Conversations with Poppi about God: An Eight-Year-Old and Her Theologian Grandfather Trade Questions

by Robert W. Jenson, Solveig Lucia Gold

Come and listen in as one of the world's most respected theologians talks theology with his eight-year-old granddaughter. In Conversations with Poppi about God, Robert Jenson and Solveig Lucia Gold share with us their unscripted, spontaneous talks about everything from the meaning of the Trinity to what God looks like. The result is a charming and enlightening book that reminds us all we have a lot to learn from theologians and from children. Now available in paper, Conversations with Poppi will appeal to parents, grandparents, pastors, teachers, and Christians looking for a refreshing perspective on the mysteries of Christianity.

Genres: Theology, Christianity, Childrens

160 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 2006

About the author

Robert W. Jenson was a student of Barth's theology for many years, and his doctoral dissertation at the University of Heidelberg earned Barth’s approval as an interpretation of his writings. A native of Wisconsin, Dr. Jenson attended Luther College in Iowa and Luther Theological Seminary in Saint Paul, Minnesota, before studying at Heidelberg where he was awarded his Doctor of Theology, summa cum laude. After doing graduate work at the University of Basel he returned to the United States. He taught theology for many years at the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg and St. Olaf College. Dr. Jenson also served as Senior Scholar for Research at the Center of Theological Inquiry, Princeton, NJ. He died in 2017.

Reviews

[Rod Horncastle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hmmm, I would give the 8 year old girl 5 stars, but Grandpa only gets 2. I rounded it off to 3.

What a pleasant idea: Grandpa chats with his Grand-daughter about theological matters. But at the end of the day - I'm not sure what the book accomplished, other than family entertainment and some memories. I sure hope more Grandpa's take on this challenge with such eager brilliant young minds.
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This book explains the "Heaven Is For Real" Colton Burpo, 4 year old going to heaven and back nonsense. If an 8 year old like Solveig can know as much as she does about Church and God (having a Grandfather that is a theological Professor of sorts) then little Colton, having a Father as a full-time Pastor, should indeed know exactly what he claimed to - based on time spent with Poppas in the church and home. Remember - Heaven is For Real came out many years after Colton was a creative 4 year old. It's amazing what kids pick up and confuse. But i'd bet my money on 8 year old Solveig actually having some Biblical truth.
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I'm not convinced Grandpa is much of a theologian. Sure he's a historically academic thought recycler (nothing wrong with that - IF you want to give an excited youngster a boring romp through church history) But I wouldn't walk across the street to prob his theological mind for anything passionate or non-dusty. Reminds me of all those boring Bible College Profs who missed the Star Wars like adventure that SCREAMS from almost every page of the Bible (Flaming swords, Angel Battles, Floating Zoos and Whale submarines). Turning the greatest story ever told into a fussed over liturgical homework assignment... Yawnnnn. It's not really that bad = Poppi does have some occasional fun.

But 8 year old Solveig Lucia Gold is like no child I have ever met. (She's around 20 years old now - I wonder if she is still an inquisitive theological genius?)
It's one thing to study theology and religious thought academically - it's quite another to dig in and passionately tear a strip out of it looking for hidden jewels and endless possibilities. I wish I had a mind like hers when I was her age. I do NOW, but i've wasted so much time.

Over the years I had a about a 100 questions for God and religious thought, after I burned through those - I went and started answering Atheists and Muslim's attacks on Biblical Christianity. The world needs more theologians like Solveig, ones who aren't afraid or held back by institutions and moldy classic thought. Question everything... like she does.
Thankfully she is on a good foundation, God's Bible and Word is the source - the challenge is the interpretations and biased desires we interrupt the truth with.

This joyful little encounter is inspiring and insightful, not for Poppi's truth necessarily - but for all the imaginative thought processes that a young person can apply to Christian thought. Luther/Calvin/Edwards/Spurgeon and especially William Tyndale would be proud of Solveig's creative edge and fearless rambunctiousness. I can't wait to have a Grand Daughter and tackle some Angel, Demon, Baptism, Origins, Morals, Salvation, and a general Zany approach to theology and Biblical truth. And may Talking Donkeys and Flaming Swords always be present in the conversations.

[Christopher Trend · Rating 4 out of 5]

8 year old theologian talks to 73 year old theologian. It’s a fascinating conversation & gives an insight into how 8 year olds think. Although I like some of Robert Jenson’s ideas, I find him hard to follow. This book does make his thinking more straightforward.
Given that 8 year old Solveig has a lot of Biblical knowledge & exposure to Church, I’m not sure how this would help teachers explain Christianity to those who don’t know the story of Jesus or how church works.

[Kathleen Krynski · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was cute and definitely raised some questions for me about Jenson's theology, especially his doctrine of God and Christology. Should be interesting to study his work more this semester, though I suspect I'll disagree with him quite a bit.

[Miles Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

Charming little book. A bit formulaic, but charming nonetheless.

[Josh Davis · Rating 2 out of 5]

Cute concept for a book -- and there were humorous and clever moments -- but on the whole there wasn't much that I found especially insightful.

[Jeremy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quote a precocious and theologically learned 8 year old!

[Raka Kurnia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Buku ini merupakan rangkaian percakapan seorang anak berusia 8 tahun dengan kakeknya, seorang profesor teologi, berusia 73 tahun. Percakapan ini meliputi beragam topik seputar teologi. Beberapa topik dibicarakan panjang lebar, sementara topik-topik lain mendapat porsi lebih pendek. Pertanyaan dan jawaban yang ada dalam buku ini sama sekali tidak dirancang. Semuanya berjalan secara begitu alamiah.

Beberapa topik yang dibahas dalam buku ini meliputi soal penciptaan, Trinitas, Sinterklas, maupun soal surat penghapusan dosa; soal penyaliban, bagaimana rupa Allah, sampai tentang Daud dan Salomo. Sesekali pembaca akan menemukan kekhasan anak-anak, seperti ngotot akan satu hal, meskipun hanya sekadar bercanda, misalnya dalam salah satu topik mengenai Trinitas.

Rangkaian percakapan ini sengaja dihadirkan sebagai pendorong bagi pembaca. Robert W. Jenson sendiri menegaskan dalam pengantarnya bahwa rumah pertama bagi kebenaran, termasuk teologi dan hal-hal lainnya, ialah percakapan yang hidup. Sedangkan rumah kedua adalah membaca lagi rangkaian percakapan tersebut.

[Ken McGuire · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this when it came out, and loved it. I reread it for Easter this year, and found that it has worn fairly well. It is a marvelous witness to honest dialogue with our children, and also wrestles with some important theological themes.

This is the record of a loving discussion between Grandfather and Granddaughter, as the cover says. And so it moves all over the place whenever their mind wanders (and both do a bit). This is not the place for Jenson's ideas in a tightly organized form. But he has written PLENTY of that! (His Large Catechism and 2 volume Systematics spring to mind)

And so if read as a gift to us of watching over their shoulders as they do theology, it is great - and this is what it is.

[Carrie · Rating 1 out of 5]

The theology in this book comes from a more liturgical (Catholic, Episcopal) background than the evangelical background that I come from. I had a problem with the theology in the book, particularly about creation and the Holy Spirit, which by the way, I don't think most Catholics would even agree with. With that said, this book didn't pass the 50 page rule either. I found the dialogue to be a little bit of a dry read and some sections end abruptly and the same topic will be picked up 10 pages down the road. I thought some of that could have been grouped together instead of going strictly chronologically.

[Craig · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a wonderfully witty and probing book of some deep topics made accessible and understandable because of the ability of a child's mind to bring the esoteric down to the real and the earthy. Jenson's granddaughter is a fun, insightful and intelligent little girl who does not shy away from the hard questions that adults might feel too embarrassed or boxed in to ask. And Jenson's ability to spar verbally with his granddaughter yet allow space for her to lead the conversation where she will makes this a delightful yet informative read. This is one I will read again.

[William Bradford · Rating 4 out of 5]

A series of discussions between an 8 year old and her grandfather on a number of faith related questions. The questions move between profound to silly (which adds to the charm). The book is a fascinating glimpse into how children think about their faith, and is highly recommended for anyone who regularly works with children at church.

[Septian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Robert Jenson and his granddaughter, Solveig, talking stuffs.

[BJ · Rating 1 out of 5]

Great idea, yet kinda blah.

[Stephen Morrison · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable book. Had some interesting bits but overall nothing extremely important.