THE DIVINE PEDAGOGY OF FORMATION: An Analysis of the Formative Methods Used by Yahweh in Some Cases of OT Persons

We live in an era where new and new methods of religious and priestly formation are being experimented. The old methods are often rejected and sometimes held in contempt. Many have recourse to techniques developed by psychology. Sometimes the candidates are given only a psychological formation. Some seem to think that a degree in psychology may qualify a person to become a formator. At this juncture one may ask few questions. What is the method of formation used by God in the Bible? What are its traits? Does the divine pedagogy of formation have any relevance for modern times? The articles in this book do not directly deal with these questions. It is left to those who are being engaged in the area of formation to evaluate and adduce the logical conclusions. I restrict myself to the field of Bible. There we find that God employs adventurous and challenging methods to give formation to the called ones of the Old Testament. In this study we analyze the divine pedagogy in forming Abraham, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, Joshua, Samson, Samuel, Saul, David, Solomon, Elijah, Jeremiah, Hosea, Amos, Jonah, Tobit-family-friends and Esther and Judith. All the divine endeavours did not achieve success due to the non- cooperation of the formees. Saul’s story is an example. In Samson we find the tragic- comic end of formation. Solomon was a formee who began well. The study ends with the story of Esther and Judith who deserve the designation “devout and daring disciples.”