Hypophoric Pedagogy: Gen Z Challenged to Seek Solutions Rather Than Stop at Criticism
The second day of the Fourth Annual Research Conference at Hekima University College featured a provocative presentation by Dr. Stephen Eyeowa, SJ, who urged Gen Z to transcend mere social critique and evolve into architects of tangible solutions.
Reflecting on recent youth-led movements across Kenya, Madagascar, and Nepal, Dr. Eyeowa acknowledged the moral courage and disruptive passion of young people in confronting systemic injustices. However, he issued a critical challenge: to complement this necessary deconstructive activism with a sustained commitment to creativity, deep reflection, and constructive problem-solving.
Speaking on the theme “Hypophoric Pedagogy: When the Bible, Literature, and Gen Zs Meet,” Dr. Eyeowa proposed a novel pedagogical framework. He invited the audience to appreciate the Bible not only as sacred scripture but also as a profound work of literature. He then introduced hypophoric pedagogy, a rhetorical and literary technique in which a writer poses a question and immediately provides an answer, serving as a powerful model for transformative dialogue and learning.
Using Psalm 121 as his central case study, he deconstructed the psalmist’s method: “I lift my eyes to the mountains where my help does come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. (Psm 121:1-2).” Dr. Eyeowa argued that this structure models a crucial intellectual and spiritual discipline: the imperative to move from a state of questioning to a posture of responsive responsibility. He posited that this framework provides a vital corrective to a contemporary culture often characterized by endless critique without subsequent constructive engagement.
Dr. Stephen Eyeowa, a Jesuit priest and biblical scholar, currently serves as the Dean of Studies at Hekima University College, Jesuit School of Theology.
By Chancy Mterera, SMM
