 27 Feb 2025
Viewed by 277
Abstract
It has happened so many times in history: the youth being ignored or sidelined. Such behaviour was and is often motivated by culture. In most cultures, the youth, children, and adolescents are important and loved; however, in society and churches, they are on [...] Read more.
It has happened so many times in history: the youth being ignored or sidelined. Such behaviour was and is often motivated by culture. In most cultures, the youth, children, and adolescents are important and loved; however, in society and churches, they are on the sideline, until culture determines their real belonging. The theological departure point of inclusivity has just not been taken yet. In this article will be argued that however natural cultural behaviour might be, to ignore or sideline children and adolescents is to deny our Christian identity as the church of God. In God’s mind, children are included even before they are born. They may be man-and-woman-made, but in fact, they are God-made (Psalm 127 verse 3). They may not even have been part of a man-and-woman-made plan. Coming into being, whether planned or unplanned, does not catch God off-guard. Being is a gift of God, not only to a parent or parents but to the faith community. A theological understanding of our identity as the people of God compels us not and never to ignore or sideline the youth at any stage of life. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Theological Studies on Youth: Family, Education and Religion)
15 pages, 2609 KiB  
Article
Generation Z Identification of the Concept of Authority and the Process of the Management of Media Messages in the Catholic Church
by Zbigniew Widera, Wiktor Widera and Grzegorz Polok
Religions 2025, 16(1), 85; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel16010085 - 15 Jan 2025
Viewed by 787
Abstract
The growing importance of the influence of the media on the Catholic faithful calls for an answer to the question of to what extent the church’s activity in initiating messages of faith is subordinated to the logic and pragmatics of the media, which [...] Read more.
The growing importance of the influence of the media on the Catholic faithful calls for an answer to the question of to what extent the church’s activity in initiating messages of faith is subordinated to the logic and pragmatics of the media, which change the forms of the presence of religion in the lives of Catholics and the contexts in which it is positioned? As a result, it should force reflection: how to form and distribute religious messages using the tools of the media and, more generally, to manage the process of building relationships with the faithful. In this process, it is crucial to identify the factors influencing the faithful and especially the validity of existing values in their lives. The authors of this article focus on the concept of authority, identifying it in the research process conducted in Generation Z, aiming to form a conclusion as to whether it can constitute a value in the initiated media messages. The conducted study and its conclusions are considered from a Catholic perspective, referencing the importance of authority as one of the Church’s fundamental values. This value strengthens the building of a community of believers, as religious authorities, their behaviors, and views reinforce the transmitted ideas. The authority, which serves to enhance the conveyed messages, frequently appears in media transmissions. The concept of authority is explored in the theoretical section of the article. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Theological Studies on Youth: Family, Education and Religion)
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15 pages, 1469 KiB  
Article
The Level of Trust of Young Catholics in the Institutional Representatives of the Catholic Church: An Example from Poland
by Adam R. Szromek, Grzegorz Polok and Marek Bugdol
Religions 2024, 15(12), 1512; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel15121512 - 11 Dec 2024
Viewed by 847
Abstract
The article addresses the issue of the level of trust in the Catholic clergy in Poland among the youngest adult Catholics. The authors formulate their conclusions on the basis of a literature review and their own extensive research conducted among young adult Catholics [...] Read more.
The article addresses the issue of the level of trust in the Catholic clergy in Poland among the youngest adult Catholics. The authors formulate their conclusions on the basis of a literature review and their own extensive research conducted among young adult Catholics born after 1995 (Generation Z). The research focused on the level of trust assessed with regard to the hierarchical division of the clergy in the Catholic Church as well as scandals involving priests exposed in recent years. The performed analyses took into account the level of religious commitment of young Catholics and their attitudes towards the role of the hierarchical Church in solving their problems. The research results indicate a significant level of trust in the Pope, a slightly lower level of trust in parish priests, and a very low level of trust in bishops and the institution of the Catholic Church in general. The decisive majority of those following religious observances and declaring compliance with the moral principles in line with Church teachings maintain trust in the institution of the Church. The final conclusions point to the need to manage the trust of the faithful as beneficiaries and clients of religious organisations such as the Church. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Theological Studies on Youth: Family, Education and Religion)
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10 pages, 258 KiB  
Article
Shaped by His Upbringing: Jesus’ Mission in Luke 4: 16–22 Aligned with Luke 2: 51–52 as a Paradigm for Youth Formation, Empowerment, and Social Engagement Today
by Paul Sciberras
Religions 2024, 15(12), 1433; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel15121433 - 26 Nov 2024
Viewed by 930
Abstract
This paper examines the formative influence of Jesus’ upbringing in Nazareth, particularly as depicted in Luke 4: 16–22, alongside related passages such as Luke 2: 51–52. Through these accounts, this analysis seeks to elucidate the social, cultural, and spiritual dimensions of Jesus’ early [...] Read more.
This paper examines the formative influence of Jesus’ upbringing in Nazareth, particularly as depicted in Luke 4: 16–22, alongside related passages such as Luke 2: 51–52. Through these accounts, this analysis seeks to elucidate the social, cultural, and spiritual dimensions of Jesus’ early life and their significance in shaping his mission and identity, as well as how his religious customs and community involvement can inspire contemporary youth by integrating the core pillars of faith, education, and family and empowering them to confront modern challenges with a holistic perspective inspired by Jesus’ mission. Methodologically, it should be taken for granted that a tendency to psychologise biblical characters—interpreting their actions or decisions as if they shared modern psychological frameworks—can lead to oversimplifications or misapplications. For example, Jesus’ obedience to his parents reflects a culture of strict family authority, contrasting with today’s focus on independence and self-expression in youth development. By examining key Greek terms such as tethramménos (from trépho: ‘having been brought up’) and katà tò eiōthòs autộ (‘as was his custom’) in v.16, this study emphasises Jesus’ strong connection to his faith and cultural heritage. His regular participation in synagogue life and his upbringing in a religious and familial context (see Luke 2: 51–52) were crucial in shaping his identity and preparing him for his transformative and transforming mission, according to the Isaianic prophecy (61: 1–2) he read on the same occasion. This paper argues that these early experiences, particularly his education within the Jewish tradition and his family’s role in nurturing his spiritual growth, were foundational for the holistic mission Jesus would later proclaim—a mission that sought spiritual, social, and physical liberation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Theological Studies on Youth: Family, Education and Religion)
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