100 Years of REA – Religious Education Association

Historical Articles Celebrating 100 Years of REA

REA 100 years

These articles are provided as PDF documents.

Theodore W. Brelsford, “Editorial Introduction.” Originally published in Religious Education, Vol. 98 No. 4, Fall 2003.

William Rainey Harper, “The Scope and Purpose of the New Organization.” Originally published in The Religious Education Association: Proceedings of the First Convention, Chicago 1903. 1903. Chicago: The Religious Education Association (230-240).

John Dewey, “Religious Education As Conditioned by Modern Psychology And Pedagogy.” Originally published in The Religious Education Association: Proceedings of the First Convention, Chicago 1903. 1903. Chicago: The Religious Education Association (60-66).

George Albert Coe, “Religious Education as a Part of General Education.” Originally published in The Religious Education Association: Proceedings of the First Convention, Chicago 1903. 1903. Chicago: The Religious Education Association (44-52).

Harrison Sackett Elliott, “Reflections of a Religious Educator.” Originally published in Religious Education, Volume XLV, July-August, 1950, Number 4 (193-202).

The following article traces the influences of William Rainey Harper, John Dewey, and George Albert Coe in the REA’s formation, and explores social and intellectual conditions shaping this movement in its beginnings.

Helen Allan Archibald, “Originating Visions and Visionaries of the REA.” Published in Religious Education Vol. 98 No. 4, Fall 2003

The following additional historical articles and essays dealing with the legacy and future of the REA may be found in the special centennial issue of REACH:

Ann Ida Gannon, “Crisis, Hope, and God.” The article appears in Religious Education, LXVII(2), March-April 1973:170-173.
Boardman W. Kathan, “70 Years of the Journal, Religious Education, 1906 – 1976.” From a mimeographed document provided by Ann Ida Gannon.
Theodore W. Brelsford (Candler School of Theology), “Factors Fueling Religious Education Then and Now: Similarities at the Beginnings of the 20th and 21st Centuries.”
Yolanda Y. Smith (Yale Divinity School), “Not Just Sunday School! Religious Education in the New Millennium: New Visions for Partnership in Ministry and Theological Education.”
Walter Jacob (President, Abraham Geiger College, President of the Freehof Institute of Jewish Law and Ethic, & Senior Scholar, Rodef Shalom Congregation, Pittsburgh, PA), “Celebrating and Looking Ahead.”
“Leaders Across the Years.”