CHAPTER I

Pedagogy of God,
source and model of the pedagogy
of the faith

 (⁴⁸⁶)

Pedagogy of God

139. "God is treating you as sons; for what son is there whom his father does not discipline?" (Heb 12:7) The salvation of the person, which is the ultimate purpose of Revelation, is shown as a fruit of an original and efficacious "pedagogy of God" throughout history. Similar to human usage and according to the cultural categories of time, God in Scripture is seen as a merciful Father, teacher and sage. (⁴⁸⁷) He assumes the character of the person, the individual and the community according to the conditions in which they are found. He liberates the person from the bonds of evil and attracts him to himself by bonds of love. He causes the person to grow progressively and patiently towards the maturity of a free son, faithful and obedient to his word. To this end, as a creative and insightful teacher, God transforms events in the life of his people into lessons of wisdom, (⁴⁸⁸) adapting himself to the diverse ages and life situations. Thus he entrusts words of instruction and catechesis which are transmitted from generation to generation. (⁴⁸⁹) He admonishes with reward and punishment, trials and sufferings, which become a formative influence. (⁴⁹⁰) Truly, to help a person to encounter God, which is the task of the catechist, means to emphasize above all the relationship that the person has with God so that he can make it his own and allow himself to be guided by God.