ABSTRACT
The theologian and writer Henri J. M. Nouwen is well known for his writings on the theme of 'the wounded healer', but has been largely overlooked for his insights into the spirituality of 'the religion teacher'. This chapter demonstrates the connection between the two and argues that it is important to understand them in relation to one other, if his work is to be fully understood. It emphasises that no real teaching can take place unless there are students who search and religious education teachers who can offer themselves to their students, and new insights can only emerge if they come from a source which transcends both teacher and student. The chapter draws on Nouwen's two basic models of teaching the violent and the redemptive to clarify further his understanding of teaching. It then considers what Nouwen believes to be the principles of Christian leadership and how these are related to the vocation of a religious education teacher.
