1. Biblical Understandings of Children and Childhood: Marcia J. Bunge, Ph.D. Professor of Theology and Humanities Christ College, Valparaiso University Director of the Child in Religion and Ethics Project Australia, July 2012

2. Biblical Understandings of Children and Childhood Provide a foundation for theologies of childhood and child theologies. Help strengthen the Church’s commitment to children.

3. The Bible expresses six insightful and central perspectives on children that can: - broaden our conception of children -strengthen our commitment to them in all areas of the Church -and provide a foundation for theologies of childhood and child theologies BIBLICAL PERSPECTIVES AND RESOURCES FOR THEOLOGIES OF CHILDHOOD

4. 1. Gifts of God and Sources of Joy (Ex: Genesis, Psalms, Jeremiah, John 16, Comenius, Luther)

5. 2. Sinful Creatures and Moral Agents (Ex: Genesis, Proverbs, Psalms, Romans) Born into a “state of sin.” Carry out “actual sins.” Infants and young children are not as sinful as adults; they should be treated tenderly. Some who viewed children as sinful also viewed them as equals and thereby shattered barriers of gender, race and class. (Ex: Francke)

6. 3. Developing Beings Who Need Instruction and Guidance (Ex: Deuteronomy, Proverbs, Ephesians, Chrysostom, Comenius, Luther, Calvin)

7. 4. Fully Human and Made in the Image of God (Ex: Genesis, Cyprian, Rahner)

8. 5. Models of Faith and Sources or Vehicles of Revelation (Ex: Samuel, Gospels, Schleiermacher)

9. 6. Orphans, Neighbors, and Strangers in Need of Justice and Compassion (Ex: Deuteronomy, Psalms, Gospels, James, Francke, Wesley, Brueggemann)

10. If we neglect the six biblical themes and focus on only one or two, then we risk falling into deficient understandings of children, and we risk treating children in inadequate and harmful ways. Dangers of Narrow Understandings of Children

11. Examples of Dangers If: we view children primarily as gifts of God and models of faith Then: we might neglect nurturing and guiding them.

12. If: we view children primarily as sinful and in need of instruction Then: we might neglect learning from and delighting in children. Examples of Dangers

13. If: we view children primarily as victims Then: we might neglect hearing their own voices and recognizing their own strengths. Examples of Dangers

14. If: we perceive children primarily as moral agents and participants Then: we might encourage them to use their gifts yet perhaps neglect to protect and guide them. Examples of Dangers

15. If: we focus primarily on nurturing only “our own” children Then: we might neglect reaching out to all children in need. Examples of Dangers

16. Avoiding these Dangers Incorporate a complex view of the child that holds together the inherent paradoxes of being a child that are recognized in the Bible.

17. Holding onto biblical paradoxes and seeing children as: –Fully human and made in the image of God yet also still developing and in need of instruction and guidance. –Gifts of God and sources of joy yet also capable of selfish and sinful actions. –Vulnerable and in need of protection yet also strong, insightful, and models of faith.

18. Holding in tension all six biblical perspectives of children will broaden our conception of children and strengthen our commitment to children in many areas of the Church. IMPLICATIONS

19. 1. Enrich Worship, Spiritual Formation, and Religious Education

20. 2. Strengthen Child, Youth, and Family Ministries

21. 3. Advance Child Advocacy Efforts Nationally and Internationally

22. 4. Support Faith-Based Organizations that Work with Children at Risk The Child Development Training and Research Center

23. 5. Strengthen theological education at seminaries and colleges so they include attention to children.

24. How? 1.Ensure all students know that children (not just adults) are -fully human, -full members of the body of Christ, and -gifts to the whole Church. This helps foster: ATTENTION TO CHILDREN ACROSS THE CURRICULUM

25. How? 2. Require and strengthen courses on religious education, child and family ministries, child advocacy, and faith-based organizations.

26. How? 3. Strengthen theological and ethical reflection to include both –Theologies of childhood –Child Theologies

27. WORKING TOGETHER AS MEMBERS OF THE BODY OF CHRIST All of us here honor and respect children. Together our work reflects attention to the six primary biblical perspectives regarding children.

28. WORKING TOGETHER WE ARE ABLE TO Attend to the complex needs and gifts of children. Work on many levels (locally and internationally). Work in many spheres (church, academy, public and political life). Share our work in many forms and types of discourse.