Marcia J. Bunge

Marcia Bunge is professor of theology and humanities at Christ College, Valparaiso University. She received her B.A. in English and music from St. Olaf College and received her M.A. in Divinity and Ph.D. in religion and literature both from the University of Chicago. She has most recently edited another book on children titled, Children and Childhood: Biblical Perspectives.

The purpose of this book as a study in historical theology is intended “to offer critical examination of past theological perspectives on children in order to strengthen ethical and theological reflection on children today and to contribute to the current academic and broader public discussion on children.” This book is a collection of seventeen essays examining the theological perspectives of the New Testament, John Chrysostom, Augustine, Thomas Aquinas, Martin Luther, Menno Simons, Seventeenth-Century missionaries to New France, A. H. Francke, John Wesley, Jonathan Edwards, Friedrich Schleiermacher, Horace Bushnell, Mary Church Terrell, Karl Barth, Karl Rahner, and contemporary feminist theologians. Each essay is written by a different author but five key questions guide their research and writing, bringing some cohesion to the different chapters. Contemporary theologians have struggled to reflect and write on the theology of children and this book will engage readers to begin the process of serious theological reflection in this neglected arena.

Each of the writers spends a significant amount of their research and writing reflecting on primary resources. The select bibliography at the end of the book identifies the primary resources for each chapter as well as the secondary resources, which is helpful for those wanting to do some of their own original research. The writers examine primary sermons, letters, books, and then other secondary sources to discern a particular theologian’s viewpoint on children. “By using childhood as a ‘lens’ to examine the past, all of the essays in this volume reveal significant yet often ignored aspects of the ideas and practices of theologians and movements in the history of Christian thought.”

One will see what past theologians thought about original sin and punishment. Some theologians, like Jonathan Edwards, who views children inheriting original sin and being totally depraved does not advocate harsh physical punishment for children. The 17th Century Jesuits advocated harsh corporal punishment as a way to deal with original sin. Others like A.H. Francke’s view of original sin leads to treating poor children in a very compassionate way.
One also discovers a variety of views on original sin and baptism. Some theologians like Augustine believed that without baptism an infant was unworthy of salvation. Menno Simons, on the other hand, rejected infant baptism and believed that baptism should occur after conversion.

One observes, as Jesus teaches in the gospels, that adults can learn from children and should come to God as little children. Jesus elevated children to a level where they had never been viewed before. Karl Rahner and Friedrich Schleiermacher expound significantly on the fact that children are fully human worthy of value and respect from their earliest day of existence.

One will also discover how the church and its leaders have viewed children through the centuries. Some advocate public education and public programs for children whereas others do not advocate society taking such an influential role. One also discovers that child advocacy takes on a more important role for some of theologians than others.

Most of the theologians examined in this volume emphasize the importance and divine obligations of parenting. Their views arise from Scripture and shape their thoughts about the importance of children. Parents must take an active role in the educating, training, and molding their children toward godliness. Parents are the key shapers of faith in their children, a role which contemporary parents have struggled to embrace. Learning from these practitioners of the past will inform one’s present parenting strategy.

Bunge’s work will appeal more to those in the academic arena or those in educational ministries. One will not agree with all the theological viewpoints presented. Part of developing a healthy theology is to wrestle with viewpoints that agree and disagree with one’s own in order to come to a more informed conclusion. Those interested in children or those interested in a particular theologian’s views on childhood will find this a valuable resource. The historical viewpoints of theologians will enable contemporary theologians to gain insight into developing their own theology of children. While not intended to be a work on parental responsibilities of faith development in the home, it provides much historical insight into a theology of parenting as well, which has the potential to shape views of parenting in today’s society. Bunge has done a great service for parents and children for current and future generations.… (más)