When Children Became People: The Birth of Childhood in Early Christianity

by Odd Magne Bakke

Bakke paints a fascinating picture of children's first realemergence as people against a backdrop of the ancientworld. Using theological and social history research, Bakkecompares Greco-Roman and Christian attitudes towardabortion and child prostitution, pedagogy and moralupbringing, and the involvement of children in liturgy andchurch life. He also assesses Christian attitudes towardchildren in the church's developing doctrinal commitments. Today, growing numbers of children are impoverished,exploited, abandoned, orphaned, or killed. Bakke's insightfulwork begins to untangle the roots of their complex plight.

Genres: Theology, History

358 pages, Paperback

First published April 30, 2005

Reviews

[Rick Stuckwisch · Rating 4 out of 5]

A bit academic in tone, and not necessarily an "easy read" for that reason, but solid scholarship and a good, balanced presentation of the data. Very nice survey of the early church fathers on the topic of children and childhood. Comprehensive and thorough, and well organized.

[K · Rating 2 out of 5]

Too dry. Too boring. Too academic. Like a textbook.