Boldly applying historical ways of knowing to the study of nascent Islam in RE - Journal of Religious Education
An examination of Religious Education (RE) textbooks reveals that when pupils are taught about the history of Makkah, the life of Muhammad, the Quran, and the emergence of Islam, the content is often presented as a straightforward narrative based on Islamic tradition. This approach typically lacks critical engagement and overlooks alternative scholarly perspectives. Notably, historians such as Patricia Crone and Michael Cook in the 1970s, and more recently Tom Holland, have raised significant questions about the historical reliability of these traditional accounts. Their work suggests that the origins of Islam are more complex and contested than commonly portrayed. This paper argues that a Religion and Worldviews approach to RE should encourage the use of historical ways of knowing—including critical historical methods, tools of analysis, and engagement with diverse scholarly viewpoints. It contends that pupils should be equipped to interrogate sources, assess evidence, and understand the nature of historical inquiry as applied to religious narratives. Through an analysis of current RE textbooks and a review of critical scholarship, this paper highlights the lack of criticality in existing materials. It proposes that educators can and should boldly introduce pupils to these historical methods, fostering a more informed, nuanced, and academically rigorous understanding of the early development of Islam.
Thrilled this article is out! Looking at nascent Islam, it argues that in RE, even with disciplinary intent, historical enquiry is often neglected and faith narratives get rehearsed as fact. Open Access thanks to
@livhopefess.bsky.social
link.springer.com/article/10.1... #TeamRE
09.10.2025 13:16 — 👍 4 🔁 0 💬 3 📌 0
The LHU Campus
Delighted that from September I will be teaching on the RE PGCE at Liverpool Hope University.
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16.08.2025 07:58 — 👍 7 🔁 0 💬 1 📌 0
I’m delighted to share that I’m starting a new role as Executive Officer at NASACRE! This is a new post to support the executive in carrying out its aims and priorities, working on behalf of member SACREs. #TeamRE
01.08.2025 07:44 — 👍 9 🔁 0 💬 4 📌 0
Really pleased to have joined the mentoring Team for @culhamstgabriel.bsky.social Leadership Programme. It is such a valuable programme that helps nurture the next generation of RE leaders.
18.07.2025 15:05 — 👍 4 🔁 1 💬 1 📌 0
I'm proud that over nearly 20 years I've helped hundreds of people achieve their dream of becoming a teacher, and helped hundreds more get better at teaching. On 1st June I will leave Edge Hill, and see what the future holds for me.
14.05.2025 15:15 — 👍 3 🔁 0 💬 1 📌 0
Brilliant programme on BBC1 now for #TeamRE.
Sunday Kitchen are doing a special on Buddhism for Wesak Day
11.05.2025 09:37 — 👍 5 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
A brilliant article.
May be useful for #TeamRE esp for A level.
10.05.2025 08:17 — 👍 3 🔁 2 💬 0 📌 0
Can you spot me in @kathrynfenlodge.bsky.social's busy week?
#TeamRE
08.05.2025 06:14 — 👍 5 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
I cannot recommend this experience enough. It is a fantastic opportunity for your professional development, but also a great deal of fun. Do it!
24.04.2025 16:47 — 👍 4 🔁 2 💬 0 📌 0
I have been thinking about this title for the #teamRE summer school.
How about these for project ideas?
1. Looking at digital pilgrimages - do they have the same spiritual meaning?
2. How ancient religious concepts can drive modern activism. Ahimsa, stewardship, sewa.…
1/2
15.04.2025 12:02 — 👍 3 🔁 2 💬 1 📌 0
Missed already by so many.
08.04.2025 08:29 — 👍 6 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
@roywd.bsky.social Thinking of you both today. I have no words, only love.
06.04.2025 18:12 — 👍 1 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
@roywd.bsky.social Only just heard the news about @missdcox.bsky.social through the summer school WhatsApp.
I hope and pray that she will be alright 🙏.
02.04.2025 19:28 — 👍 3 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
This is the key paragraph for #TeamRE from the CaAR
assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/67d961...
18.03.2025 15:25 — 👍 5 🔁 1 💬 0 📌 0
Great way to spend a Weds evening - hearing #TeamRE experts discussing the C&A Review and their hopes for RE 🤞🏼🤞🏼 Thanks @culhamstgabriel.bsky.social for hosting and facilitating these discussions!
29.01.2025 17:20 — 👍 6 🔁 3 💬 0 📌 0
Students in a lecture theatre
Our Edge Hill Year 3 QTS Undergraduates are today visiting RunshawCollege to find out about teaching at Post-16
06.12.2024 09:28 — 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
no - I haven't read every Agreed Syllabus. I don't know how much disciplinary RE is included.
05.12.2024 10:28 — 👍 1 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
"There can be no educational rationale for why a pupil in Hampshire requires a different pedagogical approach to RE than one in neighbouring Sussex." 👀
30.11.2024 18:48 — 👍 2 🔁 1 💬 0 📌 0
How amazing it would be if this gets 500 views in the first month! #UkEd #EduSky #TeamRE
30.11.2024 09:02 — 👍 5 🔁 3 💬 1 📌 0
If you look really hard, you can spot me in this article about RE Hubs by @claireclinton1967.bsky.social #TeamRE
28.11.2024 22:55 — 👍 5 🔁 2 💬 0 📌 0
How was it?
24.11.2024 11:44 — 👍 1 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
Yes - but then we get into discussions about who decides which stories (for example!) that might be another paper when I have thought more about it!
22.11.2024 10:01 — 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 1 📌 0
Welcome (back) tu’t north!
21.11.2024 23:35 — 👍 1 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
Bwfc fans celebrating
21.11.2024 22:10 — 👍 1 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
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