Author ERIC LANE
Publisher GRACE PUBLICATIONS OR EVANGELICAL PRESS
ISBN 0-94646239-9
This was first published in 1996 and is still available new. It is a succinct attempt to develop a Biblical Theology of Childhood. Do not let the word ‘theology’ faze you because it is a sensible and readable book of about one hundred and fifty pages written for Christian parents who want to know what the Bible has to say about their children and those who are not blessed to be raised in a Christian home. Questions such as moral responsibility, ‘original’ sin, what happens to infants when they die, can they be converted, and if so, at what age and do they thereby become qualified to be baptized and partake of the Lord’s supper and participate in church life. All these issues are examined as best as is possible from a Biblical point of view. I say “as best as is possible” because, although the Old Covenant presents a very clear picture of the family and of children in the Theocracy of the nation of Israel, the New Testament does not present such a picture, and as the writer, quoting another author, says, “on some matters we have to embrace a reverent agnosticism.” However, that said, there is plenty of sensible writing to be found in this book. What about child discipline and punishment, what place do children have in the local church? Are Sunday schools appropriate or is the teaching of children primarily the responsibility of their parents? Should children have separate meetings or be incorporated into the regular gatherings of the church, Sunday mornings in particular. As we know, opinions and practices abound and parents often ‘choose’ churches dependent upon the ‘children’s ministry’ and whether it suits ‘little Jenny or Jonnie.’ All in all this is a useful book in that it presses the reader back into the Scriptures and away from the spirit of the world and the way that has affected parental and family attitudes. Horace Bushnell was among the first to present the notion of nurture against nature and this dichotomy is examined as is the more reformed theological view of the children of Christian parents, namely that they are already in the covenant. A book written to help parents gain a Biblical understanding of how to raise their children in the midst of the struggle often involved with the various stages of their growth and to help elders and pastors lead their churches into a Godly order.
